Disabled Facilities Grants
Home adaptations Disabled Facilities Grants A Disabled Facilities Grant is funding from your local council to help towards the cost […]
Disabled Facilities Grants
A Disabled Facilities Grant is funding from your local council to help towards the cost of adapting your home, so that you or someone living with you can continue to live there more safely and independently.
A grant may be offered when the council considers that the changes are necessary to meet the disabled person’s needs, and that the work is reasonable and practical for the property.
You may be able to apply if a disabled person lives in the property
You can usually apply if you, or someone living in your home, is disabled and needs adaptations to make the property suitable.
Owner or Tenant
You may be able to apply if you own the home, rent it, or live there as your main residence.
Someone Living With You
A grant can be for adaptations needed by another disabled person living in the property.
Landlords
In some cases, a landlord may be able to apply on behalf of a disabled tenant.
Disabled Facilities Grants vary across the UK
Disabled Facilities Grants are available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland has a different system for support with equipment and adaptations, so Scottish residents should contact their local council or social work department for guidance.
- England - apply through your local council
- Wales - apply through your local authority
- Northern Ireland - handled by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive
- Scotland - contact your local council about adaptations support
Helping you move around and use your home more easily
A Disabled Facilities Grant can be used to improve access into and around the home, or to provide essential facilities that better meet the disabled person’s needs.
The adaptations recommended will depend on the person’s circumstances, the property and what is considered reasonable and practical.
An occupational therapist will usually look at your needs and may recommend the type of adaptation required.
Examples of work a grant may help with
The exact work must usually be agreed before it starts, so speak to your local council before arranging adaptations yourself.
- Widening doors
- Installing ramps
- Improving access to rooms and facilities
- Installing a stairlift
- Providing a downstairs bathroom
- Improving or providing a suitable heating system
- Adapting heating or lighting controls
- Improving movement around the home to help care for another person
The amount may depend on your income, savings and the cost of the work
For adults, the amount of grant offered is usually based on a financial assessment, often called a means test. This looks at household income and savings above certain limits.
England
The maximum Disabled Facilities Grant in England is usually up to £30,000 per application.
Wales
The maximum grant in Wales is usually up to £36,000 per application.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has its own rules and grant limits through NIHE, so check local guidance.
How the award is worked out
The council will usually compare your income and savings with your assessed needs. Depending on the result, the financial help offered can range from none of the cost to all of the approved cost, up to the grant limit.
If you have a partner, your income may be assessed jointly. Savings above a set amount may also be considered.
Disabled children can usually receive a grant without their parents’ income being taken into account. GOV.UK currently says this applies to disabled children under 18. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
The assessment may consider:
- Household income
- Savings above the relevant limit
- Essential outgoings
- Whether the work is necessary
- Whether the work is reasonable and practical
- The approved cost of the adaptations
Will a Disabled Facilities Grant affect your benefits?
A Disabled Facilities Grant should not affect any benefits you are currently receiving. It is designed to help with the cost of necessary adaptations to your home.
Some benefits may also be ignored during the means test, but the exact assessment depends on your circumstances and the current rules used by your council.
Always ask your local council how the financial assessment applies to your situation before making decisions about work.
Apply through your local council
Your local council can explain the application process, arrange an assessment and tell you what information they need. You should not usually start work before the grant is approved.
Looking for a wheelchair accessible vehicle?
If you are adapting your home, you may also be thinking about accessible transport. Our team can help you compare wheelchair accessible cars and vans.
This page is general guidance only. Disabled Facilities Grant rules and limits can change, so always check the latest information from GOV.UK, your local council or the relevant devolved authority before applying.