Thousands of additional households across England and Wales have become eligible for free home improvement grants, with potential values reaching up to £36,000. This significant expansion follows a major funding injection into the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) programme.
Major Funding Boost for Home Adaptations
The government has announced an extra £50 million for the Disabled Facilities Grant for the 2025-26 financial year. This substantial increase means an estimated 5,000 more households can now access vital financial support to adapt their homes. The total DFG funding for the period now stands at £761 million.
Local authorities are scheduled to receive this additional investment in February 2026. The grants are designed to cover the cost of essential home adaptations that improve safety, accessibility, and independence for older and disabled residents.
What the Grants Can Cover
The average Disabled Facilities Grant payout is approximately £10,000, but the maximum amount varies by nation. In England, the cap is £30,000, while residents in Wales can receive up to £36,000.
This funding can be used for a wide range of modifications, including:
- Installing stairlifts or through-floor lifts
- Fitting ramps for wheelchair access
- Creating accessible bathrooms and wet rooms
- Implementing assistive technologies like automatic door openers and ceiling track hoists
- Adjusting kitchen worktops and surfaces to suitable heights
- Integrating smart home technology for controlling lighting and heating
Ministerial Support and Wider Benefits
Labour Party Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, emphasised the transformative impact of these adaptations. "Everyone deserves to feel safe and independent in their own home," he stated. "A stairlift or an accessible bathroom might seem like a small change, but for thousands of older and disabled people these adaptations can be life changing."
He also highlighted the broader positive effects on the healthcare system, noting that home adaptations help prevent falls, speed up hospital discharges, and reduce admissions, thereby easing pressure on the NHS.
Sir Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disability, added: "Thousands of disabled people will have their lives transformed thanks to the changes they’ll be able to make to their homes. This additional funding is part of our commitment to break down barriers at home, at work, and across our public services for disabled people."
Expert and Local Government Reaction
Paul Smith, Managing Director of Foundations, the National Body for the Disabled Facilities Grant, welcomed the announcement. "Every year we see how the right home adaptation can change someone’s life," he said. "This extra funding will mean thousands more people get a safer home, faster."
Councillor Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, underscored the critical role councils play. "Councils are committed to supporting disabled adults and older people to live independently, safely, and with dignity in their homes," she said. "The additional funding for the Disabled Facilities Grant is a vital mechanism in supporting councils to deliver this."
This expansion of the Disabled Facilities Grant scheme represents a significant step towards enabling more people to live comfortably and independently in their own homes, while also providing crucial support to families and carers.
