The Truth About the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)
- Leila Triffit
- Aug 12
- 5 min read
A candid look at delays, assessments, and the reality of applying in Greater Manchester.
The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is often seen as a lifeline for people who need adaptations to live comfortably and safely at home. And it absolutely can be. But too often, the reality doesn’t live up to the promise - long waits, complicated financial assessments, and in some cases, months wasted only to be told you don’t qualify.
We see it happen more than we’d like; people begin the application process hopeful and confident, only to hit roadblock after roadblock. So here’s what you really need to know before you apply.
What the DFG Is
The DFG is a government grant that helps cover the cost of essential home adaptations such as ramps, stairlifts, accessible bathrooms or even more complex and large-scale adaptations. It’s available in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland and is means-tested when applied for by or on behalf of an adult. For disabled children and young people under 19, it’s not means-tested at all.
The Reality of Delays
The legislation does apply guidance on timescales from the point of submission of your application - however, the clock doesn’t start ticking until you’ve had an assessment from the council appointed Occupational Therapist, then submitted your completed application. Here’s where the gap between the idea and the execution becomes clear:
OT Assessment waiting times: Many councils across the Greater Manchester area have months-long backlogs before an Occupational Therapist can even visit.
Decision and Funding delays: After your assessment and subsequent submission of your application – which can be done by the applicant to include quotes for the work needed, or with the help of a HIA - the local authority from that point on has 6 months to make a decision, then a further 12 months is allowed for the works to be completed.
Impact: This leaves many people struggling in unsuitable homes for far longer than they should be, often confined to one room and having to endure strip washing and care that contributes to loss of independence and impacts their sense of well-being.
A First hand Perspective
Our co-founder Haela has worked as an Occupational Therapist in NHS hospital settings for years, and she’s seen this problem from the inside. Hospital OTs, as with all NHS staff, are often under pressure to discharge patients as soon as they’re medically fit, even if their home is completely unsuitable for their needs.
The result? People return to living spaces where they can’t move around safely, can’t wash independently, and can’t enjoy even basic daily routines. Their only hope for change often lies with the DFG - which can mean months of waiting with a reduced quality of life. It’s one of the fundamental reasons we set up this business: to provide quicker, more practical solutions so people aren’t left in limbo, dependent on an often grossly overstretched system.
The Financial Assessment Hurdle
If you’re an adult applying for the DFG, your application will include a means test - a calculation of your household income and savings against set thresholds.
What’s taken into account:
Household income – Wages, pensions, benefits, and sometimes regular financial support from family.
Savings & investments – If you have more than £6,000 in savings, part of that is treated as income in the assessment.
Partner’s income – If you live with a partner or spouse, their income counts too – something many people don’t realise until weeks into the application.
Who’s exempt from the means test?
Disabled children and young people under 19 are exempt from the means test. Adaptations for children are fully funded (if approved) regardless of parental income.
How it works in practice:
The council works out your assessable income and compares it to a basic needs allowance (this is a government-set figure and can vary widely across councils).
If your income is higher than the allowance, you’ll be expected to contribute towards the cost of the work.
The higher your income, the bigger your contribution - and in some cases, your share ends up covering the entire cost, meaning you get no grant at all.
Example: If you need £10,000 worth of work but your means test determines that you can contribute £9,500, you’ll only get £500 in grant funding. After months of paperwork and waiting, that can leave you feeling deeply frustrated, having wasted that time and energy applying.
Other Qualification Criteria People Miss
It’s not just the financial side that can stop an application in its tracks. To qualify for the DFG:
The work must be essential – An Occupational Therapist must recommend the adaptations as necessary and appropriate for your needs.
Your home must be suitable for adaptation – If your property layout, structure, or tenancy type makes the work impractical, the council may refuse.
You must intend to live in the property for at least 5 years – Moving sooner could disqualify you.
You must have the right permissions – If you’re a tenant and not the homeowner, you will need written landlord consent. Planning or listed building restrictions can also affect whether or not you’re approved for the grant.
Why It’s Worth Checking Before You Apply
Before committing to the process, it’s wise to find out whether you’re likely to qualify - financially and practically.
Ask your local council if they can do a preliminary means test before you begin.
If you’re unlikely to qualify, you can save months of waiting and frustration by exploring other funding routes from the start.
If You Know You Won’t Qualify- You Still Have Options
Not being eligible for the DFG doesn’t mean you have no alternatives. If you don’t have a large amount of savings, there are other options you can explore:
Council loans or local grants – Some councils offer smaller, non-means-tested grants for urgent work.
Charity funding – Groups like Independence at Home or Turn2us can sometimes help.
Private financing with staged works – Breaking the work into phases according to most urgent need can make it more affordable.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re considering a DFG application, go into it with your eyes open. It can be a valuable source of help, but it’s not a quick fix and it’s not for everyone. Doing your homework up front can save you stress, disappointment, and precious time you can’t get back.
If you’re unsure where to start, our team can help you better understand the process, and to explore all your options - so you can get the right adaptations without unnecessary delays.
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