If you are suffering from a long-term condition, you may be entitled to receive a grant from your local housing department to cover the cost of any changes that need to be made to your home.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant you must own the property or rent it from a private landlord or housing association, and must intend to live there for the next 5 years.
You can also apply for a grant if you're a landlord and have a disabled tenant.
Any changes you request must be deemed necessary and appropriate for your needs. These changes must be considered reasonable and must be possible for that particular property.
You must also have planning permission for any major adaptations to your home. If your request for changes is approved, your grant may cover the costs of surveyors or architects needed to gain planning permission.
What can a grant be used for?
See our page on Major adaptations to your home for an idea of the kinds of adaptations which you could use the grant for.
How much will I get?
The maximum grant you can receive for adaptations to your home in England is currently £30,000.
If you own your home the grant is means-tested, so depending on how much money you have (your income or any savings), you may have to contribute towards the cost or pay the whole cost. You will not have to pay if you receive a means-test benefit, for example Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Income Support. The grant for people under 19 is not means-tested, so adaptations for children are free of charge
If you rent from a private landlord, you can also apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant which will be means-tested. Your landlord will need to give permission for the adaptations to be carried out.
If you rent your property from your local council or from a housing association then the occupational therapist who has recommended that the work be done will liaise with your landlord to arrange for the works to be carried out at no cost to you
Foundations, the national body for HIAs, provides a Disabled Facilities Grant eligibility self-assessment tool, including a calculator to work out how much you may need to contribute to a Disabled Facilities Grant.
How to apply
Westminster
Tel : 020 7641 2500
If this line is busy, the call centre staff can take calls and messages on 0207 641 1175
Out of hours: 0207 641 6000 Email: adultsocialcare@westminster.gov.uk
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Tel: 020 7361 3013
Email: socialservices@rbkc.gov.uk
If you live in Kensington and Chelsea they have produced a leaflet on their Occupational Therapy service who may be involved in assisting you to plan which adaptations you need to make.
Who will help with the work?
Westminster
The Home Improvement Agency can assist with coordinating an application for a grant, and with coordinating the works themselves, once the council has recommended that the works should be done.
You can contact the Home Improvement Agency direct about this, and they will discuss your situation and let you know if you would be suitable for them. Have a look at their leaflet for an idea of what help they will be able to provide.
Kensington and Chelsea
The Council can assist with coordinating an application for a grant, and with coordinating the works themselves, once the Occupational Therapy service has recommended that the works should be done.