Disabled Facilities Grant
The main government grant for home adaptations, provided by your local council.
Funding & Grants
Find Stairlift Funding in Your Area
Choose where you live and your council to see the Disabled Facilities Grant route, assessment process and official council source. This finder is for information only — the council decides who can get a grant.
Written by Dave Smith, UK-based stairlift researcher · Last updated 25 September 2026
National ruleEngland
Can a Disabled Facilities Grant Pay for a Stairlift?
Potentially. GOV.UK specifically lists a stairlift as an example of an adaptation that can improve access to rooms and facilities.
The local authority still needs to determine that the adaptation is necessary and appropriate, and financial eligibility rules may apply.
How Much Is a Disabled Facilities Grant?
In England, the statutory maximum is currently £30,000 for a DFG application. Some councils can provide additional discretionary assistance under their own local policies.
The maximum is not a guaranteed payment.
Is a Disabled Facilities Grant Means-Tested?
For many adult applications, household income and savings are taken into account. GOV.UK currently refers to household savings above £6,000 when calculating what someone may receive.
Different rules can apply to disabled children and landlord applications.
Do I Need an Occupational Therapist?
Many councils use an Occupational Therapist or trained assessor to determine which adaptations are necessary. The exact route varies locally.
Should I Buy the Stairlift Before Applying?
No work should be started on the assumption that the council will reimburse it later. GOV.UK warns that an applicant might not receive a grant if work begins before the council approves the application.
Official guidance: GOV.UK Disabled Facilities Grants.
How Long Does Stairlift Funding Take?
In England, a council must give a decision within six months after receiving a valid application. But that six-month clock only starts once your application is complete — the occupational therapist assessment and means test can take months before that point.
Age UK found that over two-thirds of councils took longer than the recommended six months from first contact to a completed adaptation — with the longest cases taking more than 24 months.
In practice, most people should expect roughly 6 to 12 months from first enquiry to a fitted stairlift through a Disabled Facilities Grant, and some wait considerably longer.
If you need your stairlift sooner than that, a free quote is worth getting now. An exact fitted price from a home survey takes days, not months, and with VAT relief available for eligible customers, buying outright is often far quicker than waiting for a grant decision you can't rely on.
Source: Age UK, "A step change: improving delivery of the Disabled Facilities Grant" (April 2024).
Council funding guides
Councils where we've checked the local process against official sources.
- Disabled Facilities Grant in North YorkshireNorth Yorkshire Council · Yorkshire and the Humber
- Disabled Facilities Grant in WalsallWalsall Council · West Midlands
- Disabled Facilities Grant in CrawleyCrawley Borough Council · South East
- Disabled Facilities Grant in ChichesterChichester District Council · South East
- Disabled Facilities Grant in HorshamHorsham District Council · South East
- Disabled Facilities Grant in LeedsLeeds City Council · Yorkshire and the Humber
- Disabled Facilities Grant in SheffieldSheffield City Council · Yorkshire and the Humber
- Disabled Facilities Grant in HullHull City Council · Yorkshire and the Humber
- Disabled Facilities Grant in ManchesterManchester City Council · North West
- Disabled Facilities Grant in BirminghamBirmingham City Council · West Midlands
- Disabled Facilities Grant in BristolBristol City Council · South West
Explore your funding options
NHS Stairlifts
Why the NHS rarely funds stairlifts, and where support actually comes from.
Social Services & Council
How a free council needs assessment can unlock support for a stairlift.
VAT Exemption
A 20% saving for eligible customers — no VAT on the stairlift or installation.
Charities & Other Funding
Charitable grants, benevolent funds and local schemes that can help close the gap.
Disability Benefits
How PIP and Attendance Allowance can help you fund a stairlift.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a grant for a stairlift?
Potentially. GOV.UK lists stairlifts as an example of an adaptation that may improve access to rooms and facilities. The council must determine whether the work is necessary and appropriate and financial eligibility rules may apply.
How much is a Disabled Facilities Grant in England?
The current statutory maximum in England is £30,000. This is a maximum rather than a guaranteed award, and some councils may provide additional discretionary assistance.
Is the Disabled Facilities Grant means-tested?
Many adult applications are means-tested using household income and savings. Different treatment can apply to disabled children and some landlord applications.
Do I need an Occupational Therapist for a stairlift grant?
Many councils arrange an assessment by an Occupational Therapist or another trained assessor before progressing the adaptation. The process varies by local authority.
Can I buy a stairlift before my grant is approved?
Do not assume the council will reimburse work started in advance. GOV.UK warns that starting work before approval can affect whether a grant is paid.
How long does a council have to decide a DFG application?
GOV.UK states that a council must give a decision within six months after receiving a valid application. That clock starts only once the application is complete. Age UK research found over two-thirds of councils took longer than six months from first contact to a completed adaptation, with the longest cases taking more than 24 months.
What if I do not qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant?
You can ask the council about other local assistance and obtain private quotations to understand the cost of funding the adaptation yourself.
Sources & further reading
Separate from the council
Want to Compare the Private Cost?
If you're waiting for an assessment, do not qualify for a DFG or simply want to know what a private stairlift could cost, you can request a separate no-obligation quote.
A private quote is separate from any council grant application.
Do not start grant-funded work before receiving the required council approval.
UK Mobility Stairlifts is an affiliate of Acorn Stairlifts. If you request a quote and subsequently purchase from Acorn, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
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