TECHNOLOGY
Funding for Assistive Technology
Funding Fact Sheet: Home Modification Programs
Contents
Medicaid, Medicare, Other Insurance
Other Programs that Include Home Modifications
Waivers & Related Programs that Provide Funding for Home Modifications
Download Home Modification Fact Sheet to save or print (MS Word, 152KB)
What are home modifications?
The term "home modifications" refers to any adaptations made to a house or apartment to make it more accessible for people with disabilities. Home modifications help to increase independence through easier entrance to and mobility within the home. Ramps, widened doorways, doorbells that provide visual signals, and stair glides are all examples of home modifications. Home modifications may be included in the definition of assistive technology.
What are home modification programs?
Home modification programs provide assistance to adults with disabilities and / or families with children who have disabilities and own, or in some cases, rent their homes. There are different types of home modification programs throughout Pennsylvania, and each one has eligibility requirements. Although program guidelines vary, eligibility is primarily based on the presence of a disability, the type of disability (including the age when the disability began), occupancy of the home, geographical location, and/or household income. In addition, eligibility criteria and implementing agencies change from time to time; so you will want to be sure you have current information.
Very few people find that one program can provide all of the resources necessary to make the home accessible. You may need to piece together a variety of available resources in order to have your needs met. Some home modification programs provide assistance in the form of grants and some provide materials and labor. Others provide only loans that need to be repaid. In addition, not all home modification programs are available in every county, so it is important to research the resources that are specific to your county and local area.
You may need to consider coordinating local community resources for projects, for example, obtaining materials from building supply companies at no cost or at low cost and "voluntary labor" from community and civic organizations. Some Centers for Independent Living may be willing or able to assist in this coordination.
Are we missing any programs? Do you find that contact information has changed? Please contact us at fundat@temple.edu, 800-204-7428, (voice), or 866-268-0579 (TTY) so we can keep this fact sheet as up to date as possible!
For more information or assistance, to request additional copies of this document, or to obtain this fact sheet in alternate formats, you may contact:
Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT)
Institute on Disabilities at Temple University
1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue
423 Ritter Hall Annex
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6090
Website: http://disabilities.temple.edu
Email: fundat@temple.edu
Telephone: Voice 215-204-5397
Toll-free voice within PA: 800-204-7428
Toll-free TTY within PA: 866-268-0579
Fax: 215-204-9371
The contents of this document were developed by Pennsylvania's Initiative on Assistive Technology (PIAT) a program of the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University. PIAT is funded through a grant from the US Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, as amended. The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal government.
