Cost of living Ireland: Thousands may be eligible for €8,000 grant as rule changes

Thousands of people may be eligible for a grant worth €8,000 after several rule changes came into effect recently.

The Mobility Aids Grant Scheme helps you pay for basic work to address mobility issues you are having at home. For example, if you are having difficulty getting into the bath or shower, the grant could cover the cost of installing an accessible shower.

The scheme is for older people and people with disabilities.

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On 1 December 2024, the rules for the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme changed. They include:

• Increasing the maximum grant from €6,000 to €8,000
• Increasing the income limit to qualify for the grant from €30,000 to €37,500
• Changing how your household income is calculated for qualification for the grant

The grant may cover 100% of the cost of the works. However, you may not get the maximum grant. This is because the grant is paid by your local authority, and is dependent on what funding they have available. They will decide whether they can pay you the full grant, or a percentage of the grant.

What work is covered by the grant?

The grant can be used to make basic changes to your home so it is more accessible, like adding:

• Grab rails
• An accessible shower
• Ramps
• A stair-lift
• A fixed track hoist. (This is a ceiling or wall-mounted track with a sling attached to it, which means you can be mechanically lifted and moved to different places along the track).

The grant may cover any other minor work that your local authority thinks is necessary to meet your mobility needs.

The grant does not cover VAT on the work. However, you can apply to Revenue for a VAT refund for any appliances that you need and the cost of installing them.

How to qualify for the grant?

The Mobility Aids Grant Scheme is available to people with a household income of less than €37,500 a year. There are some disregards and deductions that can reduce the amount of household income that your local authority takes into account, see below.

How is income assessed?

Your total household income from the previous tax year is assessed to find out if you qualify and at what level of assistance. Household income includes:

• Your annual gross income
• Your spouse or partners annual gross income

Since, 1 December 2024, the following income is not taken into account when calculating your household income:

• €6,250 for each member of the household who is under 18 (previously €5,000)
• €6,250 for each member of the household who is aged between 18 and 23 years old and is in full-time education (previously €5,000)
• €6,250 if the person getting the grant is being cared by a relative on a full-time basis (previously €5,000)
• €6,250 for housing costs, such as mortgage payments or rent for the home where the work is being done
• Up to €12,500 for residential care fees, if the owner is contributing to these fees for their spouse or the co-owner of the property
• Up to €12,500 for homecare fees, if the owner is contributing to these fees for their own care, or the care of someone else in the household. (This income disregard is reduced to €6,250, if the person is getting the €6,250 disregard for being cared for by a relative on a full-time basis).
• Child Benefit
• Working Family Payment
• Domiciliary Care Allowance
• Carer’s Support Grant
• Carer's Benefit and Carer's Allowance (if the carer's payment is made for the person who needs the grant)
• Foster Care Allowance
• Fuel Allowance
• Household Benefits Package
• Living Alone Allowance

Does my home qualify for the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme?

Your home qualifies if it is:

• Privately owned (you or your family own it)
• Rented from a landlord and you have the landlord’s permission to make the changes. (The tenancy must also be registered with the Residential Tenancies Board).
• Provided by an approved housing body (AHB). You must have the AHB’s permission to make the changes.
• A communal residence (accommodation where people live together in group homes)

You must live in the property as your primary home when the work is completed.

Your tax affairs and Local Property Tax must also be up-to-date to qualify for the grant.

You can find out more about this grant here.