For example:

• Widening doors
• Installing access ramps
• Fitting handrails
• Improving access to rooms and facilities e.g. stairlifts or a downstairs bathroom
• Providing a heating system suitable for your needs
• Adapting heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use
• Providing easy access to the garden

How do I know if I eligible for the grant?

The person living in the property must be disabled or have a permanent disability such as a physical or learning disability, sensory impairment or mental illness.

Also, they must:

• own the property or be a tenant
• intend to live in the property during the grant period (which is currently five 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 clients needs
• reasonable and can be done - depending on the age and condition of the property

How much will I receive?

The amount you are entitled to will depend on your household income and total savings. Please note that the first £6,000 of household savings are exempted from the means test.  Also, disabled children under 18 can get a grant without their parents’ income being taken into account.

Depending on these factors, you may be asked to contribute towards the cost of the adaption/s under the DFG. 

Varies UK Countries have a different maximum grant amount:

• England - Up to £30,000
• Wales - Up to £36,000
• Northern Ireland - Up to £25,000
• Scotland - Disabled Facilities Grants are not available

Source:: Crown, 2024, Disabled Facilities Grants (https://www.gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants/eligibility)

What is included in a DFG means test?

Each local authority has its own policy for the means test.

The below is an example for illustration purposes—source: Rochford District Council, May 2017, Disabled Facilities Grant (https://www.rochford.gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grant)

Step 1 – Occupational Therapist initial assessment

The Occupational Therapist (OT) will visit you to carry out a full assessment of your needs around the home.

The OT will decide whether to provide everyday equipment and where relevant, will recommend what adaptation works may be considered reasonable to help you now and in the future.

Step 2 – Formal Recommendation

The Occupational Therapist makes a formal recommendation to the Council’s DFG Service.

The recommendation details the necessary adaptations that are needed for your property to make it suitable for use by the disabled person.

Step 3 – Initial test of resources – means test

The Council’s DFG service will first contact you and where applicable, will send you an initial test of resources/means test form to complete.

Step 4 – Formal DFG Application

If the results of the means test can conclude that your case can be progressed formally, the next stage of the process is to complete an application form, which will be sent to you.

Step 5 – Contactors’ Site Visit & Quotation

A council approved contactor, e.g. Rapid Ramp will carry out a site visit, taking the necessary photos and measurements for the adaptation works.

A joint visit may be arranged with both the Occupational Therapist and contactor in attendance.

Step 6 – Receipt of Grant Application

Upon receipt of the grant application, the Council will confirm formally in a letter, the results of your

grant means test, detailing any contribution that will need to be made.

Step 7- Quotation Review

The contactors’ quotes will be reviewed by the Council’s DFG Adaptation team.

Step 8 – Approval of DFG

The written approval document itself will detail:

• The total cost of the works
• Any administration fees and private surveyor/architect//planning and building consents fees (where applicable)
• Your formally assessed means test contribution
• Any costs you will have to incur where costs exceed the maximum grant.
• Certain works will be VAT exempt, which will reduce the total costs of works. The chosen
• contractors for the works will arrange for you to sign a VAT exempt form.

Step 9 - Commencement of DFG works

Once the Notice of Approval document has been received, a start date for the works will be

arranged.

And so on...

Rapid Ramp is an approved contractor for many local authorities requiring access adaptations to homes, including fitting wide doors and installing modular ramps & steps. 

Remember that you can contact us to find who you’ll need to contact for DFG work in your area. 

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