Housing Adaptation/ Disability Home Improvement Grants for the Elderly

Housing/Home Adaptation Grants for People with a Disability

If you need to make changes to your home to accommodate a person with a physical, sensory or intellectual disability or mental health difficulty, you can avail of the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability.

Disability grants in Ireland can be used for making essential home improvements, such as making it wheelchair accessible, adding more space, adding a ground floor bathroom or installing a stairlift. You may also be able to use the grant for the provision of heating, subject to certain conditions. If you require further information on what works are covered by the grant, you can contact your local authority.

Alternatively, if the required adaptation work is minor, you can apply for the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme, although this will only be granted once you have satisfied the appropriate means test.

Rules for Disability Grants in Ireland

You can avail of the home adaptation grant is you live in:

• Owner-occupied accommodation
• Housing purchases from a local authority under the Tenant Purchase Scheme
• Private rented accommodation (note that the duration of your tenancy could affect the probability of the grant being approved)
• Accommodation provided under the voluntary housing Capital Assistance Scheme and Rent Supplement scheme
• Accommodation occupied by a person living in a communal residence

Your grant application will be prioritised according to medical necessity, with three levels of priority:

• Priority 1: A person who is terminally ill or fully/primarily dependent on professional or family care; or where adaptations would enable a discharge from hospital or reduce the need for hospitalisation in the future.
• Priority 2: A person who is mobile but requires assistance with washing, going to the toilet or bedroom assistance; or where a lack of adaptation would hinder the person’s ability to function independently.
• Priority 3: A person who can function independently but requires special facilities to improve their quality of life, e.g. separate bedroom or living space.

Upon receipt of the application, the local authority may request an assessment from an occupational therapist (OT). The local authority can charge for this assessment, but you can hire an OT privately to conduct the assessment and reclaim up to €200 as part of the total grant, up to the maximum amount to which you are entitled.

Means Test for the Home Adaptation Grant

The housing adaptation grant is means-tested, with your total household income assessed to verify if you are eligible for the grant and the amount payable. Household income is defined as the property owner’s (or tenant’s if renting privately) income and their spouse or partner’s annual gross income in the previous tax year.

What is not included in the calculation of household income?
• €5,000 for each member of the household aged up to 18 years.
• €5,000 for each member of the household aged between 18 and 23 years and in full-time education or a FÁS apprenticeship.
• €5,000 where the person with a disability (in respect of whom the grant is applied for) is being cared for by a relative on a full-time basis.
• Child Benefit
• Family Income Supplement
• Domiciliary Care Allowance
• Respite Care Grant
• Carer’s Benefit and Carer’s Allowance (if the carer’s payment is made in respect of the person the application is for.)

Tax clearance for Disability Grants in Ireland

For housing adaptation grants in excess of €10,000 before VAT, the applicant must hold a valid tax clearance certificate, which can be obtained from Revenue. If you intend paying more than €650 to a contractor, you must get them to submit their C2 tax clearance certificate to the relevant local authority.

Starting the Work to Adapt Your Home
The grant will not be paid if you begin adaptation work before the grant is approved, although it is expected that work will start within 6 months of the grant’s approval.

Rates
Priority will be assigned according to applicants’ medical needs. If your household income is €30,000 or lower, you could qualify for 95% of the cost of adaptation works. The proportion of costs will be tapered from 95% to 30% in accordance with your household income (see table below).

If you are unable to obtain a bank or building society loan for costs not covered by the grant, you might be able to get a home improvement loan from your local authority. For houses less than 12 months old, this grant is unlikely to exceed €14,500. If you are a local authority tenant, the local authority will meet the full cost of adaptation works.

Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability (houses over 12 months old):

Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability (houses less than 12 months old):