Stairlift Grants and Funding: How to Pay Less for a Stairlift
Key points
- A Disabled Facilities Grant from your local council can pay towards a stairlift, up to £30,000 in England.
- The grant is means tested for adults, but not for disabled children under 18.
- If you have a disability or long-term illness, you can buy a stairlift without VAT. Age alone does not qualify.
- Do not start work before the council approves your grant, or you may not get it.
The short answer
There are three main ways to pay less for a stairlift:
- A Disabled Facilities Grant from your local council, which can pay for all or part of a stairlift
- VAT relief, which removes the 20% VAT if you have a disability or long-term illness
- A reconditioned stairlift, which costs from £1,595 fully fitted for straight stairs
Some charities can also help. Each is explained below.
Disabled Facilities Grant
A Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is paid by your local council to help a disabled person make changes to their home. GOV.UK lists a stairlift as one of the things it can pay for.
| Where you live | Usual maximum grant |
|---|---|
| England | Up to £30,000 |
| Wales | Up to £36,000 |
| Northern Ireland | Up to £25,000 |
| Scotland | Not available; help comes through a separate scheme |
Some councils may give more. The amount you get usually depends on your household income and whether household savings are over £6,000, and you may have to pay part of the cost yourself. Disabled children under 18 can get a grant without their parents’ income being taken into account. A DFG does not affect any benefits you get. (Source: GOV.UK: Disabled Facilities Grants.)
Who can apply
According to GOV.UK, you or someone living in the house must be disabled, and you must:
- Be the owner, a tenant or the landlord
- Intend to live in the property during the grant period, usually 5 years (it can be shorter, for example if the person is terminally ill)
The council must also be satisfied that the work is necessary and appropriate for the disabled person’s needs, and reasonable and practical for the age and condition of the property. A stairlift usually meets these tests where someone can no longer manage the stairs safely.
Compare prices for your stairsTell us about your staircase and we will call you with a guide price.
How to apply for a stairlift grant
- Contact your local council. In Lancashire, that is your borough or district council, such as Pendle, Burnley or Ribble Valley. In Greater Manchester and Cumbria, it is your local borough or unitary council.
- Have an assessment. The council may send an occupational therapist or trained assessor to see what changes you need.
- Wait for the decision. The council must give you a decision within 6 months.
- Have the work done. The work should be finished within 12 months of approval. The council may pay in instalments, or in full when the work is finished, either to you or straight to the installer.
Do not start work, or order a stairlift, before the council approves your grant. Starting early could mean you get no grant at all. Councils also handle the order in different ways: some use their own approved installers and others accept quotes you get yourself, so check with your council before you book.
If you are unhappy with the decision, you can appeal to your council and then complain to the Local Government Ombudsman. A government-funded organisation called Foundations can help with the application. (Source: GOV.UK: how to apply.)
VAT relief on stairlifts
You will not be charged VAT on a stairlift, or on its installation, if you have a disability or long-term illness. GOV.UK says you qualify if:
- You have a physical or mental impairment that affects your ability to carry out everyday activities
- You have a condition that is treated as chronic sickness, such as diabetes
- You are terminally ill
You do not qualify if you are elderly but not disabled, or only temporarily disabled. To claim, you confirm in writing that you meet the conditions, usually by signing a short declaration form, which we can give you with your quote.
Our prices include VAT at 20%. Without VAT, a new straight stairlift priced at £2,495 would cost about £2,079.
Other ways to pay less
- Choose a reconditioned stairlift. Reconditioned straight stairlifts cost from £1,595 fully fitted and come with a 2-year parts and labour warranty. See new vs reconditioned stairlifts.
- Search for charity grants. The free Turn2us grants search lists charities that help with the cost of equipment, including some for people from particular trades, professions or the armed forces.
- Get a fixed price. Our quotes are fixed and written after a free home survey, so you know exactly what you will pay. See our stairlift price guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a stairlift for free?
Possibly. A Disabled Facilities Grant from your council can pay for all or part of a stairlift, depending on a means test of household income and savings.
How much is a Disabled Facilities Grant?
Usually up to £30,000 in England, £36,000 in Wales and £25,000 in Northern Ireland. Some councils may give more. Scotland has a separate scheme.
Is a stairlift grant means tested?
Yes for adults. It usually depends on household income and whether savings are over £6,000. Disabled children under 18 can get a grant without their parents’ income being taken into account.
How long does a Disabled Facilities Grant take?
Your council must give you a decision within 6 months, and the work should be finished within 12 months of approval.
Do I have to pay VAT on a stairlift?
Not if you have a disability or long-term illness. You sign a short declaration. Being elderly alone does not qualify.
Can I buy a stairlift before my grant is approved?
It is best not to. Starting work before the council approves the grant could mean you get no grant at all.
Get a fixed price for your stairsBook a free home survey. We measure your staircase, compare the models that fit and give you a fixed written price, with no obligation.
Prefer to talk? Call us on 07534 654944.