The purchase of a stair lift involves a large financial investment. Health insurance companies do not pay for this. Also the care insurance comes up as a rule only for a part of the resulting costs. Many buyers are therefore dependent on their own initiative. They receive support from the state development bank Reconstruction Loan Corporation (KfW). The KfW offers with “Age-appropriate remodeling” its own program on the subject.
By installing a stair lift, independence can be regained. People can thus stay longer in their own four walls – and thus happy. But with the installation of a stair lift are high financial investments. As a rule, part of this has to be financed by the customer. This is not always easy, because after all it is about several thousand €
Investment in a stairlift
The purchase and installation of a stairlift is associated with high costs. Even with simple stairlifts, the costs quickly amount to well over 3,000 €. However, in more complex installation situations, certain individual requirements or designs, prices can easily rise to over 15,000 €. The purchase of a stairlift is therefore a major investment.
PhotosSource: kfw.de | KfW-BildarchivThe situation is aggravated by the fact that the statutory health insurance funds do not cover the costs incurred. Since stair lifts do not belong to the medical aids, health insurances also do not have to make additional payments. Many interested parties must therefore show initiative and finance the stairlift in whole or in part themselves.
Funding by the Reconstruction Loan Corporation (KfW)
KfW is a state-owned development bank. Its goal is not to maximize profits. Instead, KfW establishes programs that address specific topics deemed worthy of support. One such topic is “age-appropriate conversion.” Through the “Age-appropriate remodeling” program, KfW also provides funding for the installation of a stair lift. Of course, the stair lift is not the only application area of the funding program.
PhotosSource: kfw.de | Press image of KfW BankAbout “Age-appropriate remodeling” can be financed all structural changes that meet certain requirements. The subsidized measures are intended to finance modern conversions that enable people to live more comfortably while feeling at ease at any age, regardless of physical limitations. The funding can be claimed by homeowners as well as tenants or landlords.
The program “Age-appropriate remodeling”
The KfW leads the program “Age-appropriate remodeling” under the internal number 155 or 455. It consists of two subsections. On the one hand, this is a low-interest loan (No. 155), on the other hand, a direct financial support in the form of a grant (No. 455). A maximum of 5 percent of the conversion costs can be subsidized in this way.
Attention: Since the Federal Government released so far no new means, the promotion program age-fairly converting with the subsidy (No. 455) is decided annually again. Currently it is not yet clear whether the program will also exist in 2020. With the stair lift credit (No. 155) this looks differently. KfW has already assured here that the program will continue under its own direction.
What does the program “Age-appropriate remodeling” offer?
First and foremost, the program “Age-appropriate remodeling” (No. 155) offers favorable loan conditions. The interest rates move thus clearly below that, which normal banks require. KfW finances up to 100 percent of the costs incurred, up to a maximum of 50,000 €. The actual interest rates vary individually. However, the interest rate already starts at 1.00 percent effective per year. Terms of up to 30 years are possible with a maximum 10-year fixed interest rate. Alternatively, a bullet loan with a term of up to eight years is offered. At any time and free of charge a special redemption can take place thereby.
PhotosSource: kfw.de | Press image of KfW BankWith the KfW funding program “Age-appropriate remodeling” can be promoted in 7 areas measures individually or in combination.
A: Paths to buildings and outdoor facilities
B: Entrance area and apartment access
C: Overcoming stairs and steps
D: Redesign of room geometry
E: Measures at sanitary rooms
F: Control elements and assistance systems
G: Redesign to common areas
The application can be submitted by homeowners as well as by tenants or landlords. The application is processed through the respective house bank. In any case, the application must be submitted before the remodeling work begins. This also applies to the grant program (No. 455).
Subsidy by the care insurance
A subsidy for conversions is also available from care insurance. Provided that at least the care degree one is present, the care insurance can promote rebuilding measures and the installation of a stair lift with up to 4,000 euro. In many cases, the funding from the care insurance fund therefore only partially enables the financing of a stair lift. If necessary, the remaining amount can of course also be financed via the KfW Bank.
PhotosCopyright (c) 123RF Stock PhotosFrom the health insurance companies, by the way, there are no other subsidies. They do not pay for stairlifts, because – according to the Federal Social Court – they are not medical aids. However, the costs of a stair lift can under certain circumstances be covered by other cost units, such as an employers’ liability insurance association or liability insurance, or by social security and pension offices. Whether such a subsidy is possible should therefore be discussed directly with the provider during the initial consultation talks. Further subsidies are also possible through private insurance. For example, accident insurance can subsidize the purchase of a stair lift under certain conditions if a care degree has already been applied for.
Sample application for download – Application for a subsidy to improve the living environment.
It is important that the affected person was assigned a care degree before applying. Only the one has a requirement on cost subsidy, which was classified at least into the care degree 1. If this is not the case, the care insurance will not support the purchase of a stair lift and will not cover the costs.
