Funding for Home

Assistive technology (AT) funding is available to help individuals live at home and participate in their communities. Support may come from state, federal, or private sources. These funding options are organized by disability type as follows:

For people with physical and/or mental disabilities (excluding individuals who are legally blind):

Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC)

• Independent Living Centers (ILCs) may provide funding for AT, including home and vehicle modifications, using federal Title VII Part B funds. However, long waiting lists are common.
• Independent Living Assistive Technology Services
  This state-funded MRC program helps individuals with severe disabilities obtain AT devices and training. It does not cover home or vehicle modifications. Funding is limited, and the program often maintains a waiting list.
• Brain Injury and Statewide Specialized Community Services (BISSCS)
  BISSCS is a state-funded MRC initiative offering community-based services for individuals with externally caused traumatic brain injuries (TBI). BISSCS AT funding is considered a last resort and applies only to non-vocational needs.
• Turning 22 Independent Living Program
  This state-funded MRC program assists youth in planning for residential services following high school graduation or upon turning 22. When funding allows, the program may provide AT to support independent living.
• Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP)
  This state-funded MRC program offers low- and no-interest loans to individuals who need access-related modifications—such as ramps or widened doorways—to their primary, permanent residence.
• Massachusetts Assistive Technology Loan Program (MATLP)
  The MATLP provides low-interest cash loans to individuals with disabilities and their families for the purchase of necessary assistive technology devices.

Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund (CICRF)

• The Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund was created to assist families facing overwhelming financial strain due to the medical needs of children with disabilities or special health care conditions. Reimbursable expenses include medically necessary modifications to homes and vehicles, medical transportation, and specialized medical equipment. [Read more about CICRF]

Central Bank Special Needs Loans

• Central Bank offers a loan program with fixed interest rates and extended repayment terms, designed to assist customers with special needs in financing assistive technology purchases, including home and vehicle modifications. [Read more about Central Bank Loans]

Citizen’s Bank EZ Home Improvement Loans

• Citizen’s Bank provides low-interest cash loans—up to $10,000—for qualified low- to moderate-income individuals and families making home improvements, including accessibility modifications. Loans are available to both renters and homeowners but may not be offered in all parts of Massachusetts. [Read more]

Digital Federal Credit Union Loans

• Digital Federal Credit Union offers “Access Loans” for assistive technology, durable medical equipment, and home modifications, as well as “Mobility Vehicle Loans” for adapted vehicles and related upgrades. These loans are available to eligible members of the American Association of People with Disabilities, with terms that allow longer repayment periods and financing of up to 100% of the cost. [Read more]

Private Organizations

• The private organizations listed here offer assistive technology funding or related services on a case-by-case basis. [Read more]

For people who are legally blind

Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB)

• Independent Living Social Services
  MCB provides assistive technology devices and services to support daily living needs, using state funds. Available AT may include items such as reading lamps, large print calendars, talking clocks, and watches, among other devices.
• Flexible Family Supports
  With federal funding (Title VII Part B), MCB offers assistance for unique, one-time needs that create barriers to independent living and cannot be addressed through any other funding source. This resource is very limited and intended only for AT needs that other programs cannot cover.
• Bridge Program for Blind Elders
  Funded through Title VII, Chapter 2, this program delivers independent living services to individuals who are legally blind and age 55 or older. Services may include training, adaptive equipment, and peer support.

Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP)

• Administered by MRC and funded by the state, this program offers low- and no-interest loans for accessibility-related home improvements—such as ramps and wider doorways—at a person’s primary, permanent residence. [Read more about HMLP]

Massachusetts Assistive Technology Loan Program (MATLP)

• MATLP provides individuals with disabilities and their families access to low-interest loans to purchase the assistive technology they need. Read more about MATLP

Central Bank Special Needs Loans

• This Central Bank loan program offers fixed interest rates and extended repayment terms to help individuals with special needs purchase AT, including home and vehicle modifications. Read more about Central Bank Loans

Citizen’s Bank EZ Home Improvement Loans

• Citizen’s Bank offers low-interest loans of up to $10,000 to eligible low- and moderate-income households for home improvements, including accessibility modifications. Both renters and homeowners may apply. Loans are not available in all Massachusetts areas. Read more

Digital Federal Credit Union Loans

• Digital Federal Credit Union provides “Access Loans” for assistive technology, durable medical equipment, and home modifications, along with “Mobility Vehicle Loans” for vehicles and related adaptations. These loans are available to qualified applicants who are members of the American Association of People with Disabilities and offer extended repayment terms and financing of up to 100% of the purchase price. Read more

Private Organizations

• The private organizations listed here offer assistive technology funding or services to individuals on a case-by-case basis. [Read more]

For people with mental retardation

Department of Mental Retardation

• Individuals who are clients of the Department of Mental Retardation (DMR) may qualify to receive assistive technology through DMR’s Adaptive Technology Services. Read more about DMR Services

Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP)

• This MRC program, funded by the state, provides low- and no-interest loans for individuals who need access modifications—such as ramps or wider doorways—at their primary, permanent residence. Read more about HMLP

Massachusetts Assistive Technology Loan Program (MATLP)

• MATLP offers low-interest cash loans to people with disabilities and their families to help them purchase the assistive technology devices they need. Read more about MATLP

Central Bank Special Needs Loans

• This loan program from Central Bank offers fixed interest rates and extended repayment terms to help individuals with special needs purchase assistive technology, including modifications to vehicles and homes. Read more about Central Bank Loans

