Adapting your home

We are here to help you live independently in your home. If you are disabled, you may be able to get a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to adapt your home. The DFG helps disabled individuals make essential changes to their homes, making it safer and easier to get around and manage everyday tasks.

Adapting your home can restore or enable independent living, privacy, confidence, and dignity for you and your family.

The council shares a countywide DFG policy in West Sussex, delivered locally in each district and borough:

West Sussex Disabled Facilities Grant Policy 2024-2028 (Word doc, 221 KB)

Who can apply?

You can apply for a DFG if you are:

An owner or tenant
A disabled person intending to live in the property for at least five years (or a shorter period based on health circumstances).

Disabilities

The disability must be long-term and can be due to:

Physical illness or injury.
Major sight, hearing, speech, or mental health problems.
Learning disabilities.

To qualify, an assessment must be completed by a suitably trained professional, such as a Trusted Assessor (TA) or Occupational Therapist (OT). They will work with you to identify the most suitable solutions for your needs. If you do not already have an Occupational Therapist please call 01243 642121 or view How to get adult social care support (opens new window).

What can the grant cover?

Here are some examples of adaptations that might be funded:

Widening doorways.
Installing ramps.
Improving access to your property.
Installing stairlift.
Installing level-access (walk-in) showers or wet rooms.
Creating more space in your home to add additional bedroom or bathroom.
Safe space for children with challenging behaviour.

Control adjustments

Changing heating or lighting controls for easier use.

Heating systems

Installing a suitable heating system tailored to your needs.

Home specifications

Every adaptation is tailored to your specific needs to support your independence.

We will carefully consider whether the proposed works are both necessary to meet your specific needs and appropriate for your home. This ensures that the adaptations provide a practical, cost-effective solution to help you live more safely and independently. We will assess your circumstances, the condition and structure of your property, and the long-term benefits of the proposed changes before making a decision.

How much is the grant?

Maximum grant amount: In England, you could receive up to £30,000, including any ancillary costs like legal or agency fees.

Means test: The grant amount depends on your household income and savings over £6,000. Only the income and savings of the disabled person and their spouse or partner are considered. You won't have to contribute towards the cost if you receive certain means-tested benefits, such as:

Income support
Income-based employment and support allowance
Guarantee pension credit
Housing benefit
Universal credit
Council tax reduction
And others

Note: Disabled children and young people under 19 are not means-tested.

Use our online means test calculator to estimate how much you might have to contribute:

Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) means test calculator (opens new window)

Once the council has received a referral for adaptation works from your Occupational Therapist, and providing that you are in receipt of a means tested benefit you can apply for a grant. If you are not in receipt of a means tested benefit you must first complete a means test questionnaire and send it to housingstandards@chichester.gov.uk. Depending upon the outcome you may be asked to contribute towards the cost of the works.

It is important to note that before adaptation works are approved, the works must be assessed by an officer within the Housing Standards Team to determine that they are reasonable and practicable. If you are a tenant, the landlord will be required to give permission for the works to be done.

If you are neither the owner nor tenant, for example, living with family, you will need permission from the owner.

What You will need:

Proof of income and savings: Pay slips, pension statements, benefit letters.
Property details: Ownership documents or tenancy agreement.
Medical evidence: If applicable, any supporting medical documents.

Disabled Facilities Grant step by step guide

1. Initial contact

Explore information: Review the details on this page and use our the self-assessment tool (opens new window).
Contact West Sussex County Council: Please contact West Sussex County Council by Phoning 01243 642121 or viewing How to get adult social care support (opens new window).

2. Assessment and identification

Professional assessment: An Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapy Assistant or Trusted Assessor will evaluate your needs.
Referral: If an adaptation is necessary and appropriate, a recommendation will be made to the Housing Standards Team.

3. Application process

Caseworker assignment: You will be assigned a caseworker who will guide you through the process.
Home visits: The caseworker may visit your home to assess feasibility, draw up plans, and create a schedule of works. This may be arranged as a joint visit with your Occupational Therapist. The team work collaboratively with any relevant professional involved to ensure that your full needs are considered.
Planning approval: If required, you may be referred to a third-party surveyor for assistance with planning permission or building regulations approval.

4. Grant approval and work commencement

Once eligibility is confirmed, and funds are available, your application will be approved. You will then select a contractor to deliver the works.
Decision timeline: You will be informed in writing about the decision on your grant application. Do not start work before you get the decision in writing or the application may be refused.
Work commencement: Once approved, work must begin within 12 months.

5. Completion and sign-off

Final inspection: After the work is completed, we will contact you to make sure that you are happy with the works, this might involve a home visit.
Payment: If you have a contribution to make, you will receive an invoice after completion.

Questions you may have

Do I have to pay anything back?

Repayment conditions

If you own your property and receive a grant over £5,000, you may need to repay some of it if you sell or transfer the property within 10 years.

How long does the process take?

Timelines vary

The duration depends on the complexity and urgency of the adaptations. Urgent cases are prioritised.

Stages involved

Assessment, approval, and construction stages each have their own timelines.

Can I use my own contractor?

Yes, you can. If you need assistance in finding a contractor, the team will be able to help you.

Repayment

The amount repaid will not exceed £10,000.

What if I do not qualify for a DFG?

Self-funding

If you do not qualify, you may need to fund the work yourself.

Alternative support

Other discretionary grants or assistance might be available. See our Housing Assistance Policy (HAP) for more information:

West Sussex Disabled Facilities Grant Policy 2024-2028 (Word doc, 221 KB)

Can I apply again if my needs change?

Yes, if your circumstances change, you can apply for another grant for the same property.

Do I need planning permission?

Some adaptations may require planning permission or building regulations approval.

Who can I contact for updates?

Your assigned caseworker is your main point of contact for any queries or updates.

Is there a complaints procedure?

Yes: We are committed to high-quality service. If you have concerns, we have a clear complaints process.

Further action

If you are unsatisfied with the outcome, you can contact the Local Government Ombudsman (opens new window), or call 0300 061 0614.

Other support available

Contact us

For more information and advice email disabledfacilitiesgrants@chichester.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can phone 01243 534570.

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