GrantRadar

Bath and North East Somerset Council

Disabled Facilities Grant (Bath and North East Somerset)

The statutory Disabled Facilities Grant from Bath and North East Somerset Council: up to £30,000, including ancillary costs such as legal or agency fees, to adapt the home of a disabled person so they can live safely and independently. Examples include ramps, stair or through-floor lifts, wider doorways and level-access showers or wet rooms, and in exceptional cases extensions. Owners, tenants, and landlords applying for a tenant can apply after an occupational therapist referral. Adults are means tested; children and young people under 19 and people on certain means-tested benefits do not contribute.

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 people living in Bath and North East Somerset who are owners or tenants (private or social housing, with landlord consent), or landlords applying on behalf of a disabled tenant; occupiers of qualifying houseboats and caravans are also covered by the council's policy
  • The disabled person must intend to live in the property for at least five years (or a shorter period based on health circumstances)
  • The disability must be long-term: physical illness or injury, major sight, hearing, speech or mental health problems, or learning disabilities
  • An occupational therapist from the council's Adult or Children's Social Care teams must decide the works are necessary or appropriate, and Housing Services must decide they are reasonable and practical
  • All DFGs are means tested on the income, and savings over £6,000, of the disabled person and their spouse or partner, except for children and young people under 19
  • People receiving Income Support, income-based ESA, Guarantee Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Universal Credit do not contribute
  • Owners who receive over £5,000 may have to repay up to £10,000 if they sell or transfer the property within 10 years

What it funds

Adaptations that an occupational therapist finds necessary or appropriate, and that Housing Services finds reasonable and practical, for example:

  • Access improvements: widening doorways, installing ramps or grab rails, improving garden access, installing a stair lift or through floor lift, changing heating/lighting controls to make them more accessible
  • Bathroom and toilet modifications: level-access (walk-in) showers or wet rooms, improving access to toilet facilities, installing a wash-dry toilet
  • In exceptional circumstances, a contribution towards building an extension or making major alterations within your home
  • Ancillary costs such as legal or agency fees (within the £30,000)

the council's Decent Homes Policy also describes discretionary help of up to £10,000 towards moving to more suitable accommodation, and a discretionary top-up (or Lendology loan) of up to £20,000 where works exceed £30,000, all subject to available funds.

What it will not fund

  • Work started before written approval (the application may be refused)
  • Costs above the £30,000 maximum unless separately agreed (you may be asked to pay the extra)

How to apply

  1. Read the information and, if you wish, use the AdaptMyHome self-assessment tool and the council's means test calculator
  2. Adults: make a referral to the B&NES Occupational Therapy Team using the residents' online referral form or by calling the Access, Advice and Information Team on 01225 394570; under-18s: call the Disabled Children's Team on 01225 396967; professionals use the professional referral form
  3. An occupational therapist assesses your needs and refers you to Housing Services if appropriate; referrals are triaged by priority, with urgent cases prioritised
  4. Housing Services sends a written response with timelines and assigns a caseworker; technical officers may visit and planning permission or building regulations approval may be needed
  5. You receive a written decision; the named contractor is usually the lowest quote
  6. Work must start within 12 months of approval; after a final inspection the council usually pays the contractor directly and invoices you for any contribution

the council's Home Improvement Agency, WE Care Home Improvements (0300 323 0700, info@wecr.org.uk), can support you through the process with your consent.

Have ready

  • Proof of income and savings
  • Property documents
  • Medical evidence

estimates from two contractors are normally needed before approval (one for fast-track cases).

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