Once the council agrees on the adaptations you need, the next question is simple: how much will they pay towards them?
The answer depends on three things:
- The means test (if it applies)
- The national upper limit
- Any extra help or funding options
The means test
The means test (or test of resources) works out how much you must pay yourself before the council gives you a grant.
- If the result is £0, the council can pay up to the full grant limit.
- If the result is, for example, £5,000, you must pay that first and the maximum grant is reduced by the same amount.
- Children and young people are exempt, as are adults on certain means-tested benefits.
(See our full guide on the DFG means test for details.)
The upper limit
In England, the maximum Disabled Facilities Grant is £30,000.
But if the means test shows you must contribute, the maximum you can receive is reduced.
- Example: if your contribution is £5,000, the most you can get as a grant is £25,000.
- Even if the work costs more than £30,000, the grant cannot exceed this limit.
When the costs are higher than the grant
Large projects, such as extensions, can cost much more than £30,000. If that happens, there are still options:
- Pay the balance yourself – from savings or a loan.
- Do works in stages – tackling urgent adaptations first.
- Compromise on design – choose a simpler solution.
- Talk to the council – some councils pay above the limit in special cases.
- Other contributions – social services or housing associations may agree to share costs.
Worked example
John needs a ground floor bedroom and bathroom. The work is expected to cost £40,000.
- The means test shows he must contribute £5,000.
- This reduces the maximum DFG from £30,000 to £25,000.
- The council pays £25,000.
- John pays his £5,000 contribution.
- Together, that covers £30,000 of the £40,000 cost.
- John must still find another £10,000.
In total, John has to find £15,000: the £5,000 contribution plus the £10,000 shortfall.
Key points to remember
- The maximum grant in England is £30,000.
- If the means test shows you must contribute, your grant is reduced.
- You must always pay your contribution yourself.
- If the works cost more than the grant and your contribution combined, you need to find the shortfall
- Always get the funding agreed in writing before work begins.
