When a family member needs help, the bathroom becomes the first obstacle. And there are grants to remove it.
We know it’s not easy. The person who until a few months ago managed on their own now needs someone to help them shower. Or they’re afraid to get into the bathtub. Or they fell once and have avoided the bathroom ever since. And you’re searching for solutions against the clock, between doctor’s appointments, meetings with social workers and a tiredness that words can’t express.
Well, here’s some news that might help: the Dependency Act includes specific financial assistance for adapting homes. And the bathroom is, by far, the most commonly funded adaptation. Flush shower tray, grab bars, raised toilet, non-slip flooring, widening the door. All of this can receive public funding.
In this guide we explain how it works, what level of dependency you need, how much money you can receive and how to apply in the Valencia region. Step by step, no beating around the bush, with real numbers.
What is the Dependency Act and what does it have to do with your bathroom
Law 39/2006 on Personal Autonomy and Care for Dependent People — known as the Dependency Act — establishes that anyone who cannot carry out basic daily activities independently has the right to receive public support. And among those activities is personal hygiene.
The law doesn’t only deal with care homes or home carers. It also provides for allowances for home adaptation: the so-called “technical aids and home adaptations”, designed to enable the person to continue living at home for as long as possible.
If your father, your mother, your spouse or you yourself have a recognised level of dependency, you can apply for public funding to renovate the bathroom. It’s not a generous interpretation of the rules: this is literally what this provision exists for. In the Valencia region, it’s processed by the Regional Ministry for Social Services through the Valencia Regional Government.
The three grades of dependency: what qualifies for what
The system classifies dependent people into three grades. The grade determines the amount, services and priority in processing.
Grade I — Moderate dependency
The person needs help to carry out basic activities at least once a day. Typical profile: an elderly person who walks and dresses independently but needs help showering or is afraid of getting into the bathtub.
Bathroom grants: Yes, with lower priority and smaller allowance. Even so, many families with Grade I obtain funding for basic adaptations: grab bars, non-slip shower tray and thermostatic taps.
Grade II — Severe dependency
The person needs help two or three times a day but doesn’t require permanent support. This is the most frequent case among our clients: elderly people with very limited mobility, post-stroke patients or those with neurodegenerative disease in an intermediate phase.
Bathroom grants: Medium-high priority. In the Individual Care Programme (PIA) for Grade II, bathroom adaptation appears as a recommended action in most cases. We’ve seen decisions of up to €4,500 for comprehensive bathroom renovations.
Grade III — High dependency
Total loss of autonomy. The person needs continuous support from another person. Many can no longer use the bathroom without complete assistance.
Bathroom grants: Maximum priority, highest amounts and shorter timescales. For Grade III we’ve seen decisions funding the comprehensive bathroom renovation including space enlargement.
What bathroom adaptations the dependency grant covers
The catalogue isn’t closed, but these are the works approved in the vast majority of cases:
- Bathtub replacement with flush shower tray: the star intervention. Present in 90% of cases.
- Grab bars: fixed, fold-down or angled. Shower area, next to the toilet and at the bathroom entrance.
- Raised toilet (45-50 cm): a toilet riser is also funded as a more affordable alternative.
- Non-slip flooring class C3: shower area and rest of bathroom.
- Thermostatic taps: prevents scalding, especially relevant for people with reduced sensitivity.
- Widening the bathroom door: necessary when it has less than 80 cm clear passage.
- Fold-down shower seat: wall-mounted, for showering while seated.
- Removal of steps and level changes: any physical barrier inside or at the entrance to the bathroom.
Aesthetic elements are not funded. A new vanity unit or decorative tiles don’t qualify. But if a shower screen is necessary to prevent flooding that creates a fall risk — and the technician justifies it — it can be included.
How much money you can receive: real amounts by grade
Here’s what there is. The amounts depend on the grade, family income and what the assessment team includes in the PIA. There are no universal fixed amounts, but the ranges have been stable in the Valencia region:
| Grade | Basic adaptation (bars + shower) | Partial renovation (shower + floor + toilet) | Full accessible renovation | Indicative maximum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade I | €800 – €1,500 | €1,500 – €2,500 | €2,000 – €3,000 | ~€3,000 |
| Grade II | €1,500 – €2,500 | €2,500 – €4,000 | €3,500 – €4,500 | ~€4,500 |
| Grade III | €2,000 – €3,500 | €3,500 – €5,000 | €4,500 – €6,000 | ~€6,000 |
Source: indicative data based on decisions from the Valencia Regional Government’s Social Services Ministry (2023-2025). Exact amounts depend on each individual case and budget availability.
These figures are exclusively the dependency allowance. They’re compatible with other grants: you can add them to Plan Renhata, Valencia City Council grants or the income tax deduction provided the total doesn’t exceed the actual cost of the work. By combining several routes, we’ve seen families cover between 60% and 85% of the cost.
Calculate the indicative price of your renovation to know how much you’d need to cover.
How to apply for the dependency grant in Valencia: step by step
The process has several phases. Let’s be honest: it’s not quick. But knowing the path in advance saves weeks of confusion.
