Disabled Facilities Grant: up to £30,000 to adapt a home for disability

A Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is a council grant to adapt a home so a disabled person can go on living there. The money is for specific work: widening doorways, ramps and grab rails, a stairlift, a level-access shower or bathroom, and adapting heating or lighting controls.

How much can you get?

The maximum differs across the UK: in England up to £30,000, in Wales up to £36,000, and in Northern Ireland up to £25,000. Scotland has no DFG as such — it runs separate equipment and adaptations schemes instead. Some councils may give more than the maximum. The grant does not affect your other benefits.

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Is it means-tested?

For adults, yes: the amount usually depends on household income and savings over £6,000. But if the adaptation is for a child under 18, the grant is not means-tested — the parents' income is not taken into account. That is an important difference for families with a disabled child.

How to apply

You apply to your local council (housing or social services). The need is usually assessed by a specialist — most often an occupational therapist, who decides what changes are needed. Once approved, the council agrees the payment arrangements and how the work will be done with you.

What to remember

The home can be owned or rented (for a rented home you usually need the landlord's consent). Do not start work before approval, or it may not be covered. If the cost well exceeds the grant, ask the council about extra help or interest-free schemes. Always check the current maximums and rules on GOV.UK and with your council — the rules and amounts are reviewed from time to time.