If you or a parent in Illinois needs grab bars, a ramp, a walk-in shower or a stair lift to stay safely at home, there are 40 programs below that may help pay for it: 7 in aging and disability, 4 in healthcare/insurance, 8 in housing and community development, 11 in lending, 4 in social and vocational, 6 in tax sources.
Most people qualify for at least one, but each program has its own rules: age, income, disability, veteran status, or whether you own or rent. Start with the three calls below. They are free, they know the local programs, and several can send someone to look at the home.
Veterans in Illinois should also ask the VA about housing grants, which can pay far more than local programs; see our VA grants guide.
Local aging and disability offices are usually the best first call. Many can send someone to look at the home, and some pay for small changes directly.
Older Americans Act Title III-B and Title III-E (Area Agencies on Aging)
Illinois's aging agency funds local Area Agencies on Aging, which may pay for home safety checks and small modifications. Use the Eldercare Locator line to find your local office.
Visit website (800) 677-1116 Our guide: Area Agencies on Aging: Home Repair and Modification Help
Assistive Technology (AT Act)
Illinois's assistive technology program can help people with disabilities find, try or pay for devices and home changes.
Visit website Our guide: State Assistive Technology Programs: Try, Borrow, Reuse and Finance Equipment
Centers for Independent Living
Use this directory to find a Center for Independent Living near you in Illinois; some can help with home modification.
Visit website Our guide: Centers for Independent Living: Disability-Led Help to Stay Home
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Four VA grants that help Veterans with qualifying disabilities adapt a home, from small HISA jobs to whole-house SAH projects.
Visit website 1-800-827-1000 Our guide: VA Home Modification Grants (SAH, SHA, TRA and HISA)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Four VA grants that help Veterans with qualifying disabilities adapt a home, from small HISA jobs to whole-house SAH projects.
Visit website 1-800-827-1000 Our guide: VA Home Modification Grants (SAH, SHA, TRA and HISA)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Four VA grants that help Veterans with qualifying disabilities adapt a home, from small HISA jobs to whole-house SAH projects.
Visit website 1-800-827-1000 Our guide: VA Home Modification Grants (SAH, SHA, TRA and HISA)
Vocational Rehabilitation (Rehabilitation Services Administration)
Illinois's vocational rehabilitation agency may cover home changes when they help a person with a disability work toward a job goal.
Visit website Our guide: Vocational Rehabilitation: Home Modifications for Working Adults with Disabilities
Health programs can pay for changes when they are tied to a medical need. Medicaid waivers are the biggest source here; Medicare rarely pays for home changes.
Medicare / Medicare Advantage; private insurance
Original Medicare pays for medical equipment, not home remodeling, but some Medicare Advantage plans offer safety items or modifications as extra benefits.
Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers
Illinois Medicaid runs home and community-based waivers that may pay for home changes like ramps or grab bars for people who qualify. Rules and waiver names vary, so check with the agency.
Visit website Our guide: Medicaid Waivers That Pay for Home Modifications
Money Follows the Person (Medicaid)
Illinois's Money Follows the Person program helps people move from a nursing home back to the community. Help with home setup may be part of the plan.
Visit website Our guide: Medicaid Waivers That Pay for Home Modifications
Social Security Administration
People on SSI or SSDI may be able to set aside money for home changes tied to work or independence without losing as much in benefits.
Housing programs fix homes for people with lower incomes. Many run through your city, county or a local nonprofit.
Community Development Block Grant (HUD)
Your city or county may use federal Community Development Block Grant money for home repair grants or loans, including ramps and barrier removal.
Visit website Our guide: CDBG Home Repair and Accessibility Programs (Community Development Block Grants)
Community Development Block Grant (HUD)
Your city or county may use federal Community Development Block Grant money for home repair grants or loans, including ramps and barrier removal.
Visit website Our guide: CDBG Home Repair and Accessibility Programs (Community Development Block Grants)
HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HUD)
HOME is a HUD block grant that many states and cities use for homeowner rehab grants and deferred loans, and accessibility work is an eligible cost.
Visit website Our guide: HUD HOME Program: Homeowner Rehabilitation and Accessibility Help
NeighborWorks America
Local nonprofit housing groups in Illinois, such as NeighborWorks members, may offer repair help, advice or low-cost loans. Search your city name plus "Neighborhood Housing Services."
Visit website Our guide: Nonprofit Home Repair Programs for Older Adults (Rebuilding Together, Habitat and More)
State Housing Finance Agencies
Illinois Housing Development Authority is Illinois's housing finance agency. Agencies like this may offer low-interest or deferred loans for home repairs for low- and moderate-income households.
Visit website Our guide: State Housing Finance Agency Repair and Accessibility Programs
USDA Rural Development
Contact the Illinois USDA Rural Development office for 504 help in rural areas.
Visit website Our guide: USDA Section 504 Home Repair Loans and Grants
USDA Rural Development
USDA gives these grants to local governments, nonprofits and Tribes, which then fix up homes of low-income people in small rural towns. Ask local groups if they have this money.
