If you have care and support needs, you may be eligible for financial help to make adaptations to your home. The financial help that is available depends on your individual needs, your financial situtation and whether the adaptations you need are classed as small, medium or large.
Small adaptations
You will not be asked to contribute to the cost of small adaptations, like grab rails and better lighting, if you:
- are in hospital waiting to be discharged
- have recently been discharged from hospital, or
- are at risk of being admitted to hospital or a care home (perhaps as a result of a fall)
You must be referred by a health professional or social worker.
Medium and large adaptations
You may be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) towards the cost of the building work if you or someone living in the property is old or disabled, including a disabled child.
The DFG is mandatory (provided you qualify on income grounds) if you or the other person is:
- you are unable to get in or out of your home
- you are unable to use the bathroom or kitchen
The amount you receive will be assessed on your household income and any household savings. Certain disability benefits and savings below £6,000 will be ignored. The maximum grant payable is £36,000. Grants for disabled children are not means-tested.
If you own your home, contact the housing department of your local council for more information. If you rent your home, contact your landlord.
Paying for adaptations yourself
If you own your property, you may decide to sort some things out for yourself, e.g. fitting a handrail to outdoor steps, or replacing a bath with a walk-in shower.
Local councils often have long waiting lists for occupational therapist assessments, so if you can afford it, you might prefer to consult an occupational therapist independently. Find a local one here or call 020 7450 2330.