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You could get a grant from your council if you鈥檙e disabled and need to make changes to your home. For example if you:

• are physically disabled
• have a learning disability
• have age-related needs
• are autistic
• have a cognitive impairment, like dementia
• have a progressive condition, like motor neurone disease
• have a terminal illness
• have a mental health condition

You might need to:

• widen doors and install ramps or grab rails
• improve access to rooms and facilities, for example with a stairlift, or level access shower
• improve access to your garden
• build an extension, for example a downstairs bedroom
• provide a heating system suitable for your needs
• adapt heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use

How much you get usually depends on your:

• household income
• household savings over 拢6,000

Disabled children under 18 can get a grant without their parents鈥� income being taken into account. Contact your local council for more information.

Landlords can get a grant without their income and savings being taken into account. The council may ask for the property to be let to another disabled person if the current tenant moves within 5 years.

How much you can apply for

Some councils may give more.

Depending on your income, you may need to pay towards the cost of the work to the property.

You can apply for another grant for the same property if you need to. For example, if your condition changes.

How you鈥檒l be paid

You鈥檒l be paid either:

• in instalments, as the work progresses
• in full, when the work is finished

The council may pay the contractor directly or give you a cheque to pass on to them. They鈥檒l agree this with you when they approve your application.

When you鈥檒l be paid

You鈥檒l be paid either:

• when you and the council are happy with the finished work
• when you give the council the invoice, demand or receipt for payment from the contractor

To get a grant, you or someone else living in the house must:

• be disabled
• intend to live in the property during the grant period (usually 5 years but this can be shorter, for example, if the person is terminally ill)

The person who submits the application must be either the:

• owner
• tenant
• landlord

The council needs to be happy that the work is:

• necessary and appropriate to meet the disabled person鈥檚 needs
• reasonable and can be done, depending on the age and condition of the property

The work should be completed within 12 months of the grant being approved.

Planning and building regulations approval

You need to apply separately for any planning permission or building regulations approval.

The council may ask you to employ a qualified architect or surveyor to plan and oversee the work. If you get a grant, you can use it towards the cost of their fees.

Apply through your local council.

The council may send an occupational therapist or trained assessor to see you. They鈥檒l assess what changes you need to your home.

Your council must give you a decision within 6 months.

Help applying

The government funds an organisation called who can help you to apply.

Appeals

You can appeal to your council if you鈥檙e unhappy with their decision.

If you appeal and you鈥檙e still not happy, you can complain to the