Can I get a grant for a stairlift?

Yes, the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) can cover up to £30,000 in England towards stairlift costs. You need an occupational therapist assessment and must pass a means test. Around 60,000 people receive DFG funding annually.

Stairlift Grants UK 2026: Complete Funding Guide

Q: Does the NHS provide stairlifts?

No. The NHS does not directly fund stairlifts. However, NHS occupational therapists can assess your needs and refer you for DFG funding through your local council.

An elderly person being assisted at home, representing the support available through grants and funding

Government grants can cover the full cost of a stairlift for eligible households. Photo: Pexels

The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) can cover up to £30,000 in England towards the cost of a stairlift. Around 60,000 people receive adaptations funding each year, and the government allocated £761 million for 2025-26 (including a £50 million uplift announced January 2026).

This is the UK's most comprehensive stairlift grants guide. Every figure has been verified as of April 2026.

Grant Amounts by Region

England

£30,000

Disabled Facilities Grant. Means-tested (£6,000 savings threshold).

Wales

£36,000

Means test removed for small/medium adaptations.

Scotland

80–100%

Scheme of Assistance. Varies by council.

N. Ireland

£35,000

Since February 2023. Up to £70,000 exceptional.

The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)

The DFG is the main government grant for home adaptations including stairlifts. It is administered by local councils and funded by central government.

Who is eligible?

You are disabled — assessed by an occupational therapist. No formal disability registration is needed
You own or rent your home — owner-occupiers, tenants, council tenants, and housing association tenants can all apply
The adaptation is necessary — confirmed by an OT assessment
You pass the means test (in England; varies in other nations)

Full DFG application guide with step-by-step process

The means test

In England, the DFG is means-tested. Your income and savings are assessed. If your savings exceed £6,000, the excess affects your grant. If you are on means-tested benefits, you automatically pass.

The means test determines your contribution, not whether you qualify. Even if you have to contribute, the grant still reduces what you pay.

Common Misconceptions

"Can I get a free stairlift?"

There is no universal entitlement to a free stairlift. However, if you pass the DFG means test with zero contribution, the grant covers the full cost. This is most likely if you are on means-tested benefits or have savings below £6,000.

Full "free stairlifts" truth guide

"Can I get a stairlift on the NHS?"

The NHS does not directly fund or provide stairlifts. However, NHS occupational therapists can assess your needs and refer you for DFG funding.

Full NHS myth-buster guide

VAT Relief (Not a Grant, But Saves Money)

VAT relief is not a grant, but it can save you significant money:

0% VAT for chronically sick or disabled (self-declaration, no proof needed) — saves 20%
5% VAT for people aged 60+ (on supply and installation) — saves 15%

On a £2,300 stairlift, 0% VAT saves you approximately £383. VAT relief can be combined with a DFG grant. Full VAT relief guide.

Charitable Grants

Some charities provide grants towards stairlift costs:

Independence at Home — applications must come through a health or social care professional (you cannot apply directly)
Barchester Healthcare Foundation — small grants for care home residents and community projects
Turn2us — an online tool that helps you search for charitable grants you may be eligible for

Charitable grants are typically supplementary, helping bridge the gap if your DFG contribution is too high.

Know the Real Costs

Before applying for any grant, understand what stairlifts actually cost. A straight stairlift averages £2,300-£2,500, well within the DFG maximum. See current stairlift prices.