Home Accessibility Grants in Ontario: What Seniors and Families Need to Know

Total Acceess Solutions
May 21
9 min read

The conversation usually goes something like this. You have had an assessment. You know what the home needs. Maybe it is a stairlift for the main stairs, a ramp at the front entrance, or a bathroom conversion that makes showering safe. Then the quote arrives, and everyone pauses.

That pause is worth addressing directly, because there is more financial help available than most Ontario families realize. Three main funding pathways exist: a federal tax credit, a provincial grant program, and municipal funding through Ontario Renovates. A fourth program offers additional relief for lower-income seniors. None of them are secret, but they are underused, largely because families do not know where to start.

This guide explains each program clearly, including who qualifies, how much is available, and what the application process looks like. It also explains why a professional in-home assessment is the right first step, not because it costs anything (it does not), but because it produces exactly the documentation everyone of these programs asks for before approving funds.

Note: all program details in this article reflect information available as of spring 2026. Funding amounts, income thresholds, and intake windows can change. Confirm current details directly with each program before applying.

1. The Federal Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC)

The Home Accessibility Tax Credit is the most broadly applicable program available to Canadian homeowners. It is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and has no income limit, which means it is relevant to virtually every family considering accessibility modifications.

What it is: A non-refundable federal tax credit for eligible renovation expenses that allow a qualifying individual to gain access to, or to be mobile or functional within, their dwelling, or that reduce the risk of harm within or around the home.

How much: You can claim 15 percent of eligible expenses, up to $20,000 per year. The maximum tax reduction is $3,000 in any given tax year. If a renovation spans two tax years, costs can be split across both years to maximize the credit.

Who qualifies:

Anyone who is 65 years of age or older at the end of the tax year
Anyone who is eligible for the federal Disability Tax Credit (DTC) at any time during the year
A family member who makes the claim on behalf of a qualifying individual who lives in their home

What modifications are covered:

Stairlifts and platform lifts (see our full range of stairlift options)
Wheelchair ramps, both modular and permanent
Grab bars and handrails
Walk-in tubs and roll-in showers
Widened doorways and hallways
Non-slip flooring
Raised or comfort-height toilets
Accessible countertops

What does not qualify: Portable equipment that is not permanently installed, routine maintenance, and cosmetic renovations with no accessibility function are not eligible.

Important 2026 Rule Change

For the 2026 tax year and beyond, an expense claimed under the Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) cannot also be claimed under the HATC. In 2025, this dual-claim was permitted. Families who completed accessible renovation work in 2025 and have not yet filed should speak with a tax professional about maximizing both credits before the rule change takes effect.

To claim the HATC, complete the chart for Line 31285 on your federal tax return. The CRA does not require supporting documents at filing, but keep all invoices, contractor receipts, and before-and-after documentation in case of an audit.

For full eligibility details, visit the CRA Home Accessibility Expenses page. A tax professional familiar with your household situation will give you the most accurate picture of what you can claim.

2. The Home and Vehicle Modification Program (HVMP) via March of Dimes Canada

For Ontario residents with a documented mobility disability, the Home and Vehicle Modification Program is the most significant grant available. It is funded by the Ontario Government Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility and administered by March of Dimes Canada, one of Total Access Solutions' long-standing accessibility partners.

What it is: Direct funding for basic and essential home modifications that reduce or eliminate physical barriers specifically related to an applicant's disability. The goal is to help people with mobility restrictions continue living safely at home, avoid job loss, and participate in their communities.

How much: Up to $15,000 (lifetime) for home modifications, and up to $15,000 every 10 years for vehicle modifications. Funding can be split between home and vehicle, but the caps apply to each category independently.

