From older in-town houses near the Old Effingham County Courthouse to split-level homes in Teutopolis, Altamont and Dieterich, Effingham County has plenty of houses where the bedrooms or laundry sit up or down a flight of stairs. Most people here own their homes, and many plan to stay in them.
The county covers about 479 square miles, and 59.6% of residents lived in rural areas at the 2020 census. That spread, from Watson and Mason to Beecher City, Edgewood, Montrose and Shumway, shapes how we schedule home visits and how families think about staying put. This page walks through what local homes mean for a stair lift and where to look for help paying for one.
Much of the county's housing is single-family homes and detached houses. A single straight staircase with no turns is usually the simplest case, because a straight rail can run the full length of the steps.
Split-level homes are different. They tend to have short flights between several levels, so one curved rail or more than one straight lift may be needed, depending on how the person moves through the house. We measure each flight before suggesting anything.
In low-rise buildings, the stairs may be shared or outside the unit. In that case the building owner usually has a say, and a porch or entry step may call for an outdoor lift or a platform lift instead.
The city of Effingham keeps a good share of older in-town housing next to newer construction. Older stairways can be narrow or steep, which affects rail placement and how much room is left for others to walk past a folded seat.
Many homes also have a few steps up from the driveway or yard. An outdoor stair lift is built to handle weather, and a platform lift is an option when someone uses a wheelchair and cannot transfer to a seat.
About 18.6% of county residents are 65 or older, and the 2024 median age was 40, a bit older than the state. Countywide, 76.7% of occupied housing units were owner-occupied at the 2020 census, so most families are making decisions about a house they control.
If that includes someone in your family, the Veterans Assistance Commission at 1011 Ford Avenue in Effingham, (217) 342-4979, is a good first call before you apply for any VA benefit.
With most residents living outside the city core, travel time matters. Effingham sits where Interstate 57 and Interstate 70 meet, which makes it a practical base for reaching towns across the county.
An in-home visit lets us look at the stairs, the landings and the power outlets, and talk with the person who will ride the lift. Bring up any upcoming medical changes, since that can change which type makes sense.
Funding in Illinois comes from a mix of state resources, federal rural housing money, veterans programs and local agencies. Only one program below, the IDHS home modification page, directly names stair lifts as an example of a covered modification.
One VA program, HISA, specifically excludes stair glides. Others do not mention stair lifts either way, so ask each agency directly before counting on it. For aging services, the regional office is Prairie Hills AAA (PSA 10), 122 S. Maple, Centralia, (618) 532-1853.
Homeowners who are older may also want to ask about the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, which is listed among statewide programs.
A state resource page listing home modification programs and assistive technology resources, and it names stair lifts among covered home modification examples. Call the IDHS Help Line at (800) 843-6154.
Loans up to $40,000 at 1% fixed interest and grants up to $10,000 for very-low-income homeowners age 62+ in eligible rural areas, which includes Effingham County. Stair lifts are not listed by name; call (217) 403-6200 to ask.
Grants for veterans and servicemembers with qualifying severe service-connected disabilities, up to $126,526 for SAH and $25,350 for SHA in FY2026. The source does not list stair lifts as covered or excluded.
A lifetime benefit of $6,800 or $2,000 for medically justified home changes for disabled veterans. HISA does not cover stair lifts; it explicitly excludes stair glides and porch lifts.
In-home care for older adults, including care aides, emergency home response and medication dispensers, starting with a free needs assessment. Home modifications and stair lifts are not listed; call (217) 347-5569.
Low-interest loans for assistive technology devices, services and home modifications for Illinois residents with a disability and their families. Stair lifts are not named; call the IDHS Help Line at (800) 843-6154.
An Effingham-based Center for Independent Living offering advocacy, skills training, referrals and adaptive equipment help for people with disabilities. Stair lifts are not listed, and contact details could not be fully confirmed, so call (217) 342-5521 to check.
A state referral network that connects homeowners to participating local agencies for repairs and accessibility modifications. Stair lifts are not listed; call (312) 836-5200.
Older adults
122 S. Maple, Centralia, 62801
Veterans
1011 Ford Avenue, Effingham, 62401
Usually, yes, but split-level homes often have short flights between several levels. Depending on the layout, that can mean a curved rail or more than one straight lift, which is why we measure each flight in person.
Yes. The Illinois Home Modification and Assistive Technology (IDHS resource page) lists stair lifts among covered home modification examples. Call (800) 843-6154 to ask how to apply.
The HISA grant does not cover stair glides. The SAH and SHA grants do not say either way, so a veteran should check with the Veterans Assistance Commission in Effingham at (217) 342-4979 before applying.
Effingham County is a USDA-eligible rural area. The Section 504 program offers repair loans, and grants for very-low-income homeowners 62 and older. Stair lifts are not named, so call (217) 403-6200 to ask.
The ATLOAN$ program serves Illinois residents with a disability who are 18 or older, and its loans can cover home modifications. Opportunities for Access (OFACIL) in Effingham also works with people with disabilities.
Senior Services of Effingham County (ECCOA) delivers the Community Care Program locally at (217) 347-5569. The regional aging office is Prairie Hills AAA (PSA 10) in Centralia at (618) 532-1853.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
