Dawson County spreads across about 900 square miles of flat-to-gently-rolling South Plains in the Permian Basin. Most people live in or near Lamesa, the county seat, with smaller communities in Welch, Ackerly, O'Donnell and Los Ybanez. The houses here tend to be older, single-story ranch-style homes, with some split-level homes mixed in.
That mix shapes what kind of stair lift makes sense. A one-story ranch house in Lamesa may only need help at the entry, while a split-level home can have short runs of stairs between floors. This page walks through what fits local homes and which programs may help cover the cost.
The common housing types in the county are single-family homes, detached houses, ranch-style homes and split-level homes. Much of it is older construction typical of West Texas South Plains towns. Each layout calls for a different approach.
In a split-level home, the stairs between levels are usually short and straight. A straight-rail lift on each flight is often the simplest answer, and it costs less than a custom curved rail. If one landing turns a corner, a curved rail may be needed so the rider does not have to transfer partway up.
A single-story ranch home may have no indoor stairs at all. For many of these houses, the problem is the steps up to the front or back door. An outdoor stair lift built for weather exposure can handle those steps.
Where a wheelchair user needs to stay seated in the chair, a platform lift can be a better fit than a seat lift. We look at the step height, the space at the top and bottom, and how the door swings before recommending one or the other.
About 15.2% of Dawson County residents are 65 or older, and 67.5% of households own their home. Owning the house matters, because most installation and modification programs require the home to be your primary residence or to be owned by you or a family member.
If someone in your family served, it is worth checking the VA programs below before paying out of pocket, even though not every VA grant covers stair lifts.
The one program in our list that is reported to pay toward a stair lift is the STAR+PLUS Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver, which is part of Texas Medicaid. It is limited to people who meet strict income, asset and care-need rules, and a statewide interest list may apply.
Other programs fund home repairs or accessibility work without naming stair lifts, so ask directly before you apply. The Area Agency on Aging of the Permian Basin and the Dawson County Senior Citizens Center in Lamesa can point you to the right office. Veterans can also contact the Texas Veterans Commission Lubbock Office at (806) 472-3490.
A Texas Medicaid waiver that funds medically necessary minor home modifications, and a stair lift can qualify, for adults 21 and up who meet nursing-facility level of care with assets no more than $2,000. Call (877) 782-6440.
A VA benefit of $6,800 lifetime for service-connected conditions or $2,000 for other qualifying conditions, used for structural changes to a veteran's home. It does not cover stair lifts or stair glides.
Grants of up to $126,526 (SAH) or $25,350 (SHA) for veterans with severe service-connected disabilities who own or will own the home; the source does not mention stair lifts. Call (800) 827-1000.
A one-time grant of up to $22,500 for renters or homeowners with a household member who has a disability and income at or below 80% of AMFI; listed work includes ramps and handrails, but stair lifts are not mentioned. Call (512) 936-7799.
Offers 1% loans up to $40,000 and grants up to $10,000 for very-low-income homeowners age 62 and up in rural areas, and Dawson County qualifies. Stair lifts are not mentioned, though accessibility changes can be asked about.
Provides information, referral and case management at no charge for people 60 and older and their caregivers in Dawson County; it does not mention stair lift funding but can refer you to other programs. Call (432) 563-1061.
A Lamesa senior center at 609 N Austin Ave offering meals, transportation and homemaker services to residents 60 and older; stair lift funding is not mentioned, but staff can refer you. Call (806) 872-3324.
Older adults
2514 Kermit Highway, Odessa, 79764
Veterans
6104 Avenue Q South Drive, Lubbock, 79412
Often the need is at the entry steps rather than inside. An outdoor stair lift or a platform lift can handle porch or entry steps on a one-story home.
It can, through the STAR+PLUS Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver, which covers minor home modifications and a stair lift can qualify. You must be 21 or older, Medicaid-eligible, meet nursing-facility level of care and have assets no more than $2,000. Call (877) 782-6440.
No. The VA HISA Grant specifically excludes stair glides and porch lifts. Veterans with severe service-connected disabilities can ask about the SAH and SHA grants at (800) 827-1000 or contact the Texas Veterans Commission Lubbock Office at (806) 472-3490.
The USDA Section 504 Home Repair Loan and Grant Program offers grants up to $10,000 for homeowners 62 and up who cannot repay a loan, and Dawson County counts as rural. Stair lifts are not named, so ask whether your project qualifies.
Residents 60 and older can call the Dawson County Senior Citizens Center at (806) 872-3324 or the Area Agency on Aging of the Permian Basin at (432) 563-1061 for referrals.
Tell us about the stairs in your home and we will explain which lift fits, what it costs and how installation works.
