Stairlift Grants: A comprehensive guide

Grants can be a great way to get an access product to help you live comfortably in your home

Stairlift Grants: Could you qualify for one?

A stair lift can be a hugely liberating piece of equipment for anyone who finds the stairs are starting to become challenging. However, costs can vary, and if you have a particularly long or twisting staircase, it can push prices up even further. Here is where a stairlift grant may be the answer, making installing a stairlift a realistic and affordable option. We shall look at the process and possible sources of grants for stairlifts available in the UK.

Can you get a grant towards a stairlift?

There are many routes to funding for a stairlift or similar equipment in the UK, which can be a bit confusing initially. However, knowing that free funding is available and that most people with mobility restrictions can qualify is comforting. The process can seem daunting, but there are people to help.

Where to start looking to get a grant for your stairlift?

Once the need for a stairlift has been recognised, usually in the first instance by the person with the difficulties or their loved ones, the next step is to contact your local council and apply for a needs assessment. Some councils will pay for the disabled home equipment themselves, usually, if the costs are low. Alternatively, they will take you through applying for a Disabilities Facilities Grant (DFG).

Disabilities Facilities Grants (DFG)

Disabilities Facilities Grant A DFG is a government-funded grant that can pay for equipment to improve your quality of life in your home. The grant is worth up to £30,000 and is used to make the adaptations. At first, there is an Occupational Health assessment of the equipment or adaptation needs. Next, a financial assessment is carried out. There is a consideration of your income or savings. If they are significant, you may have to make a financial contribution. If you are in receipt of certain benefits, then this will automatically qualify you for the disabilities facilities grant. You do not need to own your home. However, if you rent privately, you will need the property owner’s permission to make reasonable adjustments.

Choosing a Stairlift

Your Occupational Health assessor may have some types of a stairlift to recommend. You will need a minimum of two quotes from different stairlift suppliers in order to apply for the DFG. However, the ultimate choice of stairlift is yours to make. Here at Anglian Lifts, we can help you to decide from an array of stairlift makes and designs. Look at our stairlift pages and our stairlift buying guide. You can contact us for a home visit.

Other sources of Stairlift Grants with Social Services

There is no guarantee that you will get a DFG. In this case, Social Services may be able to help. So here is a list of other sources of funding or financing for your stairlift using your local social services professional:

Independence at Home

Grants of up to £2,000 for your stairlift are available from this charity. You cannot apply yourself, as the application is through a health or social care worker, nurse, or other social services.

Margaret’s Fund

Margaret’s Fund is a registered charity that helps women living with ill health in the UK. Again, application for grants for a stairlift is through a professional. Not available to men.

Charities that offer Stairlift Grants

Many charities can help you, although qualification for a grant may rely on your occupation and/or relationship with someone within the profession.

The Edward Gostling Foundation

Formally known as The ACT foundation, in 2019, the charity renamed itself to the Edward Gostling Foundation. Applications are available to individuals; however, they need to come through one of the charity partners. More information is on their website.

RABI – Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution

Farming Families can benefit from the RABI. Stairlift grants are one of the charitable offerings from this charity. A financial assessment is part of the process.

SSAFA- The Armed Forces Charity

If you or your family have served with any UK armed forces, then SSAFA can help you access funding. They can help you with a variety of grants for independent living.

RAFBF- The RAF Benevolent Fund

If you or your close family member served with the Royal Air Force, then RAFBF will help you.

Help for Heroes

Another armed forces charity which can help you. Help for Heroes will help only after you have exhausted the usual council and benefits routes.

Acting for Others

This charity is for those working on stage, backstage and in theatre. The charity works with fourteen different charity partners. It provides financial and emotional support to all theatre workers in times of need. They can make individual grants.

Turn2Us-Grant Finder

The Grant finder at Turn2Us is a handy tool to find grants for all sorts of help, including stairlift grants.

Specific support based on individual health conditions

Some charities will support you in applying for a stairlift grant based on your specific health condition.

MNDA- Motor Neurone Disease Association

The MNDA can help with grants for equipment for those living with motor neurone disease. They can also support applications through the regular channels of DFG and Social Services.

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Trust can provide funding for essential equipment to support sufferers in gaining independence. Previously, funding has been provided for equipment such as stairlifts.

Financing or raising funds yourself

The above list of charities is not exhaustive, so do your research. Alternatively, you may find you can raise funds yourself.

Crowdfunding

Go Fund Me and Just Giving are examples of crowdfunding websites. Though they are flooded with calls for help with disabilities, particularly Stairlifts. Starting locally with a cake bake sale or tombola may start to bring money in. Thinking outside the box and finding a unique way to raise money is more likely to attract help than the regular plea for assistance.

Saving

If you fail to get a DFG because of the financial assessment, , as you have more than the current limit for DFG in savings or income, you might earn enough to start saving for your stairlift and therefore could afford the stairlift yourself.

Financing options

Finally, if all the options are exhausted, you may find you can finance a stairlift with a loan. Anglian Lifts will soon have a finance partner to support our customers.

Summary

However you end up financing your stairlift, you will find it gives you the freedom and independence to enjoy your home again fully. Testimonials from clients show, time and time again, that their stairlift was one of the best adaptations to their home.

Useful videos

Here’s a great video from Bedfordshire Council. Contact your local council about a Stairlift Grant.