How to Get a Lift Chair Funded or Covered in Canada
Whether a lift chair is covered in Canada, and every avenue worth trying: veterans' benefits, workplace-injury claims, private insurance, the Medical Expense Tax Credit, and charitable help.
A lift chair is a real expense, so it is fair to ask whether anyone helps pay for it. The honest answer is that there is no single program that covers lift chairs across Canada, but there are several avenues that help in the right situation, and most families never check them all.
Here is every route worth trying, roughly in order of who it applies to, plus the one that almost anyone can use at tax time.
Is a lift chair covered by provincial health programs?
Usually not the chair itself. Provincial assistive-device programs tend to focus on items like wheelchairs, walkers, and mobility aids, and a lift chair often falls outside what they fund. It is still worth a quick call to your provincial program to confirm, since rules change and exceptions exist, but do not count on it as your main route.
That makes the other avenues below the ones that actually move the needle for most people.
Who can get a lift chair funded?
Several groups have real coverage options, so start by checking whether any of these fit your situation.
| Who | Where to look | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Veterans | Veterans Affairs Canada | The Veterans Independence Program may cover aids for eligible veterans |
| Injured at work | Your provincial workers' compensation board | Often covers equipment when the need is work-related |
| First Nations and Inuit | Non-Insured Health Benefits | May assist with prescribed equipment |
| Private insurance holders | Your extended health plan | Some plans cover a prescribed lift chair, in whole or part |
| Lower-income seniors | Local charities and service clubs | Groups like the Red Cross, March of Dimes, and others sometimes help |
For most of these, a doctor's prescription or letter of medical need is what the claim usually hinges on, so ask your physician for one before you apply.
The tax credit almost anyone can use
Here is the avenue families miss most. A power-operated lift chair generally qualifies as an eligible medical expense under the federal Medical Expense Tax Credit, when you have a prescription from a medical practitioner. That means you can claim it on your tax return and get a portion back, even if no program paid for the chair up front.
Keep the receipt and the prescription together, and claim it on your (or a supporting family member's) return. It will not cover the full cost, but it meaningfully lowers the real price. The Canada Revenue Agency publishes the current list of eligible expenses, so confirm the details for your situation or ask a tax preparer.
Other ways to lower the cost
If funding does not fully come through, a few practical moves still help. Renting rather than buying is far cheaper for a short-term need like surgery recovery. Buying a quality used chair or a floor model can cut the price. And pairing the purchase with other home accessibility grants you may qualify for spreads the overall cost of aging-in-place changes.
Putting it together
Work the list in order: check whether you fit a covered group (veteran, work injury, insurance), get a prescription either way, and plan to claim the Medical Expense Tax Credit at tax time regardless. Our provincial benefits and senior benefits pages cover related help, and a free Senior Care Path advisor can point you to the right office if you are not sure where to start. When you are ready to shop, you can compare lift chairs in our directory.
Frequently asked questions
Are lift chairs covered by provincial health programs in Canada?
Usually not the chair itself. Provincial assistive-device programs tend to fund items like wheelchairs and walkers, and lift chairs often fall outside them. It is worth a quick call to confirm, since rules vary, but most people get help through veterans' benefits, workplace-injury claims, private insurance, or the Medical Expense Tax Credit instead.
Can you claim a lift chair on your taxes in Canada?
Generally yes. A power-operated lift chair typically qualifies as an eligible medical expense under the federal Medical Expense Tax Credit when you have a prescription from a medical practitioner. Keep the receipt and prescription together and claim it on your return. It will not refund the full cost, but it lowers the real price. Confirm current rules with the CRA.
Does Veterans Affairs cover a lift chair?
It can for eligible veterans. The Veterans Independence Program may cover aids and equipment that help a veteran stay independent at home, which can include a lift chair in the right circumstances. Contact Veterans Affairs Canada about your specific eligibility, and get a doctor's letter of medical need to support the request.
Will private insurance pay for a lift chair?
Some extended health plans do, in whole or in part, especially with a doctor's prescription. Coverage varies widely between plans, so check your policy's medical-equipment or durable-medical-equipment provisions and ask your insurer directly before buying. A prescription or letter of medical need is usually required.
How can I lower the cost if nothing covers it?
Rent instead of buying for a short-term need like surgery recovery, consider a quality used chair or a floor model, and claim the Medical Expense Tax Credit at tax time with a prescription. Pairing the purchase with other home-accessibility grants you qualify for can also spread the overall cost.
Last reviewed August 2026. We keep our guides current as costs, programs, and options change.
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