A Guide to Grants for Stairlifts
It is possible that you may be eligible for a Disabled Facilities Grant from your local council. This type of grant is to help towards the cost of adapting your home, so you can continue to live there.
In order to be eligible the council must decide that changes are necessary to meet your needs, they must also decide that the cost is practical, and the work reasonable.
Please click here to visit the DirectGov website to find out more, or contact your local authority in writing or by phone.
VAT exemptions & relief
You might not need to pay VAT on the stairlift you purchase. There are two kinds of VAT exemptions, Zero VAT, and 5% VAT relief, both explained below:
Zero VAT exemption
This kind of exemption applies to a person if he/she is disabled or chronically ill, for items that will be used specifically by this person.
In this instance disabled or chronically ill are defined as:
- People with a physical or mental impairment which has a long term and substantial adverse effect upon the person’s ability to carry out everyday activities
- People with a condition which the medical profession treats as a chronic sickness, an example of this would be diabetes
- People who are terminally ill
5% VAT relief
Five percent VAT relief applies to people who are over 60 years of age and are NOT eligible for 100% (zero) VAT relief which is explained above.
This relief covers the supply and installation of a stairlift for users over the age of 60 when installed in their normal residence.
This reduced rate only applies to installation in private homes.
Eligible people can be defined as:
People who are registered as disabled or with a long term medical condition.
please note: the conditions for relief are contained in VAT notice 701/7 VAT Relief for disabled people. A copy of this document can be viewed by clicking on this link to the HM Revenue & Customs website. Alternatively you can get a copy by calling the National Advice Service on 0845 010 9000.
