The following information is sourced from the Citizen’s Information Board. For further information, please go to www.citizensinformation.ie or contact their phone service, lo-call: 1890 777 121 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm).

From 1 November 2007, the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme will provide grants for works designed to address mobility problems in the home, for example, the grant can be used for the purchase and installation of handrails. The grant is primarily for older people but people with disability can also access the scheme.

The amount of assistance you can get under the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme is less than under the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme and the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability. The Mobility Aids Grant Scheme is a useful scheme if you need minor adaptations or improvement done quickly.

The Mobility Aids Grant Scheme is a new scheme which will provide grants for works designed to address mobility problems in the home, for example, the grant can be used for the purchase and installation of grab-rails, a level access shower, access ramps or a stair-lift.

The grant is primarily for older people but people with disability can also access the scheme.

You cannot apply for both the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme and the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, however, you can withdraw your application for one scheme and submit a new application under the other.

Rules

The grant will be available to people with a maximum household income less than €30,000. 

The grant can be paid to people in:

• Owner occupied housing 
  
• Houses being purchased from a local authority under the tenant purchase scheme 
• Private rented accommodation (the duration of your tenancy can affect grant approval) 
• Accommodation provided under the voluntary housing Capital Assistance and Rental Subsidy schemes 
• Accommodation occupied by persons living in communal residences.

Your application will be prioritised based on medical need. Highest priority will be given to people who are terminally ill or where alterations/adaptions would facilitate discharge from hospital. When the local authority receives your application, it may request an Occupational Therapist's (OT) assessment. The local authority can arrange for an OT assessment, but under the new grant you can employ an OT to carry out an assessment and recoup up to €200 as part of the total grant up to the maximum you are entitled to.

Means test

The Mobility Aids Grant Scheme is a means-tested grant.  This means your total household income is assessed to find out if you qualify for the grant and at what level of assistance.

Household income is: 

Property owner's (tenant's in the case of private renting) and spouse's/partner's annual gross income in the previous tax year

The following is not taken into account when calculating your 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 FAS apprenticeship 
  
• €5,000 where the person for whom the grant is for, is being cared by a relative on a full-time basis 
  
• Child Benefit
• Early Childcare Supplement
• 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 for whom the grant is for)

Tax clearance

If you intend to pay more than €650 to a contractor, you must get your contractor to submit their C2/Tax Clearance Certificate to the local authority.

Starting the work to adapt your home

It is expected that the work will start within 6 months of your grant approval.

Rates

The maximum grant available will be €6,000 and may cover 100% of the cost of the work.

Where to apply

Apply to your local authority.