You could get a grant from your council if you’re disabled and need to make changes to your home. For example if you: are physically disabled have a learning disability have age-related needs are autistic have a cognitive impairment, like dementia have a progressive condition, like motor neurone disease have a terminal illness have a mental health condition You might need to: widen doors and install ramps or grab rails improve access to rooms and facilities, for example with a stairlift, or level access shower improve access to your garden build an extension, for example a downstairs bedroom provide a heating system suitable for your needs adapt heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use A Disabled Facilities Grant won’t affect any benefits you get.

How much you get usually depends on your: household income household savings over £6,000 Disabled children under 18 can get a grant without their parents’ income being taken into account. Contact your local council for more information. Landlords can get a grant without their income and savings being taken into account. The council may ask for the property to be let to another disabled person if the current tenant moves within 5 years. How much you can apply for Country Grant England Up to £30,000 Wales Up to £36,000 Northern Ireland Up to £25,000 Scotland Disabled Facilities Grants are not available, find out about support for equipment and adaptations Some councils may give more. Depending on your income, you may need to pay towards the cost of the work to the property. You can apply for another grant for the same property if you need to. For example, if your condition changes. You might not get any grant if you start work on your property before the council approves your application. How you’ll be paid You’ll be paid either: in instalments, as the work progresses in full, when the work is finished The council may pay the contractor directly or give you a cheque to pass on to them. They’ll agree this with you when they approve your application. When you’ll be paid You’ll be paid either: when you and the council are happy with the finished work when you give the council the invoice, demand or receipt for payment from the contractor Normally, if you (or a relative) do the work the council will only accept invoices for materials or services you’ve bought.

To get a grant, you or someone else living in the house must: be disabled intend to live in the property during the grant period (usually 5 years but this can be shorter, for example, if the person is terminally ill) The person who submits the application must be either the: owner tenant landlord The council needs to be happy that the work is: necessary and appropriate to meet the disabled person’s needs reasonable and can be done, depending on the age and condition of the property The work should be completed within 12 months of the grant being approved. You might not get any grant if you start work on your property before the council approves your application. Planning and building regulations approval You need to apply separately for any planning permission or building regulations approval. The council may ask you to employ a qualified architect or surveyor to plan and oversee the work. If you get a grant, you can use it towards the cost of their fees.

Apply through your local council . The council may send an occupational therapist or trained assessor to see you. They’ll assess what changes you need to your home. Your council must give you a decision within 6 months. Help applying The government funds an organisation called Foundations who can help you to apply. Appeals You can appeal to your council if you’re unhappy with their decision. If you appeal and you’re still not happy, you can complain to the Local Government Ombudsman.

Disabled Facilities Grants

Overview

You could get a grant from your council if you’re disabled and need to make changes to your home. For example if you:

are physically disabled
have a learning disability
have age-related needs
are autistic
have a cognitive impairment, like dementia
have a progressive condition, like motor neurone disease
have a terminal illness
have a mental health condition

You might need to:

widen doors and install ramps or grab rails
improve access to rooms and facilities, for example with a stairlift, or level access shower
improve access to your garden
build an extension, for example a downstairs bedroom
provide a heating system suitable for your needs
adapt heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use

A Disabled Facilities Grant won’t affect any benefits you get.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Disabled Facilities Grants

Overview

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Disabled Facilities Grants

Overview

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