How to get financial help to buy a stairlift

Are you looking for a stairlift or know someone who could benefit from one in their home? Stairlifts are a great way to offer someone more freedom and independence in their home without huge structural and lifestyle changes, but the price can sometimes deter people from going ahead with a sale and will force them to look at other options.

In this guide, we look through all the options available to those looking to install a stairlift, including what grants are available, who can access them and the cost deductions these can offer. Keep reading to find out which grants you might be eligible for and how these can help you or a loved one live a safe and prosperous life in their home.

Are there stairlift grants available?

To answer this simply, yes, there are grants available to certain people looking to get a mobility aid installed in their homes, and each grant can offer each person something different. If you’re struggling to fund a stairlift and want to know if you fit the requirements for a grant, then read on to find out more about the financial grants available to those with disabilities or mobility issues.

Stairlifts grants are available through the following companies:

• The Disabled Facilities Grant
• The Edward Gostling Foundation
• Independence At Home
• SSAFA 

How can I get funding for my stairlift?

One of the best ways to look for funding for your stairlift is to contact one of the following companies, who will be able to talk to you in more depth about stairlift grants and funding if the cost of a stairlift is too much for you to afford alone.

The Disabled Facilities Grant

The Disabled Facilities Grant is a Government grant that funds those with health conditions to make changes to their home so they can continue to live there. According to the Government website, you can receive the grant if you fall under one of the following brackets:

• “are physically disabled
• have a learning disability
• have age-related needs
• are autistic
• have a cognitive impairment, like dementia
• have a progressive condition, like motor neurone disease
• have a terminal illness
• have a mental health condition”

The funding offers help to those with various health conditions but can be used by those who require stairlifts or home lifts being added to their home. The amount of funding that is offered will depend on a selection of variables; these include your household income and the amount of savings you have; all these factors will be taken into consideration when your application is made.

The Edward Gostling Foundation

The Edward Gostling Foundation is an independent charitable trust that works with charity partners across the UK to help the lives of disadvantaged people. Their vision is to help those who need it most to live independently in their home; they explain this more on their website: “Our vision is that people living with a physical or mental disability or a long-term illness should have, as many as possible, of the same choices, quality of life opportunities and aspirations as others more fortunate than they.”

The Edward Gostling Foundation has four funding pillars, one of those being independent living, which is for those who want to live independently in their home, which means that those looking for stairlift grants fall into their criteria. You can apply for a grant online as well as find out a bit more information about the funding available.

Independence At Home

Independence At Home offers “grants to people who have a physical or learning disability or long-term illness and who are in financial need.” Unlike some of the other companies offering grants and funding for those who may need it the most, Independence At Home requires a referral from a health or social care professional, advisor or support worker, so those applying will need the support of a professional in order to apply.

If you’re looking to potentially get a grant or funding through Independence At Home, then ask your care professional to submit your application on your behalf; they can do so via the grant application form.

SSAFA

SSAFA stands for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association, and they offer support and guidance for those who have served or who are currently serving in the military. Offering grants and funding for veterans who need help maintaining their independence in the home. Applications can be made online.

Budgeting for a stairlift

If you’re not eligible for a grant or would like to fund one for yourself, then budgeting and saving the money to have one installed isn’t out of the question. It may take time to raise the funds, but there are some activities you can do to help the cause.

Fundraising is a great way to raise money for a great cause, and family and friends are always willing to help those who are dear to them. As well as fundraising events, you could look to set up a funding page for people to make anonymous donations to; all these small donations and fundraising pots will quickly add up and push you closer to your total.

If you think you could benefit from a stairlift in your home or you know someone who might, then hopefully, this guide has given you a little inspiration on some of the avenues you can follow to be able to get some financial help on a stairlift. Handicare Stairlifts UK offer stairlifts UK-wide, so don’t hesitate to get in contact if you have any questions. For more articles like this, make sure you check out our blog section.