If you’re experiencing poor mobility and rely on your pension, you may be wondering if there’s access to free stairlifts for pensioners. To explore whether you can access grants for mobility equipment, read on.
What is the Cost of a Stairlift?
The average cost of a stairlift starts at roughly £1,000+ for a straight stairlift and roughly £3,000+ for a curved stairlift.
However, stairlift costs in the UK can vary depending on various factors, including stairlift type, customisation, and installation complexity.
How Do You Qualify for a Free Stairlift as a Pensioner?
Free stairlifts for pensioners are readily unavailable, and the only way to get partial help to cover costs or have stairlift costs completely covered (meaning you’d potentially get it for free) is by applying for grants and funding.
However, most grants or funding are only available with proven eligibility. Let’s take a look at some common steps taken to prove eligibility.
Mobility Assessment
Grants are typically designed to help individuals, including pensioners, who are disabled or have poor mobility. Stairlifts for the elderly will only be available with costs covered if you complete a mobility assessment to prove your mobility challenges and physical limitations.
Income Assessment
While some may think stairlifts for pensioners should always be free, this simply can’t be the case. The grants and funding available are in place to assist pensioners who lack the funds to purchase a stairlift to aid mobility. This means you must prove that you’re on a low income or receive certain benefits, such as Income Support.
Property Ownership Assessment
To apply for funding from the likes of the Disabled Facilities Grant, you must be a homeowner, council tenant, private tenant, or a housing association tenant.
Please note that other assessments to confirm eligibility for funding for stairlift installation may differ, and more information may be required.
Can You Get a Grant for a Stairlift in the UK?
Yes, you can get a grant for a stairlift in the UK. Grants are available to help cover the cost of a stairlift. This could be through a government grant that you may be eligible for if you’re a pensioner seeking help with stairlift costs. While there may not be such a thing as free stairlifts for pensioners specifically, there are certainly ways to get support with your stairlift purchase.
Stairlift Grants and Funding You Could Be Eligible for
While it may prove difficult to get a free stairlift for pensioners, there are a few common grants available that you may be eligible for. Follow on as we learn more about potential grants and funding for your stairlift.
1 – The Disabled Facilities Grant
The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) allows you to apply for funding for home adaptations. To qualify for a free stairlift, you must have a disability, own the property or be a tenant, and live in the property for at least five years after the equipment is installed.
You can apply for the Disabled Facilities Grant through your council. They will also assess whether the equipment is ‘necessary and appropriate to meet the disabled person’s needs’. This will prove that you have difficulty using the stairs and that a stairlift is a suitable option for your home.
2 – Margaret’s Fund
If you’re a female pensioner struggling with specific health issues, Margaret’s Fund may be able to help offer a grant to fund a stairlift. Margaret’s Fund is a charity tailored towards women in need in the UK. Their grants provide a small helping hand to those in need and requiring disability equipment, such as a stairlift.
3 – Independence at Home
Independence at Home can help cover the partial or full cost of a stairlift, providing grants (usually up to £2,000) for pensioners with disabilities or long-term illnesses. Applications for a grant through Independence at Home must be made by a social or healthcare professional (not by the applicant directly) to ensure they meet specific eligibility criteria.
4 – SSAFA (The Armed Forces Charity)
The Armed Forces charity helps veterans seeking financial support for their mobility needs. Whether you require a stairlift due to old age or a medical condition, the Armed Forces charity has a dedicated team to assist in finding the equipment you require, including stairlifts.
To be eligible for this grant, you must have received at least one day’s pay from the Armed Forces (British Army, Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, Royal Marines, including Reserves), or be an immediate family member of someone who has previously served.
Summary of Stairlift Grants in the UK
- The Disabled Facilities Grant
- Margaret’s Fund
- Independence at Home
- SSAFA (The Armed Forces charity)
Are Stairlifts Free on the NHS or Social Services?
NHS
No, stairlift grants and products are not free on the NHS. However, they can help pensioners in the process by arranging a health assessment from an occupational therapist to evaluate their overall mobility requirements.
The assessment provided will determine whether a stairlift is necessary – if it is, the NHS will guide you in the right direction to seek funding.
Social Services
No, stairlift grants and products are not free through social services. However, similarly to the NHS, social services can help pensioners by referring them to organisations that offer financial aid (grants) for stairlifts.
So, if you’re wondering how to get a stairlift from social services for free, the answer is that you can’t, but they can help you find an organisation that does.
Alternative Options to Consider
If you’re disappointed that pensioners are unlikely to qualify for a free stairlift or that you don’t meet the eligibility criteria for the grants or funding, don’t worry! At Halton Stairlifts, we have solutions available to help ease the overall cost of installing a stairlift.
Reconditioned Stairlifts
While reconditioned stairlifts aren’t free for pensioners, they’re a more affordable option if you are worried about the cost. Reconditioned stairlifts are used stairlifts that have been restored to their new condition for resale. Cheaper than brand new models, you can purchase a reconditioned model for a much more affordable price.
Reconditioned stairlift prices in the UK are considerably lower, helping pensioners cover the cost for a much-needed piece of mobility equipment. At Halton Stairlifts, we have a full range of reconditioned stairlifts for pensioners available to help minimise costs.
Rental Stairlifts
Stairlift rental is another low-cost option that can suit the needs of pensioners or those on a smaller budget. Hiring a stairlift means you pay a low monthly rental fee for as long as you need it.
Renting a stairlift is most cost-effective over a short period. At Halton Stairlifts, we have a selection of stairlifts to hire if you’re a pensioner seeking a temporary mobility solution as you wait for grant funding to be approved.
Flexible Payments
Most stairlift companies will offer monthly flexible payments. At Halton Stairlifts, we offer flexible payment options for all customers who shop with us. Our flexible finance plans help you spread the cost instead of having to pay in one lump sum.
Fundraising
Fundraising is a common method to cover the costs of mobility equipment. If your loved one doesn’t have the funds to pay for a stairlift and also fails to meet eligibility for a grant, fundraising may be an option to consider. Fundraising is often completed through online donation platforms or by participating in charity events.
Key Takeaways
- Free stairlifts for pensioners are readily unavailable
- Grants are available to help fund stairlifts for pensioners
- You must meet the eligibility criteria to receive a grant for a stairlift
- Stairlifts for pensioners are not free on the NHS or social services
- Alternative and more affordable stairlift options are available
- Flexible payments or fundraising can help pensioners cover costs
Stairlifts for Pensioners at Halton Stairlifts
At Halton Stairlifts, we want to ensure that all of our customers are taken care of and continue to have the gift of their independence, which is why we will do all we can to help you find a stairlift solution within your budget.
The expert team at Halton Stairlifts can give you more advice on the best stairlift options for you as a pensioner, helping find a solution to keep the price of a stairlift within your price range while aiming to meet your requirements.
Call us today and get a free quote on new and reconditioned stairlifts. We’ve got some of the best stairlift prices around and less-expensive alternatives if you’re a pensioner looking for a more affordable stairlift model.
Speak to our expert team today about getting the best value for money for your independence. We look forward to hearing from you!
Neil is the founder of Halton Stairlifts. He has years of experience installing stairlifts across the UK. With an eagerness to help those with mobility issues get up the stairs, Neil understands how important it is for a seamless and straightforward approach to installing stairlifts to help those in need quickly.
