Housing Aid for Older People Grant

The Housing Aid for Older People Grant Scheme is available to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. The scheme is administered by local authorities.

The effective maximum grant under the scheme is €10,700, which may cover up to 100% of the approved cost of works.

The maximum grant of €10,700 is available for gross household incomes up to €37,500.

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.

Applicants will be assessed on the basis of household income, that is, the annual gross income of the registered property owner (and spouse) in the previous tax year.

For more details on how your income is calculated, including a full breakdown of allowable expenses, visit our guide on Understanding the Means Test for the Housing Aid for Older People Grant: Income & Deductions or refer to the application form available below.

The effective maximum grant of €10,700 to cover up to 100% of the cost of works, may be available to applicants with gross household incomes of up to €37,500 per annum, tapering to 30% for applicants with gross household incomes of between €62,501 to €75,000 per annum.

To help you save time and ensure your application is successful, it is important to know which types of repairs are covered and what the current restrictions are under the 2026 guidelines.

What is Covered?

The grant is primarily used for:

• Structural Repairs: Essential repairs to the fabric of the home (e.g., roof repairs).
• Electrical Re-wiring: Replacing dangerous or outdated wiring systems.
• Heating Improvements: Repairing or replacing broken heating systems to ensure the home is warm.

Important Restrictions (What is NOT covered)

To align with national climate and safety standards, the following restrictions apply:

• No Fossil Fuel Boilers: Grants are no longer available for the installation of new, stand-alone fossil fuel boilers (such as oil or gas boilers). Funding is instead prioritised for more sustainable heating solutions.
• Windows and Doors: Funding for windows and doors is limited. It is generally only available for replacing single-glazed units that are at the end of their life. The replacement of existing double-glazing is only approved in exceptional circumstances where there is a proven structural or safety risk.
• Routine Maintenance: General "wear and tear" or decorative work (painting, tiling, or floor coverings) is not eligible for funding.

Required Technical Reports

Before your application can be approved, you must provide professional proof that the work is necessary. You will need:

• For Re-wiring: A written report from an electrician registered with Safe Electric confirming that the existing wiring is inadequate or dangerous.
• For Heating/Boilers: A report from a qualified heating contractor (e.g., RGII for gas or OFTEC for oil repairs) stating that the current system is beyond economic repair.
• For Roof/Structural Works: An inspection report (often provided by a Local Authority engineer or a private surveyor) detailing the extent of the defect.

You can download the form below or you can get a copy of the form from the Housing Grants Section of your Local Authority or their website.

Check Your Pre-requisites

• Do Not Start Work Yet: This is the most important rule. You must receive written approval and a formal grant offer from your Local Authority before any work begins. If work starts before this, your application will be automatically rejected.
• Tax Clearance: Ensure your property taxes (LPT) are up to date, as you will need to provide proof of compliance.

Occupational Therapist (OT) Assessments

Unlike the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability, a formal medical report or OT assessment is not always mandatory for this specific grant.

However, some councils may request an OT report if the proposed works are complex or specifically related to mobility needs. We recommend checking with your local housing officer first; they can advise if an assessment is required or if they can provide a council-appointed OT to visit your home.

Fully completed application forms should be returned to your Local Authority Office.