How To Fund the Best Stairlift For You

So what help is there out there to fund the best stairlift for you? Anyone who has difficulty climbing stairs can benefit from a stairlift it will significantly improve your quality of life.

The best type of stairlift for your needs depends on several factors, including your budget. This guide will help you determine how to fund the best stairlift for you.

Can I get help with funding?

You may be able to get help with an assessment for a stairlift and possible funding through your local authority. This government grant is called a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG).

To get the ball rolling, you will first need to contact your local authority and request an assessment from an Occupational Therapist. The assessment will determine if a stairlift is a suitable, ‘necessary and appropriate’ solution for you. The OT will also consider a range of solutions, having considered your current and future needs, your home environment and ownership, and your own personal goals.

Following the outcome of the assessment, you may be eligible for a stairlift funded by the local Council.

There are various schemes that operate throughout the country. Some local councils lease or own their own stock in addition to offering the DFG, which will involve a financial assessment. Contact your local council to find out what scheme operates in your area.

The whole process may take some time, so you will need to be patient. Six months should be the maximum waiting time for a decision and the work should be completed within a year following that.

Several charities may be able to help with funding. However, they usually require the statutory route to have been followed at least to the point of determining statutory funding eligibility.

It should also be noted that any council grants cannot be paid retrospectively. In other words, you cannot buy a stairlift privately and then request that the Council refund you the amount.

According to a Which? survey, about 10% of stairlifts purchased in 2020 were funded by local authority grants.

What other stairlift funding options are there?

If you cannot afford the upfront costs of a new stairlift and cannot risk waiting too long for a council grant application. Perhaps you only need a stairlift installed for short-term use, for instance whilst recovering from surgery or illness or for a relative who is coming to stay, there are several other options to consider.

It is now possible to rent both straight stairlifts and curved stairlifts. Most commonly there is a fixed fee for stairlifts including installation and removal. The rental market offers a wide range of stairlifts so you shouldn't have to compromise on the additional features like swiveling seats and remote controls etc.

This can be between £350 to £1000, with a monthly payment of typically around £40 after that. Having regular payments like this can be a good way to manage your finances. In addition there will usually be no maintenance or servicing charges.

Just be aware that longer-term rental can eventually end up being more expensive than outright purchase. So the rental option is great for up to a year or two in most situations. Do your calculations to ensure you are getting the correct solution for your needs.

Outright purchase of a used high quality stairlift could also save you a significant amount of money. As well as ticking the environmental box for re-use.

You can expect reconditioned units to have had any worn parts replaced and a full safety check completed. All reconditioned stairlift companies should supply a certificate confirming safety checking. You will find most stairlift brands available in the reconditioned marketplace.

As with any purchase, you will need to check the small print and compare prices.

Also remember to ask about any after-care costs and whether warranty, servicing and call-outs will be additional costs.

Stairlifts – The Basics.

Stairlifts – The Overview

Stairlifts – The Best Stairlift Solution for You  

Stairlifts – The Starting Point

Photo credits

Staircase - Photo by Fábio Hanashiro on Unsplash

Buster Keaton Staircase - Pixabay