Families in England needing to adapt their home to accommodate the needs of a disabled child will no longer face means testing from next December, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister announced today.

Housing minister Baroness Andrews acknowledged that the current means tests for Disabled Facility Grants prevented some families getting the help they needed.

The change will allow families to apply for the grants of up to £25,000 for disability improvements more easily.

Families will therefore be able to access funding for adaptations such as stair lifts, ramps and home extensions without having to go through a means test.