Helping Wisconsin Residents Find Financial Assistance for Accessibility Upgrades
Wisconsin Home Modification Funding Options & Resources
Making your home more accessible shouldn’t be a financial burden. This page gathers trusted funding programs, grants, and resources available throughout Wisconsin to help you make essential Home Modifications like Ramps, Stair Lifts, Bathroom renovations, and more. Whether you are a person with a disability, a senior, a Veteran, or a caregiver, explore these options to find the support you need.
How Funding Can Help You
Home modifications include changes to your home that improve safety, comfort, and independence—such as installing Wheelchair Ramps, Widening Doorways, adding Stair Lifts or Porch Lifts, and Modifying Bathrooms. Funding programs come in many forms: grants, low- or no-interest loans, subsidies, and nonprofit assistance. Many programs focus on helping low- to moderate-income homeowners and renters, Veterans, and those at risk of institutionalization.
Federal and State Funded Resources
Aging and Disabilities Resource Center (ADRC)
dhs.wisconsin.gov/adrc/ | 844-WIS-ADRC
ADRC’s provide Wisconsin residents with unbiased information related to aging or living with a disability. They offer “Options Counseling,” which is the first step to learning which Federal and State benefits a person may be eligible for. They also may have county specific grants and programs that may help with the costs of modifications. Their consumers are typically 18+ with any level of disability, but they also assist with screenings for the children’s programs. Visit the DHS website to search for the local ADRC to find out what services they offer.
Independent Living Centers (ILCs)
The 8 Independent Living Centers from across the state work together to provide consumer directed services that allow people of any age and any disability to remain independent in the community of their choosing. They can assist with advocacy, transition support, peer support, information and referral, independent living skills training, assistive technology, accessibility recommendations, and more. They also may have county specific grants and programs that may help with the costs of modifications. Visit the DHS website to search for the local ILC to find out what services they offer.
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
The VA is a federal Cabinet-level agency responsible for providing vital lifelong healthcare, financial assistance, and memorial services to eligible military veterans. They can also offer housing grants and home modifications to help disabled veterans live independently and safely in their own homes. These adaptations are provided to accommodate service-connected disabilities, ensuring veterans have full accessibility for daily living activities like entering the home, bathing, and cooking.
Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)
dwd.wisconsin.gov | 608-261-0050
A state program that assists people with disabilities throughout Wisconsin prepare for and maintain employment. This may include modifications that support independence if the modification is deemed necessary for the consumer to perform the essential functions of a job.
USDA Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants
Provides loans to very low-income homeowners to repair, improve, or modernize their homes or grants to very low-income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards. Homes must be located in an eligible rural area.
Wisconsin Medicaid Home Based Community Services Waiver Programs
Family Care/Family Care Partnership
dhs.wisconsin.gov/familycare | 800-362-3002
Long-term care Medicaid waiver programs that can provide support services, such as home modifications. They work with Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) such as Community Care, Lakeland Care, Inclusa, My Choice, and Anthem. MCOs have Care Managers, who are able to provide more direct support and oversight for their members.
IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) Waiver
dhs.wisconsin.gov/iris/ | 888-515-4747
The self-directed Medicaid waiver program that allows participants to choose accessibility-related services, such as home modifications. They work with IRIS Consultant Agencies (ICAs) such as TMG, First Person Care Consultants, Lutheran Social Services Connections, Advocates4U, and Midstate Independent Living Choices (MILC). ICAs have IRIS Consultants (ICs), who support their participants self-direct their services in the program.
Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Waiver
dhs.wisconsin.gov/clts/ | 608-267-6767
Medicaid waiver program that provides services, such as home modifications, for children with disabilities. Each county works independently of the others, while providing generally the same services across the state. CLTS has Support and Service Coordinators, who support the children and families in the program to ensure they are getting the support and services they need.
Alternative Financing Options
Wisloan/Telework
independencefirst.org | 414-291-7520
Statewide loan program that helps Wisconsin residents with disabilities pay for assistive technology and equipment with a lower interest rate than a standard loan. Wisloan is overseen by Independence First, Milwaukee’s Independent Living Center, and it is managed through a board of people rather than a bank. Loans can be from between $500-$80,000 depending on the item and the ability to repay the loan. Borrowers must apply through their local Independent Living Center.
