If you’re wondering how to get a stairlift from social services then this post might be useful.
There maybe grants that you can get either from the local authority or local charities. Failing that if you are a Housing Association or Council tenant, you might be able to get assistance or seek more suitable housing, although this may happen very quickly.
Contact the local council housing office in your area for more information.
Social services my also be worth contacting, as they may also be able to offer some assistance to help with mobility. They may also offer an assessment which may be helpful.
No one is guaranteed any help and it will depend on your personal circumstances and current guidelines in place for assistance with disabilities.
How To Get A Stairlift From Social Services – Grants
You might be eligible for a disabled facilities grant if you are disabled. Visit the Gov.uk website here to learn more about grants for disabilities. A Disabled Facilities Grant won’t affect any benefits you get. Here’s some information from the disabled facilities grants page of the UK.Gov website:
You could get a grant from your council if you’re disabled and need to make changes to your home. For example if you:
- are physically disabled
- have a learning disability
- have age-related needs
- are autistic
- have a cognitive impairment, like dementia
- have a progressive condition, like motor neurone disease
- have a terminal illness
- have a mental health condition
You might need to:
- widen doors and install ramps or grab rails
- improve access to rooms and facilities, for example with a stairlift, or level access shower
- improve access to your garden
- build an extension, for example a downstairs bedroom
- provide a heating system suitable for your needs
- adapt heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use
Is The Grant Enough?
Your local council may fund small adaptations in your home of up to £1000. But most stairlifts cost more than that; depending on your staircase and fitting requirements etc. The Disabled Facilities Grant can help provide financial assistance towards the cost of installation. So if you’re struggling to pay for a stairlift on your own, a grant may be of use. Even if there’s a few forms to fill in and a bit of a wait.
If the grant doesn’t cover the cost of a new stairlift, you can consider a reconditioned stairlift to get the cost down. We offer reconditioned stairlifts from £990, which is the lower end of a stairlift cost. This is for a straight staircase. With more complicated staircases with curves in them the cost rises.
There’s also a few alternatives to stairlifts, such as a grab bar, a walker frame and slider grab rails which move up with you as you ascend and down with you as you descend the stairs. So if the grant is too little for a stairlift, or you can’t access a grant for some reason, there’s still a way to improve your situation and make the stairs safer.