Disabled facilities grants
Disabled facilities grants (DFG) are available to disabled persons who have been assessed as eligible by an Occupational Therapist.
For an assessment call Essex County Council Social Care Direct on 0345 603 7630 or email SocialCareDirect@essex.gov.uk
The grant, which is means tested, enables major adaptations to homes (including mobile homes) to enable disabled people to live as independently as possible.
Typical adaptations can include the installation of stair lifts, level access showers, low level kitchens, external ramps and hardstanding.
You can apply if you are a home owner, private tenant or a landlord. If you are a council tenant you will need to contact our housing department who operate a separate scheme.
The maximum grant amount is £30,000.
In some cases, your existing home may not be suitable for adaptation, and assistance may be available to relocate to more suitable accommodation.
How to apply for a grant
You will need an occupational therapy assessment to see if you are eligible.
The assessment will look at your circumstances and what sort of adaptation is suitable to meet your needs. The occupational therapist will make any recommendations to us.
We will then contact you and send you a form to ask about your circumstances to see if you are eligible for the grant.
Financial contribution
Applicants will be subject to an assessment of their financial circumstances (test of resources) to determine how much they will be required to contribute towards the cost of the works.
Families of disabled children or where a disabled person or their partner is in receipt of a means tested benefit will not be subject to a test of resources.
Additional information
You can find a summary of all the grants in the Home Repairs Assistance Policy (PDF) [484KB] .