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Having an accessible home is CRITICAL after a spinal cord injury. The only problem – making a home accessible is outrageously expensive and the average person doesn’t have the funds to make the necessary changes. Fortunately, there are a handful of nonprofits and government assistance available that can help pay for a portion of your home modification costs. See these options below.
Project 34
Project 34 is a nonprofit that was created by Cory Hahn who was paralyzed while playing college basketball. His nonprofit awards grants on a quarterly basis and individuals can request help with small home modifications (ramps, new door handles, etc).
https://projectthirtyfour.com/grant-application/
Victoria’s Victory Foundation
The Victory Scholarship offered by Victoria’s Victory, a nonprofit founded by Victoria Arlen, a former wheelchair-user who was paralyzed by Transverse Myelitis and is now a ESPN sportscaster, offers scholarships in the maximum amount of $6000. Their scholarships can go towards home modification costs or other needs such as vehicle modifications, rehabilitation, and caregiver expenses. They offer various scholarship cycles throughout the year depending on the season.
https://victoriasvictory.org/scholarships
Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation
A nonprofit based in Wisconsin, the Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation was founded in 2001 and has given over $6 million dollars since its inception. Named in honor of Byron Riesch, paralyzed in 1998, the foundation’s goal is to help others similar to Byron. They help pay for small home modifications such as ramp and lift installations and other adaptive equipment that may be needed in and will pay up to $10,000. Grant requests are reviewed quarterly: January, March, June and September.
https://brpf.org/charitable-grant-application/
Christmas In Action
A nonprofit based in Midland, Texas, Christmas In Action repairs the homes of disabled homeowners. They also help the elderly. They specifically help pay for ramps, roof replacement, interior and exterior painting, as well as emergency plumbing and minor electrical help.
https://www.facebook.com/ciamidland/
Modest Needs
The Modest Needs Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 2002, provides short-term financial assistance to people in crisis, including people with disabilities/SCI. They offer Self-Sufficiency Grants, which help pay for items such as replacing broken appliances or installing critical items like a wheelchair ramp. Your income/employment are considered when applying.
https://www.modestneeds.org/for-applicants/grants-types-self-sufficiency.asp
The Ian Burkhart Foundation
The Ian Burkhart Foundation was founded in honor of Ian, who was paralyzed in a diving accident in 2010. He’s also president of the foundation. His foundation helps pay for home modifications, as well as other needs such as vehicle modifications and exercise equipment. There is no maximum amount you can request, but partial payments for larger home modification requests will only be considered if all other payments are in place for the total amount. Applications are accepted year-round, but the grants are awarded quarterly.
https://www.ianburkhartfoundation.org/request-sp24
Joseph Groh Foundation
The Joseph Groh Foundation is named in honor of Joseph Groh, a husband and father who was paralyzed in 2008 in a mountain bike accident. They provide assistance to help pay for a variety of needs, including home modification costs such as the construction of ramps, the winding of doorways, the reconstruction of bathrooms to make them more wheelchair accessible and more. Applicants can fill out an application at any time and assistance will be given to applicants depending on the “health” of the foundation.
https://www.josephgrohfoundation.org/webapp/p/200/apply-for-assistance
Elderly or Disabled Living
Elderly and Disabled Living, otherwise known as EDL, is a nonprofit that helps pay for various things to reduce the cost of living for individuals with disabilities. They will help for small home modifications, as well as hospital bills, mortgage payments and other bills you’re not able to pay.
https://www.elderlyordisabledliving.com/
Home and Community Based Waiver Program
If you are on Medicaid, you might be eligible for Home & Community-Based Services which can help pay for home modification costs. Check with your state to see if the services can be provided. If approved, this waiver program will pay to remove various barriers in the home in the following locations: Bedroom
bathroom, stairway, garage access, front door access and back door access.
Friends of Man
Founded in 1982, Friends of Man helps anyone in need, including people with SCI/disabilities. They specifically help people in Colorado, as well as the rest of the US, and will help pay for a variety of needs, including home modifications (however they will not pay for walk-in bathtubs). They will also help pay for adaptive equipment, stair lifts and wheelchair ramps. To be eligible, you must be below 300% or less of the Federal poverty guidelines.
https://friendsofman.org/how-we-help
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