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Last updated: 17 September 2026
California has a statewide assistive-technology network plus many local durable medical equipment (DME) reuse programs. The system is not one senior-only loan closet. A senior may need to call a statewide program, a county aging office, an Independent Living Center, and one or two nearby nonprofits to find the right item.
Bottom Line
Start with Ability Tools help at 1-800-390-2699 and the California Department of Aging county service finder at 1-800-510-2020. Ask for a DME reuse center, device loan, or local program that has the exact item you need. Inventory can change every day, so call before you drive.
If you want a broader explanation of how loan closets work, use our national DME guide.
Need Equipment for a Discharge or Safety Problem?
- Hospital discharge is close: ask the discharge planner to name the exact equipment, measurements, and insurance supplier before the discharge date. At the same time, call Ability Tools and local reuse programs.
- You need local senior help: call 1-800-510-2020. California routes that number to the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) serving the caller’s area. Our California AAA guide explains what to ask.
- You cannot safely transfer, walk, or breathe: a loan closet is not emergency medical care. Call 911 when there is an immediate medical or safety emergency.
Start Here
- Call Ability Tools. Ask for the nearest reuse center, Device Lending and Demonstration Center, or assistive-technology advocate.
- Call the county aging office. Ask specifically for DME loan closets, hospital-discharge equipment, transportation, and nearby nonprofit programs.
- Call a disability center too. California has 28 Independent Living Centers. The state Independent Living directory helps you find the center that serves your area.
For other disability-related support in the state, see our California disability guide.
Quick Reference: Where to Start
| Need | Best first route | Ask this | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walker, cane, commode, shower chair | Reuse center or local closet | “Is it in stock today, and what size is it?” | Common items still vary by size and condition. |
| Wheelchair or transport chair | Reuse center plus insurance | “What is the seat width, weight limit, and footrest setup?” | Fit matters. A free chair can still be unsafe. |
| Hospital bed, lift, power chair | Regional program plus supplier | “Who handles delivery, setup, parts, and pickup?” | Large items are harder to store and transport. |
| Temporary device or trial | Device lending center | “Can I borrow it while waiting or to test fit?” | Ability Tools says standard short-term loans are generally up to 30 days unless otherwise arranged. |
| Medically necessary long-term DME | Doctor and health plan | “What order, supplier, and authorization steps are required?” | Use the reuse route while the coverage route is moving. |
What Has Changed
- Ability Tools is being updated. California’s Department of Rehabilitation says on its DOR assistive technology page that the statewide program is undergoing updates and changes. If an Ability Tools online locator is incomplete, call 1-800-390-2699 for a current referral.
- Los Angeles City’s DME program still shows paused. As of 11 September 2026, the official Los Angeles DME page still says allocated fiscal-year funds have been spent. Its page previously told readers to check back in August 2026, but it has not yet posted a reopened status. Do not wait on that program alone.
- Medicare rules are changing for some items. The CMS prior-authorization update schedules additional requirements for selected DMEPOS codes beginning 28 October 2026. Not every item is affected. If an order is delayed around that date, ask the supplier whether the new requirement applies.
California’s Statewide DME and Assistive-Technology System
California’s strongest statewide route is a network. Ability Tools is the state’s Assistive Technology Act program. It connects Californians with disabilities of all ages to device lending, reuse, information, advocates, and other assistive-technology services.
The California reuse coalition also points people toward gently used equipment. Its network focuses on assistive technology and DME that can be cleaned, repaired, and redistributed for free or low cost. Examples include wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, patient lifts, scooters, hospital beds, and portable ramps.
Because the statewide network is changing in 2026, a phone call matters more than usual. Ability Tools lists 1-800-390-2699 for information and assistance. Explain the exact item, county, ZIP code, size, and how soon it is needed.
Older adults should also use the aging network. California has 33 Area Agencies on Aging that coordinate local services. The AAA may not own a DME closet, but staff often know local nonprofits, transportation programs, caregiver services, and county resources. For broader help beyond equipment, our California assistance guide covers other senior programs.
If both statewide and county searches fail, dial 211 or use 211 California. Ask for “durable medical equipment,” “medical equipment loan,” “assistive technology,” or “wheelchair loan.” Local databases sometimes include churches, hospices, service clubs, and small community programs that do not appear in statewide lists.
Regional California Programs to Call
These are examples of active programs with current program pages as of this update. They are not a promise that a device is in stock. Call first, especially for hospital beds, patient lifts, powered mobility, or specialty sizes.
