A Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) can be used for more than just changes inside the home. It may also cover works outside, such as driveways, paths, and gardens, if they are essential for a disabled person to live safely and independently.
Why outdoor access matters
Being able to leave and return to your home safely is vital for independence. For many people, this means adapting driveways, paths, or gardens so they can move around freely.
What a DFG can cover outdoors
Councils can approve outdoor works if they are necessary and appropriate to meet the disabled person’s needs. Examples include:
- Ramps or level access from the front door to the driveway or pavement
- Resurfacing uneven paths to prevent trips and falls
- Providing safe access to a garden for play, drying clothes, or gardening
- Widening a driveway to allow a wheelchair-accessible vehicle
What a DFG usually will not cover
Some works are considered improvements rather than essential adaptations. Examples of what’s usually excluded include:
- Installing or upgrading general paving or landscaping for appearance
- Building a new driveway if one already exists and is usable
- Adding garden features such as patios or decking for leisure
How councils decide
The same tests apply outdoors as indoors:
- Necessary and appropriate – is the work essential for the disabled person’s independence or safety?
- Practicable – can the works be carried out given the property’s layout and condition?
The council will usually ask an Occupational Therapist to recommend the adaptation.
Case example
David uses a wheelchair and cannot safely reach his car because the gravel driveway is uneven. The council agrees that resurfacing the driveway with a solid surface is necessary and appropriate. They fund the work through a DFG.
Key points to remember
- Outdoor access can be funded if it is essential for daily life.
- Driveways and gardens are covered if linked to safety and independence.
- Cosmetic or non-essential improvements are not normally included.
- Always check with your council before making changes, and wait for written approval.
