Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)

This grant can be used to finance a range of adaptations to ensure that disabled owner-occupiers, tenants and children with a disability have access to facilities within their home, such as a bedroom, bath or shower and kitchen. Typical adaptations include the provision of a level access shower, installation of a stairlift and provision of external ramps etc.

The Council may provide a DFG where the applicant:

• Owns their home or is a “qualifying” tenant;
• Is able to be registered disabled or resides at the property with a person who is able to be registered as disabled;
• Confirms that they intend to reside at the property as their main residence for the next 5 years.
  

Receipt of a DFG is subject to:

• A test of your financial resources to determine whether a contribution should be made to the cost of the works;
• A referral by an Occupational Therapist from Dorset County Council.
  

The maximum individual DFG is £30,000. Demand for DFG is high and sometimes there is a waiting list for grant assistance.

In 2007/08 it took an average of 317 calendar days (233 working days) to complete a Disabled Facilities Grant from receipt of an initial referral.  North Dorset District Council is currently working with Dorset County Council and its Home Improvement Agency; Anchor Staying Put to reduce this processing time and so far in 2008/07 it is currently taking an average of 271 calendar days (193 working days) to complete this type of grant (as of June 2008), so average processing times are decreasing.

For further information and guidance on DFG's please visit the Department of Communities and Local Governement website or view the attached leaflet on the right of this page.

The first step in applying for a Disabled Facilities Grant is to be assessed by an Occupational Therapist and they maybe contacted at:

Dorset County Council
Social Care and Health
North Dorset Office
Bath Road
Sturminster Newton
Dorset
DT10 1DR

Tel:            01258 472652
Fax:           01258 473161
Minicom:     01258 474091
email:        northdorsetsocialcare@dorsetcc.gov.uk

Anchor Staying Put Home Improvement Agency

People over the age of 60 or people with a disability can contact the Council supported Home Improvement Agency run by Anchor Staying Put for confidential advice and support in making an application to the Council for a Disabled Facilities Grant.