Abstract: The portable hoist system for handicapped people includes a mobile carriage base; a fixed base; an elongated detachable mast extending vertically from and rotatably mounted to either of the bases; a lift arm pivotally mounted to a mast post; and a yoke operatively connected to the distal end of the lift arm. The mast includes a protruding socket adapted to be insertably mounted to a mast post mount on either of the bases, each mast post mount having a different configuration to accommodate the socket.