Cumberland Council

Disabled adaptations

Disabled adaptations are changes to a person’s home (including access in/out and their garden) to make it suitable for their needs. Adaptations may be needed for an occupant with a disability to:


  • be able to get into and out of the home
  • move around within the home
  • be safe within the home
  • access essential facilities in the home including bathing and cooking


Adaptations are designed to meet the needs of the individual and can include a very wide range of different types of work tailored to the person and their home. The definition of disability is broad: it may be something someone is born with, or a condition that has developed and is expected to last a long time. It includes sensory impairments, as well as cognitive and neurological conditions that impact on daily living.


Disabled Adaptations can be carried out for adults or children.


Usually, an Occupational Therapist (OT) or Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) will recommend adaptations. In some circumstances, referrals can be taken from other health or care professionals. Cumberland Home Improvement Agency (CHIA) can organise the assessment and will work with any other professionals to ensure the recommendations will meet the needs.


We can arrange home assessments for people who may need a home adaptation and can provide advice on grants and other funding that may be available. The following sections describe some funding options.


Some minor adaptations may be completed under Home Safety and Handypersons Service, or as part of Home from Hospital/ Avoiding Hospital Admissions.


Cumberland Council also offers a Discretionary DFG for small works costing up to £10,000. See Easy-Access Discretionary Disabled Facilities Grants under £10,000 for more information.


The Council supports applicants who need simple adaptations to have these carried out without the need for a full mandatory DFG application to make this a simpler process. A wide range of works can be considered, providing it is recommended by an Occupational Therapist to ensure it is necessary and appropriate to meet the applicant’s needs.


For example, requests for stairlifts, showers and other simple adaptations (single or in combination) costing £10,000 or under can be approved without carrying out a Test of Resources (means test). Applicants do not have to provide evidence of income and savings.


Applicants are only eligible for £10,000 in any 3 year period. So, if an applicant has had a grant for £7,000 and requests a further adaptation within 3 years, they will only be eligible for £3,000 under this condition. Where an Occupational Therapy Assessment recommends works above the threshold, we will support you to apply for a mandatory DFG so that all necessary works can be completed.


Applicants may apply for a Statutory DFG of up to £30,000 at any time but will have to complete the full means-test.