Staying in your home: the grants and tax credits that help pay for changes.

The programs

Home Accessibility Tax Credit (federal)

For renovations that let a person 65 or older, or someone eligible for the disability tax credit, get into, move around or function in their home, or that reduce the risk of harm there. You can claim up to $20,000 of eligible expenses a year. The work has to be lasting and part of the home: a portable item generally doesn’t count. Your own labour and tools can’t be claimed, and work done by a relative only counts if they’re registered for GST/HST. It’s claimed on line 31285 of the tax return. Read the CRA page.

Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit (federal)

For building a self-contained secondary unit so a senior, or an adult eligible for the disability tax credit, can live with a relative. It’s a refundable credit of 14.5% on up to $50,000 of qualifying expenses for each completed renovation, so up to $7,250. Read the CRA page.

Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit

For people who turned 70 or older in the year, or whose spouse did: a credit on eligible medical expenses, which can include renovations that improve mobility, access or functioning at home because of a severe and prolonged impairment, as well as items like hearing aids and wheelchairs. The credit is up to $1,500 a year and shrinks as family income rises. Read Ontario’s page.

Home and Vehicle Modification Program (Ontario)

A provincial grant for people, including seniors, with a disability that limits mobility and substantially restricts daily living, who are permanent Ontario residents with household income under the program’s threshold. It can pay for changes such as ramps, platform and stair lifts, wider doors, a bathroom rearranged for safe use, and lowered or raised kitchen cupboards. You have to try other funding first, and households with income over $38,000 may be asked to contribute. March of Dimes Canada runs it. Read Ontario’s page.

Assistive Devices Program (Ontario)

For equipment rather than renovations: Ontario pays 75% of the approved price of equipment such as mobility aids and hearing aids, for a condition that needs it for six months or longer, at any age, with an Ontario health card. Read Ontario’s page.

Before you start

1. Start with what’s needed. Our free Home Safety Check takes two minutes and shows the changes that matter most, from grab bars to handrails on both sides of the stairs.
2. Keep every receipt. The tax credits need them, and the work has to be done in the tax year you claim it.
3. Check which program fits before you sign. Apply to the grant before the work starts; the tax credits are claimed on the tax return afterwards. Some may be combined, so ask your accountant.
4. Get written quotes that say exactly what’s included.