Gem County runs from the irrigated farmland along the Payette River up into forested highlands to the east. Emmett, the county seat, sits at 2,379 feet on the river's south bank, and Letha is the county's other town. Plenty of homes here sit on sloped lots with entries on more than one level.
Emmett's older core dates to its 1900 incorporation and the Idaho Northern Railroad's arrival in March 1902, so much of the in-town housing was built long before anyone thought about accessibility. This page explains how the local houses affect which stair lift makes sense and which programs may help with the cost.
Emmett had 3,119 housing units with a vacancy rate of only 4.6%, and a good share of the in-town stock predates modern accessibility standards. Older staircases are often narrower or steeper than newer ones, so we measure the width, the pitch and the landing at the top and bottom before recommending anything.
If the staircase runs in one straight line, a straight stair lift is usually the simplest fit. Stairs with a turn, a landing or a curve need a curved rail built to that staircase, which takes longer to make and install.
Most Gem County homes are single-family, detached houses, and many are ranch-style or split-level. A ranch-style home may only have a few steps at an entry, which can sometimes be handled with a short straight lift or a ramp.
Split-level homes are different. They often have several short flights between levels, and each flight may need its own lift. During a visit we look at which levels the person actually needs to reach every day, since that decides how many lifts are worth installing.
The county's valley-to-highland terrain puts many rural properties on sloped lots with multi-level entries. That often means the hardest stairs are outside, between the driveway and the door, not inside the house.
Outdoor stair lifts are built to handle the elements, which matters with Gem County's cold winters and hot, dry summers. For someone who uses a wheelchair, a platform lift may make more sense than a seat lift, because the person can stay in the chair.
Gem County has 8,514 residents, and 20.1% are 65 or older, an older share than the Idaho state average. Housing here is mostly owner-occupied, 77.9% in the 2020 Census, so many families are adapting a home they plan to stay in rather than moving.
Veterans and their families can start with the county veterans office, GEM Brent Willis, at 707 West 6th Street in Emmett, phone (208) 477-7051.
Few programs pay for stair lifts directly, so it helps to know which ones do before you apply. The Idaho Assistive Technology Project offers low-interest loans and lists stair lifts by name. It is a loan, not a grant, and there is no income limit, but you must show you can repay.
Two common options do not cover stair lifts. The Idaho Medicaid A&D Waiver pays for ramps, grab bars and doorway widening, and the VA HISA grant specifically excludes stair glides. Other programs, such as USDA Section 504 repair loans and grants and the VA SAH and SHA grants, do not name stair lifts either way, so ask them directly.
For older adults, the Area III AAA office at 3637 S. Orchard, Suite A, Boise, 83705, phone (208) 332-1835, can point you to local help. Each program is summarized below.
A Medicaid waiver for people 65+ or disabled who meet nursing-facility level of care. It covers ramps, grab bars and doorway widening but does not cover stair lifts; call (877) 456-1233.
A VA grant of up to $6,800 or $2,000 lifetime, depending on disability status, for medically needed home changes. It specifically excludes stair glides, porch lifts and portable ramps, so it does not cover stair lifts.
A VA grant of up to $126,526 (FY2026) for veterans with severe service-connected disabilities who own or will own the home. The program does not specifically name stair lifts, so confirm with the VA.
A VA grant of up to $25,350 (FY2026) for veterans or qualifying family members with certain service-connected disabilities who own or will own the home. Stair lifts are not specifically named in the program description.
Low-interest loans for Idahoans with a disability or their family members, with stair lifts named as an eligible use; loans go up to $60,000 at 5% APR for most loans. Call (800) 432-8324.
The area agency on aging for Gem County and nine other counties, serving older adults generally 60+, mostly with small chore-service repairs. No stair lift benefit is listed; call (208) 898-7060.
State chore services for older Idahoans, reached through AAA Southwest, covering grab bars, wheelchair ramps, yard work and minor maintenance. Stair lifts are not mentioned; call (208) 334-3833.
Repair loans up to $40,000 at 1% and grants up to $10,000 for very-low-income homeowners in rural areas like Gem County, with grants limited to those 62+. Stair lifts are not specifically named; call (208) 378-5600.
A VA program that gives enrolled veterans an individual monthly budget for personal-care help and other authorized supports. Stair lift coverage is not listed; call (208) 780-1380.
A center for independent living that serves Gem County through its Boise office, offering mobility-equipment and independent-living support. Stair lifts are not listed; call (208) 336-3335.
Older adults
3637 S. Orchard, Suite A, Boise, 83705
Veterans
707 West 6th Street, Emmett, 83617
Not under the A&D Waiver. Its home modification benefit lists ramps, grab bars and doorway widening, and stair lifts are not on that list.
No. The VA names stair glides as an excluded item for HISA. The SAH and SHA grants do not name stair lifts either way, so a veteran with a qualifying disability should ask the VA or the county veterans office at (208) 477-7051.
Yes. The Idaho Assistive Technology Project's loan program names stair lifts. It is a loan you repay, with no income limit, and you can reach it at (800) 432-8324.
The USDA Section 504 program offers grants up to $10,000 to very-low-income homeowners 62+ who cannot repay a loan, and Gem County qualifies as rural. Stair lifts are not specifically named, so ask the office at (208) 378-5600.
Often, yes. Outdoor stair lifts are built for weather like Gem County's cold winters and hot summers, and a platform lift is an option for someone who uses a wheelchair.
For older adults, the Area III AAA office at (208) 332-1835 is a good starting point. Veterans can call the county veterans office in Emmett at (208) 477-7051.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
