Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Disabled Facilities Grant (Barnsley)

The statutory Disabled Facilities Grant from Barnsley Council: up to £30,000 towards major home adaptations, such as stair lifts, ramps and level access showers, for disabled people in privately owned or privately rented homes. Eligibility starts with an equipment and adaptations assessment by an occupational therapist. The grant is means tested for adults, but not for children, people on passporting benefits, or (in most cases) fast-track adaptations such as stair lifts, through-floor lifts, ceiling track hoists and ramps. Berneslai Homes (council) tenants are handled by Berneslai Homes instead.

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 adults and children in the Barnsley borough whose home is privately owned or privately rented: owner occupiers, private tenants, licensees or occupiers, households with a disabled person living there (a child is under 20 and qualifies for Child Benefit), or a private landlord applying for a disabled tenant
Berneslai Homes tenants apply through Berneslai Homes instead; housing association landlords are expected to fund or contribute to adaptations in their homes
You must have an equipment and adaptations assessment that finds you need major adaptations
Owners must intend to live in the home as their main residence for five years (landlords must let it for five years), and the owner's or landlord's written permission is needed
The grant is means tested on the income and capital of the disabled person and their partner; contributions range from nothing to the full cost
No means test applies for a child, or if you or your partner receive a passporting benefit (income-based ESA, income-based JSA, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support, Universal Credit or Tax Credit)
Means tests and contributions are also waived for fast-track adaptations, unless you already pay the full cost of your care package or have savings at or above the social care threshold
If an owner receives over £5,000 and sells within ten years, the council may ask for up to £10,000 back

What it funds

Major adaptations recommended by an occupational therapist that are necessary and appropriate, and reasonable and practicable, to help a disabled person live independently at home, including:

Access into, out of and around the home, including access to the garden (if recommended by an occupational therapist)
Adaptations to make the home safe for the disabled person and others living with them
Access to, or provision of, a room for sleeping
Access to, or provision of, a WC, washing, bathing and/or showering facilities (for example a level access shower)
Adaptations to help with preparing and cooking food
Providing or improving heating, lighting and power to meet the disabled person's needs
Work so a disabled occupant can care for another disabled person living there
Access to the home through common parts of a building
Stair lifts, through floor lifts, ceiling track hoists and access ramps (fast-track adaptations)
Replacement of lifts or lifting equipment that cannot be repaired

minor adaptations costing under £1,000 (for example grab rails and handrails) are provided free by the council's Equipment and Adaptation and Sensory Impairment Team rather than through the grant.

discretionary help of up to £7,500 may be available towards moving to more suitable accommodation, and discretionary top-up funding of up to £25,000 for works over £30,000, but the council says 2026-27 funding may not allow any top-up.

What it will not fund

Decorative work
Home improvement works
Housing repairs
Replacing previous adaptations, such as a previously adapted bathroom (except lifts or lifting equipment beyond repair)
Adaptations for social problems or overcrowding
Work started before formal grant approval
Any part of a new build or alteration already planned before the grant application
Freestanding equipment (supplied by the Equipment and Adaptation Service instead)
Servicing, repairs or maintenance after the warranty period
Labour costs where a relative provides the quotation (materials only)
Removal of adaptations or reinstatement work once they are no longer needed
Adaptations to a home that is not the disabled person's main residence

How to apply

Request an equipment and adaptations assessment using the council's online form, by calling 01226 775800, or by text for BSL users on 07825 454888; a professional involved in your care can also refer you
An occupational therapist assesses your needs and gives your referral a priority (Priority A or Standard)
Urgent cases: the council aims to contact you within five working days of the referral; fast-track adaptations such as stair lifts within four weeks; other adaptations go on a waiting list in date order and you are contacted as you near the top
The DFG team completes a means test where needed (help is offered at the council or in your home) and surveys the property
The DFG team project manages the work (tendering, planning and building control) or you can manage your own scheme with three itemised quotes
Wait for formal written approval before any work starts; work must be completed within 12 months of approval
A DFG officer inspects the completed work and the grant is paid to the contractor

you can estimate your contribution with the council's online Disabled Facilities Grant calculator.

Berneslai Homes tenants should apply to Berneslai Homes for adaptations.

Have ready

Details of all income and capital for you and your partner
Proof of any passporting benefit
Owner's or landlord's certificate (for owner or landlord applications)
Landlord's written permission (for tenants)

if you manage your own scheme you also need three itemised competitive quotes (two in exceptional cases).

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