Could Financial Support make a Home Elevator a Reality for You?
Now more than ever, many seniors have a desire to remain staying in their own homes, living comfortably and retaining their independence for as long as possible. There are several Canadian government grants aimed at seniors to help make it possible for them to be independent, continue to look after themselves and remain in their own familiar home environment. Here at Stiltz Home Elevators, we have put together a list of the relevant grants for seniors in different provinces.
Everyone’s circumstances are different, and there may be a degree of support required to make an application either directly with the government department in your province. If your income level or personal circumstances qualify you for financial assistance, you may be able to make changes to your home that can dramatically improve your standard of living, such as installing one of our range of Stiltz Duo or Trio residential elevators.
British Columbia
BC offers seniors a Home Renovation Tax Credit – up to $1,000/tax year
Who qualifies?
- Residents of B.C.
- A senior or family member living with a senior or
- A person with a disability
How much is the grant?
- Maximum amount of credit you can claim is $1,000 per tax year
- This will be calculated at 10% of the qualifying renovation expense (up to £10,000)
- The tax credit is refundable, meaning that if the amount of tax you owe is less, you will be refunded the balance.
Conditions
- The renovations must be to your main residence
- The work must improve access or improve mobility around the home
- The work must reduce the risk of harm
Examples of Qualifying renovations
- Walk in baths/showers/
- Home elevators
- Handrails
- Walk in baths/showers
- Non slip floors
Important info
- The grant should be claimed when you file your T1 income tax return
- Complete the British Columbia Home Renovation Tax Credit for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities form obtained via www.gov.bc.ca
- Ensure you keep all receipts from suppliers or contractors
- Credit must be claimed for the tax year within which you received the invoice
Alberta & Manitoba
Maximum loan: $40,000
Seniors can benefit from the Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program.
Who qualifies?
- Residents of Alberta or Manitoba (who have lived in the province for at least 3 months)
- A Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Aged 65+ (at least one, if a married couple)
- Registered owner of the home in question
- Annual income below $75,000
- At least 25% equity in your home
How much is available?
A repayable, low interest loan of up to $40,000. Monthly payments are not required, the loan is repaid with interest of 2.7% when you move/sell or before if preferred
Conditions
Loan is to be used for repairs, adaptations or renovations which benefit the home such that seniors can remain independent in their homes, be safe, adapt and modify their homes to improve accessibility or mobility or improve the energy efficiency of the home.
Examples of qualifying renovations.
- Home elevators
- Bathrooms/walk in bathtubs
- Heating / plumbing renovations
- Widening of doorways
Important info
- Seniors may apply for retroactive funding, though any claim must be completed within 12 months of the works.
- For more information and to apply online checkout www.alberta.ca or www.manitoba.ca
Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan Home Repair Program: Adaptation for Independence is available for seniors in the province. This gives financial assistance to low income households in order to modify the home so as to cater to the needs of residents with a disability.
Who qualifies?
- Homeowner must own and occupy the property as their primary residence
- Must have a household member with a housing related disability
- Annual household income must be at or below the limits established by the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation
How much is available?
A forgivable loan of up to $23,000 is available.
Conditions
A resident must have a housing related disability, eligibility is not age related. For full and up to date information visit www.saskatchewan.ca
Important info
- Repairs completed before approval do not qualify
- Once approval is granted, work must be completed within six months
- Modifications must be identified by a qualified health practitioner
Ontario
In Ontario, you can apply for a Senior Homeowners Property tax grant
Who qualifies?
The OSHPTG is available to Ontario senior homeowners who pay property taxes and have low or moderate incomes. It is an annual payment that seniors must apply for annually when filing an income tax and benefit return.
Conditions
- To qualify for a 2020 OSHPTG you
- Had to be at least 64 years old on December 31 2019 and a resident of Ontario
- Or your spouse or common law partner occupied a principal residence and paid Ontario property tax for on Dec 31, 2019
How much is available?
- Variable dependent on property tax paid and income levels.
Conditions
There is further information available on www.ontario.ca
Quebec
The government in this province has a Residential Adaptation Program. This provides financial assistance to anyone with a disability that limits their daily activities. The grant is to cover the cost of making their homes accessible.
How much is the grant?
Between $4,000 and $16,000 depending on household
Conditions
- Once you have applied, this application will be sent to your municipality or regional county municipality (RCM) and to the health institution responsible for making an occupational therapist’s report
- A representative will visit your home and produce a list of admissible work that can be done
- One or more bids from contractors must be obtained and the winning one then submitted to the municipality or RCM
Important info
- In some cases, an additional amount of up to $7,000 may be given as determined by the Societe d’habitation du Quebec
- If specialized equipment is needed, an additional amount up to $10,000 may also be paid as determined by the Societe d’habitation du Quebec
- If you are a tenant you may apply, however, you will first need to get your landlord’s permission for the work to be done in your home
New Brunswick
Seniors who live in New Brunswick may be eligible for a forgivable loan of up to $5,000 for minor adaptations to their home to help with independent living under the Federal / Provincial Repair Program.
Who qualifies?
To qualify you must:
- Have an income below the established housing income limits for your area
- Own your home and it must be your primary residence
- Be seeking to make adaptations which for seniors must facilitate and prolong independent living (e.g. Contribute to being able to move safely between floors, as in the case of a home elevator)
How much is the loan?
Up to $5,000
Important info
Any repayable loan amount is at the provincial borrowing interest rate and can be repaid over a period of 15 years.
More information can be found at www.gnb.ca
Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia governments has a Home Adaptation for Seniors’ Independence program. Under this program, seniors may be eligible for a forgivable loan up to $3,500 for minor improvements to their homes to assist them with age-related issues. Some examples of minor repairs could include handrails, walk-in showers, or easy to use door handles.
Conditions
Any adaptations should be permanent
Supportive care aids such as household appliances ae not covered by this funding, though it may help with other needs, depending on your circumstances.
More information can be found at www.housing.novascotia.ca
Prince Edward Island
The Seniors Safe @ Home Program helps seniors finance improvements made to their homes to enable them to continue living in them longer.
Who qualifies?
- You must be 60 or over at the time of application
- You must be a PEI resident and a Canadian Citizen
- Combined senior income of $50,000 or less
- The property is your principle residence
How much is available?
Between $1,000 and $5,000 in assistance to help with a cost
Conditions
- Funding is based on annual income
- Modifications must be necessary and provide improved access or increased physical safety to the home.
For further details and eligibility requirements visit princeedwardisland.ca.
Newfoundland & Labrador
A forgivable grant of up to $7,500 may be available to qualifying seniors in Newfoundland and Labrador with low to moderate incomes through the Home Modification Program (HMP).
This grant is to be used to promote independent living and better quality of life to seniors and those with disabilities.
Who qualifies?
Those requiring accessibility modifications (an Occupational Therapists report is required)
Accessibility modifications may include
Installation of a ramp, wider doorways
Grab bars and seats in bathrooms
More information can be found at www.gov.nl.ca
Support is wide ranging and varied in terms of accessibility and income linked offerings. Whilst many of these grants or loans are aimed at those with disabilities, there may be an avenue which is helpful, depending on individual circumstances. So, if you are currently planning to modify your home for this reason it could be well worth ensuring you are up to speed on the help available in your personal circumstances.