Housing Aid for Older Persons Scheme

Rules

Local authorities vary as regards what type of work they will grant aid under the scheme. You should check with your own local authority to see which types of work its scheme will cover.

The type of work that is grant aided can include some or all of the following:

• Structural repairs or improvements
• Re-wiring, repair or replacement of windows and doors
• The provision of water, sanitary services and heating
• Cleaning and painting
• Radon remediation
• Re-wiring and any other repair or improvement work considered necessary.

Many older people may be eligible for the Scheme. However, priority will be given to people on the basis of financial need.

The grant can be paid to people in:

• Owner-occupied housing
• Houses being purchased from a local authority under the Tenant Purchase Scheme.

Priority applicants

Your application will be prioritised based on medical need. Highest priority will be given to a person who is terminally ill or where alterations/adaptations would facilitate your discharge from hospital or the continuance of care in your own home.

Occupational therapy report

When the local authority receives your application, it may request an Occupational Therapist's (OT) assessment. The local authority can arrange for an OT assessment. Alternatively, you can employ an OT to carry out an assessment and get back up to €200 as part of the total grant (up to the maximum you are entitled to).

Means test

The Housing Aid for Older Persons Scheme is a means-tested grant. This means that your total household income is assessed to find out if you qualify for the grant and at what level of assistance.

Household income is:

• Property owner's (or tenant's) and spouse's/partner's annual gross income in the previous tax year

The following is not taken into account when calculating your household income:

• €5,000 for each member of the household aged up to 18 years
• €5,000 for each member of the household aged between 18 and 23 years and in full-time education or on a FÁS apprenticeship
• €5,000 where the person to whom the grant relates is being cared by a relative on a full-time basis
• Child Benefit
• Family Income Supplement
• Domiciliary Care Allowance
• Respite Care Grant
• Carer's Benefit and Carer's Allowance (if the carer's payment is made in respect of the person to whom the grant relates)

Tax clearance

If you get a grant of more than €10,000 you must have a valid Tax Clearance Certificate. If you intend to pay more than €650 to a contractor, you must get your contractor to submit his/her C2/Tax Clearance Certificate to the local authority.

Payment of a second grant

It is possible to get a grant under the Housing Aid for Older Persons Scheme a second time if your needs have substantially changed over time.

Starting the work

The grant will not be paid if you start work before the grant is approved. However, it is expected that the work will start within 6 months of your grant approval.