Written & Reviewed by
Last updated: 27 May 2026
Bottom line: Arkansas does not appear to have one general state loan closet for every senior. The best first calls are Goodwill HELP for basic medical equipment, iCAN program for assistive technology, and the ASCC program for people with a qualifying spinal cord disability. For local leads, use your Area Agency on Aging first. Arkansas 211 should be treated as a Northwest Arkansas lead now, not a statewide backup.
Emergency help now
- Need a walker, wheelchair, commode, or shower chair today: Call Goodwill Arkansas at 1-501-372-5100. Ask if your nearest store has the item and whether staff can check other stores.
- Need more than basic DME: Call iCAN at 1-800-828-2799. Ask about device loans, demos, reuse, and exchange.
- Spinal cord disability involved: Call the Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission at 1-800-459-1517 or 1-501-296-1788. Ask about referral and case management.
- Unsafe discharge from hospital: Ask the discharge planner to document the item needed, the size, and whether insurance or Medicaid can cover it. Also ask if the hospital knows a local loan closet.
Quick help
- Best first call for common items: Goodwill Arkansas HELP.
- Best call for assistive technology: iCAN.
- Best state route for spinal cord cases: Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission.
- Best verified regional loan closet: SOURCES in Northwest Arkansas.
| Need | Start here | Area served | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walker, cane, crutches, commode, shower chair | Goodwill Arkansas HELP | Statewide service area | Free, but stock depends on donations. |
| Try-before-you-buy device, home safety tool, vision, hearing, memory, or communication aid | iCAN | Statewide | Better for assistive technology than for a same-day walker. |
| Spinal cord disability and temporary equipment need | Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission | Statewide for eligible clients | Not a general public senior closet. |
| Northwest Arkansas short-term DME loan | SOURCES | Benton, Washington, Madison, Carroll | Call first. Inventory changes. |
| Cancer patient needs supplies or DME | Hope Cancer Resources | Northwest Arkansas area | Best fit when cancer care is involved. |
| Medicaid-covered long-term equipment | Doctor and Arkansas Medicaid | Statewide if eligible | Needs medical rules, prescription, and approval steps. |
Contents
- What this help is
- Best starting points
- What equipment is common
- Insurance and Medicaid
- Phone scripts
- Local resources
- Mistakes to avoid
- Frequently asked questions
What this help is, and what it is not
Durable medical equipment, often called DME, means equipment that can be used again at home. Common examples are walkers, wheelchairs, canes, crutches, shower chairs, bedside commodes, transfer benches, bed rails, ramps, and lift belts.
In Arkansas, free or low-cost DME help usually comes from donated equipment, assistive technology reuse, disease-specific charities, local loan closets, or Medicaid coverage. These are not all the same. A loan closet may solve a fast problem. Medicaid may be better for long-term equipment that must be ordered by a doctor.
Important 2026 update: the current Arkansas 211 page says it is free and 24-hour, but it also says the service is currently only able to serve Benton, Madison, and Washington counties. That means families outside Northwest Arkansas should not depend on Arkansas 211 as the only local lead. Use Area Agencies, hospital social workers, and statewide programs too.
For broader senior help beyond equipment, keep the Arkansas benefits guide nearby. For disability-specific help, the Arkansas disability help guide may point you to related offices.
Best Arkansas starting points
The best first call depends on the item and the reason you need it. Do not start by driving from county to county. Call first. Ask staff to check stock, size, weight limit, missing parts, and pickup rules.
Goodwill Arkansas HELP
Goodwill Arkansas says its Health Equipment Loan Program is free, first-come first-served, and open to all people in Arkansas. It also says there is no time limit and borrowers may keep the equipment as long as they need it. If a local store does not have the item, Goodwill says staff can search statewide inventory and work to send it to the nearest Goodwill location.
The program lists items such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, commodes, canes, shower chairs, potty chairs, transfer boards, lift belts, rails, lifts, hoists, and therapy aids. Goodwill also says its service area covers all 75 counties on the Goodwill service area page.
Who it may help: seniors, caregivers, and families who need a common item fast after surgery, illness, a fall, or a hospital stay.
Where to apply: call 1-501-372-5100 or ask your nearest Goodwill store about HELP equipment.
Reality check: stock depends on donations. A website can be true and the item can still be unavailable today.
iCAN assistive technology
iCAN is Arkansas’s statewide assistive technology program. It says services include information and assistance, device loans, device demonstrations, device reuse, device exchange, training, tours, and technical help. It also says services are open to all Arkansans, no matter their age, disability, income, or where they live.
iCAN is a better fit when the problem is not just a standard walker. Think home safety, vision, hearing, memory, communication, computer access, or trying a device before buying. The iCAN equipment search can also help families see the type of items that may be listed.
