Funding · Disabled Facilities Grants
Disabled Facilities Grants for Stairlifts
Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) are means-tested council grants of up to £30,000 that can help pay for a stairlift and other home adaptations. We explain how the process works locally, what's involved and how to bridge the gap with rental while you wait.
Quick summary
A Disabled Facilities Grant is a means-tested grant from your local council that helps fund home adaptations including stairlifts. The maximum in England is £30,000. Decisions are made by the council, not the installer — but we supply the documentation you and your case officer need, and can rent a lift in the meantime.
Key takeaways
- Up to £30,000 of council funding for adaptations in England (more in Wales).
- Means-tested for adults; child applications are not means-tested.
- Requires an occupational therapy assessment confirming the need.
- Typically 3–9 months from application to installation.
- Stairlift rental from around £25/week can bridge the wait safely.
Who this page helps
Homeowners, tenants, carers and case workers researching council funding for a stairlift across Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall.
Who may be eligible
- Owner-occupiers, private tenants and housing association tenants.
- The person needing the adaptation must be disabled (the Equality Act 2010 definition is used).
- An occupational therapist must confirm the adaptation is necessary and appropriate.
- The work must be reasonable and practicable, taking the property's age and condition into account.
- For adults, household income and savings are means-tested. Children's applications are not means-tested.
The typical process
- Step 1
Contact your council
Apply directly to your local council's Home Improvement / Adaptations team. In Plymouth this is via Plymouth City Council.
- Step 2
Needs assessment
An occupational therapist visits to assess whether a stairlift is the right solution and document the requirement.
- Step 3
Means test
For adults, the council reviews income, benefits and savings to calculate any contribution. Children's applications skip this step.
- Step 4
Quotations
The council asks for one or more written quotes from competent local suppliers. We're happy to provide this free of charge.
- Step 5
Approval
The council issues a formal decision letter and (if approved) authorisation to proceed with the works.
- Step 6
Installation
The approved supplier installs the stairlift, completes commissioning and submits the final invoice for payment.
Typical timescales
Most DFG applications take 3–9 months from initial enquiry to installation, depending on the council's caseload and the complexity of the assessment. Urgent cases such as hospital discharge or palliative care can sometimes be fast-tracked. Renting a stairlift in the meantime is the most common way to stay safe at home during the wait.
Alternative options while waiting
Important — please read
Disabled Facilities Grant decisions are made by your local council, not by Stairlifts Plymouth. Eligibility, contribution and timescales vary by council and individual circumstances. Always confirm details with your local authority. Official guidance is available at gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants.
Frequently asked questions
Related guides
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Stairlift Rental
Short-term hire from around £25 per week, fully maintained.
Stairlift Installation
What's included on the day your lift is fitted.
Straight Stairlifts
Fast, neat installations on straight staircases.
Curved Stairlifts
Bespoke rails for any turn or landing.
Contact Stairlifts Plymouth
Speak to our local team — no pressure, no hard sell.
Independent guidance
Trusted sources & further reading
Independent charities, government guidance and standards bodies — curated for further reading. We are not affiliated with any of these organisations.
Disabled Facilities Grants — official guidance
How to apply for a DFG of up to £30,000 through your local council.
gov.ukVAT relief on disability equipment
HMRC rules on zero-rated VAT for disabled or chronically-ill users.
gov.ukPlymouth City Council — home adaptations
Local DFG applications and occupational therapy assessments.
plymouth.gov.ukTurn2us — grant search for older & disabled people
Independent charity search tool for UK grants and benefits.
turn2us.org.ukIndependent Age — help with home adaptations
Free guide to funding and arranging home adaptations later in life.
independentage.org
We'll supply the written quote your council needs — free.
Book a free home survey and we'll produce a fully itemised written quotation suitable for a Disabled Facilities Grant application, plus rental options to keep you safe while you wait.