PIP, DLA, and housing adaptations: what you need to know

Do you or someone in your family get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA)? If so, there may be help to change your rented home to suit your needs. This page looks at how disability benefits link to housing changes. It also looks at your rights as a disabled tenant.

What are PIP and DLA?

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is the main disability benefit for working-age adults in England. It has two parts: the daily living component and the mobility component. For most adults aged 16 and over, PIP replaced Disability Living Allowance (DLA) from 2013 onwards.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is still paid to children under 16. Some adults still get it too. These are people who got DLA before PIP started and have not yet been moved over.

PIP and DLA help with the extra costs of disability. They are not means-tested. You can get them whether or not you are in work.

Can PIP or DLA help with housing adaptations?

Not directly. PIP and DLA are general disability benefits. They are not set aside just for housing changes. But here is how they can help:

• Disabled Facilities Grant: You may need changes to your home. These could be a level-access shower, a stairlift, wider doorways, or handrails. If so, you may be able to get a Disabled Facilities Grant from your local council. You do not have to get PIP or DLA to apply. The grant is judged on need. But your benefit can act as proof of your disability.

• Occupational therapy (OT) assessment: Most Disabled Facilities Grant applications need an OT assessment. An OT will look at your needs. They will then suggest the right changes. Your PIP or DLA award letter can help with this.

Can my landlord refuse to allow adaptations?

A private landlord can say no to changes only if they have a fair reason. The Equality Act 2010 says landlords must not turn down a disabled tenant's request without good reason. This is for changes you need because of your disability.

You do not need to get PIP or DLA to ask your landlord to let you change your home. But a disability benefit award letter is useful proof when you ask.

What if your landlord says no and you think this is unfair? You can get advice from a housing solicitor or a disability rights organisation.

Will the landlord have to pay for the adaptations?

No, not usually through PIP or DLA. Money for changes usually comes from one of these:

• Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG): This is a means-tested grant of up to £30,000 (England). Local councils run it. For rented homes, the landlord must agree to the changes. The landlord usually has to apply for the grant with the tenant too, though this can vary.

• Council discretionary grants: Some councils offer extra money for changes the DFG does not cover.

• Your own funds: You may want smaller changes, like grab rails or non-slip bath mats. The DFG does not cover these, so you pay for them yourself. But landlords cannot say no to small changes like these without a fair reason.

Does receiving PIP affect my housing benefit or universal credit?

Getting PIP can actually help with housing costs. PIP itself does not affect most means-tested benefits. But here is how it can help:

• Council Tax Reduction: You may get more council tax reduction if you get the daily living component of PIP.
• Carer's Allowance: Does someone care for you? If you get the enhanced daily living component of PIP, your carer may be able to get Carer's Allowance.
• Severe Disability Premium / Enhanced Disability Premium: These premiums may apply within some legacy benefits if you get the right rates of PIP.

PIP does not directly raise your Universal Credit. But the Disabled Worker payment and the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity element may apply.

What if disrepair is making my disability worse?

Has your landlord failed to do repairs? If the disrepair is making your disability or health worse, you may have a housing disrepair claim. This can include a personal injury part. Medical proof that links the disrepair to your worsening health is important for this kind of claim.

When should I contact Support for Tenants?

Does your rented home have disrepair? If the conditions are affecting your disability or health, you may have a housing disrepair claim.

Call us on 0800 030 4669. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.

Sources

• Equality Act 2010 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 (Disabled Facilities Grants) (legislation.gov.uk)