Disabled Facilities Grant: What It Covers and How to Apply

Topic cluster: Benefits & Financial Support | Reading time: 5 min

The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is the main government-funded scheme for adapting homes to meet the needs of disabled and elderly people. It can pay for a wide range of adaptations — from grab rails to full wet rooms — and is available to both homeowners and tenants. This guide explains eligibility, what it covers, how much you can get, and how to apply.

What Is the Disabled Facilities Grant?

The DFG is a means-tested grant from the local authority that funds home adaptations to help disabled or older people live safely and independently. It is available in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (Scotland has a separate system).

The grant is provided under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, and local councils are legally required to process applications and fund eligible works.

Who Can Apply?

Your parent can apply for a DFG if they:

Have a disability or long-term health condition affecting their ability to use their home safely
Are a homeowner, tenant (private or social), or live with a landlord who agrees to the work
Need adaptations to their home to continue living independently

Age alone does not qualify — there must be an assessed functional need. However, age-related conditions such as falls risk, dementia, arthritis, stroke, Parkinson's, or frailty affecting mobility commonly qualify.

Both the applicant's needs and the recommended adaptations must be assessed by an Occupational Therapist (OT). The local authority commissions this assessment free of charge.

What the Grant Covers

Examples of adaptations funded by the DFG:

Access and mobility:

Ramps and widened doorways for wheelchairs
Stair lifts and through-floor lifts
Handrails and grab rails

Bathroom:

Level-access shower / wet room installation
Raised toilet, toilet frame
Bath lift

Kitchen:

Height-adjustable surfaces and storage

Heating and safety:

Improved heating systems (if cold is a health risk)
Specialist smoke and CO alarms

Extensions and conversions:

Ground-floor bedroom conversion
Extension to create accessible bathroom

How Much Can You Get?

Region	Maximum Grant
England	Up to £30,000
Wales	Up to £36,000
Northern Ireland	Up to £25,000

If costs exceed the maximum, additional funding may be available from the local authority's discretionary budget, or through other sources (charitable grants, Care and Repair schemes).

Is the DFG Means Tested?

In England, the DFG for applicants aged under 18 is not means tested. For adults, the means test determines how much the applicant contributes, based on income and savings.

In practice, many older people on State Pension and modest savings receive the full grant or close to it. A benefits adviser or the local authority's occupational therapy team can give an indication.

In Wales, the DFG is fully needs-based with no means test for adaptations below £36,000.

How to Apply

Contact the local authority's housing team or adult social care — they will arrange an Occupational Therapist assessment
OT assessment — the OT visits the home and recommends adaptations based on your parent's needs
Application submission — the local authority processes the application
Means test (if applicable in England)
Approval and contractor — the council may appoint a contractor or allow you to choose from an approved list
Works completed — the council pays the contractor directly (or reimburses you if agreed)

Timescales vary considerably between local authorities — from weeks to over a year for major works. Chase up if you don't hear back within 4–6 weeks of initial contact.

While You Wait: Interim Solutions

If your parent is at immediate risk while waiting for the DFG:

Ask the local authority for minor adaptations (grab rails, raised toilet seat) which should be provided quickly and free
Purchase a portable ramp or temporary grab rails privately as a stopgap
Ask for an urgent OT assessment if the risk is acute

Checklist — DFG application:

☐ Contacted local authority housing team
☐ OT assessment arranged
☐ Means test completed (England)
☐ Quotes obtained from approved contractors
☐ Timeline agreed with local authority
☐ Considered Care and Repair or handyperson scheme for smaller works

Thinking ahead to longer-term care? homeformum.com helps families plan the full arc of elderly care — from home adaptations to finding the right care home when the time comes.