The Housing Aid for Older People Scheme is used to improve the condition of an older person’s home. In general, this scheme is aimed at people 60 years of age and above.
However, if there is a case of genuine hardship the local authority may give assistance to people under 60 years of age. (see chart below)
*A housing adaption grant is available where changes need to be made to a home to make it suitable for a disabled person to live in. Please note that in 2007, the Housing Adaption Grant for People with a Disability replaced the Disabled Persons Grant. This is a means-tested grant.
Contact your Local Authority Housing Section for further information.
HOUSING AID FOR OLDER PEOPLE SCHEME: from 27th February 2014:
| Max. Yearly Household Income € | Percentage of Costs | Maximum Grant |
| Up to 30,000 | 95% | 8,000 |
| 30,000 – 35,000 | 85% | 6,800 |
| 35,001 – 40,000 | 75% | 6,000 |
| 40,001 – 50,000 | 50% | 4,000 |
| 50,001 – 60,000 | 30% | 2,400 |
| Over 60,000 | – | No Grant Payable |
HOUSING ADAPTION GRANT FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY*
(HOUSES OVER 12 MONTHS OLD) from 27th February 2014:
(HOUSES OVER 12 MONTHS OLD) from 27th February 2014:
| Max. Yearly Household Income € | Percentage of Costs | Maximum Grant |
| Up to 30,000 | 95% | 30,000 |
| 30,001 – 35,000 | 85% | 25,000 |
| 35,001 – 40,000 | 75% | 22,500 |
| 40,001 – 50,000 | 50% | 15,000 |
| 50,001 – 60,000 | 30% | 9,000 |
| Over 60,000 | – | No Grant Payable |
HOUSING ADAPTION GRANT FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY*
(HOUSES LESS THAN 12 MONTHS OLD) from 27th February 2014:
(HOUSES LESS THAN 12 MONTHS OLD) from 27th February 2014:
| Max. Yearly Household Income € | Percentage of Costs | Maximum Grant |
| Up to 30,000 | 95% | 14,500 |
| 30,001 – 35,000 | 85% | 12,325 |
| 35,001 – 40,000 | 75% | 10,875 |
| 40,001 – 50,000 | 50% | 7,250 |
| 50,001 – 60,000 | 30% | 4,350 |
| Over 60,000 | – | No Grant Payable |
MOBILITY AIDS GRANT SCHEME
The Mobility Aids Grant Scheme was set up in 2007. The Scheme provides 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.
The maximum grant available will be €6,000 and may cover 100% of the cost of the work.
In 2014, the maximum grant available under the Housing Aid for Older Persons Scheme is €8,000, which may cover 95% of the approved cost of works. This maximum grant of 95% is available to people with annual household incomes of less than €30,000, tapering to 30% for those with annual household incomes of €50,001 to €60,000. The following tables show the rates for 2014 and the rates that applied up to the end of 2013.
Housing Aid for Older Persons Housing Aid for Older Persons
Scheme 2014: up to end 2013
| Maximum yearly household income | % of costs | Maximum grant | Maximum yearly household income | % of costs | Maximum grant |
| Up to €30,000 | 95% | €8,000 | Up to €30,000 | 100% | €10,500 |
| €30,000 – €35,000 | 85% | Not yet published | €30,000 – €34,000 | 90% | €9,450 |
| €35,001 – €40,000 | 75% | Not yet published | €34,001 – €38,000 | 80% | €8,400 |
| €40,001 – €50,000 | 50% | Not yet published | €38,001 – €42,000 | 70% | €7,350 |
| €50,001 – €60,000 | 30% | Not yet published | €42,001 – €46,000 | 60% | €6,300 |
| Over €60,000 | No grant payable | €46,001 – €50,000 | 50% | €5,250 | |
| €50,001 – €54,000 | 40% | €4,200 | |||
| €54,001 – €65,000 | 30% | €3,150 | |||
| Over €65,000 | No grant payable | ||||
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The Housing Aid for Older Persons Scheme is used to improve the condition of an older person’s home. In general, it is aimed at people 66 years of age and older. However, in cases of genuine hardship the local authority may assist people under age 66.
Changes in 2014
Changes to 3 housing grant schemes schemes were announced in January 2014 and came into effect immediately. The main changes to the Housing Aid for Older Persons Scheme are:
- The qualifying age has increased to 66 (previously 60)
- The maximum income threshold has been reduced to €60,000 (previously €65,000)
- The maximum grant has been reduced to €8,000 (previously €10,500)
- The percentages of approved costs covered by the grant have been adjusted on a sliding scale. The maximum is now 95% (previously 100%)
- Income of all household members will now be included in the means test (though Carer’s Allowance should be disregarded)
- Applicants must prove that they have complied with the Local Property Tax
The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is preparing revised guidelines for the 3 schemes.