Housing Adaptation Grant for Older People and People with a Disability

A Housing Adaptation Grant for Older People and People with a Disability is available from local authorities. This grant can help if you need to make changes to a home to make it more suitable for a person with a physical, sensory or intellectual disability or mental health difficulty.

The Housing Adaptation Grant for Older People and People with a Disability can be paid to people in:

• Owner-occupied housing
• Houses being bought 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 people living in communal residences

If you buy or build a new home, you may get the grant but at a lower rate.

You must satisfy the local authority that you will occupy the property as your normal place of residence when the works have been done. If you are a tenant, you must also get written approval from your landlord.

Your application will be prioritised based on medical need. There are 3 priority levels:

• Priority 1: A person who is terminally ill or fully or mainly dependent on their family or carer; or where alterations or adaptations would facilitate their discharge from hospital or alleviate the need for hospitalisation in the future
• Priority 2: A person who is mobile but who needs assistance in accessing washing, toilet facilities, bedroom etc.; or where without the alterations or adaptations their ability to function independently would be hindered
• Priority 3: A person who is independent but who requires special facilities to improve their quality of life, for example, a separate bedroom or living space

An occupational therapist’s assessment may be required and you may need to satisfy a means test to be eligible.

For further information contact your local authority directly or see – https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/housing_grants_and_schemes/housing_adaptation_grant_for_people_with_disability.html