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Housing renewal assistance policy 2026 - 2030: 1. Introduction 10. Disabled Facilities Grants and assistance with adaptations

10.1 Overall

Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) are subject to the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (as amended) legislation and means testing arrangements under the Housing Renewal Grants Regulations (England).

The maximum grant limit is set by legislation issued under The Disabled Facilities Grants (maximum amounts and additional purposes) (England). The maximum grant is currently £30,000 per application.

Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants are made available in accordance with criteria set by Government and supplemented by this policy. Where there is an application for assistance from a person with a disability, an assessment of their needs, and their carer needs if applicable will usually be undertaken by an Occupational Therapist employed by the Council before any decision is made about the provision of equipment and or adaptations.

The council uses bespoke software to undertake the statutory Test of Resources (commonly referred to as a Means Test). Where this software highlights a nil value grant can be offered or that the applicant must make a financial contribution towards the cost of adaptations the council has no funds (grants or loans) to help with this cost. The council and its officers cannot advise applicants on how they should fund their adaptations – this is a private matter. Our website has further detail on how the Test of Resources is undertaken and can be found at Apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant | Walsall Council

The Local Authority has the discretion to reclaim any or all, of the grant paid, but it is required to consider the following:

  • the extent to which the recipient would suffer financial hardship if the grant was reclaimed,
  • whether the disposal of the property was to enable the recipient to take up employment, or change the location of their employment,
  • whether the disposal of the property is made for reasons of the recipient’s physical or mental health or well-being, or
  • whether the disposal is made to enable the recipient to live with, or near any person who will provide care for the recipient by reason of their disability.

The land charge period will be a maximum of 10 years from the date certified by the Council as being the final completion date for the adaptation works.

Under this policy the discretion not to reclaim any or all of the grant paid will be delegated to the Head of Housing.