DFG Guidance
Disabled Facilities Grants: DFG Guidance from www.gov.uk
1. Overview on the DFG process - taken from www.gov.uk
You could get a grant from your council if you’re disabled and need to make changes to your home, for example to:
widen doors and install ramps
improve access to rooms and facilities - eg stairlifts or a downstairs bathroom
provide a heating system suitable for your needs
adapt heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use
A Disabled Facilities Grant will not affect any benefits that you’re getting.
2. What you'll get
How much you get depends on your:
Household income
Household savings over £6,000
England: up to £30,000
Wales: up to £36,000
Northern Ireland: Up to £25,000
Scotland: Depends on your local council
Depending on your income, you may need to pay towards the cost of the work to the property.
Disabled children under 18 can get a grant without their parents’ income being taken into account. Contact your local council for more information.
You might not get any grant if you start work on your property before the council approves your application.
3. How you’ll be paid
You’ll be paid either:
by 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 - they’ll agree this with you when they approve your application.
4. When you’ll be paid
You’ll be paid either:
when the council is 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) does the work the council will only accept invoices for materials or services you’ve bought.
5. Eligibility
You or someone living in your property must be disabled. Either you or the person you’re applying for must:
own the property or be a tenant
intend to live in the property during the grant period (which is currently 5 years)
You can also apply for a grant if you’re a landlord and have a disabled tenant.
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
You might not get any grant if you start work on your property before the council approves your application.
6. 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.
7. How to claim
You’ll need to find out:
what changes are needed to your property
the type of work that needs to be done
the cost of the work
An Occupational Therapist can look at your circumstances and recommend the type of changes needed.
8. Application form
To get an application form, contact the housing or environment health department of your local council.
The council will normally need 2 written estimates for the work. They may be able to give you a list of builders or advise you about employing one.
Return your completed application to your local council before work starts on the property.
You’ll get the result of your application in writing within 6 months of the application date.
9. Appeals
You can appeal a decision about your Disabled Facilities Grant if you’re unhappy with it.
Ask your local council for their appeals and complaints procedure.
If you appeal and you’re still not happy, you can complain to the local government onbudsman.
For more information regarding Disabled Facilitity Grants and how an Occupational Therapist could help you then please contact us to see how Inclusion.Me could help you.