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Grants for Adapting Your Property Due to Disability

By: Jennifer Lowe - Updated: 10 Oct 2024 | comments*Discuss
 
Disabled Child Grant For Disabled Person

Disabled Facilities Grants are available from local councils to help pay for necessary adaptations to your home.Formed by the government, this grant enables disabled people to adapt their home so that they can continue to live there.

You can apply for a Disabled Facilities grant if yourself, or someone else living in your home, is disabled, one of you either owns or is a tenant of, the property and you can certify that you, or the person who you are applying for, will occupy the property for five years.

If you are a landlord and have a disabled tenant, you can also apply for the grant to adapt the property for their use.

Putting the Money to Work

These grants are provided by your local council and can be used to adapt your property in order to give the disabled resident freedom of movement in and around the home.This could include work such as the widening of doors, installing ramps, installing a stair lift or providing a downstairs bathroom.There is also the option to use the grant to improve facilities in the home, such as the heating system or lighting controls.

Put the Wheels in Motion

The first step in the process is to request that an occupational therapist come out and assess your home. This will provide you with a better idea of what adaptations you will require.Then you can start the application process. Firstly, you need to contact your local council – specifically the housing or environmental health department.

It is important to bear in mind that your application won’t be accepted if you have already started carrying out the work on your property, but the council are under obligation to notify you of the outcome of your application within six months.

The Price is Right

Like many other grants offered by local councils, the Disabled Facilities Grant is means-tested – based on an assessment of your financial situation.Basically, the council will look at your weekly income and essential outgoings, such as rent or mortgage payments and personal expenditure, to determine what level of the grant you will need. They also take into account your savings, which if above a certain level can have an impact on the amount you will receive.

However, if you are applying because you have a disabled child under the age of 19, then there is no need for means-testing and you will receive the full amount.If you are married, or have a partner, the council will assess your combined income, but the first £6,000 of any savings you might have is ignored.

The maximum grant amount available is £25,000 for applications in England and Northern Ireland and £30,000 in Wales.

Planning

With any building work, especially if external changes are being made, planning permission or buildings regulation approval may be required. This is not included in the application for the grant and you will have to apply separately to gain any approval you might need before you start the work.

Once you have received the grant, the council can also request that you employ a qualified individual, such as an architect or a surveyor, to make sure that the work is carried out appropriately, but you can use a portion of the grant to pay for this.

How to Appeal

If you have been refused a Disability Facilities Grant by your local council don’t panic just yet, you can appeal. Each local council has an appeals and complaints procedure.If this isn’t effective, you do have the option of registering a complaint with the Local Government Ombudsman.

