Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) - Your journey explained

What is a Disabled Facilities Grant?

A Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) helps fund adaptations to your home so you can live safely and independently. It's avaialble to disabled people of all ages, whether you own or rent your home (subject to eligibility).

Typical works covered 

  • installation of stairlifts 
  • bathroom and kitchen adaptations
  • installations of ramps 
  • extensions 

You can find national guidance aimed at helping local authorities meet their responsibilities and tailor local delivery to support disabled people, their families and carers. 

Eligibility 

You can apply for a DFG if you are:

  • the owner of the property 
  • the tenant of a property 

You do not need to be the disabled person. For example, the parents of a disabled child would make the grant application. 

Step-by-step journey 

Stage 0: First contact 

  • who to contact: Your local council
  • what happens: You explain your situation and the difficulties you are facing at home
  • what you receive: Initial information about the DFG process, eligibility and referral process

Stage 1: Assessment 

  • who's involved: An Occupational Therapist (OT) or assessor visits your home
  • purpose: To understand your needs and recommend suitable adaptations
  • what you receive: A summary of recommended works and next steps

Stage 2: Application preparation (means test)

  • who's involved: Special Needs Housing Officer will visit your home and complete all necessary forms. In some instances, this may be completed by telephone. 
  • purpose: To establish eligibility for the DFG. 
  • documents needed:
    • proof of ownership or tenancy
    • financial information (for means testing)
    • national insurance numbers for all over 16s in the property

  • what you receive: confirmation of the outcome of means test to say if you qualify or not, or if a contribution is required. 

Stage 3: Grant proces / Preparation for works 

  • who's involved: Technical Supervisor will visit your home and undertake an initial survey
  • purpose: They assess whether the works are:
    • necessary and appropriate 
    • reasonable and practicable
    • complete drawings and specification of the works as required 
    • obtain estimates from a select list of contractors or clients own
    • obtain any additional permissions to support the application, such as Housing Association or Landlord Approval, Planning Permission and Building Regulation approval
  • what you receive:
    • a copy of the specification and drawings for your approval

Stage 4: Grant approval 

  • what you receive: A formal decision letter outlining:
    • approved works 
    • grant amount award 
    • any contribution required 
    • appointed contractor details 
    • grant conditions 

Stage 5: Works begin 

  • who's involved: The appointed contractor
  • monitoring: Regular site visits to ensure quality and safety will take place (when necessary) by the Technical Supervisor 
  • what you receive: Updates on progress and completion timelines from the appointed contractor 

Stage 6: Completion and sign-Off 

  • who's involved: The appointed contractor and Technical Supervisor 
  • final inspection: Ensures the work meets your assessed needs
  • payment: Grant is paid directly to the contractor or in exceptional circumstances, reimbursed to you
  • recharge / contribution to works: If you have a contribution to make towards the works (that was assessed earlier in the process) you will be invoiced directly for this by Hartlepool Borough Council  
  • what you receive: Copies of guarantees, certificates and a satisfaction survey

Typical timescales before work begins (working days)

Case Type Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 & 5 Total
Urgent and Simple 5 5 5 20 35
Non-Urgent and Simple 60 20 20 60 160
Urgent and Complex-builds  5 5 5 200 215
Non-Urgent and Complex  60 55 80 200 395

Please note: Each case is different and timescales may differ. Timescales can be affected by planning decisions, stock, technical and provider availability. We will endeavour to meet these dates and are monitored on compliance. These dates are a working guide. 

Communication and support 

  • you'll be kept informed at each stage 
  • you can ask for updates or raise concerns at any time 
  • if you disagree with a decision, you can request a review or appeal

Key documents you will receive 

  • assessment summary 
  • application confirmation 
  • grant approval letter
  • completed drawing and specification 
  • completion certificates and warranties (where applicable) 

Additional notes

  • maximum grant: £30,000 in England
  • children under 19: Not subject to mean testing 
  • complaints: If things go wrong, you can contact the Council's complaints team or the Local Government Ombudsman

Useful information