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Last updated: 22 September 2026
DME means durable medical equipment. This guide covers home-use items such as walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, bedside commodes, hospital beds, patient lifts, scooters, and similar equipment. Some Texas programs lend equipment. Others give away donated items, repair equipment, or help people find a covered supplier.
Stock changes quickly. A program that normally handles wheelchairs may have none today, so call before driving. If the equipment is needed for a safe hospital or rehabilitation discharge, ask the discharge team to work on a formal equipment order while you also search for a short-term loan or donated item.
Bottom Line
Texas residents usually need to combine statewide referral routes with regional reuse programs. Start with the TTAP reuse list, the HHSC service locator, 2-1-1 Texas, and the Texas Centers for Independent Living network. Then call the nearest reuse or loan program that handles the exact item you need.
If Medicare or Medicaid may cover the item, keep that process moving too. A loan closet can bridge a gap, but it does not replace a covered order, supplier request, prior authorization, or appeal.
Urgent Help
If a senior cannot transfer, toilet, walk, breathe, or return home safely without equipment, do not wait for a loan-closet email.
- Hospital or rehab discharge: ask the discharge planner or case manager for a safe equipment plan before the person leaves.
- Local service search: call 1-855-937-2372 and ask for the Aging and Disability Resource Center or other local equipment help by ZIP code.
- Immediate danger: call the treating clinician, home health or hospice team, or 911 when the person cannot move or function safely.
- Longer-term need: start Medicare, Medicaid, or insurance paperwork at the same time.
Start Here
- Call a statewide referral line. Dial 2-1-1 Texas or 1-877-541-7905 and give your ZIP code, county, and exact equipment name.
- Find the right disability office. Use the Texas CIL directory for Centers for Independent Living that serve your area.
- Check both loan and coverage routes. If the item could be covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or another plan, ask the doctor or therapist to start that order while you search local programs.
For a broader view of food, housing, healthcare, utility, and other aid, see the GFS Texas senior help guide.
Quick Reference
| Need | Best first route | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Walker, cane, commode, shower chair, or manual wheelchair | Local loan closet, aging office, CIL, or 2-1-1 | Ask if the exact size is in stock before driving. |
| Hospital bed, patient lift, power chair, or scooter | Regional reuse program plus doctor or insurer | Large items are harder to find and often need paperwork. |
| Rural area with no nearby closet | TTAP, ADRC, CIL, and nearby hub cities | Ask staff to search neighboring counties, not just your own. |
| Possible Medicare or Medicaid coverage | Doctor, plan, and enrolled or approved supplier | A donated item may help now, but keep the covered order moving. |
What Has Changed
- REACH link repaired: the Dallas location URL used in the May version now returns 404. REACH remains active, and its current site says it collects, sanitizes, and distributes new or gently used DME and unopened incontinence supplies free through its North Texas offices.
- TTAP terms rechecked: the current TTAP device loans page still states a 35-day loan period, shipping paid both ways, and typical shipping of 3 to 14 days.
- Texas Medicaid refreshed: the Texas Medicaid manual was updated August 31, 2026, with policy changes through September 1, 2026. Managed-care authorization and referral steps can still differ by plan.
Statewide Starting Routes
Texas is large, and equipment help is spread across state programs, aging offices, disability centers, hospitals, and nonprofits. Start statewide, then narrow the search to the closest program that handles the item.
| Starting point | Best for | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Technology Access Program | Assistive technology loans, demonstrations, reuse information, and referrals | TTAP lists Texas reuse options and offers some short-term device loans. The TTAP contact page lists 512-232-0740 and 1-800-828-7839. |
| Texas Health and Human Services | Aging, disability, AAA, ADRC, and local service office searches | Search by county or ZIP code. If you are unsure which office fits, call 1-855-937-2372. |
| 2-1-1 Texas | Local community referrals when you know the item and ZIP code | Ask specifically for a DME loan closet, equipment reuse program, disability center, or charity that serves your county. |
| Centers for Independent Living | Disability-focused equipment, referrals, and independent-living support | Use the state directory to find the center serving your county, then ask what equipment is available now. |
If you want help identifying the aging office for your county, the GFS Texas aging offices guide explains Area Agencies on Aging and regional coverage.