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[Add a Comment]
Hiya I wanted to know how this works with getting a downstairs bathroom, I ended up with a brain tumour( cancer) I find it hard to walk up stairs to use the bathroom, my joints hurt so much, I get in so much pain to walk and even pick things up.
Stacey - 10-Oct-24 @ 5:17 PM
Hi if l meet a man after his wife passed away .l have my council disability hous.and me being disabled and want to move in to my boyfriends up and down stairs house him and his wife lived in for years .and could l move in to his house and would council housing adapted it for me but the house my boyfriend lived in for years .and if l moved in and gave up my council disability house to move in with him would council adapt all that l need
Greenbean - 20-Aug-24 @ 9:18 PM
Hello. I live in Warrington . I’m 39 and had a stroke. I can’t get upstairs and wanted to speak with someone to see if a small downstairs toilet could be added to my property
Alli - 8-Oct-23 @ 12:35 PM
I am wondering if someone call me please about a grant please
Tracey - 27-Jun-23 @ 9:01 PM
My husband is disabled, not alot of mobility awaiting 2 x spinal surgeries and a liver transplant. Currently has leg in plaster due to diabetic foot ulcers currently 3 months and alot longer process. Council have said we need an extension for a bathroom and bedroom downstairs but will have to wait 4 years for this to be even started? So how does my husband wash out of a bucket for 4 years? That's if he even has 4 years left with us.
Dd - 17-Dec-22 @ 9:41 AM
Hi, I am on PIP living with Primary Progressive MS and an injury i was medically discharged from the army with - both together make my daily life a real struggle,we own our own home (Mortgaged) and i sleep on an air bed in the living room most nights as i cant manage the stairs, a stair lift is not an option for me as their is no room - small staircase and 2 young children. and it takes too long to get upstairs - My MS affects my bladder and bowel control. i am still working - i use a wheel chair for work as i cannot walk more than a meter without being in excruciating pain and/or falling over, is their any help available so i can afford to build a downstairs extension for a bedroom/bathroom so we don't have to move home as we cant afford any where else, Thankyou, Sean
sean - 12-Sep-22 @ 9:49 AM
I have walking and balance problems I need a down stairs toilet every time we ask the council for help they say we need to move but I don't really want to move what can we do ?
Aj - 14-Sep-21 @ 8:46 PM
I live in housing association provided by council. I have drive way. I am disable since 2015. I have a big problem with my drive way. There are lots of trees and when I park my car where day it is fill with bird poo. Its been 2 years and I can't take it anymore. As it is expensive to have car washed everyday. I wanted if I could get a grant so I can put roof on my drive way but I don't know where I can get grant from. Can you suggest or any information that where I can apply grant ? Thanks
Ay - 14-Aug-21 @ 5:05 PM
I am disabled due to an car accident in 1992. I need a downstairs wc.But haven't got room in the house, I need a building to be built outside my back door , so I can have a wc . I am falling over all the time,as I have osteoporosis,low b12 low iron, copd and thyroid problems aswell. I need help thankyou
Libby - 23-Jul-21 @ 6:00 PM
Aftr becoming disabled in 2002, l asked for no help, but a car accident in 2013 exacerbated my condition. Nerve damage affected my bowels & bladder. Leaving me in need of downstairs toilet and kitchen adaptation. My LL, Gloucester City Homes did everything NOT to help me, even forcing the use of a commode in my kitchen, knowing l could not empty it so it was bacterial germ infecting disaster. After repeated complaints, even engaging Architects as they asked, they still refused. Finally after a further O. T assessment they begrudgingly agreed. But are blocking the work because they won’t accept my builder dispute the fact he meets their criteria & has worked for them before, rated excellent. My question is, under the rules , am l entitled to instruct my own builder. My situation gets worse daily, trips & falls downstairs cause more injury, as well as the indignity and embarrassment of loosing control of my bowels/bladder, & not being able to clean up because of my Spinal issues. Please help if you can. Thank you
Bevvie - 22-Jun-21 @ 1:47 AM
Aftr becoming disabled in 2002, l asked for no help, but a car accident in 2013 exacerbated my condition. Nerve damage affected my bowels & bladder. Leaving me in need of downstairs toilet and kitchen adaptation. My LL, Gloucester City Homes did everything NOT to help me, even forcing the use of a commode in my kitchen, knowing l could not empty it so it was bacterial germ infecting disaster. After repeated complaints, even engaging Architects as they asked, they still refused. Finally after a further O. T assessment they begrudgingly agreed. But are blocking the work because they won’t accept my builder dispute the fact he meets their criteria & has worked for them before, rated excellent. My question is, under the rules , am l entitled to instruct my own builder. My situation gets worse daily, trips & falls downstairs cause more injury, as well as the indignity and embarrassment of loosing control of my bowels/bladder, & not being able to clean up because of my Spinal issues. Please help if you can. Thank you
Bevvie - 22-Jun-21 @ 1:47 AM
I have spondyloarthropathy in my spine,hips and shoulder. It is really difficult to use my kitchen properly the cupboards l can't reach into as it causes me too much pain and l also loose my balance. Can lget a grant to have the kitchen completely re done so l can access cupboards etc more easily.
