Disabled Facilities Grant in Horsham

Can Horsham District Council Fund a Stairlift?

The Horsham District Council page we checked does not list specific adaptations. GOV.UK lists stairlifts as an example of an adaptation a DFG can cover, and the council / assessor determines eligibility.

How to Apply in Horsham

After the assessment, OT recommendations are passed to Horsham District Council Grants Officers, who help progress the application and means test.

OT recommendation passed to Horsham District Council Grants Officers.

1. 1Contact West Sussex Adult CarePoint for an OT assessment
2. 2OT assesses needs
3. 3OT sends recommendations to Horsham Grants Officers
4. 4Council officer helps complete the application and means test
5. 5Approval before any work starts

How the Assessment Works

The local process begins with an Occupational Therapist assessment through West Sussex Adult CarePoint.

Assessment service: West Sussex County Council Adult CarePoint

How Much Could You Get?

The statutory maximum for a DFG in England is £30,000. This is a maximum, not a guaranteed award — the amount depends on the applicant's circumstances.

Horsham states that grants can pay for works for disabled people receiving means-tested benefits or who have a low income according to its financial assessment. Final means tests are carried out at application stage by a council officer.

The council provides an online tool: Horsham District Council provisional DFG eligibility checker. Results are provisional — the council confirms the final means test.

Horsham states that a specific cash limit for its grants and assistance is set annually by the council.

Other local assistance

• Minor Adaptations: A separate local scheme with its own eligibility rules. Do not assume it pays for a stairlift.
• Repair Assistance: A separate local scheme for repairs, not a stairlift grant.
• Minor Repair Assistance: A separate local scheme for smaller repairs, not a stairlift grant.

Local policy: West Sussex Disabled Facilities Grant Policy 2024–2028.

What Happens After the Assessment?

GOV.UK states that a council must give a decision within six months after receiving a valid application.

Do not start the work before the council approves the application — starting early can affect whether a grant is available.

Understand the Stairlift You Might Need

While you wait for an assessment, it can help to know whether a stairlift will fit your stairs, the difference between straight and curved stairlifts, and typical stairlift costs.

What If You Don't Qualify for Funding?

If you are not eligible for grant funding, need a stairlift more quickly, or simply want to understand the private cost as well, you can request a no-obligation stairlift quotation. This is separate from the council and is not endorsed by Horsham District Council.