Residential Access Modification Program (RAMP)

What is this program?

RAMP is a program available to eligible wheelchair users to modify their home to be more wheelchair accessible. Applicants can apply for a RAMP grant for up to $5,000.

Who is eligible for the grant?

• All wheelchair users within our income guidelines, homeowners and tenants.
• Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
• Aboriginal people living off- and on-reserve.
• People with neuro-degenerative diseases (multiple sclerosis; muscular dystrophy; ALS [Lou Gehrig’s disease]; COPD [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]; non-recovering stroke victim; Parkinson’s disease; Alzheimer’s disease; spina bifida; spinal cord injuries).
• Seniors aged 75+ and considered medically frail (usually are using a walker).
• Only one wheelchair user per household may apply for assistance.

What are the income guidelines?

Applicant must have a household income of $36,900 or less. If applicable, this amount can be increased under these circumstances:

• Amount can be increased by $9,600 for a spouse (meaning you would collectively earn $46,500).
• Amount can be increased by $9,600 for each child under 21 years of age still living at home and attending school full-time.
• An additional amount of $7,131 for each child under 18 years of age still living at home who also is using a wheelchair may be added as well.

What if I bought a home recently?

• People who bought a new home or built a new home within the previous 24 months are not eligible to apply for grant funding.
• New residences are expected to barrier-free.
• An exception may be made for eligible applicants who have been diagnosed with a neuro-degenerative disease or who have suffered a traumatic accident after completing the purchase of a new home.
• Property caps are also applied to new homes being built on previously owned land by the applicant (new house and land value combined).
• If your purchase of a used home exceeds the property cap in your area, you are ineligible to receive RAMP funds. Property caps are applicable to all home purchases made within 24 months of applying to RAMP.

What are the guidelines around the modifications?

• Modifications must be done to person’s principal residence (i.e., the place they spend the most time in).
• Modifications may be eligible to a house that the applicant owns or rents (see What if I don’t own the place where I live?).
• Grants are for permanent modifications, but are available for temporary ones.
• Modifications must facilitate access into or movement within a home.

What if I don’t own the place where I live?

If you don’t own the place you live in, you can still apply:

1. If you are renting and your landlord approves of the modification, your landlord will need to fill out the Landlord Letter of Acknowledgement form in the Tenant Application package.
2. If you are renting and your landlord does not approve of permanent exterior modifications, you may apply for temporary modifications such as:
• a modular steel access ramp (10’ lengths – if the height of the ramp does not exceed 24”)
• a porch lift
• a stair lift (exterior or interior)
3. If your landlord does not approve any modifications (permanent or temporary), the Program will not provide any funding as the project will not proceed.

What if I live on a reserve?

Funding is available to eligible applicants on-reserve or off-reserve.

If I did modifications already, can I still apply to be reimbursed?

You are still eligible to apply even if your project is already finished. But you must:

• Fill out an application.
• Have your application to RAMP head office within 90 calendar days of the completion date of your project.
• Applications received after the 90-day calendar period, but within 365 calendar days, are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

What if I don’t want the modifications to be permanent?

Funding is available for temporary modifications for the following circumstances:

1. Eligible palliative applicants.
2. Eligible tenant applications where the landlord will not allow permanent modifications.
3. Eligible applicants who have undergone an operation (hip or knee) or are recovering from an accident.
4. These modifications are available on a rental basis for up to 12 months or to the maximum available grant.

Types of temporary modifications are:

1. Temporary modular steel wheelchair ramp.
2. A porch lift.
3. A stair lift.

Timelines

• If a RAMP grant is approved, the project is to be completed within 90 days of the approval (unless delays are necessary due to the winter season). Invoices must be submitted to the department (Health Related Supports Branch—RAMP) for payment by the vendors, contractors, landlord (property owner) and/or approved applicants. The invoices are to be signed by the applicant or guardian, and dated to confirm satisfactory project completion.
• Applicants are expected to live at their current address for five (5) years after the modifications have been completed.

Priority Applications

If a person (using a wheelchair) is about to be discharged from a public medical institution, or if Alberta Aids to Daily Living approves an overhead bath lift, and/or if a person is deemed to be palliative, their application will be assessed on a priority basis in order to reduce the waiting time for a possible approval.

However, RAMP cannot affect or reduce the waiting time required to order equipment, or the time required for a contractor to start or complete any exterior site preparations to accommodate exterior porch lifts or exterior wheelchair ramps because of adverse weather conditions. Interior bathroom modifications may also be delayed because of previous contractual commitments.

Red check boxes have been added at the top of the first page of the Homeowner and Tenant applications to indicate if the applicant has recently been discharged from the hospital, if Ceiling Tracks are required or if the applicant is in Palliative care.

What are the eligible permanent modifications to a home?

Modifications that are eligible for the grant are:

• Those that facilitate access by the wheelchair user into their own home or living space; and,
• Those that facilitate movement by the wheelchair user within their own home or living space.

Please view the List of Allowable Modifications for more information.

How do I apply for a RAMP grant?

To apply, complete one of the application packages. Please choose the application that is most applicable to your situation.

You will also need to fill out the supplementary forms that apply to your situation.

Alternately, you can contact RAMP for the application package and supplementary forms, which can be sent to you through mail, fax, or email.

Application packages

Homeowner Application

Tenant Application

Landlord Application

Sponsored Application

Supplementary forms

Band Council Resolution

Housing Co-operative Statement

Hutterite Colony Life Tenancy Statement

Mobile Home Park Agreement

Links

List of Allowable Modifications
Common Residential Barrier-Free Guidelines

RAMP Contact Information

Alberta Seniors and Community Supports
Health Related Supports—RAMP
10th floor, Milner Building
10040-104 Street N.W.
Edmonton, AB T5J 0Z2
Phone: (Edmonton local) 780-427-5760

Toll free: 1-877-427-5760

Email: RAMP@gov.ab.ca

Fax: (Edmonton local) 780-644-8085
Toll free fax: 310-0000 then dial 780-644-8085

The personal information collected on the Residential Access Modification Program Application is protected under the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. The personal information collected on the application form is collected for determining eligibility for the Residential Access Modification Program. The information will not be disclosed except as authorized by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act