Regional Texas Equipment Programs
These are practical programs to check, but none can promise that a specific item will be available today. Call first and ask about stock, intake rules, pickup, size, and whether a caregiver can collect the item.
| Region | Program | What it may provide | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Texas | AGE H.E.L.P. | Wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, rollators, shower chairs, benches, bedside commodes, grab bars, raised toilet seats, and incontinence products | AGE says the program provides free gently used equipment and supplies. Appointments are required. Its current page also says it cannot process beds, electronic devices, or motorized wheelchairs or scooters. |
| San Antonio and South Texas | Project MEND services | Refurbished medical equipment and assistive technology for people with disabilities or illness | A prescription or letter of medical necessity is required for medical equipment. Send it first, then call 210-223-6363 to complete intake. |
| Greater Houston | Living Hope equipment | Wheelchairs, scooters, hospital beds, other medical equipment, supplies, and wheelchair repair | Living Hope describes monthly supply distribution. Call 281-764-6251 for the next distribution date or equipment request. |
| Greater Houston | RSVP adult equipment | Transport wheelchairs, tub benches, commodes, canes, rollators, walkers, power wheelchairs, and more complex rehab equipment | RSVP serves people who are unfunded or underfunded. Equipment depends on donations and availability. Call 1-855-825-7787. |
| North Texas | REACH equipment page | Free donated DME, unopened incontinence supplies, and loaner items such as wheelchairs, walkers, and visual aids, depending on office and stock | REACH lists offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Denton, and Collin County. The former Dallas location URL is stale, so use the current REACH site or the state CIL directory. |
| El Paso | Volar lending closet | Wheelchairs, canes, crutches, walkers, diapers, and other donated equipment or supplies | Volar says there is no charge or time limit for available items and asks that equipment be returned when no longer needed. Call 915-591-0800. |
| El Paso hospital patients | Project C.A.R.E. | Wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, hospital beds, and other new or gently used equipment | The program serves uninsured and financially challenged patients at UMC and El Paso Children’s Hospital. A UMC social worker determines need and makes the referral. |
If disability affects housing, transportation, caregiving, or daily living as well as equipment, the GFS Texas disability help guide covers additional routes. If you are in El Paso and need help beyond equipment, the GFS El Paso senior help guide covers broader local assistance. If you are in Irving, the GFS Irving senior help guide can help when equipment is only one part of a wider local need.
What Equipment Should You Ask For?
Be as specific as you can. “Wheelchair” can mean a transport chair, standard manual chair, bariatric chair, power chair, or custom seating system. The right description helps staff check stock quickly and prevents unsafe sizing.
Often easier to find
- Canes and crutches
- Standard walkers and rollators
- Shower chairs and tub benches
- Bedside commodes and raised toilet seats
- Manual wheelchairs and transport chairs
- Some unopened incontinence supplies
Often harder to find
- Hospital beds and patient lifts
- Power wheelchairs and scooters
- Bariatric equipment
- Custom seating and positioning equipment
- Standing frames and complex bathroom chairs
Helpful tip: for large or powered equipment, call more than one reuse program and start the insurance route at the same time. Donated inventory can disappear quickly.
When Medicare or Medicaid May Help
A donated or loaned item can solve an immediate problem, but insurance may be the better long-term route for medically necessary equipment.
Medicare
Medicare DME coverage can include items such as walkers, commode chairs, hospital beds, wheelchairs, scooters, oxygen equipment, and some other home-use equipment when Medicare rules are met. The item generally must be medically necessary and ordered for use in the home by a Medicare-enrolled doctor or other healthcare provider.
Original Medicare is not the same as free equipment. After the Part B deductible, the current Medicare page says you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount when the supplier accepts assignment. Medicare Advantage costs and network rules can differ. Use the Medicare supplier finder to search for equipment suppliers near your ZIP code.
Texas Medicaid
Texas Medicaid has detailed DME rules, documentation standards, and prior-authorization requirements. The September 2026 provider manual includes current DME policy changes. For many people in managed care, the plan may use its own administrative steps for prior authorization, referrals, and suppliers while still providing medically necessary Medicaid-covered services.
