If you or someone you live with has a disability, you may be able to apply for a disabled adaptations grant or a top-up grant to help adapt your home.

What the disabled adaptations grant can be used for

A grant of up to £30,000 is available to help homeowners and tenants pay for adaptations that make it easier for a disabled person to live safely and independently at home.

This may include:

• improving access into and out of the property
• making it easier to access the living room, bedroom or bathroom
• providing a suitable bathroom, such as a level-access shower
• changing kitchen facilities to meet the person's needs

Financial eligibility

Applications are subject to a means test unless the work is for a disabled child. The amount of grant available depends on the income and savings of the disabled person and their partner or spouse.

It is still worth applying if you do not qualify. If you are required to contribute towards the cost of the work, it may be taken into account for any other applications you make.

You can complete a self-assessment on the AdaptMyHome website.

You may also be eligible for other assistance through Kent County Council.

Occupancy requirements

The disabled person must intend to live in the property for a reasonable length of time after the grant has been given.

Top-up grant

A discretionary top-up grant of up to £10,000 is also available for owner occupiers to help pay for works identified through the Disabled Facilities Grant process.

This grant must be repaid if the property is sold or ownership is transferred. It will be registered as a local land charge.

The grant can be used to pay for:

• repairs needed before Disabled Facilities Grant work can be done
• up to £1,000 towards your contribution to a Disabled Facilities Grant, if you cannot afford to pay it and cannot borrow the money
• extra costs if the adaptations cost more than the maximum Disabled Facilities Grant amount and you cannot afford to pay the difference
• essential adaptations recommended by an occupational therapist that are not covered by the Disabled Facilities Grant
• reasonable moving costs if an occupational therapist says your home cannot be adapted and moving to another home in the borough is the best option
• urgent adaptations recommended by an occupational therapist or trusted assessor, if you cannot get funding elsewhere or borrow the money

How to apply

You must be referred by the Kent County Council Occupational Therapy Service, who will arrange an assessment of your needs.

• Referrals for adults
• Referrals for children
• Phone: 03000 41 61 61
• Email: social.services@kent.gov.uk

Home Improvement Agency

The local Home Improvement Agency can also help you:

• get quotes from contractors
• fill in your grant application
• oversee the work once it has been approved