Use this page to find out how to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) for adaptations to your home.
If you’re disabled, you may be able to get a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to adapt your home. The DFG helps disabled individuals make essential changes to their homes, making it safer and easier to get around and manage everyday tasks. Adapting your home can restore or enable independent living, privacy, confidence, and dignity for you and your family. The video below provides an overview for you.
Eligibility criteria
You can apply for a DFG if you’re:
- an owner, tenant, or landlord applying on behalf of a tenant
- a disabled person intending to live in the property for at least five years (or a shorter period based on health circumstances)
The disability must be long-term and can be due to:
- physical illness or injury
- major sight, hearing, speech, or mental health problems
- learning disabilities
To qualify an Occupational Therapist (OT) from either our Adult or Children's Social Care teams will need to determine that there are works needed for your home that are necessary or appropriate. Our Housing Services team must determine that the works proposed by the OT are reasonable and practical. All DFGs are subject to a financial assessment unless the works are for a child under the age of 19.
What the grant covers
Here are some examples of adaptations that might be funded:
These can include:
- widening doorways
- installing ramps or grab rails
- improving garden access
- installing a stair lift or through floor lift
- changing heating/lighting controls to make them more accessible
These can include:
- installing level-access (walk-in) showers or wet rooms
- installing a ground floor or first floor toilet
- installing a wash-dry toilet
In exceptional circumstances the Disabled Facilities Grant may be able to contribute towards the cost of building an extension or making major alterations within your home.
Deciding on grant eligible works
Every adaptation is tailored to your specific needs to support your independence and comfort.
We will carefully consider whether the proposed works are both necessary to meet your specific needs and appropriate for your home. This ensures that the adaptations provide a practical, cost-effective solution to help you live more safely and independently. We will assess your circumstances, the condition and structure of your property, and the long-term benefits of the proposed changes before making a decision.
AdaptMyHome.org.uk have a self-assessment tool that you can use to check how suitable your current home is for your needs, and whether any adaptations could help you stay safe and living independently.
How much you can get
In England, you could receive up to £30,000, including any ancillary costs like legal or agency fees.
The grant amount depends on your household income and savings over £6,000. Only the income and savings of the disabled person and their spouse or partner are considered. You won’t have to contribute towards the cost if you receive certain means-tested benefits, such as:
- Income Support
- Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
- Guarantee Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Universal Credit
Disabled children and young people under 19 are not means-tested.
If your circumstances change, you can apply for another grant for the same property.
Get an assessment
To make a referral to B&NES Occupational Therapy Team, use the referral form options below. If you are a member of the public and prefer to call us, please contact the Access, Advice, and Information Team on 01225 394570
As we have a high volume of referrals to the service, we have a waiting list in operation. All referrals to the service are triaged by an occupational therapist to ensure that we prioritise people with the greatest need. We will send you a waiting list letter on receipt of your referral.
If you are a B&NES resident please use this button to register and contact our team.
Residents' occupational therapy referral form
Professionals can use the following button to register or login to the portal and complete the referral form.
Professional occupational therapy referral form
Please note that the Access, Advice and Information Team only take referrals for those over 18 years old. To apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant for someone under 18, contact our Disabled Children's Team on 01225 396967.
What happens next
Once you have been assessed by an Occupational Therapist, they will refer your case to our Housing Services team if you meet the criteria for a Disabled Facilities Grant referral.
Our Housing Services team will then arrange a visit to your home to check that the proposed works are reasonable and practical. We will endeavour to arrange an appointment as quickly as possible.
Our housing officers will then help you with your grant application. Successful applications will help to pay for the adaptations.
Disabled Facilities Grants for adults are means tested. If you are already on a means-tested benefit, then you may be eligible without further financial assessment being required.
Our step by step guide below provides an overview of the steps in the process for you.
Extra help with your application - Home Improvement Agency
In some cases, we will, with your consent, refer a case to our commissioned Home Improvement Agency, We Care Home Improvements. They can help you with a Disabled Facilities Grant application, particularly if it is complicated.
They can also help you apply for other loans and grants, and provide expertise and support if you are facing bigger building works and repair jobs. You can contact them by phone on 0300 323 0700, or by email at info@wecr.org.uk.
View our step-by-step guide to the Disabled Facilities Grant
The step by step guide below shows the process and timeline for applying for a Disabled Facilities Grant.