Installing a stairlift can significantly improve mobility and preserve independence for people with limited movement. Despite this benefit, the average cost of purchasing and fitting a stairlift, reported as £3,867 in a December 2022 Which? survey, can be a major barrier. But various grants and funding options across the UK are helping make stairlifts more accessible. Access BDD, a provider of curved stairlifts, offers guidance on navigating available financial support through government programmes and charitable assistance.
The Disabled Facilities Grant is a major funding source for individuals in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland who require home adaptations. According to a House of Commons Library report, the number of grants delivered rose from 40,645 in 2014 to 53,500 in 2019. Eligible applicants can receive up to £30,000 in England, £36,000 in Wales, or £25,000 in Northern Ireland. Some councils may offer more depending on household income and savings above £6,000. The assessment does not apply to disabled children under 18 or to landlords applying for adaptations, provided the property will be occupied by a disabled tenant for at least five years.
To qualify, a disabled household member must intend to live in the property for the grant period, which is typically five years. Councils must consider the work necessary, appropriate, and feasible given the property’s condition. Applications must go through local councils, with a decision made within six months. Work should not begin before approval. If it does, the grant may be refused. Once approved, adaptations should be completed within one year.
In Scotland, support is provided through the Scheme of Assistance. The Scottish Government’s Housing Statistics for 2022 to 2023 show that 6,353 grants were awarded, representing a 4% increase from the previous year. The scheme typically covers at least 80% of eligible costs and may cover 100% for those receiving benefits such as Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, the guarantee credit element of Pension Credit, or Universal Credit. Local authorities can also provide more than 80% funding at their discretion, as stated in their local Scheme of Assistance plans.
Eligibility extends to properties that require adaptation for a disabled occupant, reinstatement of previously adapted homes, or compliance with statutory work orders. The scheme explicitly prohibits discrimination based on cognitive or physical impairments, age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, or pregnancy. Applications are available online and at local housing offices. Citizens Advice is available to assist with the process.
Targeted grants are also available for specific groups through charitable organisations. The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution offers Independent Living Grants to support low-income farming families and distributes an estimated £3 million per year. The Soldiers’ Sailors’ and Airmen’s Families Association provides mobility assistance to individuals who have served at least one day in the British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, or Royal Marines, including Reserves, as well as to their immediate families. According to SSAFA’s 2023 Annual Report, the organisation supported more than 53,000 individuals.
To apply, individuals can contact RABI at 0800 188 4444 or SSAFA through their Forcesline service. Both charities provide support for home adaptations that improve accessibility for their communities.
The grant application process often involves an assessment by an occupational therapist to confirm the need for a stairlift. Local councils and charities like RABI and SSAFA offer specific guidance. Turn2us provides online tools to help applicants find available grants. With financial support covering part or all of the cost, these programmes make a crucial difference in enabling people to maintain their independence.