Help Hope Live
helphopelive.org | 800-642-8399
Dedicated nonprofit specifically to medical and catastrophic injury fundraising. Help Hope Live manages and pays your medical bills directly to protect your government benefits and also pairs users with one on one support to help fundraising efforts.
Support Now Grants
Search engine with the largest, up-to-date collection for grants to fund families with financial needs of all sizes. People are able to make a free account, save their search preferences, and easily find grants that fit their needs.
Additional Resources and Organizations
Friends of Man
friendsofman.org | 303-798-2342
A charitable non-profit that helps people nationwide by funding urgent needs such as assistance with mobility equipment, medical device, prosthetics, basic needs, and other services for individuals who “fall through the cracks” of standard programs.
Laughing at My Nightmare (LAMN)
Laughing at My Nightmare is committed to empowering the disability community by providing adaptive equipment, college scholarships, and emergency financial relief, especially to individuals from low-income households. Their programs are designed to enhance comfort, foster independence, and ensure that everyone can live with dignity and autonomy.
Money Follows the Person (MFP) Rebalancing Demonstration Grant
A federal Medicaid program that helps seniors and individuals with disabilities transition from institutional care facilities (like nursing homes or hospitals) back into their own homes or community-based setting. It ensures that the funding for long-term care “follows” the individual to the setting of their choice. Contact the local ADRC to find out more information on qualifying.
Movin’ Out
With assistance and resources from Movin’ Out, people with disabilities, veterans, and others can purchase or rent affordable, accessible homes of all types that form the foundation for success in other areas of life. Movin’ Out works with people from across the state of Wisconsin who meet income, disability, or veteran eligibility criteria to secure homes that meet their needs. Programs are focused on housing security but occasionally has resources to assist with accessibility as well.
Foundation of Rural Housing
Programs include support with security deposits, delinquent rent, mortgage or property tax arrears, and utility assistance. They are also able to offer foreclosure counseling and connections to essential community resources to help households maintain stable housing. Programs are focused on housing security but occasionally has resources to assist with accessibility as well.
Variety-The Children’s Charity of Wisconsin
Programs provide funding to allow children with special needs to attend camps, receive specialized therapy, obtain adaptive bikes and mobility equipment, and things not covered by insurance or other funding sources that help promote health and participation in the communities.
Logan’s Heart and Smiles
logansheartandsmiles.org | 608-712-7600
Provides accessibility and safety home modifications for children with disabilities since 2002. Logan’s Hearts and Smiles team understands performing normal everyday activities can be challenging, dangerous, and labor intensive for both the child and the caregiver. Often when a family has a child with a disability, resources for necessary home modifications are depleted or simply not available and finding an organization to take on the modification is a struggle.
Habitat for Humanity of Wisconsin
Each year, Habitat for Humanity affiliates in Wisconsin help several hundred low-income families in Wisconsin with safe, decent, and affordable housing. Each Habitat affiliate operates independently, so contact the local affiliate to find out what services they offer.
Community Development Block Grant Program
A Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from HUD is a flexible federal funding program that provides annual grants to states, cities, and counties. Its primary goal is to develop viable urban communities by providing affordable housing, suitable living environments, and expanded economic opportunities. Visit the HUD Exchange website to search by state and program to find out what cities received funding and who the point of contact is for the area.
Community Action Partnership
communityactionpartnership.com
Community Action Agencies (CAA) currently serve 96% of counties across the United States. Each CAA is a locally controlled organization designed to respond to the specific human service needs of that community. As a result, every Community Action boasts different programs based on identified local needs. Visit the Community Action Partnership website to search for the local Community Action Agency to find out what services they offer.
Tips for Applying for Funding
- Prepare documentation early: proof of disability, income verification, homeownership or rental agreements, and contractor quotes.
- Apply to multiple programs to increase your chances.
- Work with contractors experienced in accessibility and ADA compliance.
How Access Can Help
While we don’t provide funding, we’re here to help guide you through these resources. We offer expert consultations, project planning, accurate quotes, and professional installation of home accessibility solutions that meet program requirements.
Financing is available through Access who has partnered with Hearth Financial Services to provide an opportunity to finance any project.
Access Elevator, Inc. is an organization recognized throughout the state of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota and Wisconsin. We’re known for quality and reliability in our product line and services for the physically disabled and handicapped.
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Wisconsin – 1-844-WI-LIFTS (455-4387)
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