Who it may help: older adults, disabled adults, caregivers, and helpers who need assistive tools for daily life.
Where to apply: call 1-800-828-2799 outside Little Rock or 1-501-666-8868 in Little Rock.
Reality check: iCAN may help you test or locate a device, but it may not solve a same-day discharge need as quickly as a local DME closet.
Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission
The Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission is a state program, but it is not a general loan closet for all seniors. It serves people who meet spinal cord disability criteria. The commission’s ASCC equipment handout says it has 12 Regional Loan Closets. They can loan items to ASCC clients during an emergency, while permanent equipment is being bought or repaired, or when a client needs to test whether an item fits the home or vehicle.
Common ASCC items include manual and power wheelchairs, walkers, portable ramps, therapeutic cushions, adaptive bathroom equipment, reachers, and skin inspection mirrors. The handout says the loan closets have limited budgets and limited space, so the exact size or item may already be on loan.
Who it may help: Arkansas residents with a qualifying spinal cord disability who become ASCC clients.
Where to apply: the ASCC referral sheet says referrals may be made through ASCC and lists 1-501-296-1788 and 1-800-459-1517.
Reality check: the equipment loan path is for ASCC clients. Purchased services or financial help may need a separate financial review.
SOURCES Loan Closet
The SOURCES Loan Closet in Northwest Arkansas loans durable medical equipment free of charge to people in Benton, Washington, Madison, and Carroll counties. SOURCES lists crutches, commodes, motorized and non-motorized wheelchairs, transfer boards, canes, and other assistive devices.
SOURCES says loaned items come from donations, are cleaned and refurbished, and are checked for safety when they come back. It lists 1-888-284-7521 and 1-479-442-5600 for contact.
Who it may help: people in its four-county region who need a temporary DME loan.
Where to apply: call SOURCES before pickup and ask about current inventory.
Reality check: this is a strong regional option, not a statewide closet.
Hope Cancer Resources Care Closet
Hope Cancer Resources says its Hope Care Closet provides medical supplies and equipment at no cost to the patient. Listed items include durable medical equipment, liquid nutrition, incontinence supplies, wound care supplies, and hygiene supplies.
Who it may help: cancer patients and households in the Northwest Arkansas service area.
Where to apply: call 1-479-361-5847 or use the assistance path on the Hope Cancer Resources site.
Reality check: this is not a general statewide DME source. It is most useful when cancer care is part of the need.
What equipment is commonly available
Donation-based programs cannot promise exact stock. Still, some items are easier to find than others. Use this table before you call.
| Item type | Best place to start | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Walkers, canes, crutches | Goodwill HELP or SOURCES | Height range, rubber tips, brakes, folding style, and weight limit. |
| Manual wheelchairs | Goodwill HELP, SOURCES, or ASCC if eligible | Seat width, footrests, brakes, cushion, and whether it fits your car. |
| Commodes, shower chairs, transfer benches | Goodwill HELP, SOURCES, ASCC if eligible | Width, bucket, splash guard, armrests, cleaning, and missing parts. |
| Power chairs and scooters | ASCC if eligible, iCAN, or donated stock | Battery age, charger, joystick, tires, weight, and transport plan. |
| Portable ramps | ASCC if eligible, iCAN, local disability groups | Ramp length, weight rating, doorway height, and safe slope. |
| Vision, hearing, memory, communication tools | iCAN | Device demo, loan length, setup help, and training. |
| Nutrition, incontinence, wound care | Hope Cancer Resources if cancer-related | Current supply, pickup rules, and whether a patient application is needed. |
Community reuse, insurance, and Medicaid
A free loan closet can be the fastest answer, but it does not replace your doctor, Medicare, Medicaid, or hospital discharge team. Use both paths when the need is serious or long-term.
The Arkansas DHS DHS covered services page says durable medical equipment includes home-use items such as wheelchairs, oxygen tanks, and hospital beds. It says Medicaid and ARKids First pay for some durable medical equipment. Adults age 21 or older need a prescription from their primary care provider, and Medicaid only pays for certain equipment.
For long-term help at home, the DHS DHS LTSS page says ARChoices may include Environmental Accessibility Adaptations and Adaptive Equipment for people who meet the program rules. This is not a quick loan closet. It is a Medicaid long-term services path.
Transportation can also become part of the problem. The DHS NET page says the Non-Emergency Transportation program gives rides to and from Medicaid-covered services for eligible Medicaid or ARKids First-A members. It does not act as a general delivery service for borrowed equipment.
