Financial Assistance For Stairlifts: Grants and Funding

Mobility issues become increasingly prevalent as we age, and in a time where paying for senior care has also grown more challenging, it’s important to know your options. For instance, seniors with multi-level homes who prefer an independent living situation (aging in place) can take advantage of a new stairlift. However, if the cost of a stairlift makes obtaining one unfeasible, here are a few helpful tips for locating financial assistance.

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Will My Health Insurance Provide Funding for a Stair Lift?

Many seniors wonder if Medicare or other health insurance will help cover a stairlift. As with most expensive medical equipment, the answer is: it depends.

• Original Medicare: Medicare Part B covers durable medical equipment (DME) like wheelchairs or crutches. Unfortunately, Medicare categorizes stairlifts as self-help devices, not DME. As a result, plans do not cover the cost of a stairlift.
• Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) may cover the cost of a stairlift. Medicare Advantage plans are required by law to offer the same coverage as original Medicare—and many plans offer additional benefits. Coverage varies by provider, but a 2020 law allowed providers to offer benefits for persons with chronic illnesses. Talk with an insurance professional about getting coverage for doctor-approved mobility equipment.
• Medicare supplemental (Medigap) insurance does not cover stairlifts. Medicare supplement insurance is designed to assist with deductibles and copays for goods and services that original Medicare covers. And since original Medicare does not offer stairlift financial assistance, neither will supplemental nor Medigap insurance.
• The Department of Veterans Affairs offers VA health care that might cover stairlifts as home medical equipment if a VA physician determines it’s medically necessary. Coverage varies depending on each veteran’s personalized health plan and level of disability rating.
• Medicaid may pay a portion of stairlift costs, but coverage will vary by state. A licensed healthcare professional must designate the stairlift as medically necessary.

The good news is that you might be able to get financial assistance via the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers offered through Medicaid. HCBS allows Medicaid members to receive health services in their homes rather than institutions or outside settings. If you apply and are approved, you will receive a waiver to pay for a stairlift and the cost of installation.

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State-Based Financial Assistance for Stairlifts

Your state may have an assistance program that provides grants or loans, including options for free stairlifts for handicapped individuals, to help fund the best stairlift for your home. These programs provide free home modifications to seniors and people with disabilities to improve their quality of life and comfortably age in place. 

Each state’s program has different eligibility requirements. In general, these include:

• The applicant must be elderly or disabled. U.S. laws define ‘elderly’ as a person aged 65 or older.
• The applicant must live at home, rent a home, or live in a caregiver’s residence. Applicants will be considered ineligible if they live in an assisted living facility or a nursing home.
• The applicant’s income must fall within the program limits. Select programs also consider the applicant’s full financial resources, including assets.

For example, Indiana’s CHOICE program bundles stairlift funding with other in-home care services, while Illinois’s Home Accessibility Program (HAP) offers dedicated grants for home modifications. To discover what help is available in your state, locate your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) by visiting Eldercare.gov and typing in your city and state or your zip code.

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Nonprofit and Community-Based Funding for Stairlifts

When government programs aren’t an option, you can find nonprofit or charity-based assistance in many communities. For seniors with a formal diagnosis related to their mobility issues, disease-specific organizations are a good place to start. For instance, the Multiple Sclerosis Society and ALS Association provide resources to qualifying elders across all 50 states. They can provide grant funds or loan equipment to you.

If you don’t have a formal diagnosis, you can also reach out to local service clubs that fund home modification projects for those in need. Examples of these organizations include:

• Rotary Club: There are several local chapters around the US that provide free basic home maintenance and repairs (including stairlifts), as well as yard upkeep for local seniors.
• Lions Club: Local chapters can build and lend out handicap-accessible wheelchair ramps and often straight stairlifts from their medical equipment loan closets.
• Rebuilding Together: Provides free critical home repairs and safety modifications, including stairlifts and ramps, through local affiliates.
• Habitat for Humanity: Offers local aging-in-place programs that handle minor exterior and interior accessibility modifications.

Reaching out to a local chapter directly is usually more productive than searching online, since funding availability varies by chapter and changes year to year. If you’re having trouble finding organizations in your town, the closest Area Agency on Aging can typically point you in the right direction.

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How Housing Status Affects Stairlift Funding

Do you rent, own your home, or live with a caregiver? Your current housing status ultimately impacts what stairlift funding options are available to you:

• Homeowners have the most flexibility. Both HUD-funded local programs and state home modification grants sometimes require permanent structural changes, but as the owner, you don’t need to seek out any additional permissions.
• Renters might need landlord permission. Some programs provide systems that ultimately alter the structure, requiring your landlord to approve the installation in writing before you can access the program. However, many stairlifts can be temporary, reversible installations that don’t alter the property, so it’s worth finding programs for modifications that don’t leave lasting changes.
• People living in a caregiver’s home generally qualify for the same programs as renters, including Medicaid’s HCBS waiver, but should always confirm that non-owner residents are eligible for a program before applying.

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Are Stair Lift Grants Available to Seniors?

Grants offer a non-repayable way to cover part or all of a stairlift’s cost, primarily through veterans’ programs and HUD-funded local initiatives.

Veterans Administration (VA) Stairlift Grants

The VA categorizes stairlifts under its eligible home modifications, allowing former or current military members to access grants for them. Veterans who cannot climb stairs because of a service-related disability can have the cost of a stairlift paid for by the Veterans Administration. The VA requires a patient evaluation and an in-home visit to receive assistance.

