Housing Adaptation Grant for disabled people
The Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People can help pay for necessary works to make a home more suitable for a disabled person. It is administered by local authorities, means-tested, and can provide up to EUR40,000 for an older home where the lowest income band and approved costs allow.
Direct answer
This grant is for larger or substantial adaptation works needed because of a physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual impairment. The approved amount depends on assessable household income, the approved cost of works, the home's circumstances and the local authority's assessment.
Key facts
- Current maximum: EUR40,000 for a home erected for 12 months or more, or EUR20,000 for a home under 12 months old in the top support band.
- The grant can cover up to 100% of approved costs in the lowest income band.
- No grant is payable where assessable household income is over EUR75,000.
- The work must be reasonably necessary to make the house suitable for the disabled person.
- Work must not start before the application is submitted and approved by the local authority.
How much can you get?
| Assessable household income | Percentage of approved costs | Maximum grant for homes over 12 months old | Maximum grant for homes under 12 months old |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to EUR37,500 | 100% | EUR40,000 | EUR20,000 |
| EUR37,501 to EUR43,750 | 85% | EUR34,000 | EUR17,000 |
| EUR43,751 to EUR50,000 | 75% | EUR30,000 | EUR15,000 |
| EUR50,001 to EUR62,500 | 50% | EUR20,000 | EUR10,000 |
| EUR62,501 to EUR75,000 | 30% | EUR12,000 | EUR6,000 |
| Over EUR75,000 | No grant payable | No grant payable | No grant payable |
The grant is limited by both the percentage of approved work costs for your income band and the maximum grant for that band.
Example: if the approved cost is EUR32,000, the home is over 12 months old and assessable income falls in the 75% band, the grant calculation is 75% of EUR32,000, which is EUR24,000. The maximum for that band is EUR30,000, so the percentage calculation is the limiting figure.
Who is it for?
The current scheme covers adaptation needs linked to an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual impairment. It is not limited to wheelchair users. The central question is whether the works are reasonably necessary to make the home suitable for the disabled person's accommodation needs.
This page also covers searches such as disability adaptation grant, housing adaptation grant, disability home improvement grant and home adaptation grant Ireland.
What types of home can qualify?
- Privately owned homes.
- Private rented homes, where there is landlord permission and a current RTB-registered tenancy agreement.
- Approved Housing Body accommodation, with the relevant agreement.
- Communal or group residences where people live together with support.
What work can it cover?
Examples can include access ramps, grab rails, accessible showers, downstairs toilet facilities, stairlifts, through-floor lifts, fixed-track hoists, wheelchair access alterations, wider or adapted access, major room changes and bedroom or bathroom extensions where necessary. This is not an exhaustive guaranteed list; the local authority must consider the work necessary.
Do you need an occupational therapist?
An occupational therapist assessment is not required for every small adaptation. Local authority guidance says an OT assessment is required for a big change to how a room is used, a stairlift or through-floor lift, a fixed-track hoist, or an extension.
You can obtain a private OT report. If the grant application is successful, the local authority may pay up to EUR300 towards the private assessment as part of the grant. If you have not been assessed, the local authority can arrange an assessment where relevant.
Doctor's certificate and priority
The application form includes a doctor's certificate. The doctor is asked to confirm the nature of the disability or medical condition and the need for the works. Medical or mobility grounds can affect how applications are prioritised, but a doctor's recommendation does not guarantee approval.
