Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant

Choose option 1 if you wish to proceed with the suggested scheme and would prefer us to fully manage the process for you.

The DFG service will:

• where relevant, assess your financial circumstances to calculate if you must make a contribution toward the cost of works
• arrange for a technical officer to visit your home to discuss the adaptations
• draw up a schedule of works and plans (and planning permission or building regulations approval if required)
• assist in getting the necessary agreements and approvals
• assist in the completion of the formal application forms
• supervise the contractor on site
• deal with any unexpected works and interim payments
• arrange final payment to contractors
• collect certificates and guarantees from contractors and pass them on to you

The application process

Step 1

We will arrange for a technical officer to attend your property.

Step 2

The technical officer will talk to you about the recommended adaptations and survey the areas of your property related to them.

The technical officer will consult with you and draft a layout plan for the adaptations.

Step 3

The technical officer will share the draft layout with the occupational therapist and ask for their feedback. Once the occupational therapist has approved the layout, we will ask for your final approval.

Step 4

When everyone has agreed the final layout, a final schedule of works will be drafted.

Both the schedule of works and the layout plan will form the essential parts of an invitation to tender. The invitation will be sent to at least 3 contractors inviting them to provide quotes for the works.

Step 5

Once the tender has closed, the quotes will be assessed to identify the best value.

We will notify you of the winning contractor and formalise your application. This will include checking:

• completion of the paper documents (including a VAT exemption form and owner or tenant’s certificate)
• the provision of supporting evidence such as bank statements and identification

Step 6

Your application is checked to make sure that it is complete and valid.

It is then passed to a senior officer to review and decide on whether the application should be approved or declined.

We aim to make the decision on the completed application in 4 weeks or less.

Exceptions

Not all referrals will follow this process exactly.

Some referrals, such as stairlifts and simple ramps, may not need a technical officer from the DFG service to attend your property.

Instead, it may be more appropriate for a technical officer from a company that can directly supply and install the product to attend.

In some instances, a surveyor may have already visited you jointly with the occupational therapist.

For more details visit the Preparing your mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant application page.

Choose option 2 if you wish to proceed with the with the suggested scheme but would prefer to manage the process yourself.

This means that you will complete all stages of the application yourself, including:

• getting the relevant permissions
• providing supporting information
• managing the construction phase
• arranging your own architect and contractors to plan, develop and build your scheme

If you choose this option you must be able to show that the scheme:

• meets all the requirements of the needs specification
• is the best value

The DFG service will provide you with as much information as possible to help you in meeting these requirements.

Once you submit the complete and valid application the DFG service will:

• compare the works with the recommendations
• complete a tender analysis

This is to make sure that the works are compliant and offer best value for money.

For more details visit the Preparing your mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant application page.

Choose option 3 if you wish to proceed with works that are different from the suggested scheme. In this case you will not be able to request the support of the DFG service to manage the project. You will need to manage the project yourself.

This means that you will complete all stages of the application yourself, including:

• getting the relevant permissions
• providing supporting information
• managing the construction phase
• arranging your own architect and contractors to plan, develop and build your preferred scheme

The DFG service team manager has final approval over your preferred scheme. Before they can give their approval, they will consult with the occupational therapist. The occupational therapist must be satisfied that your preferred scheme meets the needs of the disabled person.

Caution

You must use experienced contractors and specialist installation companies.

You must make sure they:

• have enough public liability insurance
• can confirm they are able to follow all legislative requirements including construction design and management, asbestos regulations and waste management regulations

Support of an agent

You may wish to appoint an agent to assist you with the application and construction process.

An agent may:

• help you with your application
• provide detailed drawings and a written specification for the work
• apply for planning permission
• help you choose a builder and get quotes
• handle any contractual issues
• supervise the work on site

It is possible to include agency fees in your grant award.

Do consider that the total grant will not exceed £30,000.

Fees and construction costs will need to be paid for from this total.

You may not wish to use an agent and instead commission a building company who have an in-house design team. This is acceptable.

For more details visit the Preparing your mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant application page.