Stairlift Cost in Maine — 2026 Prices & Ways to Pay
National price ranges apply in Maine: a basic straight-stair lift typically runs about $2,500-$8,000, a custom curved lift about $10,000-$20,000, and an outdoor lift roughly $4,000-$12,000 (equipment plus installation). What is genuinely Maine-specific is the help available to pay for one, so this page focuses on state funding and coverage rather than reinventing the price ranges. These ranges are general national baselines, not Maine quotes; always get itemized written quotes from two or more dealers.
Quick answer: typical installed cost ranges
Straight (installed): $2,500–$8,000
Curved (installed): $10,000–$20,000
Outdoor (installed): $4,000–$12,000
Broad consumer-guide planning ranges—not quotes. All prices in U.S. dollars (USD).
How much does a stairlift cost in Maine?
Maine's overall cost of living is near the U.S. average, so equipment prices generally fall within the national ranges above. Two local factors can nudge installed cost: skilled-labor availability and travel. In rural and northern Maine (much of the state), a dealer may travel a long distance for the site visit and installation, which can add to labor cost or limit how many companies will quote a job. Curved staircases (common in older New England homes) require a custom rail and almost always cost more than straight runs. These notes are general guidance, not a Maine price quote; always get itemized written quotes from two or more dealers, and ask each one what is included (rail, installation, warranty, service).
| Stairlift type | Typical installed range |
|---|---|
| Straight | $2,500–$8,000 |
| Curved (custom rail) | $10,000–$20,000 |
| Outdoor | $4,000–$12,000 |
These are national planning ranges that apply in Maine; your quote depends on your staircase, options, and local labor. See the full stairlift cost guide for what's included and what drives price.
Ways to help pay for a stairlift in Maine
Original Medicare doesn't cover stairlifts (they're treated as a home modification, not durable medical equipment), but several Maine programs may help. Coverage is usually case-by-case and based on an assessment—confirm details directly with each program.
MaineCare (Medicaid) Home and Community Based Services Waivers — MaineCare HCBS waivers (for example the Section 19 Elderly and Adults with Disabilities Waiver and other 1915(c) waivers) can cover environmental modifications (home accessibility adaptations) for members who meet a nursing-facility level of care and qualify financially. A stairlift may be covered when an assessment shows it is medically necessary to keep someone safely at home, but this is decided case-by-case, requires prior authorization, and waiver slots can be limited (waiting lists are possible). It is not an automatic benefit. Ask through the Office of Aging and Disability Services or your Area Agency on Aging.
Maine mPower Loans / Kim Wallace Adaptive Equipment Loan Program (AELP, administered by Alpha One) — Maine's voter-funded, low-interest loan program for residents with disabilities. Loans run from $250 to $100,000 at a fixed 3.75% rate and can be used for adaptive equipment and access modifications including stairlifts, ramps, home modifications, and vehicle adaptations. Decisions are based on ability to repay (credit history and debt-to-income), not on income level. Contact Alpha One at 800-640-7200.
MaineHousing Home Accessibility and Repair Program — Grants (not loans) to help income-eligible Maine homeowners make home repairs and accessibility improvements 'necessary to permit use by persons with disabilities.' The program does not list stairlifts by name, so whether a stairlift qualifies is decided case-by-case, but accessibility modifications are within its scope. To be eligible you generally must own and live in the home for at least one year and have a household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income. The program does not publish a fixed dollar cap. Apply through MaineHousing or your regional Community Action Agency.
Maine CITE (Assistive Technology Act Program) — Maine's statewide assistive technology program. It does not pay for stairlifts directly, but offers free device demonstrations, short-term equipment loans, information, and referrals to financing such as mPower. It is a good first stop for trying equipment and understanding your options before you buy.
Area Agencies on Aging / Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) — Maine's five Area Agencies on Aging act as ADRCs and provide free, no-obligation help finding and coordinating home-modification funding, MaineCare options, and local programs for older adults and people with disabilities. Statewide line: 1-877-353-3771 (choose your county); free interpreter available.
Compare nearby states: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont.
Frequently asked questions
Does MaineCare (Medicaid) pay for a stairlift in Maine?
It can, but not automatically. A stairlift may be covered as a home/environmental accessibility modification under a MaineCare HCBS waiver if you qualify for the waiver (financially and by level-of-care need) and an assessment shows the lift is needed to keep you safely at home. It requires prior authorization, is decided case-by-case, and waiver slots can be limited. Start by contacting the Office of Aging and Disability Services or your Area Agency on Aging.
Is there a loan program to help Maine residents pay for a stairlift?
Yes. Maine's mPower / Adaptive Equipment Loan Program, administered by Alpha One, offers low-interest loans from $250 to $100,000 at a fixed 3.75% rate that can be used for home modifications including stairlifts. Loans are based on your ability to repay rather than your income. Call 800-640-7200 to learn more.
Are there grants for accessibility modifications in Maine?
MaineHousing's Home Accessibility and Repair Program offers grants to income-eligible homeowners (generally at or below 80% of Area Median Income) for repairs and improvements necessary to permit use of the home by a person with a disability. The program does not list stairlifts by name and does not publish a fixed dollar cap, so whether a stairlift is funded is decided case-by-case. You typically must have owned and lived in the home for at least a year. Apply through MaineHousing or your regional Community Action Agency.
Does Maine still offer a tax credit for making a home accessible?
Not for current projects. Maine's 'Credit for certain homestead modifications' (36 MRSA Section 5219-PP) offered a state income tax credit (up to $9,000, for households with federal AGI of $55,000 or less, on a sliding scale), but by law it does not apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024. In practice that means a stairlift you buy now does not earn a new credit; only people who earned the credit in earlier years may still be able to carry forward unused amounts. Confirm your situation with Maine Revenue Services or a tax professional before relying on it.
Where can I get free help figuring out what I qualify for?
Call Maine's statewide Aging and Disability Resource Center line at 1-877-353-3771 to reach your local Area Agency on Aging, or contact Maine CITE for assistive-technology guidance. These services are free and can help you compare MaineCare, loans, and grants for your situation.
Want to estimate your range in under a minute? Try the free stairlift cost calculator.
Sources
- Maine Office of Aging and Disability Services (DHHS):
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads - Maine Area Agencies on Aging / ADRCs (DHHS):
https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/oads/get-support/older-adults-disabilities/area-agencies-on-aging - Alpha One - Adaptive Equipment Loan Program (AELP / mPower):
https://alphaonenow.org/aelp/ - Maine mPower Loans:
https://mpowerloans.org/ - MaineHousing Home Accessibility and Repair Program:
https://www.mainehousing.org/programs-services/HomeImprovement/homeimprovementdetail/home-repair - Maine CITE - Assistive Technology Act Program:
https://mainecite.org/ - 36 MRSA Section 5219-PP - Credit for certain homestead modifications (Maine Legislature):
https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/36/title36sec5219-PP.html - Maine Revenue Services - Income Tax Credits:
https://www1.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/tax-relief-credits-programs/income-tax-credits - Fixr - Stairlift Installation Cost:
https://www.fixr.com/costs/stairlift-installation