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Home improvements - disability facility grant for a private property

If you or someone living in your property is disabled you may qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). It aims to assist with providing adaptations and facilities to enable a disabled person to continue to live in their home.

For advice and practical help on improvements you should contact the Home Adaptations Team (HAT).

Applications for grant assistance will be dealt with by HAT. If you are an owner occupier or private tenant you will be means tested so please do not assume that you will automatically qualify for a grant.

DFG:

DFGs are Mandatory Grants. (the Council must give this type of grant (subject to the applicant meeting all the qualifying conditions). These aim to give the disabled person freedom of movement into and around their home and proper facilities within it.

The types of work that can be assisted include: -

  • Make it easier to get into and out of the dwelling by, for example, widening doors and installing ramps;
  • works to ensure the safety of the disabled person by, for example, providing a specially adapted room in which it would be safe to leave a disabled person unattended;
  • provision of proper bedroom, kitchen, toilet and personal washing facilities;

How is the grant calculated?

The amount of grant is decided by a means test which looks at the income and capital of the disabled person and their spouse or partner.

If the disabled person’s resources are less than the assessment, they will not normally need to contribute to the cost of the works.

If the disabled person’s resources are more than the assessment, then a proportion of their income will be used to calculate the size of the loan they can afford as a contribution towards the cost of the works. The applicant’s assessed contribution will be deducted from the cost of the eligible works up to the grant limit [maximum £25,000]. Where the assessed contribution is less than the cost of the works, the difference between the two is paid as a DFG.

Getting Started

An OT assessment is needed, this can be done by either:-

  • Contacting the Central Advice and Duty Team ( If you require an OT from Social Services on 0151 606 2006.
  • Contact a private Occupational Therapist
  • Wirral Home Improvement Agency – they can offer guidance and assistance.

DO NOT START WORK BEFORE DFG APPROVAL YOU WILL LOSE ANY ENTITLEMENT TO GRANT AID.

Other Adaptations

Help is available in some areas with essential minor adaptations such as handrails and grab-rails.

See Also