What Is a Disabled Facilities Grant?
A Disabled Facilities Grant, usually shortened to DFG, can help pay for eligible changes to a home so that a disabled person can live there more safely and independently.
A Disabled Facilities Grant, usually shortened to DFG, can help pay for eligible changes to a home so that a disabled person can live there more safely and independently.
It is administered by the local council. It is not simply a general home-improvement grant: the work must relate to the disabled person’s needs and meet the relevant requirements.
What kind of work can it help with?
GOV.UK gives examples including widening doors, installing ramps or grab rails, improving access to rooms and facilities, providing a suitable bathroom, improving access to the garden and adapting heating or lighting controls.
The council normally needs to be satisfied that the work is necessary and appropriate for the disabled person and reasonable and practicable for the property.
How much is available in England?
As of September 2026, the statutory maximum for a single DFG application in England remains £30,000.
Some councils can provide additional help through local housing-assistance policies, but this is not automatic. The amount awarded can therefore be lower than either the project cost or the statutory maximum.
Is it means-tested?
For many adult applications, yes.
Current GOV.UK guidance says the amount usually depends on household income and savings over £6,000, so an applicant may have to contribute.
Different rules apply in some cases. Grants for disabled children under 18 are not means-tested against their parents’ income, and landlord applications are treated differently. A DFG itself does not affect benefits.
Who can apply?
Homeowners and tenants can apply, and landlords can apply for a disabled tenant.
Property and occupation requirements apply, so do not assume that renting privately or living with family automatically makes somebody ineligible.
What happens before approval?
The council needs information about the disabled person’s needs and the proposed work.
An occupational-therapy or other needs assessment is commonly part of deciding what adaptations are appropriate. For complex work, several professionals may be involved.
Do not start the work too early
GOV.UK states that you might not get a grant if work begins before the council approves the application.
If grant funding matters, obtain the council’s decision and understand what has been approved before authorising the work.
What if the work costs more than £30,000?
Government DFG guidance confirms that councils can use local discretionary powers to top up funding where their published policies allow it, but they are not automatically required to meet every cost above the maximum.
Ask what local assistance exists before assuming the balance must be paid privately.
Can somebody apply again later?
Another DFG application can be possible if needs change. This can matter with progressive conditions where further adaptations become necessary.
Previous assessed contributions can affect later calculations within specified periods, so check the position with the council.
Where should I start?
Contact your local council and explain the difficulty the disabled person is having at home.
Ask about a needs or home-adaptation assessment and the local DFG process.
Describe the problem before commissioning the solution. “I cannot safely get upstairs to the only bathroom” gives the assessor something useful to work from.
Last reviewed
6 September 2026
Important informationThis guide provides general information only and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for professional healthcare, social-care, financial, legal or other qualified advice. Individual circumstances can be different. Eligibility for council support, equipment, adaptations and grants depends on assessment, local arrangements and current rules. You may wish to check current information with your local council or another appropriately qualified service before making important decisions.