Apply for the disabled facilities grant

If you or someone living in your property has an impairment, you may qualify for a disabled facilities grant.

This can help towards the cost of adapting your home so that the disabled person can live more independently. 

If the applicant is not the owner or tenant (child or relative living in the property) an application can be made by the householder.

Disabled facilities grants are available to owner-occupiers and tenants who rent from private landlords. 

This grant provides essential adaptations to give applicants with impairments greater independence around the home by installing adaptations.

This includes:

  • ramps
  • stairlifts
  • improving toilets
  • wet rooms
  • improving home safety

Please note, disabled facilities grants are subject to the availability of funds. Maintenance and repair are not eligible under the grant.

Applications

We will assess who is eligible to apply by considering financial circumstances and the need for adaptations.

The maximum grant that can be paid is £36,000 and is subject to eligibility.

Grant applications for adults are means tested to find out how much the applicant will have to contribute towards the cost of the work. 

This calculates:

  • average weekly income
  • taking account of any savings, certain benefits and pensions 

There is no means test if an application is for a disabled child under the age of 16, or for a dependent young person under the age of 20 who is eligible for child benefit.  

An assessment by an occupational therapist is required who will recommend works that are necessary and appropriate to meet the needs of an applicant.  

An application may be refused if the council believes the scheme is not reasonable and practicable.

Application process

Apply for the disabled facilities grant.

An email will be sent to you confirming receipt of your enquiry that will be passed to occupational therapy for an assessment. You may be contacted if there are any queries regarding your enquiry.

An occupational therapist will make contact and visit your home if needed to undertake an assessment. The assessment will identify if the proposed works are eligible and supported.

If the proposed works are eligible and supported by occupational therapy, a referral will be sent to the adaptations team to progress a disabled facilities grant.

The adaptations team will make contact to arrange a visit to your home to complete a disabled facilities grant application. 

An application will be completed by a social liaison officer that may include a means test and a surveyor will assess a suitable location for the works.

If you are eligible your grant will be approved and contractors will complete the work.

Grant conditions 

The following conditions must be met upon the award of a grant:

  • work must be completed the contractor who provided the estimates included with the application
  • applicants must inform the council of any changes to the agreement 
  • all of the grant works are completed within 12 months from the date of approval
  • payments can be suspended if there are any breaches to the conditions 

Conditions requiring repayment of grant

Newport City Council will order repayment of a disabled facilities grant from the recipient if the grant exceeds £5,000 up to £10,000.

The condition of repayment is set at 10 years from the date of the completion certificate (certified date).

Repayment may be ordered if:

  • a disposal of the property takes place
  • there is a breach of the grant conditions in respect of the provision of grant aid
  • there is a breach of the grant conditions during or 10 years from the date of the completion certificate (certified date)

Repayment may not be ordered, if the disposal of the property:

  • enables the recipient of the grant to take up employment
  • causes financial hardship to the recipient 
  • is connected to the recipient of the grants wellbeing or physical/mental health
  • enables the recipient of the grant to live with/near, any person who is disabled in need of care, which the recipient of the grant is intending to provide