Disabled adaptations

Disabled adaptations

Disabled people sometimes have difficulties accessing and using the facilities in their homes. Adaptations allow adults and children with disabilities to live at home in safety and comfort. Adaptations could be minor, such as grabrails or ramps, or major works such as stairlifts, wet rooms, all the way up to extensions.

Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)

The DFG is a mandatory grant, meaning we have to offer it by law. To complement the mandatory DFG, we also offer other grants so we can help the greatest number of disabled people living in Cherwell to live at home in safety and comfort.

Below is a summary of the grant criteria and conditions. For full details on Mandatory DFGs see the GOV.UK website and download the Oxfordshire guide to home adaptations for more information on the DFG process.

Eligible applicants

• Residents of Cherwell who are permanently and substantially disabled. 
• Applicants may be homeowners, private tenants, or social tenants.
• Applicants must intend to remain in their current home for 5 years.

Qualifying criteria

• Works must be to a property located in Cherwell, but that could be:
  • a house or flat
  • a houseboat or caravan (subject to meeting certain criteria)
• The property must be the applicant's only or main residence.
• The application is supported by an Occupational Therapist
• The applicant and household is subject to a financial means test
• The landlord or owner's consent to the works is required where applicable.

Maximum grant

• The maximum DFG is £30,000

Occupational Therapist assessment

Before you can apply for any disabled adaptations grant, an occupational therapist from Oxfordshire County Council must visit you at home to make an assessment of your needs. They will explain if they think a DFG or other adaptation grant is the right way to meet your needs and recommend the adaptations they think suitable. If a grant is needed, the Occupational Therapist will then make a referral to Cherwell District Council's Home Improvement Agency.

If you wish to refer yourself or another adult for assessment, you can request an assessment online from Oxfordshire County Council, or contact Adult Social and Health Care.

If you wish to refer a child for assessment, contact Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Applying for grants and the DFG financial means test

Once we receive the Occupational Health referral we will help you to apply for the right grant(s) for you.

Some grants, including the mandatory DFG, are subject to a financial means test for adults. Children and young people are not subject to means-tested disabled grants.

You can check if you are likely to need to make a contribution towards any grant works using the DFG means test calculator.