England’s Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) budget has grown 246% in a decade, from £220 million in 2015/16 to £761 million in 2025/26, with £723 million confirmed for 2026/27. The DFG is the main public funding route for stairlifts and home adaptations across the UK. This page collects the national funding figures and the maximum grant available in each UK nation, with sources.
Key DFG funding figures
- England DFG budget: £761m (2025/26), £723m (2026/27 confirmed).
- Funding has grown 246% in ten years, from £220m (2015/16).
- 58,606 Disabled Facilities Grants were completed in England in 2023/24.
- Maximum grant: £30,000 (England), £36,000 (Wales), £25,000 (Northern Ireland).
England DFG funding by year
| Year | England DFG budget |
|---|---|
| 2015/16 | £220 million |
| 2025/26 | £711 million (£761m incl. the £50m in-year uplift) |
| 2026/27 | £723 million (confirmed) |
National DFG funding is distributed to housing authorities in England through the Better Care Fund, using an allocation formula developed by the Building Research Establishment. For council-level allocations and approval patterns, see our UK stairlift grant approval rates by council analysis.
Maximum grant by UK nation
| Nation | Maximum grant | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| England | £30,000 | Means-tested for adults; not means-tested for children. |
| Wales | £36,000 | Administered by local authorities. |
| Northern Ireland | £25,000 | Administered by the NI Housing Executive. |
| Scotland | No fixed cap | Funded through the Scheme of Assistance via local councils. |
What the DFG covers for stairlifts
A DFG can cover some or all of the cost of a stairlift where an occupational therapist assesses it as necessary and appropriate. Most stairlift installations fall within the band that the grant comfortably covers, and where the recommended lift exceeds the cap (more common for curved or outdoor lifts) families may meet the shortfall, sometimes with help from a charity grant. Full eligibility and the application process are in our stairlift grants guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Disabled Facilities Grant budget?
England’s DFG budget is £761m for 2025/26 and £723m confirmed for 2026/27, up 246% from £220m in 2015/16.
What is the maximum Disabled Facilities Grant?
Up to £30,000 in England, £36,000 in Wales and £25,000 in Northern Ireland. Scotland funds adaptations through the Scheme of Assistance with no fixed cap.
How many Disabled Facilities Grants are awarded each year?
58,606 Disabled Facilities Grants were completed in England in 2023/24.
Sources
- Foundations, Disabled Facilities Grant annual allocations
- House of Commons Library, Disabled Facilities Grants for home adaptations
- GOV.UK, Disabled Facilities Grants
How to cite this page
Stairlift Guru, “UK Disabled Facilities Grant Funding Statistics”, stairliftguru.co.uk, 2026. https://stairliftguru.co.uk/stairlift-grants/uk-disabled-facilities-grant-funding-statistics/. Free to cite with attribution and a link to this page and the primary sources above.
Related: Stairlift grants guide · Grant approval rates by council · UK stairlift statistics
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