A Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is available for a range of work that will help a disabled person to maintain their independence in their home.
You can apply for a grant if you are:
- a tenant in a property
- owner-occupier of a property
- a landlord on behalf of a disabled tenant
The person who applies for the grant does not necessarily have to be the disabled person who needs the adaptations.
What type of work is eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
Disabled Facilities Grants are awarded for essential adaptations to give a disabled person greater independence within their home or easier access and egress from their home. Examples of eligible work include:
- widening doorways
- installing wheelchair accessible ramps
- installing a stair lift or vertical lift
- provision of level access showers/wet rooms
- building extensions to properties to facilitate bespoke rooms &/or equipment
Does the Council have to give me a Disabled Facilities Grant?
A Community Occupational Therapist (COT) must first assess whether the applicant is either registered or registerable disabled. The COT will then assess whether the provision of adaptations are ‘necessary and appropriate’ for the disabled person.
If satisfied of these conditions, the COT shall make a recommendation to the Grants Team for the provision of adaptations (and hence consideration of a Disabled Facilities Grant). It is for the Grants Team to consider whether the recommended works proposed by the COT are ‘reasonable and practicable’ in the circumstances.
Applicants must also undergo a means test/test of resources. (DFGs for children are means test exempt).
All of this information is crucial in considering whether to approve a DFG.
How is the Disabled Facilities Grant calculated?
The grant is means tested to ensure that those in the most need get the most help.
This will be determined by the income and capital of:
- the disabled person
- the disabled persons spouse or partner
It will take into account:
- a person's average weekly income
- any savings above a set amount
Some benefits, especially those which recognise a person's disability are disregarded.
If your resources are less than your assessed basic needs you will be given a full grant.
If your resources are more than your assessed need you may have to make a contribution towards the total cost of works, or even pay the full amount, in which case a DFG will not be provided.
If adaptations are for a child or young person who has not reached their 19th birthday, the parents will not be means tested.
What is the maximum Disabled Facilities Grant available?
The maximum grant is £36,000 including all fees and ancillary costs.
What help is available to people wishing to apply for a DFG?
The Grants Team provide a full agency service called Grant Line, which completes all forms on your behalf, assists with collating information, appoints a suitable contractor and oversees the works on site.
A modest fee of 12% is charged for this service. The cost is deducted from the grant awarded.
How will the Disabled Facilities Grant be paid?
The Council may pay the grant in installments as the work progresses or once all the work has been completed.
Your grant will only be paid when the Council is satisfied that the work has been satisfactorily completed and in accordance with the grant approval.
What are the grant conditions?
A five-year grant condition period exists for grants over £5,000 for owner-occupied properties. This condition is registered as a local land charge. The Council may reclaim the total grant monies (or a lesser sum) should the property be sold within the 5 year condition period, unless the sale is considered an exempt disposal.
If the grant award is less than £5,000, there are no grant conditions.
How do I apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
Contact Integrated Adults Service on (01685) 724507 to discuss receiving an initial needs assessment.
For further information relating to the grant itself or the in house agency contact the Grants Team via The Grant Line number below.
