Housing Aid for Older People Grant
Who is this grant for?
This grant is for people 66 years old or more to do essential repairs, so that they can continue to live in their own home. Sometimes this grant can be paid to people under 66 years old, but only in cases of hardship.
What type of home is this grant for?
A home that is privately owned where the older person:
- owns the home; or
- has a right to live in the home (right of residence) where the work will be done.
What can I use this grant for?
You can use this grant to do essential repairs. This could be to:
- help repair or replace the roof;
- upgrade the electrical wiring;
- repair or replace doors and windows;
- Repair heating where it is broken or provide heating where there is no heating.
(repair of an existing fossil fuel boiler by a qualified contractor (oil or gas); or
the purchase and installation of a second hand fossil fuel boiler by a qualified contractor (oil or gas).
Please Note: Grant funding cannot be provided for the purchase of a new standalone fossil fuel boiler (oil or gas boilers). (Article 17(15) of Directive (EU) 2024/1275 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024).
Special requirements for this grant
No medical documents are needed for this grant, as it is based on the condition of your home, and how urgently the repairs are needed. However, if your application is urgent due to a medical condition, you will need to complete the Doctor’s Certificate section of this application form on pages 17-18 of the application form.
Applications for Housing Aid for Older People Grant need to include:
For roof repairs: You need to include a letter from your insurance company stating repairs are not covered under your policy.
For upgrading electrical wiring: You need to include a Periodic Inspection Report from an electrician describing the necessary repairs. This electrician must be registered with Safe Electric. Further information can found at: www.safeelectric.ie
For heating: If you need to repair or provide heating, you need to include a report from a heating contractor describing the condition of the existing heating system.
How much is the grant for?
It depends. The grant covers some of the cost of work needed, but not all of it. The amount of money you get depends on your household income for the previous tax year (or the current tax year in some special cases – see page 16 of the application form). You need to supply this information on this form on page 14 of the application form. There are some disregards and deductions that can reduce the amount of household income that your local authority takes into account. We explain these on pages 8-9 of the application form.
The most you can get is €10,700 or 100% of the total cost of the work approved by your local authority (whichever is less). This grant can go towards the total cost of the work including the VAT.
The table on page 7 of the application form shows information on how much of a grant you can get.
Note: A grant is not available if the household income is more than €75,000, after the disregards and deductions are applied.
