Disabled Facilities Grant Explained
A Disabled Facilities Grant can help fund essential adaptations like a level-access shower, stairlift or ramp. Here's how eligibility and the application process generally work.
Short answer: a Disabled Facilities Grant is a means-tested grant, administered by your local council, that helps fund essential adaptations to make a home more accessible for a disabled occupant, such as a level-access shower, stairlift, ramps or a downstairs bathroom.
What it can cover
- Level-access showers and wet rooms
- Stairlifts and through-floor lifts
- Ramps and widened doorways for wheelchair access
- Downstairs bathrooms or bedrooms where stairs are no longer manageable
- Hoists and other equipment to assist with moving around the home
Who's eligible
The grant is available to disabled occupants of a property, whether owned or rented, where the adaptation is necessary and appropriate to meet their needs. Adult applicants are subject to a means test based on income and savings, while grants for disabled children are not means-tested against the family's finances.
How the process generally works
- An occupational therapist assessment is usually the starting point, confirming what adaptations are needed and appropriate for the individual's circumstances
- An application is submitted to the local council, along with the means test information for adult applicants
- The council assesses the application and, once approved, work can be arranged with a contractor
The mandatory maximum grant amount in England is commonly around £30,000, though this figure is set nationally and reviewed periodically, and some councils offer discretionary top-up funding above the mandatory limit in certain circumstances.
Timescales and planning ahead
The full process, from initial occupational therapist referral through to completed work, can take several months, so it's worth starting the conversation with your council or occupational therapist as early as possible if you know an adaptation will be needed. We work with clients and their occupational therapists throughout this process, including providing quotes to support the grant application itself.
Regulations, certification requirements and grant limits referenced here are correct at the time of publication and are reviewed and updated from time to time by government and local authorities. Always confirm the current position with a qualified, registered professional or your local authority before relying on it.
Talk to us about your project
Tell us about the property and what you have in mind. We'll arrange a site visit and provide a written, itemised quotation.