A September 1, 2026 DME reimbursement update also notes that managed-care procedures can differ from plan to plan. See the September DME update, then ask the member’s plan what paperwork and supplier it requires.
If Medicare costs are the problem, the GFS Texas MSP guide explains Medicare Savings Programs. If the person also needs hands-on help at home, see the GFS Texas home care guide. If home care is no longer enough and assisted living is being considered, the GFS pay for assisted living guide explains payment options.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Name the exact item. Say “front-wheel walker,” “transport chair,” “3-in-1 commode,” or “fully electric hospital bed,” not just “medical equipment.”
- Give your location. Have the ZIP code and county ready. Texas programs often serve specific counties or regions.
- Ask about stock first. Say, “Do you have this item in the right size today?”
- Ask what paperwork is required. Some programs need only basic intake. Others may need a prescription, referral, proof of need, or insurance information.
- Confirm pickup details. Ask about office hours, appointment rules, caregiver pickup, loading help, and whether the item will fit in your vehicle.
- Keep formal coverage moving. A temporary chair or walker should not automatically stop a Medicare, Medicaid, or private-insurance order.
If the equipment need is tied to ramps, grab bars, unsafe steps, or a bathroom that is hard to use, the GFS Texas home repair guide may help with broader home-safety options.
What to Gather Before You Call
- ZIP code and county
- Exact item needed
- Height and approximate weight
- Short-term or long-term need
- Hospital or rehab discharge date, if any
- Doctor, therapist, home health, or hospice contact
- Prescription or letter of medical necessity, if available
- Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, or no coverage
- Pickup person and vehicle type
- Home barriers such as stairs, narrow doors, or small bathrooms
Phone Scripts You Can Use
Keep the call short. Write down the person’s name, the date, and the next step.
Loan closet or reuse program
“Hello, I am helping an older adult in [ZIP code]. We need a [exact item] by [date]. Is one available in the right size? Is it a loan or a giveaway? What paperwork is needed, and can a family member pick it up?”
Hospital discharge
“My family member cannot go home safely without a [exact item]. Can case management help us arrange a supplier, loaner, or charity source before discharge? Can the clinician also provide the order or medical-necessity letter?”
Medicare or Medicaid plan
“The clinician says the patient needs a [exact item] at home. Which supplier should we use? Does this item need prior authorization? What order, notes, or records are required?”
2-1-1 or ADRC
“I need medical equipment help for an older adult in [county]. We need a [exact item]. Please check loan closets, equipment reuse programs, Centers for Independent Living, charities, and nearby counties.”
Rural Texas and Transportation Problems
Distance can be as important as eligibility. A senior in a rural county may need to use a program in a larger regional city instead of the nearest town. When you call 1-855-937-2372, ask the Aging and Disability Resource Center to search outside your county if local options are empty.
TTAP can be especially useful when the item is part of its assistive-technology loan library because TTAP says it pays shipping both ways. Shipping can take 3 to 14 days, so this route may not fit a same-day discharge.
Also ask whether:
- a caregiver, adult child, church volunteer, or neighbor may pick up the item;
- the program can hold the item until the next day;
- the hospital social worker can make the referral;
- a CIL or aging office has a closer partner site;
- another county has the same item in stock.
If equipment is only one part of a larger crisis involving rent, food, utilities, shelter, or safety, the GFS Texas emergency help guide gives additional starting points.
Check Safety Before Using Reused Equipment
It is reasonable to ask how an item was cleaned and inspected. Reused equipment can be very helpful, but the fit and condition still matter.
- Check moving parts. Test brakes, locks, rests, tips, belts, folding parts, and height adjustments.
- Confirm the size. A wheelchair, walker, or commode that is too narrow, tall, low, or weak for the person can create a fall risk.
- Check powered equipment. Ask whether the charger works, whether the battery holds a charge, and how the controls were tested.
- Check missing parts. Do not use equipment that is missing critical hardware, straps, cushions, or safety pieces.
- Stop if it feels unsafe. If the item rocks, slips, sparks, does not lock, or cannot support the user safely, contact the program before using it.
