Housing Aid for Older People
Up to €10,700 towards essential repairs like structural work, rewiring, heating or doors and windows.
Last checked October 2026
What it is
Essential repairs and improvements to keep older people living at home, such as structural repairs, rewiring and heating. The grant can cover VAT. The maximum grant is €10,700 in the lowest income band. Both the share of the cost and the cap fall as income rises (85% up to €43,750, down to 30% up to €75,000, none above that). It is for people aged 66 or over (younger people only in cases of hardship) and is means-tested on household income, which here means the gross income of the owner and their spouse or partner in the previous tax year, less deductions for things like children at home, housing costs and care fees. From 1 January 2025 the grant will not pay for a new standalone fossil-fuel boiler, though repairs to existing heating are still covered, and you may also qualify for the free Warmer Homes Scheme.
Who can get it
- You are aged 66 or over, though under 66 can be considered in cases of hardship
- The work is essential repair, for example structural repairs, rewiring, heating or doors and windows
- The income of the owner and their spouse or partner is €75,000 a year or less after deductions
- You own the home or have a right of residence in it where the work will be done
- The share of the cost and the cap both fall as income rises. Up to €37,500: 100%, to a maximum of €10,700. Up to €43,750: 85%, to €9,095. Up to €50,000: 75%, to €8,025. Up to €62,500: 50%, to €5,350. Up to €75,000: 30%, to €3,210. Nothing over €75,000. Income means the gross income of the owner and their spouse or partner in the previous tax year, less deductions: €6,250 for each household member under 18 (or under 23 if in full-time education), €6,250 if a relative cares for you full time, up to €6,250 for housing costs and up to €12,500 for residential care fees for a spouse or co-owner or for home care fees (€6,250 for home care where the relative-carer deduction is also claimed).
- It is run by your local authority, not by SEAI, so it is a different application to the energy grants.
- It pays for essential repairs, including repairing broken heating or providing heating where there is none. Insulation is not on the list of eligible works, so if the house also needs insulation, the free Warmer Homes Scheme is worth checking alongside it.
- Do not start the work until the council has approved your application in writing. Work started or finished before approval cannot be paid for.
- Some works need extra documents. For roof or structural repairs, your council will tell you what evidence it needs: the application form asks for a letter from your insurer saying the repairs are not covered by your policy and the gov.ie page mentions an inspection report, often from a council engineer or a private surveyor. For rewiring, a report (a Periodic Inspection Report) from an electrician registered with Safe Electric. For heating repairs or new heating, a report from a heating contractor on the existing system.
- Unlike the Housing Adaptation Grant, this grant can cover VAT, so it goes towards the total cost of the work.
How to apply
Applications go through Local authority. The official page has the full eligibility rules and the application itself.
Go to the official page →Checked against the official source on 20 October 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.
Questions people ask
How much is Housing Aid for Older People worth?
Up to €10,700, depending on your household income and the work needed.
What age do you have to be?
66 or over. People under 66 can be considered in cases of hardship.
What are the income limits?
Up to 100% of the cost is covered where income is €37,500 or less, tapering down to 30% for incomes up to €75,000. The maximum grant falls with income too, from €10,700 down to €3,210. Income means the gross income of the owner and their spouse or partner, less deductions for children at home, full-time care by a relative, housing costs and care fees.
Who do I apply to?
Your local authority runs the scheme and handles the application.
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