Home loans and grants

Home repair loan

If you need help financing repairs, you may be able to apply for a discretionary home repair loan.

To be eligible for a home repair loan, you need to:

• own the property which you live in
• have lived in your property for at least a year
• receive at least one means-tested benefit

To apply for a loan, you need to contact us.

In some cases, a loan may be available for a registered disabled person or someone over the age of 60.

The loan can be used for repairs up to a limit of £5,000 in any 5 year period. 

The loan is interest free, but needs to be repaid when the property is next sold or ownership transferred. 

Grants for people with disabilities

If you have a disability and need adaptations in your home to make it easier to live in, you can apply for a grant to help with the cost. 

Things that we might be able to help with include: 

• adapted bathroom facilities
• stairlifts
• access ramps
• walk-in showers
• door widening level thresholds
• improved heating and ventilation
• small works to prevent falls and improve home safety
• the cost of moving to a more suitable home

To be able to apply for a grant, you need to first arrange an assessment by Essex County Council

Some grants for adults are means-tested, but not for children. 

You can find more information on Disabled Facilities Grants and watch a video on applying for the grant on the Essex County Council website.

For more information on how we can help with home adaptations, you can read our housing assistance policy.