Reality Checks
- Inventory changes every day. A program can list wheelchairs on its website and still have none in the needed size today.
- Pickup is common. Many community programs do not deliver large equipment to the home.
- Large items are slower. Beds, lifts, power chairs, and scooters take more space, repair work, and transport planning.
- Paperwork can be the barrier. Complex items may need a prescription, medical-necessity letter, therapy evaluation, or plan authorization.
- “Free” does not mean unlimited. Some programs are no-cost, but availability depends on donations, funding, region, and current stock.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Driving to a program without confirming stock and appointment rules
- Asking only for “a wheelchair” without knowing the needed type and size
- Waiting until discharge day to start the search
- Assuming the program delivers
- Taking equipment without checking fit, brakes, locks, or missing parts
- Stopping a Medicare or Medicaid order just because a temporary loaner was found
- Paying someone who claims they can guarantee a government DME approval
Denied, Delayed, or Overwhelmed
If the first program says no, ask why. “No stock,” “outside service area,” “missing paperwork,” and “not covered” are different problems and need different next steps.
- No stock: ask when to call again and whether staff know another program in the region.
- Wrong service area: ask for the program that serves your county or ZIP code.
- Missing paperwork: ask the clinician to rewrite the order with the exact equipment, size, home-use need, and medical reason.
- Insurance delay: ask the plan for the denial or missing-information reason in writing and what appeal or resubmission route applies.
- Unsafe discharge: ask for case management, a patient advocate, or a safer discharge plan.
For a broader national explanation of reuse programs and equipment closets, see the GFS DME loan closet guide.
Resumen en Español
En Texas, la ayuda con equipo médico suele ser local. Empiece con 2-1-1 Texas, el número estatal 1-855-937-2372, TTAP o un Center for Independent Living. Diga su código postal, condado y el nombre exacto del equipo que necesita. Llame antes de manejar porque el inventario cambia con frecuencia.
TTAP ofrece algunos préstamos de tecnología de apoyo por 35 días y paga el envío de ida y vuelta. En Central Texas, AGE H.E.L.P. ofrece equipo usado en buen estado y suministros sin costo, con cita. En San Antonio, Project MEND exige una receta o carta de necesidad médica para equipo médico. En Houston, revise Living Hope y RSVP Texas. En El Paso, revise Volar y Project C.A.R.E.
Si Medicare o Medicaid puede cubrir el equipo, continúe también con ese proceso. Un equipo prestado puede ayudar de inmediato, pero no sustituye una orden médica, autorización, proveedor aprobado o apelación.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there one statewide Texas loan closet for seniors?
No. Texas residents generally use statewide referral and assistive-technology routes plus regional equipment programs. Start with HHSC, 2-1-1 Texas, TTAP, the aging network, or a Center for Independent Living, then call the closest program that serves your county.
What is the best first call?
If you do not know which office serves you, call 1-855-937-2372. You can also dial 2-1-1 or 1-877-541-7905 and ask for medical-equipment help near your ZIP code.
Does TTAP mail equipment?
For items in its short-term assistive-technology loan library, TTAP says it pays shipping both ways. Loans are for 35 days, and shipping can take 3 to 14 days. Some complex devices may require a professional to be involved.
Can I get a hospital bed for free?
Sometimes, but beds are harder to find through donation programs. Living Hope and Project C.A.R.E. list hospital beds among equipment they handle. Project MEND may also help with refurbished equipment. Call first because stock and intake rules change.
Do I need a prescription?
Not for every local program. However, Project MEND currently requires a prescription or letter of medical necessity for medical equipment. Medicare, Medicaid, and other insurers may also require a clinician’s order and additional documentation.
Can a caregiver pick up equipment?
Often, but do not assume. Ask the program whether a caregiver or family member may pick up the item and what identification, forms, or vehicle requirements apply.
What if Medicare or Medicaid covers the item?
Use both paths when needed. A loaned or donated item may help now, but it does not replace the covered order, supplier process, prior authorization, or appeal that may provide a safer long-term solution.
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: 22 September 2026 · Next review: 22 January 2027
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