If the real issue is Medicare premium help, not a loan closet, see the Medicare Savings Programs guide. If you need help using state benefit websites, the Arkansas benefits portals guide may help.
How to start without wasting time
- Name the exact problem: Say, “My mother needs a bedside commode,” not “medical equipment.”
- Write down key sizes: height, weight, seat width, doorway width, bathroom space, and car trunk space.
- Call Goodwill first: This is the fastest statewide route for common items.
- Call iCAN next: Do this when the item is specialized, costly, or hard to choose.
- Call ASCC if spinal cord disability applies: Ask about referral before assuming the person cannot qualify.
- Ask local helpers: Call your Area Agency on Aging, hospital social worker, clinic social worker, church, senior center, or local disability group.
- Use insurance for long-term needs: Ask the doctor whether Medicare, Medicaid, or another plan should order the item.
- Do not drive until stock is confirmed: Ask staff to hold the item only if their rules allow it.
For local aging network help, use the GFS page on Arkansas aging agencies as a starting point.
What to gather before you call
- The senior’s name, county, and callback number.
- The exact item needed.
- Whether the need is today, this week, or long-term.
- Height, weight, and basic mobility level.
- Doorway and bathroom width if space is tight.
- Whether the item must fold for a car.
- Whether the person can pick up the item or needs help.
- Doctor order, Medicaid card, or insurance card, if using coverage.
Phone scripts you can use
Use these scripts when you are tired or rushed. Fill in the blanks before calling.
| Call | Script |
|---|---|
| Goodwill HELP | “Hello, I am looking for a [item] for an older adult in [county]. Do you have one in stock today? If not, can you check statewide inventory and tell me the closest pickup location?” |
| iCAN | “Hello, I need help finding assistive technology for [problem]. We are not sure what device fits. Can we ask about a loan, demo, reuse item, or exchange option?” |
| ASCC | “Hello, I am calling about someone with a spinal cord disability. We need [item] because [reason]. Can you explain referral, eligibility review, and equipment loan options?” |
| Area Agency | “Hello, I help an older adult in [county]. We need [item] and have already called [programs]. Do you know any local loan closets, senior centers, churches, or hospital contacts?” |
Local resources and rural Arkansas tips
Arkansas is rural in many areas. The hard part may not be finding a wheelchair. It may be getting the right size to a home that is one or two counties away.
Start statewide first: Goodwill and iCAN can help across Arkansas. This matters when your local town has no visible loan closet.
Use regional help when it fits: SOURCES and Hope Cancer Resources are strong Northwest Arkansas options. Arkansas 211 may also help in Benton, Madison, and Washington counties, based on its current service note.
Ask medical workers: hospital discharge planners, rehab clinics, home health nurses, and primary care offices often know small closets that do not rank well online.
Ask aging workers: your Area Agency on Aging may know senior center staff, transportation routes, caregiver support, and local partners. If a caregiver is losing work time because of the equipment need, the Arkansas family caregiver programs guide may also be worth reading.
Use backup directories carefully: the GotDME directory lets people search for DME loan and donation sites, and AT3 Find AT explains how state assistive technology programs can help with demos, loans, and funding leads. Always confirm the program is still open before driving.
Do not ignore emergency aid: when the equipment need is part of a larger crisis, such as unsafe housing, no food, or a shutoff notice, use the Arkansas emergency help guide too.
Backup options if free reuse is not enough
If no free closet has the right item, do not rush into buying the first device you see. Check these paths first.
- Doctor and insurance: Ask whether the item can be ordered through Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, VA, or private insurance.
- ARChoices or Medicaid LTSS: Ask DHS whether long-term home supports or adaptive equipment may fit the need.
- iCAN demo: Ask to try a device before spending money.
- Alternative financing: Arkansas Rehabilitation Services describes the AFP loan program as a loan, not a grant, for assistive technology. Use this only if repayment is realistic.
- Local charity route: Ask churches, civic clubs, disability nonprofits, and senior centers whether they know of a donated item.
- Used purchase: If buying used, check the brakes, batteries, serial number, weight limit, charger, missing parts, and return rules.
Reality checks
- Donation stock changes fast: a worker may say yes in the morning and the item may be gone by afternoon.
- Size matters: a wheelchair that is too narrow, too wide, or missing footrests may create a new safety problem.
- Power equipment is harder: batteries, chargers, controls, and transport needs make power chairs and scooters harder to borrow.
- Some items should not be reused: opened medical supplies, custom braces, and unsafe equipment may be refused.
- Medicaid takes time: a prescription, referral, and approval may be needed before payment.
