When small pieces of equipment are not enough, Sandwell’s Home Improvement Agency is the local route for more complex home adaptations. This is where bigger work such as level-access showers, stair lifts, ramps or major changes to layout are considered, often alongside a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG).
Who this page is for
This guide is for disabled residents, older people, carers, owner occupiers, housing association tenants and private tenants in Sandwell who think their home needs adaptation work rather than just simple equipment.
What the Home Improvement Agency does in Sandwell
Sandwell says its Home Improvement Agency supports residents who find it difficult to get around their home — for example, if steps, stairs, bathrooms or kitchens are becoming difficult to use safely.
- Advice about adapting your home
- Support through the Disabled Facilities Grant process where relevant
- Practical help with larger, more complex adaptations
- Post-work inspections to check that the work has been carried out properly
For many residents, this is the route that follows an occupational therapy recommendation for major work.
What is a Disabled Facilities Grant?
A Disabled Facilities Grant is the main funding route for major home adaptations. Sandwell’s guidance explains that some applications will require a financial assessment (a means test), while others may be fully funded if the disabled person receives certain qualifying benefits.
The purpose of the grant is practical: to make the home safe and usable for the disabled person. Depending on the need, it can fund all or part of the required work.
The council’s fact sheets explain that the process usually includes an OT recommendation, a survey, grant paperwork, approval and then the work being arranged with a contractor. The published factsheets also explain that contractors normally remain responsible for repairs during the first year after completion.
How to start the process
- Ask for an OT / equipment and adaptations assessment if you have not already had one
- For housing adaptation enquiries, contact the Housing Hub on 0121 368 1166
- You can also email Housing_Hub@sandwell.gov.uk
- If your difficulty is mainly around daily living because of disability or frailty, contact Sandwell Enquiry as well
A useful Sandwell-specific point is that the Home Improvement Agency sits alongside the housing service, so some people need both the adult social care and the housing routes involved.
What is different about minor and major adaptations
Sandwell draws a clear line between minor adaptations and major adaptations. Minor items or works costing under £1,000 may be arranged free through the equipment and adaptations route. Major works costing more than that are where DFG and Home Improvement Agency processes are most likely to come in.
Useful Sandwell links
- Home Improvement Agency
- A guide to Disabled Facilities Grant
- Help from our Equipment and Adaptations Service
- Contact us about housing
- Alarms, adaptations and equipment
