Canterbury City Council

Disabled Facilities Grant (Canterbury)

The statutory Disabled Facilities Grant in the Canterbury district: up to £30,000, including legal or agency fees, towards adapting the home of a disabled person who owns or privately rents it. It covers access improvements, bathroom changes, extensions and adapted heating or controls. The grant is means tested on household income and savings over £6,000, except for people on certain benefits and children under 19. Council tenants use the council's own home adaptations process instead.

Apply on the funder’s site

You could get: Up to £30,000; no fixed round
Deadline: Rolling; apply any time
Effort: Heavy; budgets, references, often several stages

Who can apply

Disabled people in the Canterbury City Council area who own their home or rent privately, or a landlord applying on behalf of a tenant
The disability must be long-term, for example from physical illness or injury, major sight, hearing, speech or mental health problems, or learning disabilities
The disabled person must intend to live in the home for at least five years (shorter in some cases for health reasons)
They must be assessed and referred by a trained professional such as a trusted assessor or occupational therapist (Kent County Council adult or children's services), or referred by their GP
The grant is means tested on the income of the disabled person and any spouse or partner and on savings over £6,000; people receiving means-tested benefits such as Income Support, income-based ESA, guarantee Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Universal Credit pay nothing towards the cost, and children and young people under 19 are not means tested
Council tenants are not eligible for a DFG and use the council's home adaptations process

What it funds

Access improvements, like widening doorways, installing ramps or grab rails, or improving garden access
Bathroom changes, like installing level-access showers or wet rooms, or adding stair lifts
Home extensions, like building a downstairs bedroom or bathroom
Control adjustments, like changing heating or lighting controls for easier use
Installing a heating system to suit your needs

the council considers whether the proposed works are both necessary to meet your needs and appropriate for your home.

What it will not fund

Adaptations for council tenants, who follow the council's home adaptations process instead

How to apply

Read the council's DFG page and use AdaptMyHome's self-assessment tool to see if your home is suitable for adaptations
Get an assessment and referral from a trained professional: email social.services@kent.gov.uk for minor adaptations such as grab rails; for bigger adaptations call Kent adult services on 03000 416 161, or children's services on 03000 411 111 for a child under 18; or be referred by your GP
Gather proof of income and savings, property details and any medical documents
Work with the caseworker the council assigns; technical officers may visit to plan the work, and the caseworker helps with any planning permission or building regulations approval
Once the grant is approved, the council appoints a contractor and gives you a start date

after the work the council inspects it and invoices you for any contribution you have to make. Questions: online message form or 01227 862 000.

Have ready

Proof of income and savings, like pay slips, benefit letters or pension statements
Property details, such as a tenancy agreement or ownership document
Medical documents if these apply

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