Disabled Facility Grants (DFG)

These grants are mandatory under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and are subject to a statutory test of resources (means test) required to establish whether the applicant is financially able to contribute towards the costs of the eligible scheme.

Disabled Facilities Grants are awarded to enable applicants to have access to and around their homes, or to use essential facilities within the home to enable them to live safely and independently. Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants can only be given for the purposes set out in the Act.

Ongoing maintenance and repair of adaptations and equipment provided under the grant will become the responsibility of the applicant or landlord as relevant.

Whilst it is recognised that a Disabled Facilities Grant is a mandatory grant, it is the Council’s intention where possible to investigate all housing options that might meet the needs of the applicant in the most cost effective and suitable way before awarding a Disabled Facilities Grant. This could include moving to a more suitable and/or adapted accommodation that may be available to the applicant.

The maximum amount of Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant is currently £30,000 set by statute. Discretionary Disabled Facilities Grant for costs above £30,000 will not be made available except upon the agreement of the council, in accordance with this policy under the Discretionary top up for Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant, and where justified to be the most satisfactory course of action in the circumstances or to have arisen through reasonable and unforeseeable additional works or costs.

The council/appointed agent will endeavour to determine all valid applications within 2 weeks of receipt unless further information is required to enable that decision. Where additional information or other factors necessitate further investigation of options the council will determine the application at the earliest opportunity within the statutory timescale of 6 months.

Eligible Applicants

• Any applicant registered or capable of being registered under the Chronically Sick & Disabled Persons Act 1970 and requires adaptations to be provided.
• Any disabled person, as described by Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, s.100. Applicants can be property owners or tenants or some landlords may apply on behalf of tenants.

Qualifying Criteria

• A referral from the Community Occupational Therapist (COT) via Social Services or a Trusted Assessor confirming that the works are ‘necessary and appropriate’ is required. This referral will recommend works.
• Entitlement to a Disabled Facilities Grant is mandatory but before approval the council has to be satisfied that the relevant works are both necessary and appropriate for the disabled person, and additionally that it is ‘reasonable and practicable’ to carry out the works.
• A permanent and legal residence, or long-term in the case of fostering, including dwellings, mobile homes, caravans and houseboats. Second or holiday homes will not be considered for assistance.

Conditions

• Works must qualify as described in s23 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (as amended).
• Works must be recommended by a Community Occupational Therapist or Trusted Assessor and be necessary and appropriate to meet the needs of the disabled applicant.
• The works must be reasonable and practicable to carry out having regard to the age and condition of the dwelling or building.
• Applicant will be subject to a financial assessment of resources except where
  1. the applicant (relevant person(s)) is in receipt of one or more of the following means tested benefits; -Housing Benefit, Income Support, Guaranteed Pension Credit, Income-based Employment Support Allowance (ESA), Income-based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), Working/Child Tax Credit where income is less than set threshold, Universal Credit
  2. The application is in respect of a disabled child.
• Proof of title is required
• Landlord consent to the works is required where applicable.
• Conditions relating to the recovery of equipment in specified circumstances are applied.
• The council will use its powers to place a local land charge against the property where the Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant exceeds £5000. The charge may be up to a maximum of £10,000 and repayment of the sum on charge is required where the adapted property is sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of within a 10 year period from completion of the work.
• In the case of a Disabled Facilities Grant where a 10 year conditional repayment obligation exists and the recipient intends to dispose of the property by sale, assignment, transfer or otherwise within the 10 year period, the charge must be repaid, unless the council, having considered :
  1. the extent to which the recipient of the assistance would suffer financial hardship were he/she to be required to repay all or some of the grant or charge
  2. whether the disposal of the property is to enable the recipient to take up employment, or to change the location of his/her employment;
  3. whether the disposal is made for reasons connected with the physical or mentalhealth or well-being of the recipient of the assistance or of the disabled occupant of the property; and
  4. whether the disposal is made to enable the recipient of the assistance to live with, or near, any person who is disabled or infirm and in need of care, which the recipient of the assistance is intending to provide, or who is intending to provide care of which the recipient of the assistance is in need of by reason of disability or infirmity, is satisfied that it is reasonable in the circumstances to waiver or reduce the repayable sum.

Maximum Grant

£30,000

Applying

If you believe you may be entitled to this grant, then you should contact your GP and request that you are referred to Community Occupational Health who can advise the Care and Repair Agency on the type of adaption required. If you would like further advice about the Disabled Facility Grant (DFG) then contact Millbrook Health who administer this grant on behalf of Worcester City Council.

Millbrook Health 03301248205 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.