\Who qualifies:

Permanent residents of Ontario (tourists, students, and foreign workers on a work permit are not eligible)
Adults or children with a permanent, ongoing, or recurring disability that substantially restricts mobility and activities of daily living (eating, bathing, toileting, transferring, and mobility) and/or the ability to get in and out of the home to access essential medical care or community services
Applicants who meet income eligibility based on household size (see table below)

Income eligibility at a glance:

Household Size	Full Funding (at or below)	Partial Contribution Required (between)	Not Eligible (at or above)
1 adult	$38,000	$38,001 to $53,999	$54,000
2 adults	$54,000	$54,001 to $64,999	$65,000
3 adults	$65,000	$65,001 to $70,999	$71,000
4+ adults	$71,000	Not applicable	$71,000

All figures are after-tax net income. Household size includes the applicant, spouse or common-law partner, and any other adults (18+) living in the home.

If your income falls between the minimum and maximum for your household size, you are still eligible but will be required to contribute a portion of the total project cost. The contribution percentage ranges from 10 percent (residual income of $1 to $5,000 above the minimum) up to 60 percent (residual income of $25,001 to $30,000 above the minimum). Applicants whose residual income exceeds $30,000 above the minimum do not qualify.

What is covered: Inside and outside platform lifts, stairway lifts, lifting and transferring devices (including required structural changes), ramps, grab bars, roll-in showers, widened doorways, and other modifications directly tied to the applicant's mobility limitations. The HVMP does not fund aesthetic upgrades or modifications unrelated to the applicant's specific disability.

Critical Timing Note

The HVMP will not reimburse work that was completed before the application was approved. Do not hire a contractor or begin any paid work until you have received written approval from the March of Dimes. This is one of the most common mistakes applicants make, and it results in ineligible claims.

How to apply: Contact March of Dimes Canada directly. You will need medical documentation confirming your mobility disability, proof of income (including a Notice of Assessment for each homeowner listed on the property tax bill if applying for a stairlift, ramp, platform lift, tub cut-out, ceiling track lift, or construction modifications), and contractor quotes for the proposed work. March of Dimes will conduct a needs assessment and determine the approved scope of work and funding level.

Website: www.marchofdimes.ca/hvmp
Toll-free: 1-877-369-4867
Email: hvmp@marchofdimes.ca

Once approved, March of Dimes pays the vendor directly. You will coordinate with your accessibility provider to ensure work proceeds within the approved scope.

3. Ontario Renovates

Ontario Renovates is a provincially funded program delivered through local municipalities. It provides grants and forgivable loans to help low-to-moderate-income seniors and people with disabilities make their homes safer and more accessible. Because it is municipal, the program details vary meaningfully from one city to the next.

What it is: A combination of forgivable loans and outright grants directed at accessibility and home repair. Unlike the HATC, this is not a tax credit. It provides direct financial assistance before the work is done, similar to the HVMP.

What it covers: Bathroom modifications, ramps, widened doorways, handrails, non-slip flooring, grab bar installation, and other accessibility upgrades. In some municipalities, general home repair funding is available alongside accessibility-specific grants.

Who qualifies: You must own and occupy your home (or have landlord consent for rental modifications). Income and asset caps apply and vary by municipality. As a reference point, London, Ontario's 2025 intake set the household income cap at $95,000 and the asset limit at $30,000. GTA-area thresholds may differ.

Sample amounts (vary by municipality):

London 2025: Loan of up to $25,000 for home repairs (first $5,000 forgivable), plus up to $5,000 in additional accessibility grants for rental units
Niagara and other regions: Similar forgivable loan structures with accessibility-specific grant components

Timing Matters

Ontario Renovates funding is limited and allocated first-come, first-served. Many municipalities open intake in late winter or early spring each year. If you wait until fall to begin your application, the budget for your area may already be committed.

To find out whether your municipality is currently accepting applications and what amounts are available, contact your local housing office or call 211 Ontario. You can also search by postal code at 211ontario.ca.

A note on the Ontario Seniors' Home Safety Tax Credit: this was a useful provincial program that provided an additional 25 percent credit on eligible renovations for seniors. It was discontinued at the end of 2022. If you have seen it referenced online, confirm with the CRA or a tax professional that the current programs above replace it for your situation.

