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Disabled adaptations

Disabled Facilities Grants

Help to adapt your home

We’re here to help you live independently in your home. If you’re disabled, you may be able to get a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to adapt your home. The DFG helps disabled individuals make essential changes to their homes, making it safer and easier to get around and manage everyday tasks. Adapting your home can restore or enable independent living, privacy, confidence, and dignity for you and your family. 

Adaptations could be minor, such as grabrails or ramps, or major works such as stairlifts, wet rooms, all the way up to building extensions. Our Home Improvement Agency (HIA) can support you throughout the process from application and design, through to completion of works.

 

Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)

The DFG is a mandatory grant, meaning we have to offer it by law. To complement the mandatory DFG, we also offer other grants so we can help the greatest number of disabled people living in Cherwell to live at home in safety and comfort. These discretionary grants are explained in the following pages in this section.

Below is a summary of the DFG criteria and conditions. For more information on Mandatory DFGs see the GOV.UK website and download the Oxfordshire guide to home adaptations.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants

  • Residents of Cherwell who are permanently and substantially disabled. 
  • Applicants may be homeowners, private tenants, or social tenants (or their landlords)
  • The disabled person must intend to remain in their current home for at least 5 years (or a shorter period based on health circumstances)

The disability must be long-term and can be due to:

  • Physical illness or injury
  • Major sight, hearing, speech, or mental health problems
  • Learning disabilities

To qualify, an assessment must be completed by a suitably trained professional, such as an Occupational Therapist (OT). They will work with you to identify the most suitable solutions for your needs.

Qualifying criteria

  • Works must be to a property located in Cherwell, but that could be:
    • a house or flat
    • a houseboat or caravan (subject to meeting certain criteria)
  • The property must be the disabled person's only or main residence.
  • The application is supported by an Occupational Therapist - generally this will be an OT from Oxfordshire County Council.
  • The applicant and household is subject to a financial means test
  • The landlord or owner's consent to the works is required where applicable.

What can the grant cover?

Here are some examples of adaptations that might be funded:

Access improvements:

  • Widening doorways
  • Installing ramps or grab rails
  • Improving garden access
  • Installing stair lifts

Bathroom modifications:

  • Installing level-access (walk-in) showers or wet rooms
  • Installing a wash-dry toilet

Home extensions or reconfigurations:

  • Building an additional downstairs bedroom
  • Reconfiguring the layout of existing rooms to add a downstairs wetroom
  • Redesigning your kitchen with height-adjustable units and fittings

Every adaptation is tailored to your specific needs to support your independence and comfort.

We will work closely with you and your Occupational Therapist to carefully consider whether the proposed works are both necessary to meet your specific needs and appropriate for your home. This ensures that the adaptations provide a practical, cost-effective solution to help you live more safely and independently. We will assess your circumstances, the condition and structure of your property, and the long-term benefits of the proposed changes before making a decision.

How much can you get?

Maximum grant

  • The maximum mandatory DFG is £30,000 including any ancillary costs and fees.

If you receive a DFG over £5,000 then the next £10,000 worth of grant will be recorded as a local land charge against the property for 10 years. This means if you sell your house within 10 years of receiving a DFG, you will need to repay up to £10,000 from the proceeds of the sale.

Means test

The amount of grant you can receive depends on your household income and savings over £6,000. Only the income and savings of the disabled person and their spouse or partner are considered. You won’t have to contribute towards the cost if you receive certain means-tested benefits, such as:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
  • Guarantee Pension Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Universal Credit
  • And others

Note: Disabled children and young people under 19 are not means-tested for the mandatory DFG.

Use our online means test calculator to estimate how much you might have to contribute

Means test calculator

How to Enquire

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Initial contact:

  • Explore information: Review the details on this page and use the self-assessment tool on AdaptMyHome.org.uk.
  • Contact Oxfordshire County Council: All disabled adaptation grants start with an assessment by an Occupational Therapist. Contact Adult Social Care or Children's Services
  • Contact us: Reach out to us by phone or email, or submit this webform if you have any questions about our Home Improvement Agency and the grant process.

