The primary aim of the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is to provide aids and adaptations to enable people with disabilities to live independently and safely in their own homes.

Applicants from both council-owned and privately-owned properties are considered and screened to assess whether they meet the criteria for the grant. Privately-owned properties can include homeowner, housing associations and privately-rented accommodation. A landlord can also apply on behalf of the resident.

Landlords permission must be obtained prior to approval of a grant. The Tenancy Management team within Hillingdon Council must provide written permission for council-owned properties.

The maximum grant award is £30,000. Applicants must have lived (or intend to live) in the property for at least 5 years.

The grant is means tested, which establishes if the resident is required to contribute to the works, or if they are ineligible due to their income or capital. Council-owned properties are exempt from the means test and do not require a contribution.

A major adaptations assessment is carried out by a social services occupational therapist (OT). The OT provides recommendations and decides on works to the home that are 'necessary' and 'appropriate' to meet the resident's needs.

What works are covered?
- Facilitating access to and from the property
- Making a home safe
- Facilitating access to a room usable for sleeping
- Facilitating access to a bathroom
- Facilitating preparation and cooking of food
- Heating, lighting and power
- Facilitating access to and from the garden

All works must be completed in line with the OT recommendations. Individual elements cannot be omitted, as the works must fully meet the resident's needs. The grant surveyor assigned to the case will determine whether the recommendations are 'reasonable' and 'practicable' by considering the age, condition and suitability of the property.

Residents must not start work prior to achieving formal grant approval. If any works are undertaken prior to obtaining formal grant approval, the application will no longer be valid and will be cancelled.

Adaptation works to a property must be simple and cost effective.

Adaptation works will predominantly take place within the existing footprint of the property by changing the use of rooms, such as converting a dining room into a bedroom. Extension work would only be considered once all other options have been explored.