Everything You Need to Know About Getting Home Adaptations from Your Local Council

As we age, the everyday tasks, like washing, dressing and moving around your home, all become harder. But you don’t have to manage it all by yourself.

A range of home adaptations, both big and small, can make a huge difference in helping you stay independent and comfortable.

The best place to start is with a home assessment from your local council. This assessment helps identify what changes could make your life easier and what financial support there might be available for you.

What is a Home Assessment?

A home assessment is carried out by an occupational therapist, on behalf of your local council, to understand how well your home meets your needs.

The occupational therapist (OT) will visit you at your home and ask you questions about what you struggle with. They’ll also walk around with you inside your home to observe what things you struggle with.

It’s also important that you tell the OT everything that you find difficult to do, even if it’s something small like using the kettle.

The assessment is a free service and you don’t need to be receiving benefits or have a formal diagnosis to ask for it.

How to get a home assessment

If you, or a loved one, is struggling with day-to-day tasks or you’re worried about having a fall, ask social services for a home assessment.

You can either get in touch with your local council over the phone or do it online.

Common adaptations that may be recommended

The assessment will consider your personal needs, the layout of your home and what would help you the most. Recommendations can include:

Simple Aids (usually free or low cost):

• Grab rails in the bathroom, near stairs and at front and back doors
• Non-slip mats
• Perching stools for the kitchen or bathroom
• Shoehorns with long handles to help with putting on your shoes
• Raised toilet seats

Or you may require larger adaptations like:

• Stairlifts
• Level access showers or walk-in baths
• Widened doorways for wheelchair access
• Ramps and external handrails
• Smart door bells or intercom systems for easier communication

Can I Get Financial Support?

Don’t feel worried about the costs of home adaptations because you might be able to get help in covering the costs.

Small adaptations:

If you’ve been advised to make small adaptations that cost less than £1000 to buy and install, then the local council will provide this for you free of charge.

Or if a hospital OT provides you with equipment so that you’re able to safely go home from the hospital, this should also be free.

Disabled Facilities Grant (England and Wales):

If the adaptation you need costs more than £1000 you could qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) which you can apply for through your local council’s housing or environmental health department.

DFG’s are means tested so any income or savings you, or your partner, have over £6000 will be taken into account when calculating how much you will receive. The total maximum grant in England is capped at £30,000 and in Wales it’s £36,000.

If, however, you receive means tested benefits like Pension Guarantee Credit or Housing Benefit, you won’t need to submit any extra financial information. The DFG should cover the total cost of the work, as long as it’s within the limit.

In some cases, the council may choose to give top-up grants. DFGs can’t be used retrospectively for equipment or work that you’ve already installed. So if you want to apply for a DFG, wait until the grant is approved before you start any work.

What If I’m a Renter?

If you live in a rented property, you’ll still need a home assessment and you can still qualify for a DFG. However, you’ll need to get permission from your landlord before any work is carried out.

Landlords aren’t allowed to unreasonably refuse any changes that are necessary for your wellbeing.

Your local council may also help liaise with your landlord or housing association to explain the need for the work.

How Long Does the Process Take?

The timescale can vary depending on where you live and how urgent your needs are.

Following your initial assessment, there might be a wait for funding, approval, contractor quotes and the installation itself.

Do I Have to Implement Every Suggestion?

The assessment is there to evaluate your needs and explore the options that are deemed to be most beneficial to you. You can decline any recommendation if you want.

Who’s Responsible for Maintenance and Repairs

After the adaptation has been fitted, it's yours which means you're responsible for maintenance and repairs.

The council might pay for a warranty on some things like a stairlift.

If they don’t do that, then you should organise your own insurance or buy a warranty yourself because repair work can be quite costly.

Getting older shouldn’t mean losing your independence or struggling in your own home. A home assessment can open the door to personalised adaptations that help you stay safe, supported and in control.

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