2. Occupational Therapist assessment:

3. Application process:

  • Caseworker assignment: You’ll be assigned a caseworker who will guide you through the process. They will help you to apply for the right grant(s) for you and carry out any financial means tests.
  • Home visits: One of our trained Grants Surveyors may visit your home to assess feasibility, draw up plans, and create a schedule of works. 
  • Planning approvals: If required, we’ll help with planning permission or building regulations approval.

4. Grant approval and work commencement:

  • Approval: Once eligibility is confirmed, and funds are available, your application will be approved.
  • Work begins: A contractor will be appointed, and a start date will be arranged.

5. Completion and sign-off:

  • Final inspection: After the work is completed, we’ll visit to ensure you’re satisfied.
  • Payment: If you have a contribution to make, you’ll receive an invoice after completion.

What happens after you enquire?

Assessment process

  • Acknowledgment: After your enquiry, you’ll receive a written response outlining the next steps and expected timelines.
  • Single point of contact: You’ll be assigned a caseworker who will be your main contact throughout the process. Their direct contact details will be at the top of any letters you receive from us
  • Collaboration: Housing, health, and social care professionals will work together to ensure your needs are met.

Approval and work

  • Decision timeline: You’ll be informed in writing about the decision on your grant application. If you are self-managing the work, do not start work before you get the decision in writing or the application may be refused.
  • Work commencement: Once approved, work must begin within 12 months.
  • Monitoring progress: We will monitor works while they are on-site. Contact your caseworker if you have any concerns or questions about the works being done. 

Completion and handover

  • Completion: We will revisit to check the works have been completed properly and check you are satisfied.
  • Handover: We will make sure you are shown how to use any equipment and help answer any questions you may have.
  • Aftercare: Some adaptations, such as wash/dry toilets come with a warranty. Whatever the issue, contact us and we will help if we possibly can. Likewise if you have future needs, contact us as you may be eligible for further grants and assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I have to pay anything back?

  • Repayment conditions: If you own your property and receive a grant over £5,000, you may need to repay some of it if you sell or transfer the property within 10 years.
  • Maximum repayment: The amount repaid will not exceed £10,000 for the mandatory DFG. Other grants, such as the DFG Top-up grant have a higher limit.

How long does the process take?

  • Timelines vary: The duration depends on the complexity and urgency of the adaptations. Urgent cases are prioritised. Read more about typical DFG timelines and tips to speed things up at AdaptMyHome.org.uk (how long does it take).
  • Stages involved: Assessment, approval, and construction stages each have their own timelines. 
  • Decision timeline: You’ll be informed in writing about the decision on your grant application. Do not start work before you get the decision in writing or the application may be refused.
  • Work commencement: Once approved, work must begin within 12 months.
  • Monitoring progress: Your caseworker will keep you updated regularly throught your application’s progress. Their direct contact details will be at the top of any letters you receive from us.

What evidence will I need to provide?

  • Financial information: proof of income, savings, bonds and other assets.
  • Property ownership: if your property is not registerd on Land Registry you may need to provide copies of deeds.

Can I use my own contractor?

  • Approved contractors: The council usually appoints contractors to ensure quality and compliance.
  • Discussion: You can discuss preferences with your caseworker.

Are there any conditions attached to the grant?

What if I don’t qualify for a DFG?

  • Self-Funding: If you don’t qualify, you may need to fund the work yourself.
  • Alternative Support: Other discretionary grants or assistance might be available to you. See our Housing Grants and Assistance Policy for more information.

Can I apply again if my needs change?

  • Yes. If your circumstances change, you can apply for another grant for the same property.

Do I need planning permission?

  • Possibly: Some adaptations may require planning permission or building regulations approval.
  • Assistance provided: Your caseworker will help navigate this process if needed.

Who can I contact for updates?

  • Caseworker: Your assigned caseworker is your main point of contact for any queries or updates. Their direct contact details will be at the top of any letters you receive from us

Is there a complaints procedure?

  • Yes: We’re committed to high-quality service. If you have concerns, we have a clear complaints process.
  • Further action: If unsatisfied with the outcome, you can contact the Local Government Ombudsman at www.lgo.org.uk or call 0300 061 0614.

Other Support Available

Additional Resources

Contact us

Cherwell Home Improvement Agency

  • Telephone: 01295 227004
  • Email: hia@cherwell-dc.gov.uk