Home adaptations
What is a home adaptation?
A home adaptation is a change to a disabled person’s home which makes it easier to live in. Examples of adaptations may include:
- stair lifts
- level-access showers
- ramps
- widened doors.
How can I get my home adapted?
To receive a service you need to ask us for an assessment. We will consider a range of options to meet your needs, which may include adaptations to your home.
Paying for adaptations to your home
Home adaptations can be funded:
- privately (through equity release)
- through Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG, below)
- by charities, such as Independent Age
- or in exceptional circumstances, by Adult social care.
See our charges for adaptations page for more information.
How can apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
Local borough and district councils provide a Disabled Facilities Grant to help you pay for adapting your home. Funding is available for those adaptations costing more than £1,000 and less than £25,000.
Owner-occupiers, landlords and a wide range of tenants and licensees can apply for a DFG. The grants are means-tested (based on your income).
The DFG must be for a person who is registered, or could be registered, as a disabled person. The disability can be caused by physical illness or injury, a major sight, hearing, speech, or mental-health problem, or a learning disability.
You can apply if you are the disabled person, the landlord of a disabled person, or someone living with a disabled person.
If you live in council housing or your landlord is a housing association, you may be able to ask your landlord to carry out the adaptation work.
Each borough or district council or housing association will be able to give you advice about their policy on adaptations for tenants.
Further information
For more about home adaptations please download our leaflet or contact the Social Care Direct team:
