RESOURCE LINKS

Universal Design, Aging in Place & Accessibility Resource Links

Atlanta Home Modifications has compiled information and resources that may be helpful to you regarding assistive technology (such as ramps and stair lifts), universal design, aging in place home modifications, funding resources and home assessments.

Here you will find:

Safety Guidelines and Checklists
Home Modification and Universal Design
Financing Resources
Assistive Technology
Disability Resources
Aging Resources

Paying for Your Stair Lifts: Medicare Benefits and other Financial Assistance

Does Medicare Pay for a Stair Lift?

We have frequently been asked over the years whether Medicare pays for a stair lift. Unfortunately for our increasingly expanding elder population, they do not. Stair lift customers who are unable to afford a lift frequently rely upon extended family, friends or even their church family to help with the approximately $4500 cost of a straight stair lift.

“Medicare supplemental insurance policies also do not cover stair lifts. These policies are intended to help with co-payments and deductibles for goods and services covered by Medicare. Since, Medicare does not help, neither would a Supplemental or Medigap policy.” says Payingforseniorcare.com.

Medicaid Coverage – Medicaid Home and Community Based Services

Home and community-based services enable targeted populations groups who are Medicaid beneficiaries to receive services in their own home or community. These programs particularly serve people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and/or mental illnesses.

veterans-administration-financing-straight-stair-lift-atlanta-georgia

The Veteran’s Administration will often finance assistive technology such as a stair lift.

Assistance for Veterans: The Veteran’s Administration

The Veteran’s Administration(VA) provides stair lift funding for veterans. The VA has a few different options available to fund your “stair glide,” as they’re called by the organization. You can also check out the Veteran-Directed Home and Community Based Services which gives veterans of all ages the opportunity to receive the Home and Community Based Services they need. More information is available at the US Department of Veteran Affairs website.

Tools for Life – Georgia’s Assistive Technology Program

Tools for Life – Georgia’s Assisitive Technology Program is located at 512 Means St. Suite 250, Atlanta, GA and telephone is (800) 497-8665. Their website is http://www.gatfl.org/ Information about assistive technology funding in Georgia is available at http://gatfl.gatech.edu/#jQueryUITabs1-4

The Center for Financial Independence & Innovation, Inc.
A nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals (and family members of) individuals with disabilities to increase security and financial independence. An Atlanta-based organization that helps to finance assistive technology, The Center for Financial Independence & Innovation address is 315 W. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 600, Decatur, GA 30030. The telephone number is 404-541-9005. The website is www.thecfii.org

Credit-Able (AFP) Program
Call 404-541-9005 and select the extension for the credit-able consumer liaison, Daphne Brookins. It is located at 1419 Mayson Street, NE, Atlanta, GA 30324. The website for Credit-Able (AFP) Program is http://www.thecfii.org/

Substance Abuse and Addiction Treatment for Veterans information is available at the Palmer Lake website. If you are a veteran, the Veteran’s Administration can be contacted at https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/

gTRADE, Georgia’s Online Equipment Exchange
gTRADE, Georgia’s Online Equipment Exchange encourages members to offer assistive technology and DME for sale or donation to others who may benefit from using technology unneeded by others.

FODAC
Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) is Georgia’s statewide provider of home health and durable medical equipment. FODAC has distributed 20,000 wheelchairs and thousands of other pieces of DME since 1986. Internationally, 65 countries have received some equipment over those years.

AT Depot Co-op: The Georgia AT Depot is a state-wide buying cooperative for assistive technology for customers in the state of Georgia. The website is at http://www.gatfl.gatech.edu/tflwiki/index.php?title=AT_Depot

The Dollars and Sense Assistive Technology Funding database is for use by individuals (or advocates of ) individuals with disabilities, to gather funding sources and service providers that match the user’s individual assistive technology funding needs. This database may be accessed at http://gatfl.gatech.edu/ds/search.php

Additional aging in place accessibility resource links and resources include:

The National Public Website on Assistive Technology

Friends of Disabled Adults (And Children Too)

Tools for Life – Georgia

Disability Resources – Georgia

Veteran’s Administration

Substance Abuse and Addiction Treatment for Veterans

Heavenly Wheels

Video Link to ALS Home Modifications: ALS Home Modifications and Lift Systems Video Link

Resources by Medical Condition

Mesothelioma Prognosis Network – Information about Mesothelioma facts, treatment, care centers and care financing.

Disability Resources

Stair Lifts Atlanta

Veteran’s Administration

Americans with Disabilities Act

American Foundation for the Blind

Georgia Disability Resources List

Joni and Friends (International Disability Center)

Dream House for Kids

Resources for major accessibility modifications or financial assistance:

Federal & State Home Modification Funding

USDA Rural Housing Repair Loans & Grants

Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (RD – Section 504 program), very low-income homeowners can get:
- Loans up to $40,000 for home repairs and improvements.
- Grants up to $10,000 (higher in disaster areas).
This can help fund things like structural improvements or expansions that improve safety and livability, though typically not a full home addition. (Rural Development)

Medicaid Home Modification Waivers

Many states offer Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers that can fund home accessibility modifications.
A case manager and therapist may help determine which modifications are covered — often ramps, widened doorways, bathrooms, and safety modifications, and in some states larger structural needs may be considered. Link to resource
Contact your state Medicaid office or 211 to see what your state offers.

State Home Modification Grants

Some states run programs that provide grants specifically to low-income households with one or more family members with disabilities. (e.g., Amy Young Barrier Removal in Texas). (TDHCA)
Many states have similar programs — see state housing authority websites for details.

Search “[your state] home modification grants disability” online or call your state housing agency.

Nonprofit & Community Assistance Programs

Rebuilding Together

A nationwide nonprofit that sends volunteers to help with home repairs and modification projects for low-income homeowners, especially those caring for children or family members with disabilities.

Habitat for Humanity and Local Home Repair Nonprofits

Some local affiliates offer repair or modification grants or low-interest loans for low-income homeowners.
- Example: Cadillac Area Habitat launched a home repair program (Big Rapids Pioneer)

Local Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)

Administered by local governments to help low-income homeowners with repairs.
These grants can sometimes be used for bigger structural work if it enables accessibility or safety.
Georgia Department of Community Affairs

Here are concrete steps to take:

Call 211 (United Way):
– Automated and live help for housing, disability, and financial assistance resources in your area.
– United Way of Greater Atlanta
Check Federal Listings:
– Grants.gov — search federal grant opportunities for disability and housing modification funding. (Administration for Children and Families)
State Housing Authority:
– Your state’s housing department often lists special needs housing and home modification programs. (e.g., Georgia’s Special Needs Housing resources). (Georgia Department of Community Affairs)
Local Nonprofits & Churches:
– Many community organizations offer funded assistance or referrals for building access ramps or other structural needs.

Facts

➤ There is no broad federal grant that pays for a full home addition simply based on income and disability. (USAGov)
➤ Funding is usually for specific accessibility modifications, safety upgrades, or assisted living support.

Summary: Best Paths for Help

Type	What It Offers	Applicability
USDA Section 504 Grants/Loans	Home improvement funds	Low-income homeowners
Medicaid Waiver Programs	Disability-related home mods	Depends on state
State Accessibility Grants	Grants for accessibility mods	State programs vary
Nonprofits (Rebuilding Together)	Free volunteer repairs	Low-income, disability focus