| Area | Program | What it offers | Important detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland, San Francisco, Marin | ReCARES | Free donated medical equipment and supplies. | First-come, first-served. No appointment, ID, or insurance is required for regular distribution, but inventory changes constantly. |
| San Carlos, South San Francisco | MELP | Free loans of donated DME such as wheelchairs, rollators, walkers, and knee scooters. | Equipment is inspected, repaired, cleaned, and inventoried before lending. |
| Palo Alto / Mid-Peninsula | Avenidas | Free borrowing of wheelchairs, walkers, and other medical equipment. | By appointment. Call before going. |
| Nevada, Sierra, Yuba, Sutter, Colusa | FREED reuse | Free refurbished medical equipment for seniors and people with disabilities. | Inventory can include wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, toilet aids, beds, and lifts. |
| North State | Disability Action Center | Assistive-technology and DME help through Chico and Redding offices. | What is accepted or available can change by office, so call the closest office. |
| Stanislaus County | Society loan closet | DME loans at no cost for Stanislaus County residents. | Outside-county borrowers may pay a refundable cash deposit. Appointments and stock checks are required. |
| Greater San Gabriel and San Fernando valleys | Convalescent Aid Society | Long-term free loans of many home-use DME items. | Service-area and application rules apply. The current process includes an online account and residency information. |
| Long Beach and nearby service area | Disabled Resources Center | Short-term loans of wheelchairs, rollators, walkers, ramps, and other AT. | Standard loan period is 30 days, with a possible extension up to 60 days. |
| San Bernardino, Inyo, Mono | Rolling Start | Independent-living services including an assistive-technology device lending library. | Use the San Bernardino or Victorville office and ask what is available now. |
What Equipment Can Be Reused Safely?
Reuse programs commonly handle hard, durable items that can be cleaned and checked. Soft goods, personal-care supplies, custom-fitted items, batteries, mattresses, oxygen-related equipment, and powered devices may have stricter rules.
| Equipment | Check first | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Walker or rollator | Height, brakes, wheels, tips, weight limit | Wrong height or weak brakes can increase fall risk. |
| Manual wheelchair | Seat width, brakes, footrests, cushion, car fit | A poor fit can cause pain, skin problems, or unsafe transfers. |
| Shower chair or commode | Width, leg stability, rust, bathroom space | Bathroom surfaces are slippery and space is often tight. |
| Hospital bed | Mattress, rails, controls, power, delivery, setup | The frame may be free while moving, setup, or a mattress is not. |
| Patient lift | Lift type, sling, weight limit, training, floor space | The wrong sling or transfer method can injure the user or caregiver. |
| Power chair or scooter | Battery, charger, controls, tires, repair history | Replacement batteries and repairs can be expensive. |
Do not guess at fit. If the device affects transfers, pressure relief, positioning, breathing, or safe walking, ask a clinician, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or other qualified professional what size and features are needed.
Use Medicare or Medi-Cal at the Same Time
A community loan closet can solve an immediate gap, but it does not replace insurance coverage for medically necessary long-term equipment.
Medicare
Medicare DME coverage under Part B can cover medically necessary home-use equipment when a doctor or other health care provider orders it. Medicare also requires the supplier to be enrolled in Medicare. Coverage and out-of-pocket costs depend on the item and supplier rules.
If you are not sure what Medicare requires, California’s HICAP counseling is free at 1-800-434-0222. HICAP can help with Medicare questions and appeals. If health costs are a broader problem, our Medicare Savings guide explains California programs that may help with Medicare costs.
Medi-Cal
California lists Medi-Cal DME such as hospital beds, wheelchairs, oxygen, and dialysis equipment among covered benefits. The exact approval, supplier, and plan process can depend on the item and how the member receives Medi-Cal.
Start with the doctor and the member’s Medi-Cal plan. For managed-care problems, the Medi-Cal Ombudsman is available at 1-888-452-8609. For many regulated health-plan disputes, the DMHC complaint process may also apply after the plan grievance process or in urgent situations. The DMHC Help Center number is 1-888-466-2219.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Name the exact item. “Walker” is not enough if you need a rollator with a seat, a bariatric walker, or a folding front-wheel walker.
- Measure before calling. Have the user’s height, weight, doorway width, bathroom space, and step count ready.
- Call before driving. Ask whether the item is in stock today, whether an appointment is needed, and what paperwork applies.
- Ask what is included. A wheelchair may be missing footrests. A bed may not include a mattress. A lift may not include the right sling.
- Plan transport. Ask who loads the equipment, whether delivery is available, and whether the item fits in the vehicle.
- Keep insurance moving. If the item is medically necessary for longer use, do not stop the doctor or health-plan process just because a loaner was found.
- Ask for the next referral. If a program has no stock, ask which nearby program they would call next.
If the equipment need is part of a larger care problem, our California home care guide covers ways to pay for help at home.
What to Gather Before You Call
- ☐ County, city, ZIP code, and a discharge date if there is one.
- ☐ Exact equipment name and whether it must be left- or right-sided, powered, folding, or bariatric.
- ☐ User height and weight.
- ☐ Doorway width, bathroom space, stairs, and vehicle size.
- ☐ Whether the person can transfer alone or needs caregiver help.
- ☐ Doctor order or therapist recommendation when available.
- ☐ Medicare, Medi-Cal, Medicare Advantage, or other health-plan information.
- ☐ A pickup, delivery, or truck plan for large equipment.
If the household also needs food, rent, or utility help, use our California emergency help page instead of trying to solve every problem through a DME program.
Phone Scripts
Ability Tools
“I am helping an older adult in [county and ZIP]. We need [exact item] by [date]. Can you give me the closest reuse center, device loan program, or assistive-technology advocate that may have it?”
