Adapting your home

If you are finding it difficult to move around your home, you may be eligible to make changes to your property, so you can live safely and independently.

This service provides financial support, for essential adaptations to your home for council and non-council tennants.

Adaptations you can request

The adaptations we provide may vary depending on your individual circumstances. We will consider a range of options. We may be able to install adaptations directly, or we might provide equipment to use in your home.

You can use the grant to help pay for adaptions to make it easier to move around and access your home.

Adaptations and equipment can include:

  • bathroom adaptations such as wet floor showers
  • kitchen adaptations such as lower work surfaces for accessible appliances
  • other internal adaptations such as hoists
  • external adaptations such as ramps and handrails

Minor works

If you are a tenant, you can request minor works such as grab rails, additional banister rail (stairs) or lever taps, via the tenant portal. If you are not already registered find out more information on the tenant portal. These requests do not need an Occupational Therapist assessment and will be installed in line with our repair timescales.

If you live in a private sector property and need minor works, these are arranged by Social Care. Please contact Adult Social Care on 0113 222 4403 or Children’s Social Care on 0113 222 4401.

Requesting an adaptation

You will need an assessment from Adult and Health or Children and Families to identify your needs.

Contact details:

  • Adults and Health: 0113 222 4401
  • Children and Families: 0113 222 4403

If adaptations are required, you will receive written confirmation from Social Care that your referral has been sent to Health and Housing for consideration. Once Health and Housing has received your referral, you will receive an acknowledgement letter with contact details of your case officer and contact number.

What happens next

Find out what the next steps are as a council or non-council tenant:

Council tenants

What we will do

  • We will consider whether you needs can be met through alternative options such as moving to a more suitable property or a property already adapted.
  • Carry out a visit to your home to check that work can be done.
  • Explain the process and timescales.
  • Allocate your case to a planner who will see the work through from start to finish.
  • We will look at whether an asbestos survey is required prior to work starting.
  • We will check that all electrics are up to date or whether associated work is required prior to adaptations.

What we will not do

  • We won’t carry out unrelated repairs during the visit.
  • We can’t guarantee future upgrades beyond what is recommended by the Occupational Therapist.
  • We will not provide a copy of your assessment, but this can be provided upon request.

What you need to do

  • Allow access to your home for the surveyor or contactor during visits.
  • If you cannot be home for your appointment, call us on 0113 378 5858 and we will rearrange.
Non-council tenants

Grant funding

If you receive one of the benefits listed below:

  • Income Support
  • Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
  • Universal Credit

The grant can fund up to £30,000 towards eligible adaptation works. If the cost of the approved works is less than £30,000, the grant will cover the full cost of the works, if the cost of the works exceeds £30,000, you will need to fund the remaining amount above £30,000.

If you do not receive one of the benefits listed above, your grant will be means tested. This means:

  • we will assess your income and savings
  • you may be required to make a financial contribution towards the cost of the works

An Independent Living Officer will send you the necessary forms to check if you qualify for funding, however if you want to check your eligibility for grant funding, you can use the adapt my home foundations means test calculator.

After your adaptation

On completion of the adaptation, we will:

  • conduct a final sign-off from work
  • contact you to confirm that you are satisfied with the work

Appeal an adaptation not approved

If you are not happy with the offer of alternative solutions, then we have an appeals process:

  • Stage 1: Weekly Panel - this panel is made up of a cross section of staff from Occupational Therapist, Surveyors, Case Workers and other staff. 
  • Stage 2: Review Panel - this is where new information can be provided for consideration.
  • Stage 3: Independent Appeals Panel - this is where you and any advocate, friend or family member are invited to come and present your case. Members of the panel are Head of Service, Service Managers within Social Care and an Independent Chair from a Charitable Organisation.

Service standards

  • We prioritise life limiting, cases, urgent cases and hospital discharge residents.
  • We aim to contact you with an acknowledgement letter after receiving your assessment which advises you of a case officer and contact number.
  • We always let you know which contractor will be visiting.
  • All staff carry ID and explain their role on arrival.
  • The decision is expected within 6 months; works to be completed within 12 months (complex works may take longer).

Extra support

We can help if you need:

  • information in another language or format
  • assistance understanding the process

Call: 0113 378 5858

Email: nhd.dfg.referral@leeds.gov.uk

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