Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) are provided by local councils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to people with disabilities who need to make adaptations to their home.
The grant can be up to £30,000 (in England), £36,000 (in Wales) or £25,000 (in Northern Ireland). The person’s household income and savings over £6,000 will be taken into account when deciding how much they can be provided. Disabled children under 18 can get a grant without their parents’ income being taken into account. The grant is also available to landlords who have a disabled tenant.
For more details, see the government information about DFGs.
A DFG is not a public fund for immigration purposes. Eligibility for a DFG is not affected by a person being subject to a 'No Recourse to Public Funds' (NRPF) condition.
A person will be eligible for a DFG if they are lawfully present in the UK. In some cases, the person must also be habitually resident in the UK.
A person with one of the following immigration status types will usually be eligible for a DFG:
Some people will also need to show that they are habitually resident in the UK. If a person is only visiting the UK or has recently returned to the UK after living outside of the Common Travel Area (UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man) then they may not pass the habitual residence test, although this may only be for a short period if they are returning to live in the UK. Housing Rights Information provides more detail about who may need to pass the habitual residence test and what will be considered.
A person with pre-settled status or a pending EU Settlement Scheme application will not be eligible for a DFG if they are not exercising a right to reside, or their only right to reside is one of the following:
A person who is without lawful status in the UK will not qualify for a DFG.
An application for a DFG will need to be made to the person’s local council.
The person applying, or someone else living in the home, must be disabled and intending to live in the property during the grant period (usually 5 years). A property owner, tenant or landlord can submit the application.
DFGs are administered under housing legislation but an occupational therapist will usually conduct an assessment of the property and the person’s needs. Therefore, some councils deliver DFGs through their social care service rather than their housing service.
There is a useful tool on gov.uk that helps a person find out where they can apply for a DFG.
Foundations provide further information about applying, including an online self-assessment tool.
Being exempt from the requirement to apply for leave to enter or remain. For example, Irish citizens and people who are in diplomatic service.
Resident in a country/ area for an ‘appreciable period’ (usually of one to three months but can be shorter), with the intention to settle.
Being free to enter and live in the UK without having to obtain leave to remain. Applies to Commonwealth citizens in certain circumstances.