County aging office
“A senior in [county] needs [exact item] for home safety or discharge. Do you know a DME loan closet, reuse program, ADRC, transportation service, or local nonprofit I should call?”
Loan closet
“Do you have [exact item] in stock today? What size is it? Is it a loan or a giveaway? Do we need an appointment, ID, proof of address, deposit, waiver, or pickup helper?”
Health plan
“The doctor says this equipment is medically needed for home use. What order, supplier, authorization, and documentation are required? If it is denied, how do I get the denial in writing and start the appeal?”
If a family member is also providing daily care, our California caregiver pay guide explains programs that may pay some family caregivers.
Reality Checks
- Inventory is not guaranteed. Reuse programs depend on donations, returns, storage, repairs, and volunteer capacity.
- Large equipment is harder. Beds, lifts, power chairs, scooters, and long ramps need more storage and transport.
- Delivery is not standard. A program may give you an item but still require you to move and assemble it.
- “Free” can still have costs. A program may charge a refundable deposit, delivery cost, mattress cost, or replacement-part cost.
- Service areas matter. A program in your region may still limit help by county, ZIP code, disability status, or local residency.
- Reuse is not medical advice. Ask a qualified professional when fit, transfer safety, pressure relief, or clinical features matter.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Waiting until discharge day to begin the equipment search.
- Driving to a program without confirming current hours and stock.
- Taking a wheelchair without checking seat width and footrests.
- Taking a lift without the correct sling or safe-transfer plan.
- Assuming free equipment includes delivery, setup, repair, or batteries.
- Stopping the insurance process after finding a short-term loaner.
- Giving personal medical details by ordinary email when a phone call is safer.
- Relying on one program when a statewide and local search can run at the same time.
Denied, Delayed, or Still No Equipment?
Do not wait on one list if the item is needed soon. Use a second route the same day.
- No local stock: ask Ability Tools for the next reuse center, lending center, or AT advocate.
- Wrong service area: ask the program which organization serves your ZIP code.
- Large item unavailable: ask about donor-to-recipient matching, nearby programs, or a temporary smaller solution recommended by a clinician.
- Medicare problem: ask for the reason in writing and contact HICAP if you need help understanding the coverage or appeal path.
- Medi-Cal managed-care problem: use the plan grievance or appeal process, then contact the Medi-Cal Ombudsman when needed.
- Other bills are blocking the plan: use benefits screening or our BenefitsCal guide to check other California assistance.
Resumen en Español
California no tiene un solo armario estatal de equipo médico para personas mayores. El mejor comienzo es llamar a Ability Tools al 1-800-390-2699 y a la línea de servicios para adultos mayores al 1-800-510-2020. Pida un centro de reutilización, un préstamo de equipo o un centro de vida independiente cerca de su código postal.
Llame antes de viajar. El inventario cambia con frecuencia. Confirme el tamaño, límite de peso, horario, cita, depósito, documentos, transporte y si el equipo incluye todas las piezas. Para camas, elevadores y sillas eléctricas, pregunte también por entrega, instalación, batería y reparación.
Si Medicare, Medi-Cal o un plan de salud debe cubrir el equipo a largo plazo, continúe ese proceso al mismo tiempo. Un préstamo comunitario puede ayudar mientras espera, pero no reemplaza una orden médica, un proveedor aprobado o una apelación cuando el plan la exige.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there one statewide California DME loan closet for seniors?
No. California uses a network of Ability Tools programs, reuse centers, Independent Living Centers, Area Agencies on Aging, and local nonprofits. Start with Ability Tools and the county aging office.
What is the fastest first call?
Call Ability Tools at 1-800-390-2699 and the California Aging and Adult Information Line at 1-800-510-2020. One gives you a statewide assistive-technology route; the other connects you to local aging services.
Can I get equipment without insurance?
Sometimes. Many community reuse programs serve people who are uninsured, underinsured, waiting for coverage, or simply need donated equipment. Each program sets its own service-area and paperwork rules.
Can a caregiver pick up the equipment?
Often, but not always. Ask whether the equipment user must sign, whether a helper may pick up, and whether the program requires ID, proof of address, a waiver, a deposit, a cosigner, or an appointment.
Will a loan closet deliver a hospital bed?
Do not assume it will. Large-item delivery varies widely. Ask who transports the bed, who sets it up, whether a mattress is included, whether there is a fee, and who removes it later.
What if Medicare or Medi-Cal denies the equipment?
Ask for the denial or decision in writing and ask the doctor what medical-need documentation is missing. Medicare users can contact HICAP. Medi-Cal managed-care members can use the plan appeal or grievance process and contact the Medi-Cal Ombudsman when needed.
About This Guide
Sources: This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources linked in the article.
Editorial note
This guide is produced under the GFS Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources. GFS is not affiliated with a government agency and is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections
Despite careful verification, errors may occur. Readers may email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections.
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, funding, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the responsible official program before acting.
Last updated: 17 September 2026 · Next review: 17 January 2027
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