It is very good news that the government has agreed to consider increasing the upper limit of the Disabled Facilities Grant. This comes after concerns from both families and local authorities that the current amount allowed falls significantly short of the true cost of home adaptations.
It is important you are aware that Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) are available if you need to make essential changes to your home due to your disability.
Since 2008, the maximum amount for DFGs has been capped at £30,000 in England. However, over the last 16 years, inflation has risen to such a degree that £30,000 is now worth a third less in real terms. It is fairly clear that DFGs need an overhaul now.
If you have done any form of building work since the pandemic, you will know all too well that material and building costs have spiralled. This has resulted in a knock-on effect for DFGs, as the maximum amount paid out is now far less than what’s needed to pay for more expensive adaptations such as extensions.
Sadly, disabled people across the country are trapped in a housing crisis. Funding shortfalls, an influx in applications and delays in the system means thousands of vulnerable people are being denied the right to live independently.
They are living in unsuitable homes that don’t meet their basic needs, significantly impacting their quality of life. Even the simplest things such as walking, getting up the stairs and daily hygiene routines can be difficult.
Those who care for disabled children or parents are also feeling the strain. Without an accessible bathroom, stair lift, or a safe living space, they face additional physical and mental challenges.
Why has the government agreed to review DFGs?
A brave legal challenge in the High Court by the family of a disabled child has led the government to agree to review the DFG limit.
In July 2024, a six-year-old disabled child from London, (acting by his mother as litigation friend), brought a claim for judicial review of the government’s ongoing failure to increase the DFG limit.
They argued that this undermines the purpose of the relevant legislation and discriminates against particular groups of disabled persons, previously recognised as being the most likely to require extensions of their properties.
The family live in a one-bedroom property and need an extension to provide an extra bedroom and additional space for equipment related to the child’s disability, estimated to cost up to £100,000 – over three-times the DFG limit.
The family argued that the previous government has backtracked on their promise to review the upper limit in 2018. A government White Paper in 2021 set out a commitment to increase the DFG limit and to consult on how this would be done, however, it subsequently failed to do so.
In September, the government agreed to settle the matter and agreed to begin a review within the next six weeks, to be completed within three months. The relevant local authority also agreed to top-up the DFG with discretionary funding to cover the cost of the extension.
A postcode lottery for DFGs
Due to a lack of funding, many local authorities across the country cut discretionary payments for DFGs in 2024. This is creating a postcode lottery for disabled people.
In June 2024, Worcester City Council announced they were cutting discretionary DFG payments after a forecasted overspend. They’d already pledged £60,000 beyond what they had in their Better Care fund. Cllr Neil Laurenson called it a “pretty grim situation.”
Derbyshire County Council and Cheshire East Council have also announced they are considering stopping discretionary payments due to budget constraints.
On the other side of the coin, Newark and Sherwood District Council have raised their discretionary Disabled Facilities Grant to £30,000.
In November 2024, Nottingham County Council wrote to the government highlighting this disparity amongst local authorities. Cllr Jonathan Wheeler, the cabinet member for adult social care, said: “The current formula is not demand-led. As a result, there are some areas where councils have surplus funding, and a deficit in others with residents on a waiting list. The current means-testing also disproportionately affects adults in receipt of benefits.”
Rushcliffe Borough Council echoed those thoughts, calling on deputy prime minister Angela Rayner to end the postcode lottery for DFGs. They claim a lack of resources is creating delays of up to 12 months for property adaptations for patients returning home from hospital. They added that this potentially infringes on their rights to independence and well-being, failing to take into account a person’s unique needs and challenges faced.
Rushcliffe Council claim they need an extra £200,000 to support DFGs. In the autumn budget, the government announced an extra £86m towards DFGs in 2025. But with 317 local authorities in England, this money won’t go far.
When disabled people cannot access the essential home adaptations needed, the ripple effects are felt across the health and social care systems.
Poor housing costs the NHS at least £1.4bn each year. Research shows that every £1 spent on the DFG could save the NHS around £7.50 by preventing accidents and injuries in the home and reducing the need for care.
What is the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)?
The DFG is a grant given to disabled people who need to make changes to their home to make it more accessible. DFGs are provided by local authorities.
This could include:
- Widening doorways
- Installing grab rails or ramps
- Installing a stairlift
- Adapting the kitchen area to make it easier to prepare and cook food
- Building an extension to allow for a downstairs bedroom or bathroom
- Adapting heating or lighting controls for easier use
- Improving access to the garden or outdoor space
These important changes can make all the difference in the daily lives of those living with disabilities, granting them greater independence, safety and quality of life.
Who is eligible for a DFG?
The Disabled Facilities Grant is provided to around 50,000 people each year.
To get a DFG, you or someone living in the house must be disabled, terminally ill or elderly.
Under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, you are treated as disabled if:
- you are physically substantially disabled by illness, injury, impairment present since birth or otherwise
- you have a learning disability or are neurodiverse, such as autism spectrum disorder
- your sight, hearing or speech is substantially impaired
- you have a progressive condition such as motor neurone disease
- you have a mental disorder or cognitive impairment, such as dementia
Other people can make a DFG application, but you must be the owner, tenant or landlord of the property where works will take place. The person for whom the DFG will benefit must also intend to live in the property for another five years; this grant period may be shortened if a person is terminally ill.
Once you apply for a DFG, the council will usually arrange an assessment with an occupational therapist to see what changes are needed. They must give you an answer about whether your application has been granted within six months.
How much are DFGs worth?
The statutory DFG is capped at £30,000 in England, £36,000 in Wales and £25,000 in Northern Ireland. But councils can top up this amount with discretionary payments.
DFGs are means-tested, so how much you receive will depend on your household income and savings over £6,000. If your household income is above the threshold, you may need to contribute towards the cost of the works.
This may mean that people who have been left disabled due to medical negligence, and have successfully made a claim for compensation, may not be eligible. However, as medical negligence specialists, our team of lawyers ensure that any claim for compensation accounts for the necessary home adaptations required to support the claimant live as they did before their injury.
There is no means-test for children and young people under 18. If your child suffered a birth injury due to medical negligence and has additional needs, you can submit a DFG application without your own income being taken into account. As a child’s compensation is usually held within a trust, this also won’t influence the decision.
Each local authority has its own policy for the means test. The council must also agree that the work is necessary and appropriate to meet your needs.
DFGs may be paid in instalments as the work progresses, or in full once complete. You will need to give the council an invoice or receipt from the contractor appointed.