Paying for Home Modifications and/or Repairs

 

 

The cost of a home modification can vary greatly depending on the size and complexity of the job.

If you need assistance with paying for a job, there are limited public funds available.

• Older American's Act Title III Funds
  Home repair, which includes home modification, may be available through a local agency with funds provided by the Older American's Act. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to find out if the service is available, what restrictions there may be, and which local agency provides the service.
• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
  This US Department of Energy program is offered through your local social services department.
• Weatherization Assistance Program
  This US Department of Energy program is also offered through your local social services department.
• Medicare and Medicaid
  To find out if Medicare will help to cover the cost of a home modification ordered by a doctor, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit the website. Some modifications for safety such as hospital beds, may be available under Durable Medical Equipment.
• Community Development Block Grants
  Sometimes, cities and towns make dollars available to provide decent housing, a suitable living environment, or to expand economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. For more information on these grants, contact the National Department of Housing and Urban Development. To find a HUD office near you, contact them online or by phone at 1-202-708-1112.

 

If you live in public housing or subsidized housing, contact your local Housing and Urban Development (1-202-708-1112) office to see if you qualify for assistance.

 

There are other options if you don't qualify for any of the programs listed above.

• Home Equity Loans
  A Home Equity loan provides a homeowner with substantial equity in their home the opportunity to convert that equity into cash. For more information, see our website section on Paying for Care.
• Reverse Mortgages
  Reverse Mortgages enable homeowners who are 62 years of age or older to convert a portion of the equity in their home into cash. For more information, see our website section on Paying for Care.
• Ask Your Remodeling Contractor
  A remodeling contractor may be willing to offer a reduced rate or sliding fee scale for senior citizens. Be sure to ask.
• "Paying for Care" Section of Full Circle of Care Website
  This section provides information on paying for care, in general. If you are able to utilize some of available resources, it may save you some money that you could then use for home modifications.
• Disability Resources
  If the person you are caring for is disabled, there are specific resources available. For more information, visit our website section on Disability Resources. If you are outside of North Carolina, visit our section on accessing services nationwide. Go to your state page and scroll to find contact information on disability resources. If none are identified, contact your Area Agency on Aging.
• Veterans
  The Veteran's Administration has a program called "Specially Adapted Homes". Disabled veterans may be entitled to a grant from the VA for a home specially adapted to their needs or for adaptations to a house. There are two types:
  
  
  • $50,000 Grant
    The VA may approve a grant of not more than 50 percent of the cost of building, buying or remodeling adapted homes or paying indebtedness on those homes already acquired, up to a maximum of $50,000. Veterans must be entitled to compensation for permanent and total service-connected disability due to one of the following:
    
    

    Loss or loss of use of both lower extremities, such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair.

    Blindness in both eyes, having only light perception, plus loss or loss of use of one lower extremity.

    Loss or loss of use of one lower extremity together with (a) residuals of organic disease or injury, or (b) the loss or loss of use of one upper extremity which so affects the functions of balance or propulsion as to preclude locomotion without the use of braces, canes, crutches or a wheelchair.

    
    
  • $10,000 Grant
    The VA may approve a grant for the actual cost, up to a maximum of $10,000, for adaptations to a veteran’s residence that is determined by VA to be reasonably necessary. The grant also may be used to help veterans acquire a residence that already has adaptations for the veteran’s disability.

  Additionally, local Veteran's Affairs Offices may offer reduced cost loan programs or other benefits for veterans. To locate your state office, go to the "Access Services Nationwide" section of this website. Go to your state page and scroll to the information on Veteran's Affairs.

• Rebuilding Together, Inc.
  This national volunteer organization, through its local affiliates, is able to assist some low-income seniors with home modification efforts. Contact them at 1-800-4-REHAB-9 or visit their website.

• Volunteer Organizations
  Check with your local volunteer organizations. Many offer limited types of home repair and/or modification programs. Your local aging agency should be able to assist you in finding these programs. To locate your local aging agency, contact your Area Agency on Aging.
• Faith Based Organizations
  These organizations, like volunteer organizations, often have a system in place to help their members and others. Typically, the service involves volunteers coming to your home and doing the work. Check with your church or other faith based organization.
• Local Aging Agencies
  As part of what they do, local aging agencies keep informed about available local resources of all types that may help seniors. Check with your local aging agency to see if other local resources are available that could help with home modifications. To locate your local aging agency, contact your Area Agency on Aging.

If you need personalized assistance:

 

 

 

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