Nottingham City Council is inviting residents to take part in a consultation on proposed changes to its Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) Policy which aim to improve access to financial support to enable people to adapt their homes so they can live more safely and independently.
Disabled Facilities Grants help cover the cost of essential home adaptations for older people and disabled people of all ages, helping them to remain well, avoid unnecessary hospital stays and continue living in their own homes for as long as possible.
The grant is available to people who own their home, rent privately or rent from a housing association. All applications are subject to eligibility criteria, a financial means test – as the grant is aimed at low-income households, and an assessment of need carried out by an occupational therapist.
Adaptations funded through the DFG can include modifications to homes such as installing stairlifts, creating level‑access showers or wet rooms, and providing access to and around people’s homes.
The Disabled Facilities Grant operates within a national framework set by government, which includes a maximum grant amount of £30,000. Much of this framework has not been updated for many years and no longer reflects today’s construction costs or the cost‑of‑living pressures faced by residents when financial contributions are calculated.
Local authorities have discretionary powers that allow them to provide additional support where there is a clear local need. Nottingham City Council is proposing to use these powers to make the DFG more flexible and better suited to supporting residents across the city.
What changes are being proposed?
The council is proposing the following changes to its Disabled Facilities Grant Policy; all the discretionary grants will be subject to a needs assessment and the availability of funding at the time of application.
The proposed policy would increase the maximum grant available from £30,000 to £50,000 and waive the first £10,000 of any assessed financial contribution.
It would also remove means testing for applicants with Motor Neurone Disease for grants of up to £20,000.
The council is also proposing an additional grant for children living in joint or shared residency arrangements, allowing adaptations of up to £30,000 to be carried out at a second property.
Additional support is proposed for residents who need to move home to meet their needs. This would include help with moving costs of up to £5,000, and financial support towards purchasing a more suitable property of up to £50,000, or the assessed cost of adaptations, whichever is lower.
The council already uses some discretion and the new policy will retain the Decent Homes for Disabled People Grant of up to £10,000, and increased repayment threshold for certain grants from £5,000 to £10,000.
Councillor Helen Kalsi, Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said: “Disabled Facilities Grants play a vital role in helping disabled people and older residents to live safely, independently and with dignity in their own homes. This consultation is about making sure our policy reflects the real pressures people face today and makes best use of the discretion available to us as a council.
“By modernising grant limits, removing some of the financial barriers that can delay or prevent access to essential adaptations, and introducing greater flexibility where there is clear local need, we want to ensure support reaches people at the right time. Earlier intervention can make a huge difference — helping to prevent accidents, avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and reduce the need for more costly care further down the line.
“These proposals are about improving outcomes for residents, supporting independence and safety, and ensuring the Disabled Facilities Grant continues to meet the changing needs of people across Nottingham. We are keen to hear from residents, carers and stakeholders so that the final policy is shaped by those who rely on these services and understand their impact best”.
Residents who are already waiting for adaptations will not be adversely affected. Existing applications and approved works will continue as planned and will be eligible for the more generous elements of the new policy.
How to have your say on the policy
The public consultation will run from Wednesday 06 May to Wednesday 03 June 2026.
Visit our consultation web page Improving access to Disabled Facilities Grant – Nottingham City Council to find the draft policy, a summary presentation, FAQs and further information on the consultation process.
To take part in the consultation please fill out the online survey. All feedback received will be carefully considered and will help shape the final policy and how Disabled Facilities Grants are delivered in Nottingham.