Disabled facilities grant

About the grant

Disabled facilities grants may be awarded to owner-occupiers, tenants or landlords, to assist with the cost of adapting the home to meet the needs of an occupant with a disability. It can be given for works such as:

  • overcoming any obstacles that prevent the occupant with disabilities from moving freely into and around the property
  • making the property safe for the occupant with disabilities and other people residing in the property
  • providing a suitable bedroom
  • providing an accessible bathroom and water closet, or enabling easier use of the existing amenities
  • enabling easier use of the kitchen
  • improving the heating system
  • enabling easier use of the sources of power, light or heat
  • improving access and movement around the home to enable the occupant with a disability to care for another resident

For more information visit Foundations to find out if your home is suitable for your needs

Qualifying criteria

Applicants in receipt of certain means-tested benefit are 'passported' to a full grant and will not have to contribute towards the cost of work. These passporting benefits are:

  • Universal Credit
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (not contribution-based ESA)
  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (not contribution-based JSA)
  • Guarantee Pension Credit (not Savings Pension Credit alone)
  • Working Tax Credit and/or Child Tax Credit (where your annual income for the purposes of the tax credits assessment was below (£15,050)
  • Housing Benefit

Applications for disabled children, up to the age of 19, are also passported to a full grant.

Applicants not in receipt of passporting benefits, must undergo the national means test, to determine their financial contribution towards the proposed work. If an applicant is self-employed, has foster children, receives child maintenance payments or has a war pension then they will need a full means test.

There are three parts to the means test:

The applicable amount

How much it is assumed you need to live on per week based on age, level of disability, whether you're single or a couple of the number of children living with you.

Your income

How much your receive every week from work, disability benefits, child benefit and what savings your have.

Your contribution

If your income is more than your applicable amount, this is used to calculate how much you can afford to pay towards adapting your home. This amount also depends on whether you are a homeowner or tenant.

For more information visit the Foundation website for an idea on whether you will be eligible.

Application process

1. Client contacts Hampshire Occupational Therapy (OT) Team for assessment

Before applying for a grant an Occupational Therapist must first assess your needs.

How to arrange an Occupational Therapy assessment

2. OT carries out assessment and identification of client’s needs

The OT may ask you some questions about your health, mobility and any issues you face daily. They may also ask you about your income.

3. OT sends referral to Grants Team and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council

The information passed over will include:

  • contact details
  • medical details relevant to your assessment
  • what needs have been identified, and
  • how the DFG can assist with this.
4. Grants Team contacts client to begin application and establish eligibility

All applicants must undergo a national means test, to determine their financial contribution towards the proposed work. (If you are in receipt of a passporting benefit, this process will not apply.)

If eligible a disabled facilities grant will be awarded to cover any balance, subject to the grant limit set by central government (currently £30000).

5. Grants Team obtains permissions for works

Case officer will request permission from the property owner and for more complex cases planning permission.

6. Quotes obtained for identified works

A minimum of two comparable quotes are required. The winning contractor will be the one with the lowest quote. If the applicant would prefer to use the other contractor, they will be required to pay the difference between the two quotes.

7. Application approved or rejected

It is essential that no works begin before a grant is approved otherwise the works will not qualify for grant aid.

8. Works carried out

The winning contractor will carry out the approved works.

9. Grants Team inspects works and checks for snagging

All works must be completed prior to a final inspection, however, should a grant be awarded for multiple works such as a level access shower and stairlift, then each individual element will be assessed.

10. Grants Team process payment

The completion paperwork including any electrical certificates are sent to the property owner and final payments are made to the contractor. The file will be closed once the OT team have been informed of completion and a feedback form has been sent to the applicant.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out if I qualify?

Read the qualifying criteria section on the previous page for passporting benefit information. If you need to do a test of resources, you can call us on 01256 844844 to request the form is posted to you or you can download and print a pdf copy.

You can also visit the Foundations website for an idea on whether you will be eligible.

How long will it take to find out if I qualify for a grant?

Grants officers will carry out the test of resources as soon as possible and advise the outcome at the earliest opportunity.

I am married and have a joint claim with my partner, will I qualify for a grant?

Applicants in receipt of a passporting benefit including joint claimants, will qualify. However, this only applies to households that are married, living as if married or civil partners. For clarification contact the Housing Standards Team on 01256 844844.

Will I be expected to contribute?

If an applicant is in receipt of a passported benefit, there will be no contribution required, however if no passport benefits are being received, a full means test will be carried out to establish whether a contribution would be required.

What sort of adaptations can I apply for?

The Occupational Therapist (OT) will assess your ability to carry out tasks and will decide what sort of adaptations will be most beneficial to you. Find out about the type of adaptations eligible under the grant.

Do I need to obtain the quotes and who do I approach?

Contractors who install ceiling track hoists, stairlifts and automatic door opening systems will be contacted directly by the council to obtain the relevant quotes. For all other works, your case officer will give you a list of approved contractors and will offer assistance in obtaining quotes if you need it. You may contact your own contractor for a quote; however, they must base the quote on the schedule of works provided by the case officer and will be subject to a full due diligence check.

How long does the application process take?

Upon receipt of a valid application, the process should take no longer than six months, however delays may occur subject to complexity of cases; external organisations approval procedures etc.

How long will the works take?

Approved contractors will contact the client once the grant has been approved to discuss what to expect and the timescales for the project. For example most bathrooms take less than two weeks. Works must begin within 12 months of approval of the grant (except under extenuating circumstances).

Can a contractor be paid for works prior to them commencing?

Works are only paid on completion, no costs will be paid upfront of works being undertaken. Interim payments are permissible for larger scale works although the final 10% is only payable upon completion and sign off.

Is there a minimum/maximum grant amount?

There is no minimum amount, the maximum amount is £30,000 (this may be subject to amendment in the future).

Can my grant be transferred to another property if I move before the works take place or do I have to reapply?

If an applicant moves from their home prior to works starting, the grant will be closed. Once an applicant has moved into their new property, a new assessment will be required from the Occupational Therapy Team.

What happens if my needs change after the OT assessment?

You must contact your Occupational Therapist as soon as possible for a reassessment.

Do I have to pay the grant back if I move?

For homeowners, a local land charge will be placed on your property if your grant is more than £5,000, you will not be requested to pay anything if your grant is less than £5,000. If you sell or transfer your home within 10 years, you may be asked to repay some of the grant up to £10,000. Your case officers will explain this further during the application process.

What happens to the maintenance side of things after the adaptations have been done?

The owner of the property is responsible for most maintenance after the initial 12 month warranty period. Certain equipment for example stairlifts and specialist baths may have an extended five year servicing contract and warranty included. Ceiling track hoists are adopted by Hampshire County Council who will undertake the periodic safety LOLER tests.

Am I expected to live in the property whilst works are undertaken?

Yes, most works will be done with applicants occupying the property, only in exceptional circumstances will alternative accommodation be considered by either your housing association or the OT team, this would not be covered by the grant.

I am the carer/relative of a disabled person - can I assist with an application?

Yes, however, the application must either appoint you as their advocate or you must have a current power of attorney or similar legal document.

Contact information

Housing Standards Team

If you have a enquiry about housing standards send a message to the team

Occupational Therapy Team

Phone: 0300 555 1386 (8.30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.30pm Friday)
Website: Occupational therapy|Health and social care|Hampshire County Council


Foundations - The National Body for Disabled Facilities Grants and Home Improvement Agencies in England


Is your home suitable for your needs - self assessment

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