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Disability Grants UK: Are You Eligible?
Free financial support from £100 to £30,000. Non-repayable grants from charities, trusts, and local councils across the UK.
What Are Disability Grants?
Disability grants are free, non-repayable financial donations provided by charities, trusts, and local councils across the UK. Unlike loans, you never have to pay them back.
Grant amounts vary significantly depending on the provider and your circumstances. You could receive anything from £100 for small equipment purchases up to £30,000 for major home adaptations like building accessible bathrooms or installing stair lifts.
These grants exist to help cover costs that aren't met by state benefits or local authority support. They can pay for mobility equipment, household adaptations, respite breaks, technology, specialist equipment, and much more.
Am I Eligible for a Disability Grant?
Eligibility varies by grant provider, but most charities and trusts will expect you to meet some basic criteria:
- You have a disability, long-term health condition, or care for someone who does
- You have applied for state benefits you're entitled to, or can demonstrate why you haven't
- You have explored other sources of financial support, such as local authority assistance
- The grant will meet a genuine need that isn't covered elsewhere
Many grant providers ask for proof that you've applied for benefits you're legally entitled to. Make sure you're claiming everything available to you before applying for grants.
State benefits and support you should check your entitlement for include:
- Universal Credit - replacing several older benefits including Income Support and Housing Benefit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - for help with daily living costs and mobility
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - for children under 16 with disabilities
- Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - if your disability affects your ability to work
- Attendance Allowance - for people over State Pension age who need care or supervision
- Carer's Allowance - if you care for someone at least 35 hours per week
- Council Tax Reduction - help with council tax bills
- Housing Benefit - help with rent costs (if you're not on Universal Credit)
What Disability Grants Are Available?
There are hundreds of disability grants available across the UK. Here are some of the largest and most accessible:
Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)
Provider: Local councils across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Amount: Up to £30,000 (England), £36,000 (Wales), £25,000 (Northern Ireland)
What it covers:
- Widening doors and installing ramps
- Adapting bathrooms for wheelchair access (level-access showers, grab rails)
- Installing stair lifts or through-floor lifts
- Improving heating systems
- Adapting kitchen facilities
Eligibility: The grant is means-tested based on household income and savings. Children under 18 automatically qualify without means testing.
How to apply: Contact your local council's housing department. They will arrange an assessment by an occupational therapist.
Website: gov.uk/disabled-facilities-grants
The Family Fund
Provider: UK-wide charity
Amount: Grant amounts vary based on family circumstances and need
What it covers:
- Essential household items (washing machines, fridges, beds)
- Sensory toys and educational equipment
- Tablets and computers for learning
- Clothing and bedding
- Family breaks and days out
- Play equipment and mobility aids
Eligibility: Families on low income raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people aged 0-17 (or up to 24 for the Your Opportunity programme). Income-assessed. Child must not be in local authority care.
How to apply: Online application via their website when funding is available
Website: familyfund.org.uk
Barchester's Charitable Foundation
Provider: National charity
Amount: Individuals £100-£1,500, Groups £100-£2,600
What it covers:
- Mobility equipment for outdoor use (individuals)
- Activities, outings, and day trips for groups
- Equipment and materials for community groups
- Projects that combat isolation and loneliness
Eligibility: Older people and adults with disabilities or mental health conditions. Individual applications must be completed by a third party (healthcare professional, social worker, etc.).
How to apply: Online application. Group applications accepted in January, April, July, and October. Individual applications accepted year-round.
Website: bhcfoundation.org.uk
Turn2us
Provider: National charity (grant finder service)
Amount: Varies by individual charity or trust
What it covers: Turn2us doesn't provide grants directly but operates a free grants search tool that matches you with hundreds of charities and trusts you may be eligible for.
How to use: Answer questions about your circumstances, and the tool will show you relevant grants to apply for.
Website: turn2us.org.uk
Motability Scheme
Provider: National charity
Amount: Not a cash grant - exchanges your mobility allowance for a lease vehicle
What it covers:
- Car, powered wheelchair, or scooter lease
- Insurance, servicing, breakdown cover included
- Adaptations available if needed
Eligibility: You must receive the higher rate mobility component of DLA, the enhanced rate mobility component of PIP, War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement, or Armed Forces Independence Payment.