Step 1 — Apply for dependency recognition
If your family member doesn’t yet have a recognised grade, this is where you start. The application is submitted at the Municipal Social Services Centres (CMSS) in your district or at the electronic office of the Valencia Regional Government. You need: official application form, ID of the applicant and representative, health report from the GP, registration certificate and income tax return or pension certificate.
Step 2 — In-person assessment
An assessment team visits the home. At the Dependency Assessment Centre in Valencia, on Avenida del Puerto, appointments are coordinated for the whole province. It lasts between 45 minutes and an hour: they assess eating, hygiene, dressing, mobility, decision-making.
Practical tip: have the assessment done on a bad day, not a good one. It’s not about lying — it’s about the team seeing reality.
Step 3 — Decision and grade assignment
The Regional Ministry issues a decision with the grade (I, II or III). If you disagree, you have 30 days to appeal. Many initial assessments assign a lower grade than the real one — the appeal works in a significant percentage of cases.
Step 4 — Individual Care Programme (PIA) preparation
This is where the bathroom adaptation comes in. The PIA is the document that determines what benefits and services are assigned to each person. It’s prepared by the assigned social worker together with the family.
It’s crucial that at this stage you explicitly request that home adaptation — and specifically the bathroom — is included in the PIA. If you don’t ask, the PIA is likely to focus on telecare, home help or a carer’s financial allowance, and the bathroom renovation gets left out.
Bring a detailed quote for the adaptation. If you already have one, even better. Calculate an indicative price here or call us to prepare one with itemised accessibility costs.
Step 5 — PIA decision and payment
With the approved PIA, the Regional Ministry issues the financial decision. The most common model in the Valencia region is post-completion reimbursement: you pay for the work, submit a detailed invoice, and the authority transfers the approved amount to you.
Real timescales: how long does all this take
Let’s not sugar-coat it. Here’s what it is:
| Phase | Legal timeframe | Real timeframe in Valencia (2025-2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Application → assessment | 3 months | 3 – 5 months |
| Assessment → grade decision | 3 months | 2 – 4 months |
| Decision → approved PIA | 3 months | 3 – 6 months |
| PIA → actual payment | Variable | 1 – 3 months |
| Total | ~9 months | 9 – 18 months |
According to data from IMSERSO, the Valencia region has improved compared to 2020, but remains above the national average.
Can it be sped up? Partially. If your family member already has a recognised grade (for example, they were already receiving telecare), you can request a modification of the PIA to include home adaptation — that shortens the process to 3-6 months. And if the situation is urgent (hospital discharge, imminent fall risk), there’s an emergency procedure with shorter timescales.
We’ve helped many families in this situation. It’s a long process, but there is light at the end. And in the meantime, there are options to move forward.
How Reformarte helps families with dependency
We don’t process the dependency grade — that’s Social Services’ job — but we do everything in our power to facilitate the renovation side:
- Quote in subsidy format: itemised accessibility costs as the PIA requires.
- Technical accessibility report: we certify that the works comply with regulations (CTE DB SUA, UNE 170001).
- Photos of the current state: to attach to the file and evidence the barriers.
- Guidance on sequencing: when to start the work, how to manage the reimbursement, what to keep for documentation.
- Interim solutions: if the situation is urgent and you’re waiting for the PIA, we suggest temporary grab bars, non-slip bath mat or shower stool for added safety while the paperwork is resolved.
We’ve been working with families in this situation in Valencia and surroundings for years. We know what the technicians look for in the documentation.
See how our process works — from first contact to completed work.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the grant if my family member receives a high pension?
Yes. Income affects the amount (higher income, lower grant), but it’s not exclusionary. With high income the grant may be reduced to 30-40% of the maximum amount. Even so, it’s worth applying.
Can I do the work before the grant is approved?
Usually you need approval before carrying out the work. But if the situation is urgent, you can request an emergency procedure or ask that the PIA covers work already completed. Always check with the social worker before starting.
Can it be combined with Plan Renhata or City Council grants?
Yes. Three different pots, three separate applications, and they can be added together. The dependency allowance, Renhata (Housing Ministry) and municipal grants are compatible. The only limitation: the total can’t exceed the actual cost of the work.
What if the assessment gives a lower grade than expected?
You have 30 working days to appeal. Attach reports from the neurologist, orthopaedic specialist or geriatrician. Many Grade I decisions become Grade II after appeal.
How long does the work take once the grant is approved?
Between 5 and 8 working days. The lengthy part is the paperwork, not the renovation. In our guide to timescales we explain the day-by-day breakdown.
If you’re reading this, you probably need it
We don’t usually close articles with nice phrases. But this one is different. If you’ve got this far, it’s because someone you love needs help, and you’re looking for a way to provide it.
The dependency grant exists. It’s a right recognised by law. It takes longer than it should, but it does come through. And in the meantime, there are things that can be done to make your family member safer in their own bathroom.
At Reformarte we work with fixed prices and a 3-year guarantee. We prepare quotes that fit the PIA requirements and support families throughout the technical process.
Calculate the price of your renovation in 2 minutes or call us and tell us about your situation. No obligation, no pressure. Just help.
Note: This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal or administrative advice. Amounts, requirements and timescales may vary each year and depend on budget availability. Always check the official information on the Valencia Regional Government website, the Official Gazette (BOE) and the IMSERSO portal. Data updated to March 2026.