How household income is assessed
The current grant framework uses household income, but the income figure used for the grant may be lower than the household's headline gross income because specific disregards and deductions can be applied.
| Situation | Whose income is assessed |
|---|---|
| Owner-occupied home | The registered property owner and spouse or partner, based on gross income for the previous tax year. Current-year assessment can apply in certain exceptional income-change cases. |
| Private rented home | The tenant and spouse or partner. The tenancy must be registered with the Residential Tenancies Board and landlord permission is needed for the works. |
| Approved Housing Body accommodation | The local authority assesses the application using the scheme rules and the AHB's agreement will normally be needed for works to the dwelling. |
| Communal or group residence | The accommodation can be considered where people live together in a group home with support. The local authority applies the scheme rules to the person and the property. |
Income disregards and deductions
| Item | Current treatment |
|---|---|
| DSP payments disregarded | Carer's Benefit or Carer's Allowance, Carer's Support Grant, Child Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Foster Care Allowance, Fuel Allowance, Household Benefits Package, Living Alone Increase and Working Family Payment are listed by local-authority application guidance as disregarded. |
| Dependants | EUR6,250 is deducted for each household member aged under 18, or aged 18 to 23 and in full-time third-level education. |
| Full-time relative carer | EUR6,250 is deducted where the person the grant is for is cared for by a relative on a full-time basis. |
| Housing costs | Up to EUR6,250 can be deducted for mortgage or rent costs for the home where the works will be done. |
| Residential care fees | Up to EUR12,500 can be deducted where the owner contributes to residential-care fees for a spouse or other owner of the home, after any relevant Revenue tax allowance is considered. |
| Homecare costs | Up to EUR12,500 can be deducted for homecare fees for the owner's own care, a spouse's care or another household member's care. This is reduced to up to EUR6,250 if the full-time relative carer deduction is also claimed. |
This is not a means-test calculator. Your local authority applies the official rules to your documents and circumstances.
How to apply
- Identify the adaptations required.
- Get the current application form from your local authority or the official gov.ie route.
- Complete the household and property sections.
- Have the relevant medical section completed.
- Obtain an OT report where required.
- Gather income evidence and any documents showing disregards or deductions.
- Get itemised quotations and documentation required by your council.
- Submit the application to the local authority where the home is located.
- Wait for written approval before assuming the work is grant-funded.
- Complete approved works and follow the council's inspection and payment process.
Document checklist
- Completed application form.
- Proof of household income.
- Evidence of Local Property Tax compliance.
- Current RTB-registered tenancy agreement and landlord permission where applicable.
- Doctor's Certificate.
- OT assessment where required.
- Itemised quotation and photographs where requested.
- Contractor tax-clearance details where required by the local authority.
- Any extra documents requested for the specific adaptation.
VAT
The Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People does not cover the VAT cost of the work. Revenue separately allows VAT refunds on certain aids and appliances for persons with disabilities, subject to conditions and evidence. Renovations and new builds generally do not qualify, although qualifying goods used in works may be considered case by case.
FAQ
How much is the Housing Adaptation Grant in 2026?
Up to EUR40,000 for homes over 12 months old, or up to EUR20,000 for newer homes, depending on income band and approved costs.
Is the grant means-tested?
Yes. The grant percentage and maximum depend on assessable household income.
What income is counted?
For owner-occupied homes, the owner and spouse or partner are assessed. Rented and supported accommodation are assessed under the scheme rules, with deductions and disregards where applicable.
Can I get a grant for an accessible bathroom?
Possibly, if the work is necessary and approved by the local authority.
Can I get a grant for a stairlift?
Possibly. A stairlift is a listed example, and an OT assessment is normally required.
Can the grant pay for an extension?
Possibly, where an extension such as a bedroom or bathroom is necessary for the disabled person's accommodation needs.
Do I need an occupational therapist?
For major room changes, lifts, hoists and extensions, yes. Your local authority can advise on your case.
Do I need a doctor's certificate?
Yes, the current application process includes a doctor's certificate.
Can I apply if I rent?
Yes, where tenancy and landlord-permission requirements are met.
Can a child with a disability qualify for adaptations?
Yes, where the works are necessary for a disabled household member. The local authority assesses the application.
Can I start the work before approval?
No. Do not start work before the application is approved.
Apply through your local authority
These grants are administered by local authorities. Use the national information to understand the scheme, then get the current form and local submission details from the council for the area where the home is located.
Official sources
Revenue source
Before you apply
This guide is general information only. Confirm the current rules with your local authority or the official source before applying, starting work or signing a contract.