Citizen’s Bank EZ Home Improvement Loans

• Citizen’s Bank provides low-interest cash loans—up to $10,000—for qualified low- and moderate-income households making home improvements, including accessibility modifications. Applicants can be renters or homeowners. These loans are not available in all parts of Massachusetts. Read more

Digital Federal Credit Union Loans

• DFCU offers “Access Loans” for assistive technology, durable medical equipment, and home modifications, along with “Mobility Vehicle Loans” for vehicle purchases and adaptations. These loans are available to eligible members of the American Association of People with Disabilities and offer longer repayment terms and financing for up to 100% of the purchase cost. Read more

Private Organizations

• The private organizations listed here offer assistive technology funding or services to individuals on a case-by-case basis. [Read more]

For people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Late-Deafened or Oral Deaf

Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

• Hearing Aid/AT Resources
  Need funding for a hearing aid or other related AT? MCDHH at Mass.gov provides an AT webpage with a variety of useful resource links, including Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids from public and private sources, and Hearing Aid Purchase Plan/Financing Information.
• Independent Living Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHILS)
  DHILS may provide loans of assistive communication equipment such as TTYs and assistive listening devices, as well as environmental alert systems. They also help with applying for funding for needed AT. In certain situations, DHILS may assist with hearing aid purchases.
• Department of Interpreter/CART Referral Services
  Provides access to sign language interpreters and other interpreter or transliterator services, including Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART). The Department also maintains a fund to pay for interpreter and CART services when no party is legally responsible for covering the cost.
• Case Management and Social Services Department: AT Fund
  This department oversees the MCDHH Assistive Technology Fund, which provides last resort funding for AT when all other sources have denied support.

Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP)

• This state funded MRC program provides low-interest and no-interest loans for people who need access modifications like ramps and wider doorways at their primary, permanent residence. Read more about HMLP

Massachusetts Assistive Technology Loan Program (MATLP)

• The MATLP gives people with disabilities and their families access to low-interest cash loans to buy the assistive technology devices they need. Read more about MATLP

Central Bank Special Needs Loans

• This Central Bank loan program provides fixed rate loans with longer repayment terms to help customers with special needs purchase AT, including vehicle and home modifications. Read more about Central Bank Loans

Citizen’s Bank EZ Home Improvement Loans

• Citizen’s Bank provides qualified low and moderate income households with low-interest cash loans for home improvements, including home modifications, up to $10,000. Applicants may be renters or homeowners. The loans are not available in all areas of Massachusetts. Read more

Digital Federal Credit Union Loans

• The DFCU provides qualified applicants who are members of the American Association of People with Disabilities with Access Loans for AT, DME, and home modifications, and Mobility Vehicle Loans for vehicles and vehicle modifications. The loans offer longer repayment terms and financing for up to 100% of the purchase amount. Read more

Private Organizations

• The private organizations listed here provide AT funding or services for individuals on a case-by-case basis. Read more

For elders with disabilities

Executive Office of Elder Affairs: Aging Services Access Points (ASAPS)

Direct services are available to elders through 27 Aging Services Access Points across the state. These include assistance with accessing needed assistive technology through both state and federal funding sources, such as the Home Care Program, the Home and Community Based Services Medicaid Waiver Program, and the Massachusetts Family Caregiver Support Program. Provided AT devices may include ramps or other home modifications, lift chairs, hearing aids, and other sensory aid equipment.
Read more about ASAPS

Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP)

• This state funded MRC program offers low-interest and no-interest loans to individuals who need access modifications like ramps and wider doorways at their primary, permanent residence.
  Read more about HMLP

Massachusetts Assistive Technology Loan Program (MATLP)

• MATLP provides people with disabilities and their families with access to low-interest cash loans to purchase the assistive technology devices they need.
  Read more about MATLP

Central Bank Special Needs Loans

• This Central Bank loan program offers fixed rate loans with longer repayment terms to help customers with special needs purchase assistive technology, including home and vehicle modifications.
  Read more about Central Bank Loans

Citizen’s Bank EZ Home Improvement Loans

• Citizen’s Bank offers low-interest cash loans of up to $10,000 to qualified low and moderate income households for home improvements, including accessibility modifications. Applicants may be renters or homeowners. These loans are not available in all parts of Massachusetts.
  Read more

Digital Federal Credit Union Loans

• DFCU provides qualified applicants who are members of the American Association of People with Disabilities with Access Loans for assistive technology, durable medical equipment, and home modifications, as well as Mobility Vehicle Loans for vehicles and related modifications. These loans include longer repayment terms and financing for up to 100 percent of the purchase amount.
  Read more

Private Organizations

• The private organizations listed here provide assistive technology funding or services for individuals on a case-by-case basis.
  Read more

For veterans with disabilities

Department of Veterans Affairs

The Department of Veterans Affairs is the largest single medical care system in the United States and one of the largest purchasers of assistive technology for people with disabilities. Information about eligibility and benefits is available here.

• Independent Living Services
  Independent Living services, including assistive technology, are available through the VA and its Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment division for eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities.
• Housing and Home Modification Grants
  The VA offers three housing-related grant programs for accessibility: the Specially Adapted Housing Grant, the Special Home Adaptations Grant, and the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant.
• Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service
  The VA’s Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service may provide assistive technology devices to veterans receiving VA care for any condition.
• Hearing Aids and Eyeglasses
  Certain veterans are eligible for hearing aids, audiology services, eyeglasses, and eye exams through the VA.
• Services for Blind Veterans
  Blind veterans enrolled in the VA health care system may qualify for a variety of assistive technology devices and services.