Mandatory disabled facilities grants are available from local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (see 2 below). Local authorities in England and Wales also have a discretionary power to help with adaptation or improvement of living conditions by providing grants, loans, materials or other forms of assistance (see 3 below).

Community equipment, aids and minor adaptations that help people to live at home or with daily living, and which cost less than £1,000, should be provided free of charge in England. In Wales, the Rapid Response Adaptations Programme aims to provide adaptations costing up to £350 within 15 days of a referral by a local authority or health worker.1The Care & Support (Preventing Needs for Care & Support) Regs 2014, reg 4 & CS(CAR) Regs, reg 3

In Scotland, the housing grants system is different (see Box H.2).