- Loan closets are not stores: they may not have your preferred brand, color, model, or exact size.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Driving far before someone confirms the item is there.
- Asking for “medical equipment” instead of naming the exact item.
- Forgetting to ask about height, width, and weight limit.
- Taking a wheelchair without footrests when the person needs foot support.
- Taking bathroom equipment without checking all pieces.
- Using 211 as the only statewide backup even though its current page notes limited service.
- Skipping iCAN when the need is hearing, vision, memory, communication, or home safety.
- Assuming ASCC is open to all seniors.
- Buying a power device without checking the charger and battery.
- Keeping borrowed equipment after it is no longer needed without calling the program.
What to do if you are delayed or overwhelmed
If Goodwill is out: ask staff to check statewide inventory. Then call iCAN and any regional closet near you.
If iCAN cannot solve it: ask for a lower-cost substitute, a demo, a device category, or another Arkansas contact.
If ASCC says referral is needed: ask what medical records or provider information are needed. Also ask whether a healthcare professional should make the referral.
If Medicaid says no: ask for the written reason. Ask the doctor whether the prescription, diagnosis, or medical necessity note needs to be clearer.
If you cannot pick up: ask family, friends, church volunteers, a caregiver, or a senior center whether someone can pick up with permission.
If the need is part of a bigger care problem: ask about home care, respite, and caregiver support. Equipment alone may not be enough.
Where to donate used medical equipment
Call before donating. Do not leave equipment outside a building unless the program says to do so. Describe the item, condition, size, missing parts, and whether you have the charger.
- Goodwill Arkansas HELP: good for common, gently used mobility and daily-living equipment.
- SOURCES: accepts many small medical equipment donations in good condition for its regional loan closet.
- ASCC: may accept manual or power wheelchairs, lifts, ramps, or other durable medical equipment in good working condition for spinal cord disability needs.
- iCAN: may be a fit for assistive technology reuse or exchange.
Resumen en español
En Arkansas, no encontramos un solo programa estatal general para prestar equipo médico a todas las personas mayores. Para andadores, sillas de ruedas, cómodos o sillas de ducha, empiece con Goodwill Arkansas HELP. Para tecnología de asistencia, visión, audición, memoria, comunicación o seguridad en el hogar, llame a iCAN.
Si la persona tiene una discapacidad de la médula espinal, llame a la Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission. En el noroeste de Arkansas, SOURCES y Hope Cancer Resources pueden ayudar en algunas situaciones. También es importante llamar antes de manejar. Pregunte si el equipo existe, si tiene todas las piezas, si cabe en la casa, y si el programa puede explicar las reglas de préstamo.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one statewide Arkansas DME loan closet for all seniors?
No. We did not find one general state-run loan closet for every senior. The best starting points are Goodwill Arkansas HELP, iCAN, Area Agencies on Aging, and ASCC for spinal cord disability cases.
What is the fastest first call for a walker or wheelchair?
Goodwill Arkansas HELP is usually the best first call for common items. Ask the nearest store to check stock and ask whether statewide inventory can be searched.
Can anyone in Arkansas use Goodwill HELP?
Goodwill Arkansas says the HELP program is open to all people in Arkansas and is free. Stock is first-come first-served and depends on donations.
What does iCAN do that Goodwill does not?
iCAN focuses on assistive technology. It can help with device loans, demos, reuse, exchange, and training. It is often better for hearing, vision, memory, communication, computer access, and home safety needs.
Is the Arkansas Spinal Cord Commission open to all seniors?
No. It serves Arkansas residents who meet spinal cord disability criteria. Its equipment loan closets are for ASCC clients, not the general public.
Can Arkansas Medicaid pay for DME?
Sometimes. Arkansas DHS says Medicaid pays for some durable medical equipment. Adults age 21 or older need a prescription from their primary care provider, and Medicaid only pays for certain equipment.
What if I live in a rural county?
Start with statewide programs first. Call Goodwill Arkansas HELP and iCAN, then ask your Area Agency on Aging, hospital discharge planner, clinic social worker, church, or senior center for local leads.
Where can I donate used medical equipment?
Start with Goodwill Arkansas HELP, SOURCES, iCAN, or ASCC if the item fits spinal cord disability needs. Call first because rules depend on condition, space, safety, and current stock.
About This Guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
Editorial note: This guide is produced based on our Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources, regularly updated and monitored, but not affiliated with any government agency and not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Verification: Last verified 27 May 2026, next review 27 August 2026.
Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we will respond within 72 hours.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the official program before acting.
Last updated: 27 May 2026
Next review: 27 August 2026
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