Can pensioners get a free stairlift?

There is no universal entitlement to a free stairlift for pensioners. However, many people can get a stairlift fully funded through the Disabled Facilities Grant (up to £30,000 in England) if they pass the means test. Those on pension credit or with savings below £6,000 are most likely to qualify for full funding.

Who is eligible for a free stairlift?

You may get a stairlift fully funded if you are disabled (assessed by an OT), pass the DFG means test (more likely if you are on benefits or have low savings), and your council approves the application. There is no age-based entitlement.

Are there any charities that provide free stairlifts?

Some charities provide grants towards stairlift costs, but rarely cover the full amount. Options include Independence at Home (applications must come through a health/social care professional), the Barchester Healthcare Foundation, and Turn2us grant search.

Free Stairlifts for Pensioners: The Truth (2026)

There is no universal entitlement to a free stairlift in the UK. The phrase “free stairlifts for pensioners” is one of the most searched stairlift queries online, but it is misleading.

Here is what is actually available, honestly explained.

What “Free” Actually Means

When stairlift companies advertise “free stairlifts,” they typically mean one of two things:

DFG-funded stairlifts — the Disabled Facilities Grant can cover the full cost, making the stairlift free to you. But this depends on passing a means test
Marketing bait — some companies use “free” in advertising to generate leads, then explain the conditions during the sales visit

Who Might Get a Fully Funded Stairlift

You are most likely to get a stairlift at no personal cost if:

You are on means-tested benefits (pension credit, income support, ESA income-related, universal credit) — the DFG means test is automatically passed
Your savings are below £6,000 — savings above this threshold reduce your grant
You have a low income — the means test formula considers your income against your outgoings

If you pass the means test with zero contribution, the DFG covers the full cost of the stairlift. With a stairlift costing £2,300-£2,500 on average, the £30,000 maximum is more than sufficient.

Who Will Probably Need to Contribute

If you have:

Savings above £6,000
A reasonable occupational or private pension
A partner with income

You may be assessed as needing to contribute towards the cost. The DFG will cover the remainder. Even a partial grant is worth applying for.

The Application Process

Contact your local council and ask about Disabled Facilities Grants
An occupational therapist assesses your needs (this is free)
Your finances are assessed (means test)
The grant is approved and the stairlift is installed

See our complete DFG application guide for step-by-step details.

Charitable Grants

Some charities offer grants towards stairlift costs, though they rarely cover the full amount:

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

Charitable grants are typically supplementary — they help bridge the gap if your DFG contribution is too high.

The Honest Summary

Situation	Likely Outcome
On means-tested benefits, assessed as disabled	Likely fully funded via DFG
Low savings, low income	Likely fully or mostly funded
Moderate savings/income	Partial DFG + personal contribution
High savings/income	May not qualify for DFG; pay full price

Whatever your situation, knowing the real price of a stairlift before speaking to any company puts you in a stronger position.