Apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant

You can apply for a DFG if you're a homeowner, private tenant or landlord applying on behalf of a tenant.

Your disability must be long-term and can be because of:

• Physical illness or injury
• Major sight, hearing, speech or mental health problems
• Learning disabilities

You must intend to live in your home for at least five years. In some cases, this can be a shorter amount of time based on health circumstances.

• Access improvements, like widening doorways, installing ramps or grab rails, or improving garden access.
• Bathroom changes, like installing level-access showers or wet rooms, or adding stair lifts.
• Home extensions, like building a downstairs bedroom or bathroom.
• Control adjustments, like changing heating or lighting controls for easier use.
• Installing a heating system to suit your needs.

The amount you can get depends on the household income of you and any spouse or partner, and whether you have any savings over £6,000. 

The maximum amount of money you can be given is £30,000. This includes any costs like legal or agency fees.

You will have to pay the rest of the cost of the adaptations, unless you get certain means-tested benefits, including:

• Income Support
• Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
• Guarantee Pension Credit
• Housing benefit
• Universal Credit

The list does not cover every eligible benefit. Children and young people under 19 are not means-tested for a DFG.

You can use Foundations means test calculator to see how much you might have to pay.

Follow our step-by-step guide to apply for a DFG:

Step 1

Read all the information on this page carefully and use AdaptMyHome's self-assessment tool to see if your home is suitable for adaptations.

Step 2

You must then be assessed and referred by a trained professional, such as a trusted assessor or an occupational therapist. They'll work with you to identify the most suitable solutions for your medical needs. 

For minor adaptations like hand or grab rails, you should email social.services@kent.gov.uk.

For bigger adaptations like shower rooms or stair lifts, you need to call adult services on 03000 416 161. If the adaptations are for a child under 18, you need to call children's services on 03000 411 111.

You can find out more about care needs assessments on kent.gov.uk.

You can also be referred to us by your GP.

Step 3

Make sure you have all the proof you need to apply. This includes:

• Proof of income and savings, like pay slips, benefit letters or pension statements.
• Property details, such as a tenancy agreement or ownership document.
• Medical documents if these apply.

Step 4

You will be assigned a caseworker who will guide you through the application process. At this stage, technical officers might visit your home to assess how the adaptations will work and plan when they will be done.

If the adaptations need planning permission or building regulations approval, the caseworker will help you apply.

When you're approved for a grant and the money is available, work will start.

We'll appoint a contractor and give you a start date.

After the work is done, we'll do a final inspection and check that you're happy with what's been done.

If you need to pay anything towards the cost, we'll then send you an invoice.

We can help you at every stage of applying for a DFG.

You can send us a message online or call 01227 862 000.