Housing Adaptation Grant — eligibility check
Updated 1 May 2026 · Reflects revised scheme effective December 2024
Enter your gross annual household income, the age of the home, and the type of work you need done. We'll show you the percentage of costs the grant will cover, the maximum grant amount you can claim, and a rough estimate of what you'd pay out of pocket.
This is not an official decision. Your local council makes the final call. But the rules are public — these numbers are what the council uses too.
The official Housing Adaptation Grant scale
Effective December 2024. Maximum grant of €40,000 for homes built more than 12 months ago, halved to €20,000 for new builds.
| Gross annual household income | % of approved cost covered | Max grant (older home) | Max grant (new build) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to €37,500 | 100% | €40,000 | €20,000 |
| €37,501 – €43,750 | 85% | €34,000 | €17,000 |
| €43,751 – €50,000 | 75% | €30,000 | €15,000 |
| €50,001 – €62,500 | 50% | €20,000 | €10,000 |
| €62,501 – €75,000 | 30% | €12,000 | €6,000 |
| Over €75,000 | Not eligible | ||
What counts as "household income"?
Gross income (before tax) of every adult living in the home, added together. This includes:
- Wages and salary (gross — before income tax, USC, PRSI)
- State pension and private pensions
- Social welfare payments (Disability Allowance, Carer's Allowance, Jobseeker's, etc.)
- Self-employment income
- Rental income, investment income
- Maintenance payments received
What doesn't count: Child Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Mobility Allowance, Foster Care Allowance, Fuel Allowance, Family Income Supplement, Working Family Payment. Income of children under 18 is excluded. The first €5,000 of income for each adult dependant other than the applicant or spouse is also disregarded.
Other things that affect what you actually receive
- Three written quotes required. The grant is based on the lowest tendered cost or the maximum, whichever is lower.
- Prior approval is essential. Works started before grant approval are not eligible. No exceptions.
- OT recommendation required for most works other than minor adaptations.
- Property must be principal private residence. Holiday homes, investment properties, and short-term lets do not qualify.
- Local authority discretion. Councils can prioritise applications based on medical urgency and waiting list.
Frequently asked questions
What if my income is just over a threshold?
Thresholds are absolute — €43,751 puts you in the 75% bracket, €43,750 puts you in the 85% bracket. There's no smoothing. If you're a few hundred euro over a threshold, get advice on whether any of your income can legitimately be excluded (some social welfare payments don't count).
What does "approved cost" mean?
The council looks at your three quotes, chooses the lowest reasonable one, and that figure is the "approved cost." The grant percentage is applied to that — not your highest quote, not your preferred installer, the lowest reasonable quote. So if the approved cost is €8,000 and you qualify for 75%, the grant is €6,000.
Can I apply if I'm renting?
Yes, but with conditions. You need written consent from the landlord, and the property must be your main residence. Local authority tenants apply through their council's housing maintenance section instead, not through the HAG.
How long does it take?
Typical processing time once a complete application is submitted is 4 to 12 weeks, varying by council. Dublin councils are slower (often 12+ weeks), some smaller western counties are faster. Then there's the OT report wait if you don't have one yet (free via HSE but waiting lists of 3 to 9 months in many areas — this is where most applications stall).
Will applying affect my Medical Card or other benefits?
No. The HAG is a one-off capital grant. It is not means-tested in the way social welfare is, and receiving it does not affect any other entitlement you hold.
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