Long Waiting Times for Home Adaptation Assessments in Manchester: What You Need to Know

For many people with disabilities, adaptations to their home are essential for living safely and independently. Sadly many people are stuck in their homes unable to access the community and some are even stuck in one room forced to have strip washes as they are unable to access essential facilities within their own home. Essential modifications—such as installing ramps, stairlifts, accessible bathrooms, or widened doorways—are not just conveniences; they are necessities. However, in Manchester, like in many parts of the UK, accessing these vital services through local authority support is becoming increasingly challenging due to lengthy waiting times for assessments and installations.

What Are Home Adaptations?

Home adaptations are changes made to a person’s home to better suit their mobility or functional requirements. They can range from small aids such as grab rails and half steps to major alterations like level-access showers, through-floor lifts, and wheelchair-accessible kitchens. These adaptations are typically recommended by an occupational therapist (OT) following an assessment of a person's needs.

The Role of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)

The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is a government-funded scheme that provides financial support to help cover the costs of major adaptations. The grant is means-tested and can provide up to £30,000 per eligible applicant in England. In Manchester, the local authority oversees the administration and allocation of DFGs. However, funding is limited —and so is the staff available to carry out assessments, which are the critical first step in the adaptation process. Many applicants for the Disabled Facilities Grant, apart from those who are exempt, are subject to a financial assessment. Often leading to them making a substantial contribution, or even having to pay the entire cost of the adaptation. 

Current Situation in Manchester

Lengthy Delays

According to recent reports, residents in Manchester are waiting on average 10.4 months just for an initial assessment by an occupational therapist. With some sub-districts of Manchester the current wait for an assessments can be considerably longer. When you factor in the full process—from assessment, application, funding approval, to completion of works—the average timeline can exceed 12 to 18 months. This delay can have significant repercussions on a person’s health, safety, and independence. These delays are not isolated. In 2022, a report from the Home Adaptations Consortium revealed similar issues across Greater Manchester and the wider UK, identifying lack of funding and staff shortages as core causes. In Manchester specifically, the 2024/25 DFG budget is already fully committed, meaning that new assessments and adaptations may be delayed or deferred until the next financial year. A formal waiting list is now in operation for major works.

Rising Demand

The demand for home adaptations is increasing due to an ageing population and a growing number of people living with long-term health conditions or disabilities. This rise in demand is placing greater pressure on local services that were already under strain from years of underfunding.

The Human Impact

For many individuals, these delays are not just inconvenient—they can be life-altering. People with mobility impairments may be confined to a single floor of their home, unable to safely access a bathroom or even leave the house. Family members often become informal carers, facing emotional and physical strain as a result. In some cases, the lack of timely adaptations can lead to avoidable hospital admissions, injuries from falls, or the need for residential care—situations that adaptations are designed to help prevent.

What Can You Do If You’re Affected?

If you live in Manchester and are facing issues accessing home adaptations, here are a few steps to consider:

1. Contact the Council Early

Reach out to Manchester City Council’s adaptations or adult social care services as soon as possible to get onto the waiting list. The earlier your case is registered, the sooner it may be addressed once funding is available.

2. Request an Occupational Therapy Assessment

Even if there is a long wait, the assessment is a required step. It’s often worth following up regularly to check on your place in the queue.

3. Seek an Alternative Professional Service

If you feel that you would not qualify for funding for adaptations due to your savings or household income then look at alternative services. 

Homes Reimagined offers a complete service to those who require home adaptations and want the works to be completed without delay! Our company is lead by a highly experienced and qualified Occupational Therapist that will complete the assessment for your adaptation needs then coordinate and oversee the works as they are completed by our team of skilled Tradesmen. 

4. Explore Alternative Funding

While DFGs are the main source of public funding, some charities and not-for-profits offer support for urgent adaptations. Organisations like Turn2us, Foundations, and local disability charities might be able to help.

5. Speak to Your MP or Local Councillor

Local representatives can sometimes escalate urgent cases or advocate for increased funding and staffing.

6. Get Advice from Independent Living Services

Services like Disabled Living or Age UK Manchester can provide guidance and may help with paperwork, appeals, or finding temporary solutions.

Looking Ahead

Manchester City Council has acknowledged the current backlog and has plans to improve the situation through better prioritisation and potential service redesign. However, systemic change will take time—and additional government funding would be necessary to address the root causes of the delays. In the meantime, awareness, advocacy, and community support are essential to ensuring that residents don’t fall through the cracks while waiting for the support they need to live safely at home.