Disabled facilities grants (DFG)
Everyone deserves to feel safe, comfortable and independent in their home.
The Housing Adaptations Service helps eligible residents make changes to their home so they can live more safely and manage everyday tasks more easily.
We support people living in:
- council homes
- housing association properties
- privately rented homes
- owner-occupied homes
We help people of all ages with a wide range of needs. Adaptations can be small changes that make daily life easier, or larger changes that help someone continue living in the home they know and love.
Examples include improving access around the home, increasing safety and making it easier to use facilities such as bathrooms, entrances and gardens.
We will work with you throughout the process, explain your options and help you find the most suitable solution for your needs.
About Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs)
A Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) can help pay for changes to your home if you are disabled and need support to live safely and independently.
The type of work funded will depend on your assessed needs.
Examples include:
- widening doorways
- installing ramps or grab rails
- improving access to rooms and facilities, such as installing a stairlift or level-access shower
- improving access to outdoor areas, including gardens
- building an extension, such as a downstairs bedroom or bathroom
- installing a heating system that meets your needs
- adapting heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use
Enquire about a Disabled Facilities Grant
To start the process, complete an online referral for an occupational therapy assessment.
From December 2026, you'll need to sign in to submit a referral. It will only take a few minutes to create an account. In the future, you will be able to track the progress of your request.
We will share more about how to create an account closer to the launch date.
Step 1: Tell us about your needs
To get started, complete an online referral for an Occupational Therapy assessment.
Step 2: We assess your needs
An Occupational Therapist will review your referral and may arrange a visit to your home to better understand your circumstances and the support you need.
Step 3: We recommend the right support
The Occupational Therapist will recommend adaptations based on your individual needs.
We will also assess whether you are eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant and let you know the outcome. You can find out more about eligibility, means testing and passported benefits using the links below.
Step 4: We plan the adaptations
If you are eligible, the Housing Adaptations team will explore suitable options, carry out any necessary surveys and prepare plans for the work.
Step 5: We process your application
We will progress your Disabled Facilities Grant application and confirm whether it has been approved.
Step 6: The work is carried out
Once approval has been granted, approved contractors will complete the work to an agreed standard.
Step 7: We check everything is complete
When the work has been finished, we will check that everything has been completed correctly and that the adaptations meet your assessed needs.
If you need any further support, we will explain what help may be available.
| Grant type | Means test | Expires after 12 months | Repayment or land charge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Disabled Facilities Top-up Grant | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Service Fee Grant | No | Yes | No, subject to conditions |
| Disabled Relocation Grant | No | Yes | No |
| Hospital Discharge Grant | No | No | No |
| Palliative Care Grant | No | No | No |
| Armed Forces Grant | No | Yes | Yes |
| Cognitive Impairment Grant | No | Yes | No |
| Special Adaptations Grant | No | Yes | Yes |
| Partnership Funding Grant | No | No | No |
| Council-owned Adaptations | No | No | No |
Read our full policy
More support may be available depending on your circumstances.
Read the policy below for information about the support available, eligibility criteria and how adaptations are assessed.
Contact the Housing Adaptations Team
Email: homeadaptations@westnorthants.gov.uk
Phone: 0300 126 7000
Last updated 04 November 2026