• Rebuilding Together is a non-profit organization that provides home modification assistance (materials and labor) to U.S. veterans through the Heroes at Home Program.
• Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grant or a Special Home Adaptation (SHA) grant can help veterans fund home modifications for service-related disabilities. This may include stairlifts.
• Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grants offer up to $6,800 for veterans with service-connected disabilities and up to $2,000 for those with non-service-connected disabilities who can prove the modification is necessary for treatment/aging in place.

Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Stairlift Grants

While the HUD doesn’t directly provide stairlift grants, it funds state and local home accessibility programs that might. Not sure where to start? Contact your local HUD office to learn about housing agencies and nonprofit partners. Here are some great programs to look into:

• Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) are local funds that support housing needs for low-income seniors and other residents. If you need home improvements related to mobility needs, such as stair or wheelchair lifts, you may qualify for a grant.
• The HOME Investment Partnerships Program is another option for low-income seniors, providing grants for accessibility modifications through local housing agencies or nonprofits.

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Low-Interest Financing and Assistive Technology Loan Programs

When your income is too high to qualify for a grant but financing a stairlift is still difficult, there are low-interest programs that beat out standard consumer loans or manufacturer payment plans.

For example, every state has its own unique assistive technology program, often a nonprofit foundation, that serves this purpose. These programs provide low-interest loans for home modifications and adaptive equipment, including stairlifts. For seniors, this means low-cost approvals with flexible credit requirements and lower rates compared to other options. Simply search Google for your local state program or ask a nearby Area Agency on Aging to help you find it.

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Tax Deduction Thresholds and HSA/FSA Use For Stairlifts

The IRS allows you to deduct certain medical expenses from your taxes, including a stairlift. However, stairlifts are only tax deductible if you have a prescription from a healthcare provider deeming it necessary for health reasons. With this letter, you can deduct part of the stairlift expense for the year the doctor advised you to install it.

It’s also worth noting that when itemizing unreimbursed medical expenses, like stairlift costs, the total cost must fall above 7.5% of adjusted gross income. For instance, if your adjusted gross income for the year is $60,000, your stairlift expenses must exceed $4,500 (7.5% of $60,000) to qualify for a deduction. So, if you purchased a stairlift for $8,000, you’d be able to deduct $3,500, or the amount above the threshold. Overall, the deduction will reduce your taxable income, but it doesn’t function as a grant or direct reimbursement.

If you’d rather not wait until tax season, an HSA or FSA lets you cover stairlift costs with pre-tax dollars right away, effectively discounting the purchase by your tax rate. Similarly, you’ll only qualify with a doctor’s letter of medical necessity, so it’s good to have one on hand along with your receipts.

As far as the HSA and FSA funds are concerned, the former rolls over year to year, and you can keep it even if your job changes, while the latter follows a “use it or lose it” policy within the plan year. You must use one or the other, but a tax professional can help you weigh which option will work best.

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Low-Cost Stairlift Options For Renters and Homeowners: Used Units and Rentals

Regardless of budget or access to financial assistance, stairlifts don’t need to be out of reach. If your mobility needs are temporary or you live in a rented apartment, you should consider:

• Rental stairlifts are perfect for short-term surgery or injury recovery, family members staying for an extended visit, and seniors living in apartments. Rentals allow you to avoid the full purchase price and typically include non-invasive installation and removal. Just keep in mind that monthly rental costs can add up if you need it for longer than expected.
• Used or certified pre-owned stairlifts are an affordable alternative to new installations when you want a permanent installation. Reputable dealers refurbish and test used units before resale, and some offer a rent-to-own path where your monthly payments count toward an eventual purchase. Always confirm the warranty and service coverage before buying.

Neither option requires qualifying for a grant or loan, which makes them worth a look for many low-income or recovering seniors.

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Bottom Line: There Are Many Ways to Pay For a Stairlift

Buying a stairlift is a large expense, but from Medicaid waivers to veterans’ benefits, there are several financing options. Understanding the latest advancements in stairlift technology can also help you choose the most beneficial and cost-effective options for your home.

The key is knowing where to start. We recommend checking insurance first, then grants and tax relief, and when all else fails: financing. Many stairlift dealers do partner with financing companies to offer payment plans or consumer loans, but always compare interest rates, fees, and repayment terms carefully with your budget. Solutions with no or low interest are always preferable to high-cost consumer credit.

How to Apply and Qualify for Stairlift Assistance: Step-by-Step

• Check eligibility first. Most financial assistance programs have a few baseline considerations: income limits, whether you meet certain age or disability requirements, and homeownership status. Always confirm that you meet these eligibility requirements before you apply.
• Get a medical necessity determination. Whether or not the stairlift is considered a medical necessity plays a huge role in access to funding sources. Both Medicaid waivers and VA grants demand documentation from a licensed healthcare provider. Doctors are busy people, so you should request your written letter or prescription early on in the process.
• Gather documentation. Compile all the documents you need in a physical or digital folder. Common requirements include proof of income, proof of residency or homeownership, the medical necessity letter, and (for renters) written landlord permission.
• Contact the right program administrator. Who you reach out to when applying varies. For state programs, start with your local Area Agency on Aging (searchable at Eldercare.gov). You can also visit your state’s website or physical Medicaid office. For VA benefits, contact the VA directly or a VA-approved nonprofit like Rebuilding Together.
• Schedule a home assessment. Most programs send an evaluator to your home to confirm stairlift compatibility. After all, if you’re working with a program that loans lifts, it may be difficult for them to address a custom, curved staircase. Following the visit, the evaluator will determine how much of the installation can be covered.
• Wait for approval. Processing times vary widely by program and location, ranging from a few weeks to several months. If your mobility need is urgent, ask the administrator about expedited review or consider a rental stairlift while you wait.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Financial Assistance for Stairlifts