How to Get a Stairlift for Free or at Reduced Cost in Cheshire

If you or a family member needs a stairlift in Cheshire, the cost can feel like a barrier. A new straight stairlift starts at around £1,950 and a curved stairlift can cost considerably more. For many households on fixed incomes, that is a significant sum.

But here is what most people do not know: there are several legitimate ways to get a stairlift for free, or at a dramatically reduced cost, in Cheshire. Thousands of eligible residents every year fail to claim the funding they are entitled to simply because nobody told them it existed.

This guide covers every option available to Cheshire residents in 2026 — from government grants worth up to £30,000 to VAT savings, flexible rental and charitable funding.

Option 1: The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG)

The Disabled Facilities Grant is a government-funded grant specifically designed to help people with disabilities or mobility issues adapt their homes. Stairlifts are one of the most commonly funded adaptations under the DFG scheme.

The grant can be worth up to £30,000 in England — which is more than enough to cover the cost of most stairlift installations, including curved stairlifts. In many cases, the grant covers the full cost, meaning the stairlift is effectively free to the recipient.

Who is eligible?

To qualify for a Disabled Facilities Grant in Cheshire you must:

Have a disability or be caring for someone with a disability
Need the adaptation to make your home safe and accessible
Pass a means test based on your household income and savings

Both homeowners and renters can apply. If you rent, you will need your landlord’s permission, but landlords are generally required to give consent for necessary adaptations.

How much can you get?

The DFG is means-tested, so the amount you receive depends on your household income and savings. Some applicants receive the full cost of their stairlift covered by the grant. Others receive a contribution towards the cost. The means test is based on a standard government formula and takes into account income from all sources including benefits, pensions and savings.

If your income is below a certain threshold, you may receive the full grant. If your income is above the threshold, you may still receive a partial grant that significantly reduces the amount you need to pay.

How to apply in Cheshire

The DFG is administered by your local council. In Cheshire, this means either:

Cheshire East Council if you live in Crewe, Nantwich, Macclesfield, Wilmslow, Sandbach, Congleton or surrounding areas. Apply via Cheshire East Council.
Cheshire West and Chester Council if you live in Chester, Ellesmere Port, Northwich, Winsford, Frodsham or surrounding areas. Apply via Cheshire West Council.

You can also read the full government guide to the Disabled Facilities Grant on Gov.uk.

What happens after you apply?

Once you apply, your council will arrange for an occupational therapist to visit your home and assess your needs. The OT will confirm that a stairlift is necessary and appropriate for your situation. The council will then carry out a means test and, if you are eligible, approve a grant amount.

The process can take several months from initial application to approval. If you need a stairlift urgently, we can install a rental stairlift quickly while your application is being processed, then convert to a purchase once the grant is approved.

Option 2: VAT Relief on Stairlifts

This is one of the most commonly overlooked savings available. If you have a disability or a long-term illness that affects your ability to use the stairs, you are entitled to buy a stairlift without paying VAT.

VAT is charged at 20 percent on most goods and services. On a £1,950 stairlift, that is £325 saved. On a curved stairlift costing £4,000, the saving is £667. This is not a grant — it is simply a tax exemption that eligible buyers are entitled to.

Who qualifies for VAT relief?

You qualify if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a long-term and substantial adverse effect on your ability to carry out everyday activities. This includes:

Arthritis or joint conditions affecting mobility
Heart or lung conditions
Neurological conditions such as MS, Parkinson’s or stroke
Chronic pain conditions
Any other disability or long-term illness affecting your ability to use stairs

You do not need a formal diagnosis or certificate. You simply complete a VAT relief declaration confirming your eligibility. We handle this paperwork as part of every eligible purchase.

Option 3: Stairlift Rental — No Large Upfront Cost

If you need a stairlift but cannot or do not want to pay the full purchase price upfront, rental is a genuinely viable alternative that many people overlook.

Our stairlift rental service in Cheshire starts from just £60 per month with no minimum term. Everything is included — installation, maintenance, 24-hour call-out cover and free removal when you no longer need it. There is no large upfront payment and no long-term commitment.

For households where a £1,500 to £4,000 purchase is not currently feasible, rental makes a quality stairlift accessible right now. Many of our rental customers later choose to purchase once their financial situation changes, or once they have confirmed the stairlift is right for them.

Option 4: Charitable Grants and Funding

Beyond the government DFG scheme, several charitable organisations provide grants towards home adaptations for specific groups:

Age UK

Age UK provides advice and can point older people towards local funding sources for home adaptations. Some local Age UK branches also have small grants available for residents in financial hardship.

Royal British Legion

Veterans and their dependants may be eligible for financial assistance towards home adaptations through the Royal British Legion’s welfare support programme.

Condition-specific charities

Many charities focused on specific conditions — MS Society, Parkinson’s UK, Arthritis Action and others — offer grants or can signpost members to local funding. If you or a family member has a specific condition, it is always worth contacting the relevant charity to ask what help might be available.

Local charitable trusts

Many areas of Cheshire have local charitable trusts that provide small grants to residents in need. Your local council’s social care team or Citizens Advice Bureau can advise on what is available in your specific area.

Option 5: Reconditioned Stairlifts — Quality at Lower Cost

If you do not qualify for a grant or VAT relief, a reconditioned stairlift is the most cost-effective way to get a quality stairlift installed in your Cheshire home.

Our reconditioned stairlifts start from just £795 — compared to £1,950 or more for a new model. Every reconditioned unit we sell has been fully stripped, inspected, cleaned and rebuilt to the same standards as a new stairlift. They come with warranty cover and exactly the same aftercare as our new models.

A reconditioned stairlift is not a compromise — it is a smart financial decision that saves you a significant amount without sacrificing quality or reliability.

Combining Options for Maximum Savings

The most significant savings come from combining multiple options. For example:

Apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant and receive a partial grant covering half the cost
Claim VAT relief to save a further 20 percent on the remainder
Choose a reconditioned model rather than new to reduce the base cost

In some scenarios, combining these three approaches can reduce the effective cost of a stairlift to a few hundred pounds or less. We can help you understand which combination of options applies to your specific situation.

The Next Step

If you are unsure which funding options you might be eligible for, the best first step is to call us for a free, no-obligation conversation. We have helped many Cheshire families navigate the grants process and we are happy to point you in the right direction — even if it means you end up not needing to pay us anything.

We would rather you got the stairlift you need, however that happens, than struggle on without it.