A Quick Guide to Stairlift Grants

Making changes to your home to accommodate accessibility needs can be very costly. That being said, help may be available to you through your local council in the form of a Disabled Facilities Grant. This grant can be used to install a stairlift in your home, as well as a range of other home adaptations.

This blog from Alfix Stairlifts outlines exactly what you need to know about the Disabled Facilities Grant and how it can help you access the adaptations you need.

What is a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)?

A Disabled Facilities Grant is a form of financial aid provided by local councils to help cover the costs of any home adaptations you need to make as a result of disability or reduced mobility. The grant can cover all sorts of alterations, including installing ramps, installing downstairs bathrooms, changing the heating system, and installing stairlifts.

The grant can cover some or all of the cost, depending on your household income and savings. The amount won’t be means-tested if the alterations are for a disabled person under the age of 19, and savings won’t affect the decision unless they are more than £6000.

Eligibility

A DFG is only available to households that are home to a disabled person. It is possible for landlords to apply for a DFG on behalf of a disabled tenant.

Either you or the person you’re applying for must own the property or be a tenant of the property and intend to live in the property for the duration of the grant period (currently 5 years). If you leave the property before the grant period expires, you may be required to pay some or all of the grant money back.

The council will need to agree that the alterations you want to make to your home are necessary, that they are possible in your property, and that the changes are suitable for your needs.

Applying for a DFG

If you think you may be eligible for a DFG, you can apply through your local council.

The application will ask for a range of information, including:

• Basic personal details, e.g. name, address.
• Reason for application, i.e. details of your disability, how it affects your everyday life, why you need financial help.
• Financial information, e.g. income, outgoings, bank statements, savings.
• Details of changes you intend to make and expected cost (usually 2 written estimates from different contractors or suppliers are required).

Once your application has been submitted, the council will consider all the information and arrange for an environmental health officer or building surveyor to visit your home to check the feasibility of the planned changes. The application form, any evidence you provided, and the survey results will help them to decide whether you should be awarded a DFG and how much of the total cost it will cover.

Alfix Stairlifts provides high-quality stairlifts in Warwickshire and the surrounding areas. If you’re looking at getting a stairlift installed, for whatever reason, we’re on hand to help you out. Whether you’re interested in stairlift rental in Coventry or are looking to buy a stairlift in Kettering, we’ll have something to suit your needs. Our friendly and experienced team is committed to making your home as comfortable and as accessible as possible. For more information, call us on 01926 334848 or visit our website today.