Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG)

Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) are intended to help people living with disabilities and chronic illness to be able to live independently and remain in their homes. DFGs are means tested and can cover adaptions up to the value of £30,000, dependent on an assessment of the applicant's needs.

Are you eligible?

DFGs are intended for people who suffer from a disability or chronic illness that negatively impacts upon their safety or independence in their own home. As part of the assessment process, we will arrange an assessment of the disabled person's unique needs.

You can apply for a DFG if you are:

• A tenant occupier 
• An owner occupier
• A landlord (on behalf of a disabled tenant)

The person who submits the application does not have to be the person who needs the adaptations. Carers, parental/legal guardians and landlords can all apply on behalf of a disabled or chronically ill person.

Means testing

A DFG is a means tested grant, meaning that your household's financial situation is considered to assess your eligibility. The receipt of certain types of passported benefits is considered to be an accurate indication of financial eligibility, meaning that you will not have to make a financial contribution to the work on your home. These benefits are:

• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based (NOT contribution-based) Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based (NOT contribution-based) Jobseeker's Allowance (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

If you are not passported, our team will do a calculation based on your income and savings to see how much grant money you may receive and whether you will have to make a financial contribution to the work.

You cantake a preliminary test to check your contribution (opens new window)

Please note that applications for disabled children and young people under the age of 20 are also passported. If the disabled person is a child you will need to contact the Norfolk County Council Children's Services team on 0344 800 8020, who will attend to your enquiry in the first instance.

DFG grants can cover works up to the value of £30,000. The most common alterations done using a DFG include:

• The installation of level access showers or wet rooms.
• Improving access to essential rooms through door widening and ramp access.
• Disability-friendly kitchen alterations.
• The installation of stairlifts.
• Alterations of heating and lighting systems based on an assessed medical need.
• Property extensions if the existing living spaces are not able to meet the applicant's needs.

DFG's are not intended to cover smaller works under £1,000, such as:

• Floor-mounted hand/grab rails.
• Stools and adapted chairs.
• Temporary steps and ramps.
• Walkers, frames, wheelchairs, or mobility scooters.

Below is the process for getting works done under a DFG:

• Stage 1: You will receive a call from your assigned caseworker who will discuss which adaptions you want and ask questions about your circumstances. They will send you a follow up letter/email to provide you with additional information about the grant process. At this point you may wish to know whether you will need to contribute to the grant, and how much this is likely to be. You may wish to use the calculator to complete aSelf Assessment Estimation (opens new window)
• Stage 2: We will contact you and make an appointment to visit you and assess your needs. There may be a wait of many months for this assessment. The assessment will be made by an Occupational Therapist or similarly qualified professional. If you are assessed to need work to your home, then you will be referred for a DFG.
• Stage 3: Your caseworker will then arrange to visit you and complete the application. They will confirm your financial details and complete a final means test. You will need to provide proof of benefits or relevant bank statements as evidence.
• Stage 4: If your eligibility is confirmed, you will be contacted by your assigned technical officer. They will arrange a visit with you to assess the works needed and confirm what can be done at the property. They will then draw up plans, compile a schedule of works and appoint a contractor.
• Stage 5: Once our team have approved the plans for you home, your caseworker will consult with you to make sure that you are happy with the proposed work. You will then be sent an approval certificate.
• Stage 6: Once funds become available, we will be in-touch to set a start date for the works to begin and to introduce you to your contractor. Works can then commence on your home.
• Stage 7: Once the work is completed, your technical officer will come to your home to provide sign-off and make sure that you are satisfied with the adaptions.
• Stage 8: If you have been told that you have to make a contribution (you will be formally notified of this at stage 3), you will receive an invoice once the works are complete.

Please note that progression through each of the above stages is contingent on your continued eligibility as assessed by Breckland Council's Grants and Adaptations Team.

Will I have to pay the grant back?

You may have to repay a portion of the grant if you sell your house or move property for non-medical reasons within five years of the work being completed.

How to apply

Apply for a Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG)

You can ask a medical professional, carer, or family member to apply for you. If you are renting your property, it is advisable to talk to your landlord before applying.