Disabled Facilities Grant

If you have care and support needs, adaptations to your home can make it easier to live there independently for as long as possible.

In this section:

Disabled Facilities Grant

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If you or someone you live with finds it difficult to do everyday tasks at home, you might be able to get help to make changes to your home. A Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) can support safe and independent living at home.

If you're considering adapting your home and would like to understand if a DFG could help, our Occupational Therapy Team is here to support you.

You can contact us by:

  • email: ccadults@solihull.gov.uk
  • phone: 0121 704 8007 (weekdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm, except Wednesdays when we open at 10:00am)

To find out what other support is available, please visit our get help from adult social care page.

What is a Disabled Facilities Grant?

The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is for disabled adults and children who need to make major changes to their home to allow them to live more safely and independently.

It can be used to make adaptations such as:

  • widening doorways
  • installing ramps
  • installing a stairlift
  • replacing a bath with an accessible shower or specialist bath

To access funding, you may be required to complete a financial assessment. This will consider your savings and income to determine whether you are eligible and if you need to make a contribution. 

The video below provides further information about what a DFG is.

You can also read our case studies of how people have benefitted from the grant.

Who can apply?

You may be eligible if you or someone you live with has:

  • a physical condition or injury
  • sight, hearing or communication difficulties
  • a learning disability
  • a mental health condition
  • a long-term condition affecting daily life 

You or the person you're applying for must also:

  • own the property or be a tenant
  • intend to live in the property during the grant period

If you think you are eligible, find out how to apply. 

If you are a Solihull Community Housing (SCH) tenant, visit the SCH website for information on aids and adaptations. 

Further information

You can find out further information about DFG on:

  • AdaptMyHome, which allows you to check how well your home supports your needs and if you could benefit from some adaptations to help you stay safe and independent
  • GOV.UK

We may be able to offer discretionary financial help which you can read more about in our: 

Minor adaptations

Some changes to your home do not require a DFG. These changes typically cost less and are called minor adaptations or minor works. 

To find out more about minor adaptations and how to request them, please contact Solihull Independent Living Service (SILS). 

Case studies

Major adaptations

Stair lift and level access shower

Mr and Mrs A were struggling to use the stairs in their house. This was making them anxious because the only toilet in their house was upstairs. They were also unable to use the bath which meant they could only wash at the handbasin.  

After an assessment by the Occupational Therapy Team, a recommendation for a stair lift and level access shower was made. The work was funded through a DFG and installed by SCH contractors.  

The adaptations are making a positive difference to their lives and allowing them to remain independent at home. 

Ramp

B is 10 years old, has a permanent physical disability, and is a fulltime wheelchair user. He had to use portable ramps to get in and out of the house and to go in the garden. 

An Occupational Therapy assessment recommended permanent ramped access to the house. This was funded by a DFG and installed by SCH contractors. 

The ramp was built at the rear and side of the house enabling B to spend time outside with his siblings and take part in family activities. The ramp also allows B safe access to and from his home to attend school and go out into his local community, giving him more independence and freedom. 

Through floor lift, ramp and wet room

C is a young boy with a progressive neurological condition causing muscle weakness which will eventually lead to fulltime wheelchair use.   

An Occupational Therapy assessment recommended internal building work to create space for a through floor lift, enabling C to access the first floor facilities safely and independently.  

Ramped access was provided at the front and rear of his house giving him easier access to his garden, local community and school. 

The wall between the separate toilet and bathroom was removed to create a larger wet room for future wheelchair use, making the property suitable for current and future needs. This was funded by a DFG.

Ceiling track hoists

Ceiling track hoists are used to help someone who needs regular hoisting to move from their bed to a chair or wheelchair. They can be used by a single carer (depending on a risk assessment) and don’t take up floor space. This can mean care is easier and requires less hands-on support, helping you stay more independent.  

Ceiling track hoists were provided through a DFG for Mrs C in her bedroom and lounge. These replaced her sizeable mobile hoist, making everyday care easier and less effort for her carers. The ceiling track hoists also allow Mrs C to be more involved in her own care.

Minor adaptations

Half step and grab rails

Mr J had fallen over going out into the garden. An Occupational Therapy assessment recommended a half step large enough for his walking frame. It also recommended installing grab rails at the back door to make the area safer and reduce the risk of further falls. 

Rehanging door, grab rails and pendant alarm

Mrs S was having difficulty accessing her ground floor toilet. She fell over behind the toilet door, was unable to get up and had to be rescued by the ambulance service. 

An Occupational Therapy assessment recommended rehanging the door to open outwards, installing grab rails by the toilet and a referral to SILS or a pendant alarm system. 

Banister rail and grab rail

Mrs W’s daughter requested an assessment for additional rails after her mother tripped on the stairs and narrowly avoided falling. An additional banister rail and Newel grab rail were installed. This made going up and down stairs much safer for Mrs W and provided greater peace of mind for her daughter.