3 Ways to Get a Free Wheelchair Ramp

No one wants to feel like they can’t come and go from their home. Sometimes that choice is taken from us when our bodies don’t cooperate. This could be from something genetic or an accident.

Either way, walking aides only go so far when using stairs. We can improve our lives by installing wheelchair access ramps in our homes.

The cost of a ramp can be prohibitive. Medicare or Medicaid might help cover the cost of a ramp, but that will most likely be if it is determined to be medically necessary. This is most often not proven to be true or the legal costs to prove it become more expensive than the ramp itself.

So, what do you do?

Here are some alternatives to get the financial assistance you need to have a ramp installed in your home.

Habitat for Humanity Ramp Programs

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that focuses on cooperatively building or improving homes that people can call home. They believe that everyone should have a decent place to live.

The programs through Habitat for Humanity or going to be dependent on what is locally available. This will change from location to location. Some chapters may focus on the Aging in Place, which focuses on helping older adults.

Other chapters, like in Rochester, NY, may have a Ramp Up: Mobility Ramp Installation Program that is an income-based program designed to provide partial to complete financial aid to help people get the ramps they need.

To get the process started, you will want to find your local Habitat for Humanity chapter. You will want to connect with the family service coordinator to find out what options are available. They will help you from beginning to installation, coordinating material purchase and labor.

US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Ramp Program

The VA’s goal is to provide the care and benefits that our veterans have earned. One of the ways that they do this is using the Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) benefit.

This benefit focuses on providing financial aid for improvements to your primary residence that are medically necessary. The amount that you receive will depend on the source of your condition, focusing on whether it is service related.

The process to receive these benefits starts with an application. There will be a process that includes consultation with VA physician, an itemized list of costs, and a description of the issue and the proposed solution. In this case, that solution would be a ramp for your home. We can help you get a cost for a wheelchair ramp to submit with your HISA package. There is more to the process that you can learn about on the VA HISA website.

Rebuilding Together Ramp Program

Rebuilding Together is another non-profit organization like Habitat for Humanity. Their mission is to provide safe homes and bring life back to communities.

The Safe At Home program focuses on home repairs and modifications for older adults. This will increase the ease of mobility and help to reduce injury from falls. This program covers a lot of potential needs, like entry ramps.

If you would like to see if you can gain help from this organization, then you will want to reach out to your local Rebuilding Together affiliate.

Operation Ramp It Up

Operation Ramp It Up is a program focused on helping families who have exhausted all other options for a ramp and still have need. They started out focusing on veterans and their spouses and have opened it up to any family. 

If you are eligible, they search for funding by reaching out to as many resources as needed. Ramps are installed by volunteers and have a professional contractor on site to oversee the project. These ramps will be removed if the ramp is no longer needed. 

When you have exhausted all your other options, you can apply for a ramp with Operation Ramp It Up to see if you qualify.

Wrapping Up

These are just 3 of the organizations that can help those who need help paying for a ramp for easier access to their home. You can connect with your local church or other non-profit organizations in your area, like United Way. You can also check with your insurance company to see if the coverage you have will help you pay for some of the costs of a safe access ramp.

We are here to help however we can. Or, if you’re ready to get a price on the material for a wheelchair ramp, then connect with an expert to get the process started!

If you are a nonprofit organization or know of one with a ramp program, then please let us know about it so that can help other reach out!