Weatherization Assistance Program (DOE)
Illinois's weatherization program makes homes of low-income households more energy efficient and can fix some safety problems along the way.
Visit website Our guide: Weatherization Assistance Program: Free Energy and Safety Upgrades
Loans spread the cost over time. Some are low-interest or forgivable for older and lower-income homeowners.
Federal Housing Administration (HUD)
A federally insured loan from approved local lenders that can pay for fixing up an existing home.
Federal Housing Administration (HUD)
An FHA 203(k) mortgage lets you buy or refinance a home and include the cost of renovations, including accessibility work, in one loan.
Visit website Our guide: FHA 203(k) Loans for Accessibility Renovations
Other state or local program
Homeowners can borrow against their home's value as needed to pay for changes. The home backs the loan, so payments must be kept up.
Other state or local program
A second mortgage that gives a lump sum for home changes, paid back on top of the first mortgage.
Other state or local program
A bank personal loan can cover smaller projects. It works for renters too, since the home is not used as security.
Other state or local program
Replacing your current mortgage with a new, larger one can free up cash for home changes if you have enough equity.
Other state or local program
Some contractors donate labor, materials or an unsecured loan for part of a project. Ask your remodeler.
Other state or local program
Many remodelers work with finance companies that offer project loans. Ask your contractor what they offer and compare costs.
FHA Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HUD)
Homeowners 62 and older can turn home equity into cash for modifications with an FHA-insured HECM, but it costs money and reduces what heirs inherit.
Visit website Our guide: Using a Reverse Mortgage (HECM) to Pay for Home Modifications
Other state or local program
You may be able to borrow against a CD or savings at your bank to pay for smaller home changes.
Other state or local program
A margin loan borrows against an investment account. It can pay for home projects, but it carries market risk.
Disability, job and community groups can sometimes pay for changes that help a person live or work independently.
Nonprofit repair program
Churches, service clubs and builder groups sometimes build ramps or raise money for home changes. Call 211 to find groups near you.
Visit website Our guide: Nonprofit Home Repair Programs for Older Adults (Rebuilding Together, Habitat and More)
Crime Victims' Benefits (U.S. Department of Justice)
Illinois's crime victim compensation program may pay for home access changes when a crime caused an injury and other sources don't cover it.
Social Security Title XX Social Services (HHS)
State social service offices use this money to help families in a crisis, sometimes with basic items like a ramp or grab bars. It mostly serves people already on public aid.
Workers' Compensation (U.S. Department of Labor)
If a work injury makes it hard to live at home, Illinois workers' comp may pay for home changes. Ask your claims handler.
Some home changes can lower your taxes. Keep receipts and a doctor's note when the change is for a medical need.
Internal Revenue Service
Many accessibility changes can count as deductible medical expenses if you itemize, under the IRS rules in Publication 502.
Visit website Our guide: Deducting Home Modifications as a Medical Expense (IRS Publication 502)
Internal Revenue Service
Money spent on accessibility can raise your home's cost basis, which may lower the taxable gain when you sell.
Internal Revenue Service
Owners who use property for business may be able to deduct accessibility work faster than other improvements.
State tax credit or deduction
Some states or counties waive sales tax on ramp materials or lift equipment. Check with Illinois or your county tax office.
Our guide: State Tax Credits and Property Tax Breaks for Home Accessibility
State tax credit or deduction
Home changes can raise a home's assessed value. Ask your local assessor whether accessibility work is exempt.
Our guide: State Tax Credits and Property Tax Breaks for Home Accessibility
Illinois Housing Development Authority
An IHDA grant that pays homebuilders to build accessible homes. It is not paid to homeowners, so it mainly matters to people buying new homes.
| Change | Typical national cost | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Grab bars (installed) | $200 to $350 | each |
| Tub-to-shower / walk-in shower conversion | $2,000 to $12,000 | installed |
| Curbless roll-in shower | $2,900 to $15,000 | installed |
| Walk-in tub | $4,000 to $10,000 | installed |
| Comfort-height toilet / raised toilet seat | $375 to $800 | installed |
| Stair lift (straight) | $2,000 to $9,000 | installed |
Yes. This page lists 40 programs in Illinois that can help pay for home changes such as grab bars, ramps and walk-in showers. Most are run through your local Area Agency on Aging, Medicaid, housing programs, or nonprofits, and each has its own eligibility rules.
Call your local Area Agency on Aging. It is free, it knows the programs in your county, and it can often arrange a home assessment. You can find yours through the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or eldercare.acl.gov.
Original Medicare generally does not pay for home modifications like grab bars, ramps or shower conversions. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer limited supplemental benefits for safety items, so check your plan. Medicaid waivers are more likely to help if you qualify.
Yes. Several programs on this page serve renters, but you will usually need the landlord's written permission before any change is made. Look for the 'Renters' tag on each program.
It varies a lot. Small items like grab bars can happen in weeks; larger grants and Medicaid waivers can have waitlists of months. Apply to more than one program at once, and ask each about current wait times.