Stairlift Grants UK 2026: Funding & How to Qualify
You may not have to pay for your stairlift. The Disabled Facilities Grant can cover up to £30,000 (England), £36,000 (Wales) and £25,000 (Northern Ireland), plus charity funding and 0% VAT. Check your options and get free quotes below.
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The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)
The DFG is the main route to free or funded stairlifts. It is applied for through your local council, who arrange an occupational therapist assessment of your needs.
- How much: up to £30,000 (England), £36,000 (Wales), £25,000 (Northern Ireland).
- Means test: adults are means-tested on household income and savings over £6,000. Disabled children under 18 are automatically eligible, parents’ income isn’t counted.
- Conditions: you must own the home (or be a tenant with the landlord’s permission) and intend to stay at least 5 years.
- Timescale: the council must give a decision within 6 months of your application.
One rule worth knowing before you accept a grant: if you own your home and the DFG is more than £5,000, the council places a charge on the property for 10 years. Sell within that time and it can ask for the amount above £5,000 back, up to a maximum of £10,000. Councils look at your circumstances first, so repayment is not automatic.
Scotland: how it differs
The DFG covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, help comes through the Scheme of Assistance instead: your council must fund at least 80% of the cost of essential adaptations, rising to 100% if you receive certain income-related benefits. Start with a needs assessment from your local social work department or an occupational therapist.
Charity & other funding
If you don’t qualify for a full DFG, charities can help with costs, including Turn2us, Age UK, the Edward Gostling Foundation, Independence at Home, RABI and SSAFA. You also pay 0% VAT on a stairlift if you are chronically sick or disabled.
How to apply
- Contact your local council’s social services and ask about a DFG.
- An occupational therapist assesses your needs.
- Get quotes from approved stairlift installers (use the form above).
FAQs
Can I get a stairlift for free?
Yes, a means-tested DFG can fully fund a stairlift up to £30,000 (England). Children under 18 are eligible without a means test.
How long does a DFG take?
Your council must decide within 6 months of your application, though urgent cases can be faster.
Do I have to pay the grant back?
Only in one situation: you own the home, the grant was over £5,000, and you sell within 10 years. Even then the council can only reclaim the portion above £5,000 (capped at £10,000) and must consider your circumstances first.
What if the council turns me down?
Ask for the reasons in writing, then ask whether the council offers discretionary help — many top up or fund cases outside the standard rules. If you think the decision is wrong, use the council’s complaints process and then the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. Charity funding (Age UK, SSAFA, Turn2us) is a parallel route while you wait.
Related
More on stairlift funding and choosing a model: Stairlift Guru and price comparisons at Stairlift Costs.