Wiffy - 17-Jun-21 @ 5:08 PM
I have osteoporosis really bad and I’m unable to do simple tasks like open & close my house windows because they’re very old. I’m also unable to do steps without help. Which means I’m unable to do laundry & even bath without help. Being on a fixed income I have to use my money for utilities, food, and prescription medicine. That doesn’t leave money to do anything I desperately need.Could you possibly help me with that?
Mighty2 - 6-Jun-21 @ 9:44 PM
Need help to make the house suitable for, my disability needs
Sakina - 2-Jun-21 @ 6:43 AM
Need to adopt the house for. My. Disability needs
Sakina - 2-Jun-21 @ 6:40 AM
Hi I dislocated my shoulder 2 years ago. I have nerve damage mainly because it took them 4 goes before they managed to put the shoulder back in. And it was the doctor in charge who came and was surprised it had not been done, who came and fixed it. I find it difficult using the shower in the bath and I’m terrified I’m going to have another fall. I wonder if I can get a grant for a small walk in shower. My daughter is my carer, as I have stage 3 heart failure and arthritis also and she enjoys having a bath so I would like to keep it.
Deepak - 22-Apr-21 @ 10:37 PM
Hi I’m a single severely disabled mother who has waited more than 4 years for a wet room this is causen me bad depression and anxiety from not washing I’m smelly and feel so sad I should be washing every day I’m only 39 please can you help me get any kind of grant to help me live independently please
Gibbo - 22-Apr-21 @ 10:32 AM
Hi I was in a accident back a few years ago it’s left me severely disabled I’ve been left with out washing for 4 years I’m only 39 I have no idea why nobody is helping me this is really maken me so depressed can anyone help me please
Gibbo - 22-Apr-21 @ 10:29 AM
Hello, Is there any financial help for upgrading my en-suite please Needs new shower,the step into shower is too high I had a knee operation 6 years ago and I now have arthritis also the toilet is too low. I do have a disability badge for the car. Many thanks Toni Barker
Toni - 18-Mar-21 @ 2:23 PM
I have received a grant and had a wet room fitted, now I need my kitchen doing can I use the remainder of the grant to complete this work or do I have to apply again
Auntydaren - 29-Oct-20 @ 8:56 PM
Have 2 disable children. Just been allocated to a property that needs proper work. Omg the state of it, it will take more than a lick of paint to get it clean, and renovated. I need help. Get pip for only one child. I was wondering if I could get a grant for the repairs and renovations for the property. As I’m ill myself to.
Flo - 26-Oct-20 @ 10:35 PM
I’m trying to get a grant from Rotherham council for my two children but there just slow
Pgar - 7-Oct-20 @ 4:58 PM
Just wondering, if I would be entitled to a grant for another toilet to be put in ,theres me my partner and my son living here ,we share 1 toilet that's in my bathroom, it's getting very difficult to use the toilet when needed by all 3 of us ,as I have IBS and my partner suffers with inflammation of the bowels which makes him bleed quite alot ,so when he needs the toilet he really does ,where do I go from here ,who do I get in touch with thankyou
Queenielisa - 25-Sep-20 @ 12:04 AM
Reading the comments it shows how f'kd the system is, people with genuine physical illnesses who struggle to walk etc are on basic rate for PIP just want an extra toilet room or home adaptions to help them, yet someone (Richard) who has as far as I can see a mental illness gets higher rate for PIP wants a conservatory adding.... for no reason at all other than it will add value to his property whilst the government pay for it. Whilst I appreciate mental illness is an actual illness (but most cant be proven), it seems like many people just abuse the system for financial gain which in turn over stretches the system where they then need to be a lot more harsh on PIP assessments to people who genuinely need the support and help.
On PIP - 22-Sep-20 @ 1:43 PM
My husband had surgery, he was diagnosed with a brain Tumour which has left him with mobility problems and fatigue. I also have had problems in the past couple of years I hadvery bad sciaticaWhich left me with a my wright foottrip hazards, I am also waiting on knee replacement on both knees. I suffer from anxiety and depression. Weare looking to have stairsfrom our bedroom out to the garden. 7/9/20
Summer - 10-Sep-20 @ 4:11 PM
Does the work have to be done by company sent by council . A much bigger job is being quoted for than I actually need. Can I get my own quoted from other companies if this will be a lot cheaper. Will the council agree to this if the quote is for a much smaller job which was my original request.
Deltalady - 4-Sep-20 @ 4:43 PM
My boys are grown up am one bedroom short my son sleeps in my room sometimes on single which dosent leave me much room....am on pip and have mental health issues and other health issues can I get a garnt for extra bedroom
Jasmin - 27-Aug-20 @ 9:47 PM
Am on pip advance rate I am not being able to do do my normal life am starting to get more and more depressed with my life
Ali - 27-Aug-20 @ 5:00 PM
What help can I get am on pip advance rate
Ali - 27-Aug-20 @ 4:57 PM
Hello, I was wondering if I was able to get a grant for an extention on a 2 property council house. I have hip dysplasia and problems with my knees and ankles I am unable to walk or sit for long i also have two children 7 and 1
cath - 24-Jul-20 @ 9:37 PM
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