Tarrant County stretches across 37 towns, from Fort Worth and Arlington to Keller, Benbrook, Azle and Haslet. The homes vary just as much. Older, closer-in houses often have raised entries and full staircases, while many mid-century and newer subdivisions are built around single-story ranch-style homes.
That mix means stair lift needs here depend on the house, not the zip code. A split-level in Hurst, a townhouse in Grapevine and a ranch home in Crowley each call for a different answer. This page walks through what we look at in Tarrant County homes and which programs may help with the cost.
Single-family homes make up most of the county's housing. When an older home has one full, straight staircase from the entry to the bedrooms, a straight stair lift is usually the simplest and least costly fit.
Split-level homes are different. They often have short runs between levels, sometimes with a turn or landing, and a curved lift built to the exact shape of the stairs may be the right choice. We measure every turn before recommending anything.
Townhouses tend to stack living space over two or three floors with narrow stairways. Walk-up apartments and low-rise buildings add another question: whether the stairs are inside your unit or in a shared hallway, which affects what can be installed.
The land around Fort Worth is flat to gently rolling, part of the Grand Prairie ecoregion within the Cross Timbers. Even a single-story ranch home can still have steps at the porch or a raised entry, and those few steps are often the real problem.
Outdoor stairs here face hard conditions. August highs average 96 degF, and the county is very susceptible to supercell thunderstorms that bring large hail and can produce tornadoes. For exterior steps we talk through outdoor-rated stair lifts, and for some entries a platform lift makes more sense than a seat.
Tarrant County has 2,050,487 residents, and 12.0 percent are 65 or older. The median age climbed from 32 at the 2000 Census to 35.2 at the 2020 Census, so more families are facing these decisions now than a generation ago.
About 59.6 percent of households own their homes, which matters because most modification programs require you to own and live in the house.
None of the programs below name stair lifts as a covered item, and the VA HISA benefit specifically excludes stair glides. Some do fund home modifications or barrier removal in general, so it is worth asking each one directly about your situation.
A good first call is the Area Agency on Aging of Tarrant County at (817) 258-8000, which handles home-modification referrals for older adults and people with disabilities. Where you live in the county also matters: Fort Worth and Arlington run their own city programs, while the county program serves residents outside Fort Worth, Arlington and Grand Prairie.
Statewide options include the STAR+PLUS Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver, the Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) Waiver and the Amy Young Barrier Removal Program (AYBR). Veterans can also reach Tarrant County Veteran Services at (817) 531-5645, 1200 Circle Drive, Suite 300, Fort Worth 76119.
Provides minor home modifications, small medical equipment and in-home help at no cost to older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers in the county; stair lifts are not listed by name. Call (817) 258-8000 for the Fort Worth or Arlington office.
A statewide Medicaid benefit for members 65+ or adults with disabilities, with a $7,500 lifetime limit and $300 yearly for repairs when modifications are required by the individual service plan. Elevators cannot be approved, and stair lifts are not named either way.
Covers home modifications for CLASS waiver members up to $10,000 total over a lifetime, with three bids required for requests over $1,000. Ramps, door widening, roll-in showers and grab bars are examples; stair lifts are not mentioned.
Repairs major system failures and provides ADA barrier removal for county residents living outside Fort Worth, Arlington and Grand Prairie; stair lifts are not itemized. Call the housing coordinator at (817) 850-7950.
Funds emergency and mechanical-system repairs for income-qualified owner-occupied homes inside Fort Worth city limits, once every 12 months; stair lifts are not listed. Details could not be reconfirmed recently, so call (817) 392-7548 to check current rules.
Has offered home modifications at no cost to income-qualified Arlington residents with a verified physical disability; stair lifts are not listed. These details could not be reconfirmed recently, so call (817) 276-6707 to confirm.
Pays for medically justified home changes up to $6,800 or $2,000 lifetime depending on disability status, but it explicitly excludes stair glides and porch lifts. Call (800) 849-3597.
Grants for veterans with qualifying severe disabilities, up to $126,526 (SAH) or $25,350 (SHA) for FY 2026, usable up to 6 times. Ramps and wider doorways are named examples; stair lifts are not listed specifically.
Repair loans and grants for very-low-income homeowners in USDA-eligible rural areas, which may include parts of unincorporated Tarrant County; grants require age 62 or older. Stair lifts are not listed, and figures could not be reconfirmed recently, so call (800) 414-1226.
A Center for Independent Living helping Fort Worth and Tarrant County residents with disabilities make homes safer and easier to navigate; no list of covered items is published. Call (817) 870-9082 to talk through your needs.
Older adults
210 E. 9th St., Fort Worth, 76102
Veterans
1200 Circle Drive, Suite 300, Fort Worth, 76119
Start with the Area Agency on Aging of Tarrant County at (817) 258-8000. It provides minor home modifications and referrals at no cost, and the same number reaches both the Fort Worth and Arlington offices.
The HISA benefit explicitly excludes stair glides. SAH and SHA grants cover home changes for veterans with qualifying severe disabilities but do not name stair lifts, so ask the VA or Tarrant County Veteran Services at (817) 531-5645 how your case would be handled.
The Tarrant County Home Owner Rehabilitation Program serves residents outside Fort Worth, Arlington and Grand Prairie and includes ADA barrier removal. Call (817) 850-7950 to confirm whether you qualify.
The STAR+PLUS Minor Home Modifications benefit has a $7,500 lifetime limit and excludes elevators, but it does not name stair lifts either way. Any modification must be in your individual service plan and authorized by your managed care organization.
Often, yes, with an outdoor-rated model. Given August highs that average 96 degF and the county's hail and storm risk, we look closely at exposure, and sometimes a platform lift is the better fit for an entry.
USDA Section 504 grants require age 62 or older and a home in a USDA-eligible rural area, which may include parts of unincorporated Tarrant County. Call (800) 414-1226 to check your address and current limits.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
