Woking Borough Council

Disabled Facilities Grant (Woking)

The mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant pays up to £30,000 towards adapting the home of a disabled person in Woking, for example ramps, stair lifts, wet-floor showers, ground floor facilities or wider doorways. It is means tested on the income, savings and capital of the applicant and their partner, except when applying for a child. The council's Homelink home improvement agency runs the whole process: an occupational therapist assesses what is needed and Homelink arranges and oversees the works. Stair lifts, wet rooms, ramps, hospital discharge and dementia-friendly works can be funded without a means test up to £15,000, and a discretionary top-up of up to £15,000 is available where works exceed the £30,000 maximum.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: Up to £30,000; no fixed round
Deadline: Rolling; apply any time
Effort: Moderate; full application with documents

Who can apply

Disabled residents of Woking borough: disabled home owners, disabled tenants in private and social housing, disabled people living at home with their family, and parents or guardians of a disabled child
Homelink says its service is for people who own or privately rent their home; Woking Borough Council tenants should contact their area housing manager (0300 373 0373) about adaptations instead
Adaptations must be recommended by an occupational therapist and meet the national DFG regulations
The grant is means tested on the income, savings and capital of you and your spouse or partner, so you may have to contribute; there is no means test for a disabled child under 19
Applications are prioritised by the need the occupational therapist assesses and are subject to the annual funding available

What it funds

Adaptations to homes to help disabled residents live independently, such as:

Ramps
Stair lifts
Wet-floor showers
Ground floor facilities
Widening doorways
Adaptations to aid access into and around the property
Works to ensure the safety of the applicant
Provision of suitable bathroom or sleeping facilities, heating, and access to lighting and power
Provision of suitable kitchen facilities or adaptation of an existing kitchen
Work to enable a disabled resident to care for dependent residents

Homelink's management fee (15% of the cost of the works excluding VAT) can be included in the grant if you are eligible.

How to apply

Contact Homelink (01483 743 668, home.independence@woking.gov.uk) or use the online Homelink request form on the council's Homelink page
Homelink arranges an assessment by an occupational therapist, who recommends the adaptations that best meet your needs
A Homelink caseworker visits, checks benefits and financial eligibility (the means test) and advises on funding options
Submit a completed application form with two estimates for the works in the required format (unless agreed otherwise); Homelink can recommend contractors and manage the project
Works must be completed within 12 months of grant approval and to the council's satisfaction

if you own the property and receive more than £5,000, a local land charge is registered and up to £10,000 (disregarding the first £5,000) may have to be repaid if you sell or transfer the property within 10 years. Additional fees may be payable for a private occupational therapist assessment or an asbestos survey. A Parity Trust loan may help pay your contribution.

Have ready

Completed application form
Two estimates for the works in the required format (unless agreed otherwise)

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