Disabled Facilities Grants

If a disability is making life difficult for you, or someone living in your house, then you may be entitled to help in the form of a grant or an interest-free loan.

Home owners, tenants, occupiers of house boats and park homes, and landlords can apply for this mandatory grant towards the cost of adapting a home to meet the needs of a disabled person.  Applications will only be considered where an occupational therapy assessment has been received. 

The maximum cost of works covered by the grant is £30,000 and depending on the disabled person's financial circumstances, there may be a contribution to make. Where the grant approved is more than £5000, the Council may secure a recoverable charge on the property of up to £10,000. This is registered as a local land charge and will stay in force for 10 years. 

The works can include:

• Access to and from the home, including the gardens.  For example ramps, pathways and handrails.
• Making the home safe for the disabled occupant, and others living there.
• Access to rooms used as a family room, bedroom, kitchen or bathroom.  This can include widening, re-positioning or re-siting doors. Tracking, stair lifts and through floor lifts.
• Adaptations to toilets, and bathing and washing facilities.  For example wet rooms and specialised toilets.
• Kitchen alterations to enable the disabled occupant to prepare snacks during the day, and sometimes specialised cookers, ovens, work surfaces and sink units.
• Improving heating to the rooms and areas normally used by the disabled occupant.
• Controlling sources of power, heat and light by altering the position of, or providing extra, controls.

There may be other works which can be included and we will always advise you.

Maximum funding for Disabled Facilities

The maximum funding towards a disabled facilities grant is £30,000 less any assessed contribution from the applicant.

Loans to meet an applicant's assessed contribution

If an applicant cannot meet their assessed contribution for a DFG the Council and Essex Social Services will explore the available funding options.

Who to contact

Before any Disabled Facilities Grant can go forward you need to know whether the proposed works are suitable.  You should contact Social Care Direct at Essex County Council on 0845 603 7630.  If their assessment identifies eligible works then they will send us a copy of the Occupational Therapist's recommendations with a request that we offer financial assistance in the form of a grant or loan.

If you are a Colchester Borough Homes Tenant then you should initially contact Colchester Borough Homes on 01206 282971.

Read our Disabled Facilities Grants Frequently Asked Questions.