Some people with chronic health conditions or disabilities find that their homes are no longer suitable for their needs, perhaps because they cannot get about the home, or because something about the home has a negative effect on their health. Sometimes you can overcome these problems by adapting your home. This can involve adding wheelchair ramps to doorways, installing stair lifts, or undertaking significant building works to make the layout of your home more suitable for you.

Of course all of this costs money but there may be financial support available to help towards the costs.

Disabled Facilities Grants

If you are suffering from a long-term condition, and have completed an assessment with a London Borough of Sutton occupational therapist, you may be entitled to receive a grant from your local housing department to cover the cost of any changes that need to be made to your home.

What the grant can be used for

The types of adaptation which might be completed using a grant include:
- widening doors and installing ramps
- providing or improving access to rooms and facilities - for example, by installing a stair lift or providing a downstairs bathroom
- improving or providing a heating system which is suitable for your needs
- adapting heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use
- improving access to and movement around the home to enable you to care for another person who lives in the property, such as a child

An occupational therapist will look at your circumstances and can recommend the type of adaptation(s) needed.