Most Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) don’t need to be repaid. But in some cases, especially for homeowners, the council can place conditions on repayment. Here’s what you need to know.
When repayment may apply
- If you own your home and the grant is more than £5,000, the council can place a local land charge.
- This means if you sell the property within 10 years, you may have to repay part of the grant.
- The maximum repayment is £10,000.
What councils consider
Councils don’t apply this rule automatically. They must look at your circumstances before asking for repayment. They may decide not to reclaim the money if:
- You are moving for work
- You are moving for health reasons
- You are moving to provide or receive care
- Repayment would cause serious financial hardship
Equipment and recovery
If the grant paid for special equipment, such as a stairlift, the council may ask for it back if it’s no longer needed. In practice, this only happens if the equipment is in good condition and can be reused.
Tenants and landlords
- Tenants normally don’t face repayment rules.
- Landlords who apply for a grant may face different conditions, such as nomination rights (the council having a say over who the next tenant is).
Key points to remember
- You don’t usually repay a DFG, unless you sell your home within 10 years of receiving a grant over £5,000.
- The maximum repayment is £10,000.
- Councils can use discretion and often waive repayment if moving is unavoidable.
- Always check your grant approval letter for the exact conditions.
