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What a Disability Facilities Grant is and how it could help with the cost of adapting your home

If you have a disability or someone you live with does, and you want to make adaptations to your home, then you may be entitled to a Disability Facilities Grant to help you fund some or all of the cost of the building work. 

Our short and simple guide gives you the low down on what a Disability Facilities Grant is, what home adaptations it covers, how you can apply for one and how Downs Brothers in Bristol can help you adapt your home. 

What is a Disability Facilities Grant?

A Disability Facilities Grant (DFG) is a sum of money that is awarded to help fund the cost of making adaptations to your home so you or someone that you live with can continue living there without the risk of injury or provide easier access.  You must own the property or be a private tenant in it. 

You may be able to apply to your Local Authority for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) if you can prove to them that the work you want to be done is needed. 

Both adults and children are eligible for a DFG, but adults will be means-tested. By this, we mean that you will have to show details of your income and capital to your local authority when you apply for the grant. 

Disability Facilities Grants are for home adaptations that will cost more than £1000 and have not yet started. 

Depending on your income and capital, the grant could cover the total cost of making the adaptations in your home.

 

 

What type of building work does a Disability Facilities Grant cover?

The grant covers disability building adaptations such as:

  • Widening doorways
  • Adding ramps and rails for easy wheelchair access
  • Bathroom alterations such as installing a wet room or adding a ground floor toilet/bathroom
  • Lowering kitchen worktops
  • Installing a stairlift so it’s easier to get up and down the stairs
  • Altering heating and lighting controls
  • Installing a walk-in bath so it's safer to wash

How do I apply for a Disability Facilities Grant?

You need to make the application via your Local Authority.

If you don't know who your local authority is, you can find out this information by looking at your council tax bill or by visiting gov. uk website and putting in your postcode. This will take you to your local authority’s website where you will be advised on how you can apply. 

At Downs Brothers, Bristol, we work closely with our trusted architect who has many years of experience in applying for grants from both Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council and can help you too for a small charge.  

How much funding may I be entitled to? 

As mentioned earlier, a Disability Facilities Grant is means tested so you will have to show your income and capital to your local authority when making your application. Savings of £6000 and upwards will be taken into consideration and if you have a partner your joint income will be assessed.

The maximum amount that your local authority is obliged to grant is £30,000 in England and £36,000 in Wales, however, they do have the right to grant more funds they feel it will be more cost-effective in the long run.

What happens if I am not eligible for a DFG? 

If you have been told by your local council that you're not eligible for a DFG then you may be able to apply for a Disabled Facilities loan of up to £20,000. You may also be able to apply for a Minor Adaptations Grant, but you'll need to speak to your local authority for more guidance on both. They have an obligation to provide you with free advice and information. 

How can Downs Brothers in Bristol help me adapt my home?

At Downs Brothers, Bristol, you can put your trust in us 100% to make the right disability adaptations for your home. Our skilled team has over 50 years of experience in the field and are specialists in making disability adaptations to homes throughout Bristol and South Gloucestershire.

Our services mean that you can live independently and safely in your home for longer.

We install:

  • Wet rooms (Walk-in-Showers)
  • Walk-in bathtubs
  • Raised toilets
  • Lowered wall-hung bathroom sinks
  • Adjustable showerheads
  • Emergency pull-chords
  • Anti-slip flooring
  • Safety bars
  • Shower curtains/doors
  • Lowered shower trays
  • Seated showers
  • Ramps and railings

Get in touch with one of our experts in Bristol today for your free no-obligation estimate and start planning your home adaptations today.

Downs Brothers in Bristol can help you with making an application to your local council for a grant to help towards the cost of the adaptations to your home. 

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Contact us today for your free quote on 07748 647266 or 01275 834382 

Or, if you'd prefer, you can fill out the form in your own time with details of what you're looking for and we'll get back to you shortly with an estimate. 

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PROVIDING BATHROOM & KITCHEN DISABILITY ADAPTATIONS SINCE 1966