Funding adaptions and equipment
You could get a grant if you have a disability and need to make changes to your home.
What can it be used for?
Examples include:
- widening doors and install ramps
- improving access to rooms and facilities, e.g. stair lifts or a downstairs bathroom
- providing a heating system suitable for your needs
- adapting heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use
How do I apply?
To apply for a disabled facilities grant you should contact the Staffordshire Cares team.
They will initially assess your needs to ensure that the proposed work is necessary and appropriate to meet the needs of the person with a disability.
The team will then put you in contact with the Support for independent living in Staffordshire service or your local authority.
What about the costs of other home adaptations and equipment? Back to top
There are a range of options available which may make your and/or your carer's everyday life much easier and safer.
These can range from small things such as jar openers, grab sticks, long handled shoe horns, talking clocks or personal alarms to larger home adaptations such as a stair lift, extension or a level access shower.
For more information about the range of adaptations available see the equipment and technology page.
Equipment and minor adaptations costing £5,000 or less
If you are eligible for care and support, these are generally provided free of charge. This includes the cost of buying and fitting any adaptations.
Equipment and minor adaptations costing more than £5,000
A charge is made for adaptations that cost more than £1,000. If you are eligible for care and support, you will be asked to have a financial assessment to work out how much you may need to contribute.
Where can I get further information? Back to top
Gov.UK has information about disabled facilities grants including:
- What you'll get
- Eligibility criteria
Frequently asked questions Back to top
What equipment is covered under the provision of maintenance of fixed equipment?
- Vertical Lifts (Through Floor Lifts)
- Step Lifts
- Ceiling Track Hoists; along with the slings
Stairlifts and Clos-o-mats for adults are no longer maintained after the manufacturer’s warranty expires. This is the responsibility of the owner of the equipment to fund the maintenance and repairs for Stairlifts and Clos-o-mats.
Children’s equipment only
The exceptions to the above arrangement are Stairlifts that are installed for Children under the age of 18.
Who is responsible for portable equipment?
Portable equipment such as floor hoists, mattress variators, hospital beds, bath lifts are covered and maintained by Medequip 01785 273950.
How do I contact the Fixed Equipment Service? What are the office hours?
Telephone: 01785 895380; alternatively via email fixedequipmentmanagementteam@staffordshire.gov.uk.
- Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 5.00pm
- Friday: 8:30am - 4.30pm (excluding bank holidays)
Please note for any new referrals please telephone Staffordshire Cares (0300) 111 8010.
Who is the current service and maintenance contractor for Staffordshire County Council and how do I contact them?
Since the 1 October 2019 the contractor is Dolphin Lifts Midlands Ltd.
Working hours and call out arrangements
Normal working hours are Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 6pm.
Call out cover is provided 24/7, 365 (366 for leap year) days per year.
- Priority 1 - Emergency - response within 2 hours
- Priority 2 - Urgent - response within 24 hours
- Priority 3 - Normal - response within 5 days
If the client and equipment is not known to Staffordshire County Council and the query is in office out of hours, and an emergency what happens?
If the client has called the manufacturer and they have stated, the warranty has expired and the current contractor (Dolphin) has no record of the individual or equipment. Staffordshire County Council has an agreement that Dolphin will still attend if it is an emergency or if it is out of office hours. In these instances FEMT must be made aware via the mailbox fixedequipmentmanagementteam@staffordshire.gov.uk.
If the equipment is still under manufacturer’s warranty, then who is responsible for this equipment?
The manufacturer is responsible. The county council is not responsible for servicing equipment whilst under warranty. Warranty period and servicing by manufacturers vary please refer to the manufacturer.
If you are unsure please Telephone: 01785 895380; alternatively email fixedequipmentmanagementteam@staffordshire.gov.uk.
How do I contact manufacturers for equipment still under warranty?
- Stannah Stair Lifts: 0121 559 2260
- Prism Medical Ceiling Track Hoists: 01924 840100
- Wessex Lifts - Vertical Lifts and outdoor platform step lifts: 01794 83030
- Millbrook Healthcare: 0333 999 0870
- Total Hygiene (wash dry toilets): 0800 374076
- Terry Lifts (step lifts / through floor vertical lifts): 0845 365 5366
- Pollock: 0289 336 8167
- Direct Healthcare Group (Likorall & Handicare Rise Atlas Hoists): 0800 043 0881
- Stiltz Home Lifts (through floor vertical lifts) - 03300 535749
- Astor Bannerman - Ceiling track hoists - 01242 820820
What do I do if I require a replacement of equipment?
If a replacement of equipment is required, then forward this request onto the FEMT mailbox: fixedequipmentmanagementteam@staffordshire.gov.uk.
How do I get equipment removed?
For removal of equipment then forward this request onto the FEMT mailbox fixedequipmentmanagementteam@staffordshire.gov.uk.
For a stairlift - this is the responsibility of the client unless the client is under the age of 18.
How do I request a new item of equipment?
Please contact Staffordshire Cares who will pass your information onto our Occupational Therapy team for the relevant Duty Officer to make contact. If the client meets the eligibility criteria for a DFG (Disability Facilities Grant) they will arrange for a referral to be made and for an Occupational Therapist to visit to carry out an assessment.
The client is moving to an alternative property and has fixed equipment – what happens?
Fixed equipment doesn’t get moved from one property to another, the client would need to telephone Staffordshire Cares via (0300) 111 8010 to enable a new assessment to be undertaken.
What are health and safety inspections?
Our current Insurance provider is HSB (Munich RE), HSB carry out inspections of Thorough Examination to comply with L.O.L.E.R. Regulations.
Please note HSB do not service any equipment it is purely a visual check.
Health & Safety inspections are not part of the provision of maintenance of fixed equipment contract and therefore clients will have visits by both HSB and the contracted provider for maintenance.
Please note for any HSB defects identified for warranty equipment are sent to the manufacturers to be actioned.
How do I make a complaint?
If the client wishes to make a complaint this can be made via Staffordshire County Council: complaintsandcustomerfeedback@staffordshire.gov.uk, or the provider currently Dolphin Lifts Midland Ltd: office@dolphinmidlands.co.uk.
Disclaimer: information is subject to change - correct as of December 2020.