From Worthington out to Adrian, Ellsworth, Rushmore and Wilmont, Nobles County homes sit on the rolling hills of the Buffalo Ridge. Much of the housing outside the county seat is older, multi-story construction on farmsteads and in small towns, and those staircases are where a stair lift often comes into the conversation.
This page walks through how the homes here tend to be built, which kind of lift usually fits them, and which state, federal, county and nonprofit programs a Nobles County family can call about cost. The county covers a lot of ground, so we also note which offices serve Worthington, Slayton and the outlying townships.
Housing here is mostly single-family homes and detached houses, with split-level homes, duplexes and walk-up apartments mixed in, especially in Worthington. Outside Worthington, farmsteads and small-town houses make up most of what we see, and many are older two-story homes with one main staircase.
A straight staircase with no turns or landings is the simplest case. It takes a straight rail, which is usually the quickest install and the lowest cost of the lift types.
Older farmhouses sometimes have a turn, a landing partway up, or a narrow stair tucked behind a wall. Those need a curved rail built to the exact shape of the stairs, so we measure in person before giving any numbers.
Split-level homes have short flights between each level instead of one long staircase. That can be easier day to day, but a person who needs to reach several levels may need a lift on more than one flight, and we plan that room by room.
Many rural houses on the Buffalo Ridge also have exterior steps up to the back door or porch. An outdoor stair lift built for weather exposure can handle those steps. For someone who uses a wheelchair, a vertical platform lift is often a better fit at an entry than a seat-style lift.
About 16.6% of Nobles County residents are 65 or older, and 66.6% of households own their home. Owning matters because several of the funding programs below require that you own and live in the house.
Families in Lismore, Bigelow or Brewster should know that services and installers often travel from Worthington, so ask about scheduling up front.
None of the programs we found names stair lifts outright as a covered item, and one, the VA HISA grant, specifically excludes stair glides. That does not always mean no. Programs that fund home modifications or accessibility equipment may still consider a lift, so call and ask directly.
For older adults on Medical Assistance, the Elderly Waiver is the main place to start, through the Senior LinkAge Line at (800) 333-2433. Homeowners with low income can look at the Minnesota Housing rehab and accessibility loans through Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership in Slayton, or USDA Section 504 repair loans and grants.
Veterans should start with Nobles County Veteran Services at 315 Tenth St. in Worthington, (507) 295-5292. For general aging services, the Southwest Minnesota AAA in Slayton can be reached at (507) 532-3260.
A Medicaid waiver for Minnesotans 65+ who meet nursing facility level of care; it lists home modifications as a benefit but the source does not name stair lifts. Call the Senior LinkAge Line at (800) 333-2433.
A forgivable state loan of up to $37,500 for low-income owner-occupants, with ELP funding accessibility needs such as barrier removal and special equipment; stair lifts are not named. Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership handles Nobles County at (507) 836-1605.
Federal repair loans up to $40,000 at 1% for 20 years, and grants up to $10,000 for very low income homeowners age 62+ who cannot repay a loan. The source cites ramps and walk-in tubs but does not name stair lifts.
A VA grant of up to $6,800 or $2,000 for medically necessary home changes, but it explicitly excludes stair glides and porch lifts, so it does not pay for a stair lift. Questions go to Nobles County Veteran Services at (507) 295-5292.
Larger VA grants (SAH up to $126,526, SHA up to $25,350 for FY2026) for veterans with certain severe service-connected disabilities; stair lifts are not named in the source. Start with the county veterans office at (507) 295-5292.
A free benefits-navigation office in Worthington, led by County Veteran Service Officer Curtis Hendel, that helps veterans and families apply for VA home-modification funding; it does not list stair lifts itself. Call (507) 295-5292.
A Mankato-based agency offering information, referral and caregiver support, not direct stair lift funding; its coverage of Nobles County could not be re-confirmed. Call (507) 387-1256 to ask.
A nonprofit serving Nobles and nine other counties with free ramp assessments, modular ramps, low-rise steps and ramp rentals; stair lifts are not listed. Call (507) 532-2221 to ask about a stair lift referral or funding path.
Older adults
2401 Broadway Ave., Suite 4, Slayton, 56172
Veterans
315 Tenth St., PO Box 757, Worthington, 56187
The VA HISA grant specifically excludes stair glides. The VA SAH and SHA grants and the Minnesota Elderly Waiver cover home modifications but do not name stair lifts, so call Nobles County Veteran Services at (507) 295-5292 or the Senior LinkAge Line at (800) 333-2433 and ask about your case.
The Elderly Waiver is for people 65 and older. USDA Section 504 loans have no age requirement, though its grants need the homeowner to be 62+. SWCIL serves people with disabilities as well as age-related mobility needs.
Usually yes. Stairs with a turn or landing take a curved rail made to fit that staircase, which is why we measure in the home first.
It depends on which levels the person needs to reach. Split-levels have several short flights, and each flight used regularly may need its own lift.
Yes. The RLP and ELP loans of up to $37,500 are forgiven if you do not sell, transfer title or move out during the loan term. Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership at (507) 836-1605 handles applications for Nobles County.
The Southwest Minnesota AAA is at 2401 Broadway Ave., Suite 4, in Slayton, and can be reached at (507) 532-3260.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
