8.1. The DFG is a mandatory grant to help with the cost of essential adaptations to give a disabled occupant better freedom of movement into and around their home and to access essential facilities within it.
8.2. The maximum grant is £30,000 for mandatory works subject to a statutory means test. A means test is not applied in the case of applications for disabled children and young people under the age of 19.
8.3 DFGs are available for the following:
- Owner-occupiers
- Private tenants
- Tenants of registered social landlords (housing associations) including tenants of the council.
DFGs may be given for works in:
- Houses
- Flats
- Caravans
- Mobile homes
- Residential boats.
Applicants will have to certify that they intend to live in the property, foreseeably, for the next 5 years.
For tenants of rented accommodation, including housing association and council tenants, their landlord will need to consent to the works taking place and that they foreseeably will remain in their tenancy for the next 5 years.
8.4. The eligible works are laid out in the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and include:
- Improving access to the home and to principal rooms within the home
- Making the dwelling safe for use by the disabled person
- Providing washing, toilet and cooking facilities where necessary
- Improving or providing heating
- Adapting controls to power, light and heating to make them easier to use
The works must be considered necessary and appropriate to address the applicant’s disability and be both reasonable and practicable to achieve, having regard to the age and condition of the property.
8.5. For applicants who do not use the HIA service and organise their own works, the city council will:
- Inspect the dwelling and assess the disabled person’s needs to establish the works are eligible for funding
- Check builders’ estimates
- Carry out a final inspection to ensure that the works have been properly completed
- Check all final receipts and installers' certificates etc before making a payment to the applicant (or their contractor).
The legislation states that applicants must submit at least two competitive quotes for the work, and the cheapest will be awarded the contract for the works.
The council may also compare the costs against our own rates. In cases where the quotes received are significantly greater than the councils rates the council will award a grant based on these calculated costs.
Unless otherwise directed by the council, a contractor whose estimate accompanied the application must carry out the works.
Where the works are to be carried out by a member of the applicant’s family, the council will only pay towards the cost of materials used.
8.6. The council will not approve an application if the relevant works have been started before the application is approved.
8.7. To help residents understand what to expect when applying for a Disabled Facilities Grant, the council has adopted target timescales for each stage of the process. These timescales are based on national best practice and aim to ensure timely support while recognising that some cases may be more complex or urgent than others.
What this means for you:
- Urgent cases (e.g. hospital discharge, palliative care) will be prioritised and fast-tracked.
- Simple cases involve straightforward adaptations like stairlifts or grab rails.
- Complex cases may involve major works such as bathroom conversions or structural changes.
- These timescales are targets, not guarantees. Delays may occur due to contractor availability, planning permissions, or unforeseen issues.
- We aim to meet these timescales in 95% of cases.
How we decide urgency and complexity
When you contact us, we’ll assess your situation to decide how urgent and complex your case is. This helps us make sure those who need help most urgently get it as quickly as possible.
