Make major adaptations to your home (Disabled Facilities Grant)

About the grant

If you're finding it difficult to move around your home due to a disability, you may be eligible for a Disabled Facility Grant (DFG). 

This grant can help with costs related to making your home more accessible and suitable for your needs.

Large adaptations you can make to your home with the grant

The DFG can help pay for big changes to make your home more accessible, including but not limited to:

• widening doors to allow for better access
• fitting ramps for easier entry and exit
• installing lifts to help you get upstairs
• adapting bathrooms to aid independence
• installing a wet room to improve accessibility

Who can apply

To be considered for a DFG, you or someone else living in the home must:

• live in Kingston
• be disabled
• intend to live in the property during the grant period (usually 5 years but this can be shorter, for example, if the person is terminally ill)
• have a written assessment from an occupational therapist saying that the proposed work will meet the needs of a disabled person

The person who submits the application must be either the owner, tenant or landlord. 

Council tenants

If you live in a property owned by the council, you don’t need to apply for the DFG separately. If you have an Occupational Therapy assessment, and we think you might be eligible for adaptations, we’ll refer your case to the Housing team who will make any adaptations needed.

How to apply for a DFG

Get an occupational therapy (OT) assessment

To get the grant, you’ll need a written assessment of your needs from an occupational therapist. 

You can request a free assessment from our occupational therapy team. They’ll determine what adaptations are needed to your home, and can make a referral on your behalf for the Disabled Facilities Grant if it’s suitable.

Request an occupational therapy assessment

What happens after you’re referred for a grant

If you’re referred for a grant, our partner the Home Improvement Agency will visit your property to check if they can make the changes to your home. 

If they confirm they can make the changes to your home, you’ll be told in writing:

• what adaptations will be made that can be covered by the grant
• if you have to contribute towards the cost of any changes to your home

When you might still need to pay for adaptations

Even if you’re granted a DFG, you may have to pay for some of the costs of the work needed in your home. 

The Home Improvement Agency will assess your income and any benefits you receive to work out if you need to contribute and how much you may need to pay. 

Your contribution to any adaptation costs is based on a fair assessment of your income and benefits, ensuring our support is accessible to those who need it most. Learn more about how the DFG is managed

If you’re not eligible for the DFG

If you’re not eligible for the DFG and you’re receiving benefits, you might be able to apply for a home improvement grant or loan. Learn more about the home improvement grant or loan