4. The Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit

This program is narrower in scope than the others but worth knowing about if the person receiving care is 70 or older and on a lower income.

What it is: A 25 percent refundable provincial tax credit worth up to $1,500 per year. Unlike the HATC, this is refundable, meaning it can result in a payment even if no provincial tax is owed.

Who qualifies: Ontario residents who are 70 years of age or older (or who have a spouse or partner aged 70 or older). The credit is income-tested and begins to phase out at household incomes of approximately $65,000. Check the Ontario Ministry of Finance website for current precise thresholds, as these figures are indexed periodically.

What it covers: Certain eligible medical and personal care expenses incurred at home, which can include some accessibility-related services and modifications. It is not a direct grant for renovation work, but it offsets costs for lower-income seniors who are investing in home accessibility.

Families in this income bracket may be able to apply this credit alongside the federal HATC on overlapping eligible expenses, depending on the nature of the work and current stacking rules. A tax professional familiar with Ontario credits will be able to clarify the combination that applies to your specific situation.

What Can Be Combined? A Practical Look at Stacking These Programs

One of the most common questions families have is whether these programs can be used together. The short answer is yes, in many cases, with some conditions.

Example A: A 72-year-old homeowner in Pickering with no documented disability installs a stairlift for $8,500. She claims the HATC and reduces her federal tax bill by $1,275. If her household income falls within the thresholds, she may also qualify for Ontario Renovates through Durham Region, which could put additional direct funding toward the project.

Example B: A 58-year-old Brampton resident with MS installs a ramp, widens two doorways, and converts a bathroom, totalling $22,000. He applies for HVMP through March of Dimes and receives $15,000 toward the project. On the remaining $7,000 in out-of-pocket costs, he claims the HATC for a further $1,050 tax reduction.

These are illustrative scenarios. Whether stacking applies in a specific case depends on income, disability documentation, provincial program availability in your municipality, and the nature of the modifications. The examples are not tax advice. A tax professional and your municipal housing office are the right resources for your specific situation.

The Step That Comes Before Any Application

Every program described in this article asks for the same thing before approving funds: a clear scope of work, often supported by contractor quotes or a professional assessment.

You cannot apply effectively without first knowing what the home actually needs. That is where a professional in-home accessibility assessment is valuable, and it is something Total Access Solutions offers at no cost.

A TAS consultant visits your home, walks through every area that affects safe movement, and provides a written quote for the modifications that make sense for your situation. That quote is precisely what HVMP, Ontario Renovates, and other programs require as part of the application package. The assessment takes less than an hour and commits you to nothing.

If you are early in the process and simply want to understand your options before deciding anything, our occupational therapist partnerships page explains how we work with OT referrals and healthcare teams to ensure modifications align with clinical recommendations.

Whether the starting point is a stairlift, a bathroom conversion, or a front-entrance ramp, the in-home assessment gives you the information you need to pursue every available dollar. To book yours, call us at (905) 409-9090 or visit our contact page.

Quick Reference: Ontario Home Accessibility Funding Programs (2026)

Program	Max Benefit	Administered By	Who Qualifies
Home Accessibility Tax Credit (HATC)	Up to $3,000 tax credit	Canada Revenue Agency	Age 65+ or Disability Tax Credit holder; no income limit
Home and Vehicle Modification Program (HVMP)	Up to $15,000 grant	March of Dimes Canada (Ontario govt. funded)	Permanent Ontario resident; permanent mobility disability; income-tested (max $54,000 for 1 adult; $65,000 for 2 adults)
Ontario Renovates	Varies by municipality (forgivable loans up to $25,000)	Local municipality	Low-to-moderate income homeowners and tenants; seniors and people with disabilities
Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit	Up to $1,500 refundable credit	Ontario Ministry of Finance	Ontario residents 70+; income-tested (phases out around $65,000 household income)