GrantRadar

City of Doncaster Council

Disabled Facilities Grant

A means-tested grant from City of Doncaster Council that pays for home adaptations so disabled adults and children can live more independently, such as stairlifts, hoists, ramps, rails and bathing adaptations. The mandatory grant is up to £30,000 per application less any assessed contribution, and the council has discretionary funding to top up above £30,000, help with the client's contribution, fund adaptations outside the mandatory criteria (for children with challenging behaviours), extend stairlift warranties and pay up to £5,000 towards moving to a suitable home. Grants over £5,000 may have to be repaid (up to £10,000) if you move within ten years, and discretionary help carries a local land charge on owner-occupied property.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £10,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Disabled residents of Doncaster (adults and children) who need adaptations to live independently in their home
  • Applicants must first be assessed for need by the council's adaptations/social care assessment officers, and adults complete a financial assessment that sets how much they contribute (from nothing up to the full cost)
  • Discretionary funding is judged case by case: the council looks at the applicant's finances, including evidence a high street bank has refused a loan and the hardship that paying would cause
  • People on the council re-housing waiting list only get minor adaptations unless they withdraw their housing application
  • Discretionary grants depend on funds being available, mandatory grants are prioritised, and discretionary help can be withdrawn at any time

What it funds

  • Stairlifts and hoists
  • Ramps and rails
  • Bathing adaptations
  • Other improvements the council deems helpful for independent living
  • Discretionary top-up above the £30,000 mandatory limit where the applicant cannot fund the excess
  • Discretionary help with the assessed client contribution in exceptional hardship
  • Equipment/adaptations outside the mandatory DFG criteria, namely for children with challenging behaviours
  • Relocation costs up to £5,000 when moving to an adapted or adaptable property
  • Extending stairlift, vertical lift or step lift warranty from 5 to 10 years

How to apply

  1. Request an assessment: adults call 01302 737391 (option 3, per the Housing Adaptations page); for children the grant page also gives 01302 737391 while the Housing Adaptations page gives the Children team on 01302 737777
  2. An assessment officer assesses your needs and recommends adaptations
  3. Complete the financial assessment to set your contribution
  4. For major works the council surveys your home within five days of the recommendation and draws up a schedule of works

you can request an assessment for someone else if you have their permission.

for discretionary help with relocation, the grant is paid only once contracts are exchanged with a legally binding completion date.

Have ready

  • Financial information for the means test
  • For discretionary funding: confirmation from a reputable high street bank that a loan for the amount was refused
  • For discretionary funding: bank statements or other evidence of the hardship paying would cause
  • For relocation help: supporting quotes and/or invoices

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