What is the Disabled Facilities Grant?

The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is a council-administered grant in England that helps pay for essential home adaptations for a disabled person — including converting a bathroom to a level access shower or wet room. It can be worth up to £30,000 in England.

Who is eligible for a DFG?

You can apply if you, or someone living in your property, is disabled and the adaptation is necessary, appropriate and reasonable. You can be an owner-occupier, a private tenant or a housing association tenant (with your landlord's consent).

Is the grant means-tested?

For adults, yes — the council assesses income and savings, and you may need to contribute. For adaptations for a disabled child under 19 the grant is not means-tested.

Do M3 Trades apply for the grant?

No — the homeowner or tenant applies through their local council. What we do is provide a clear, itemised written quote and specification that matches the OT's recommendation, in the format councils expect, so your application isn't held up.

How long does a DFG application take?

Councils have up to six months to decide once a full application is submitted, and most adaptations are completed within twelve months of approval. Timescales vary a lot by council and OT waiting lists.

Can I pay privately instead?

Yes, and many people do to avoid waiting. A private level access shower conversion typically costs £5,500–£8,500 in the West Midlands. We're happy to quote both ways so you can compare.

Funding guide · 2026

Disabled Facilities Grant: bathroom adaptations explained

Up to £30,000 of council funding is available for essential bathroom adaptations. Here's how the process works, who qualifies, and exactly what M3 Trades provides to support your application across the West Midlands.

Request a grant-ready quote Level access showers

Process

How a DFG application works

1. Contact your council

Apply through Birmingham, Solihull, Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall, Wolverhampton or Worcestershire council. Search '[your council] Disabled Facilities Grant'.

2. Occupational therapist visit

An OT assesses the person's needs at home and writes a recommendation — for example a level access shower instead of a bath.

3. Get itemised quotes

Councils usually want written quotes. We provide a fully itemised specification and price that matches the OT's recommendation.

4. Means test & approval

For adults the grant is means-tested on income and savings. For a disabled child under 19 it is not means-tested.

5. Installation & sign-off

Once approved we book the work in, install the adapted bathroom, and hand over paperwork so the council and OT can sign it off.

Covered work

Bathroom work a DFG commonly funds

Every council assesses need individually, but these are the adaptations we're most often asked to quote for.

Replacing a bath with a level access shower or wet room

Widening doorways and improving access to the bathroom

Comfort-height WCs, raised seats and grab rails

Non-slip flooring and thermostatic anti-scald showers

Ground-floor bathroom or WC where stairs are unmanageable

Improving heating, lighting and controls for safe use

FAQs

Disabled Facilities Grant questions

Grant rules are set by government and your local council — always check the official guidance at gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants. Call M3 Trades on 07936 054099 and we'll put together a quote you can submit.

Free quote

Grant-ready itemised quote

Tell us about your bathroom project and we’ll get back to you to arrange the next step.