New Jersey packs 853 towns into one state, from Sussex County and Warren County in the northwest to Cape May County at the southern tip. Homes across that range differ, and so do the staircases inside them. This page covers the whole state and points you to a county page with more local detail.
About 17.3% of New Jerseyans are 65 or older, and 65.3% of households own their homes. Many families end up weighing a stair lift against moving or living on one floor. Below we walk through which lift types fit which stairs, and which New Jersey and VA programs can help with the cost.
The first question is the shape of the staircase. A straight run with no turns or landings takes a straight stair lift, the simplest kind to fit. If the stairs turn, wrap around a landing or have a curve, you need a curved lift with a rail built for that exact staircase.
Some homes have steps outside, such as from a driveway or yard up to the front door. Outdoor lifts are built for weather. For a wheelchair user who cannot transfer to a seat, a platform lift may be the better fit.
A measurement visit settles the question. We look at the width of the stairs, the turns, the landings at top and bottom, and where the power outlet sits.
With 65.3% of New Jersey households owning their homes, most installs happen in owner-occupied houses. Owners can decide on their own about mounting a rail to the stair treads.
If you or your parent rents, speak with the property owner before ordering anything. A stair lift bolts to the stairs, so the owner should agree to it in writing.
For them, the VA can be the most direct route to a covered stair lift.
The key point is that two VA benefits do different jobs. The lift itself comes through VA Prosthetics (PSAS) when it is medically prescribed. The HISA grant pays for ramps and structural changes, not the lift.
New Jersey residents have three main places to look for help. Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC) is state-funded and serves seniors who are not on Medicaid. NJ Medicaid MLTSS covers stair lifts for members as part of home and community-based services.
Veterans should start with the VA. Each program is described below with its limits and phone number. Calling before you sign a contract helps, since programs usually need to approve the work first.
We have pages for Atlantic County, Bergen County, Burlington County, Camden County, Cape May County, Cumberland County, Essex County, Gloucester County, Hudson County, Hunterdon County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Morris County, Ocean County, Passaic County, Salem County, Somerset County, Sussex County, Union County and Warren County.
Each county page focuses on that area. Pick the county where the home is located.
A state-funded program, not Medicaid, that helps New Jersey seniors who are not on Medicaid, with a total cap of $11,158.56/year ($929.88/month). A stair lift can be covered as a home modification (Environmental Accessibility Adaptation); call (877) 222-3737.
Medicaid managed care that covers stair lifts as an Environmental Accessibility Adaptation under HCBS. There is no fixed stair lift cap, and coverage follows the approved Plan of Care; call (800) 356-1561.
VA Prosthetics (PSAS) covers a medically prescribed stair lift with no set dollar cap, while the HISA grant ($6,800 service-connected, $2,000 non-service-connected) covers ramps and structural changes, not the lift. Call (877) 222-8387.
Yes. Jersey Assistance for Community Caregiving (JACC) is state-funded and can cover a stair lift as a home modification, within a total cap of $11,158.56/year. Call (877) 222-3737.
NJ Medicaid MLTSS covers stair lifts as an Environmental Accessibility Adaptation under HCBS. There is no fixed dollar cap; it depends on the approved Plan of Care. Call (800) 356-1561.
Both can be covered, through different benefits. VA Prosthetics (PSAS) covers a medically prescribed stair lift, and HISA covers ramps and structural changes. Call (877) 222-8387.
HISA is $6,800 for service-connected conditions and $2,000 for non-service-connected conditions. It does not pay for the lift itself.
Yes. Stairs with turns or landings take a curved stair lift, with a rail made to fit that staircase. A measurement visit confirms the fit.
We have pages for all the counties listed above, from Atlantic County to Warren County. Open the one where the home is located for local details.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
