Disabled facilities grants (DFG)

If you are disabled and need adaptations to your home to allow you to move around more easily, to use essential facilities, or to stay in your own home, you may qualify for financial assistance from the council.

For homeowners, a financial charge will apply if the grant is over £5,000 (up to a maximum of £10,000). This charge is only recovered if the property is sold within 10 years.

A grant could cover……

• Widening doors, installing ramps or lowering thresholds to make it easier to get into and out of your home.
• Installation of a stairlift, handrails etc to make access easier.
• Provision of adapted bathrooms or kitchens.
• Improvements to the heating system of your home.

In some circumstances, the Council can cover the cost of essential repairs or improvements to the home where the occupant is unable to pay.

The Council would pay for these works and ask for repayment upon the future sale or transfer of the property — with no interest charged. The cost of repairs will be placed against the property as a local land charge.

To be eligible for a HRA, you must have household savings of less than £16,000 and be in receipt of a means tested benefit or have a low household income.

Only one application for assistance will be considered up to a maximum value of £10,000 within any 5-year period.

To find out if you are eligible for funding the first step is to complete the online enquiry form below. The information you provide will enable us to determine whether an Occupational Therapist or Trusted Assessor will visit you. The Trusted Assessor can assess for non-complex works on behalf of individuals with non-progressive and stable health conditions, and can visit you at home to make an assessment of your requirements.

If the Occupational Therapist or Trusted Assessor thinks a Disabled Facilities Grant is appropriate, they will pass your details on to the Worcestershire Home Adaptation Service.

The council will determine if the works are necessary and appropriate and eligible under current legislation.

What does the Worcestershire Home Adaptation Service (WHAS) do?

WHAS will draw up technical specifications, find estimates and help you complete and submit your application for the grant. Once your grant is agreed by us, WHAS will also supervise the work on your behalf.

Who can apply?

• Owner-occupiers.
• Private tenants.
• A landlord with a disabled tenant.
• A Housing Association tenant.

Please note: 
Landlord’s permission must be granted before any work can start.

You must not start any works before we have approved your application.

Disabled Facilities Grants are subject to a test of resources unless the application relates to a child. The calculated figure is then used to determine whether you need to make a financial contribution towards the cost of the work.

If you claim certain benefits you may be eligible for a full grant.

Home owner and private tenant enquiries

Jayne Brennan, Disabled Facilities Grant Project Officer
01562 732527

Frankie Lloyd, Disabled Facilities Grant Project Officer
01562 732553

Occupational Therapy teams

Forest Team -  01562 514639

• Aylmer Lodge Cookley Partnership
• Northumberland House Surgery
• Wolverley Surgery
• Chaddesley Surgery
• Stanmore House Surgery

River Team - 01562 514557

• Stourport Health Centre
• York House Medical Centre
• Bewdley Medical Centre

Glades Team - 01562 714662

• Church Street Practice
• Kidderminster Medical Centre
• Hagley Surgery