You might qualify for financial assistance that can partially or fully fund your mobility equipment or home accessibility requirements and renovations. There are various programs, both provincial and national, that offer aid for certain mobility devices or making a home accessible. Advantage Home Health Solutions will help you find the right mobility or accessibility solutions for your needs.

It’s important to distinguish between mobility aids and home renovations. Some programs provide funding for mobility aids, but not home accessibility, while other programs can give you funds for your home but not personal healthcare equipment.

What Qualifies as “mobility solutions” and “home accessibility”?

Mobility Equipment

• Walkers
• Scooters
• Power Wheelchairs
• Additional Walking Aids and Assistive Devices (Canes, Forearm Crutches)

Home Accessibility and Renovations

• Stair Lifts
• Porch Lifts
• Ceiling Lifts
• Bath Lifts
• Stair Elevators
• Roll in Shower
• Grab Bars
• Walk in Tubs
• Slide in Tubs
• Accessible Showers

Programs that Fund Mobility Equipment

For financial assistance to fund mobility devices, the following programs are available across Canada. They’re catered towards helping people live more independent lives. Coverage and eligibility may differ for each individual, but all programs are designed with that objective in mind.

Click on the links to learn more about how these programs can fund your mobility aids:

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC)

Veteran Affairs Canada offers financial aid to eligible veterans across 14 different programs. These Programs of Choice (POC) can cover both mobility equipment and home renovations. In some cases, funding will only be provided after approval from a VAC-approved healthcare professional, along with an additional health professional.

Easter Seals

Easter Seals is a charitable corporation that focuses on raising the quality of life for Canadians with any sort of disability. They offer various programs to support Canadians, including funding for mobility devices.

Muscular Dystrophy of Canada

Anyone with a neuromuscular disorder is eligible for this national funding program. Promoting independence and regaining freedom, this program can assist you with both mobility aid and accessibility renovation funding.

Income Tax

Medical and mobility aids are exempt from GST, and you can also claim medical expenses on your provincial tax return. The amount you can claim is dependent on the province you live in. On a national level, you have the ability to claim medical expenses in a calendar year equating to 3% of your net income, or $2,208 (whichever is less).

The following resources are two of examples of Alberta funded programs for mobility devices, accessibility devices and renovations:

Alberta Aids to Daily Living (AADL)

Alberta Aids to Daily Living assists people with long-term disabilities and chronic illnesses, returning their independence and confidence. For more info on their basic funding plans, visit their website here.

Programs that Fund Home Accessibility Renovations

In addition to mobility equipment programs, there are various programs that can assist in your home accessibility modifications. Installing products such as a stair lift or roll in shower are considered permanent changes to your home, hence falling under this category.

On a national level, both VAC and income tax claims are avenues that will provide eligible people with necessary funding. You can visit their websites to learn more, though the income tax principles are the same as the mobility aids; home renovations to improve accessibility for a disabled person is exempt from HST, and you can claim that same 3% total.

Provincial funding for home accessibility are slightly different programs. The primary Alberta funding programs are:

Alberta Residential Access Modification Program (RAMP)

The RAMP program is tailored towards low-income people in need of accessibility in their home. Through grants, they can fund modifications such as stair lifts, porch lifts, and bathroom accessibility renovations. Visit their site to learn more.

Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program (SHARP)

The Seniors Home Adaptation and Repair Program (SHARP) provides low-interest home equity loans to help seniors finance necessary repairs, adaptations and renovations to their homes. Visit their site to learn more.

Finding a program to fund your mobility equipment or home accessibility modifications is tricky, especially determining which ones you qualify for. To simplify the process, consult with Advantage Home Health Solutions. We’ll lend our extensive information and knowledge to make sure you’re taking advantage of all the benefits you may be eligible to claim.