Website: motability.co.uk
How to Find Disability Grants
The easiest way to find grants you're eligible for is to use free online search tools. These tools ask questions about your circumstances and match you with relevant grants.
Top Grant Search Tools
- Turn2us - The UK's largest grants database. Free, comprehensive, and easy to use.
- Disability Grants - Specialises in disability-specific grants and charitable support.
- Turn2us Grants Search - Searches over 1,500 charitable funds and trusts.
- Money Saving Expert - Practical guides to grants and financial help.
You can also contact national disability charities related to your specific condition, many run their own grant programmes. For example:
- MS Society - grants for people with multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson's UK - grants for people with Parkinson's disease
- Scope - grants for disabled people and their families
- Leonard Cheshire - grants for disabled people
- Sense - grants for people with complex disabilities
How to Apply for a Disability Grant
The application process varies by grant provider, but most follow a similar pattern:
Step 1: Check Eligibility
Read the grant criteria carefully. Don't waste time applying for grants you're not eligible for. Most charities publish clear eligibility rules on their websites.
Step 2: Gather Your Evidence
You will typically need to provide:
- Proof of disability or health condition (medical letters, benefit award letters)
- Proof of benefits you're receiving (award letters, bank statements)
- Proof of income and savings (payslips, bank statements, benefit letters)
- Quotes for equipment or work you need done (if applying for specific items)
- Supporting letter from a social worker, occupational therapist, or GP (if required)
Step 3: Complete the Application
Most applications are now online, though some charities still accept postal applications. Answer all questions honestly and thoroughly. Incomplete applications are often rejected.
Step 4: Wait for a Decision
Decision times vary widely. Some grants are decided within weeks, others can take three to six months. Many charities have application deadlines and only review applications at certain times of year.
Many grant providers have specific application windows or quarterly review dates. Check deadlines before you start your application, some charities only accept applications at certain times of year.
Tips for Successful Grant Applications
Increase Your Chances of Success
- Apply for multiple grants - Don't rely on one application. Apply to several charities to increase your chances.
- Be specific about what you need - Explain exactly what the grant will pay for and how it will help.
- Get quotes in advance - If you're applying for equipment or home adaptations, get quotes before you apply.
- Provide all requested evidence - Incomplete applications are usually rejected. Double-check you've included everything.
- Explain your circumstances clearly - Help the grant assessor understand your situation. Be honest about your financial position.
- Keep copies of everything - Save copies of your application and all supporting documents.
- Follow up if needed - If you haven't heard back within the stated timeframe, contact the charity to check progress.
Where to Get Help with Applications
If you need help completing grant applications, several organisations offer free support:
- Citizens Advice - Free, impartial advice on benefits and grants. Find your local bureau at citizensadvice.org.uk
- Disability Law Service - Legal advice for disabled people. Email advice@dls.org.uk
- Local disability organisations - Many areas have local disability charities that can help with applications
- Social workers or occupational therapists - If you have one assigned, they can often support applications
Visit our Advice and Guides section for more information on benefits, Blue Badges, and financial support for disabled people.
Final Thoughts
Disability grants can make a real difference to your quality of life, whether that's funding essential equipment, making your home more accessible, or simply reducing financial pressure.
The application process can feel daunting, but thousands of people successfully receive grants every year. Start with the search tools, identify grants you're eligible for, and take it one application at a time.
Remember: these grants exist to help you. You're not asking for a favour; you're accessing support that's there for exactly this purpose.
Living with a Disability Shouldn't Mean Living with Limits
Whether you're applying for grants or managing daily life with a Blue Badge, we're here to make things easier. Our UK-made Blue Badge holders keep your badge safe, clearly displayed, and protected from damage.
Financial support exists. Find it. Apply for it. Use it.
4 comments
Great news for those unspoken situations and needs—we’ve learned about available funds that could cover all kinds of different requirements for my wife and me. If and when approved, this would make a significant difference.
Thank you for this information.
I did not know the Disability grant scheme existed, I am so surprised to know I can ask for help with obtaining a mobility wheelchair and even rails in the bathroom for safety. I am going to apply for these as I do not have monies to buy them. Thankyou for being there.
What grants are available for disabled people in , Scotland Thank you.
Am i correct in thinking there are no grants available in Scotland or have i misread the article.