Most of San Benito County's homes sit on the valley floor around Hollister, the county seat, with the steep Coast Ranges rising on every side. Hollister was founded on November 19, 1868 on the grounds of the former Rancho San Justo. Today the county pairs that historic small-town core with newer subdivisions, and nearby Ridgemark, Aromas, San Juan Bautista and Tres Pinos each add their own mix of houses.
Across those five towns, a lot of families live in multi-level single-family homes, split-levels and townhouses. That makes the stairs inside the house a common sticking point for anyone who wants to stay put as they get older. This page walks through how local home styles shape the stair lift choice and which programs can help pay for one.
The valley floor around Hollister is fairly flat and easy to build on, so multi-level housing on that flat ground is the norm. A standard two-story single-family home or townhouse with one straight run of stairs is the simplest case. A straight stair lift rides a rail bolted to the treads, not the wall, and it usually goes in quickly.
Split-level homes are a different job. Their short flights and landings often mean a curved rail built to fit the stairs, or more than one straight lift. We measure every turn and landing before recommending either route.
Ranch-style homes are mostly on one floor, so the inside rarely needs a lift. The trouble spot tends to be the steps up to the front or back door. An outdoor stair lift built for weather, or a platform lift for someone using a wheelchair, can handle that entry.
Walk-up apartments bring their own question: who owns the stairs. Shared stairways usually need the landlord or building owner to sign off. Since 67.2% of occupied housing units in the county were owner-occupied in 2020, most residents can make that call themselves.
San Benito County has a fairly young median age of 36.6, but 13.6% of residents are 65 or older. Many of them are long-term homeowners who would rather adapt the house they have than move.
For those with qualifying service-connected disabilities, the VA housing grants listed below are often the largest source of money for a lift.
Only a few programs here pay for a stair lift directly. The Medi-Cal HCBA Waiver lists stair lifts among its home modifications, but it has reached its slot maximum, so expect a waiting list. The VA SAH and SHA grants also cover stair lifts for eligible veterans. The VA HISA grant does not.
Other local programs do not fund lifts but can steer you to help. The ADRC at (888) 637-6757 and the Seniors Council at (831) 688-0400 are good first calls. Statewide, it is also worth asking about the Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) and the FreedomTech Low-Interest Assistive Technology Loan.
Veterans can get in-person help from Veterans Services at the Veterans Memorial Bldg, 649 San Benito Street, Hollister 95023. Their phone is (831) 637-4846.
A Medi-Cal waiver whose Environmental Accessibility Adaptations explicitly include stair lifts, ramps, grab bars and stair railings, decided case by case for people who need Nursing Facility Level of Care. It is full and has a waiting list; call (800) 300-1506.
A Medi-Cal waiver that funds care in assisted living and residential care settings, not modifications to a private home. Stair lifts are not listed, and it does not pay for one in an owner-occupied house.
A county-run Medi-Cal program that pays for in-home care hours such as personal care, meal prep and housecleaning for people 65+, blind or disabled. Home modifications and stair lifts are not listed; call (831) 634-0784.
The area agency on aging, offering caregiver services, meals and information and referral for adults typically 60 and older. It does not fund stair lifts directly but can point you to home-modification resources at (831) 688-0400.
Offers options counseling, referrals and short-term service coordination under a 'No Wrong Door' model; stair lift coverage is unknown. Call (888) 637-6757 to be routed toward home-accessibility funding.
An independent living center providing advocacy and assistive-technology guidance for people with disabilities and their families; whether it helps with stair lifts is unknown. Ask about assistive-tech or home-access referrals at (831) 757-2968.
A federal VA grant of up to $126,526 (FY2026), usable up to 6 times, for veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities; stair lifts and platform lifts qualify. Apply with VA Form 26-4555 or call (800) 827-1000.
A federal VA grant of up to $25,350 (FY2026), usable up to 6 times, for veterans with specific service-connected disabilities such as blindness; stair lifts qualify. Apply with VA Form 26-4555 or call (800) 827-1000.
Volunteer repairs for low-income homeowners, covering exterior work like painting, roofs and wheelchair ramps, with priority for seniors and people with disabilities. It does not install interior stair lifts; call (831) 635-9904.
Older adults
234 Santa Cruz Avenue, Aptos, 95003
Veterans
Veterans Memorial Bldg, 649 San Benito Street, Hollister, 95023
The HCBA Waiver can, because its home modifications explicitly include stair lifts. You must need Nursing Facility Level of Care, and the program has a waiting list. Call (800) 300-1506 to ask about eligibility and income limits.
No. IHSS pays for in-home care hours like bathing, meal prep and rides to medical appointments, and it does not list home modifications or stair lifts. Its number is (831) 634-0784.
Yes, for guidance. The Seniors Council serves older adults typically 60 and up and can refer you to home-modification resources at (831) 688-0400. It does not pay for lifts itself.
No, HISA excludes stair lifts. The SAH and SHA grants are the VA routes that do cover them. Local veterans can start with Veterans Services in Hollister at (831) 637-4846.
No. Its 'A Brush with Kindness' program focuses on exterior work and wheelchair ramps, not interior stair lifts. A ramp may still help with entry steps; call (831) 635-9904.
Sometimes, but split-levels often have short flights and landings that call for a curved rail or more than one straight lift. A measurement at the house settles which fits.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
