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Last updated: 13 September 2026
Georgia has several real ways to get a wheelchair, walker, hospital bed, shower chair, commode, lift, or other home medical equipment without paying full retail price. The best route depends on whether you need donated equipment now, want to borrow a device before buying it, or need Medicare or Medicaid to cover prescribed equipment.
This guide focuses on Georgia loan closets, equipment reuse, assistive technology programs, aging and disability referrals, and insurance routes. Availability can change daily, so call before driving anywhere.
Bottom Line
Start with FODAC if you need basic home medical equipment now. Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC) refurbishes donated equipment and serves Georgia through its own locations and a statewide partner network. Its home medical equipment is provided free, but FODAC currently charges a $25 registration fee for a new client, and batteries or delivery can add costs in some cases.
If FODAC does not have the item, call Georgia’s Aging and Disability Resource Connection at 1-866-552-4464 for local options. For prescribed or complex equipment, keep the doctor, Medicare, Medicaid, or health-plan route moving at the same time.
Start Here
- Name the exact item. Say “front-wheel walker,” “transport wheelchair,” “hospital bed,” or “Hoyer lift,” not just “medical equipment.”
- Call FODAC first. Check current stock before making a trip. For Tucker, call 1-770-491-9014 and press 2. For Savannah, call 1-912-667-1552.
- Use the statewide backup. If stock is empty or distance is a problem, call Georgia ADRC at 1-866-552-4464 and ask for loan closets, reuse programs, Centers for Independent Living, and Area Agency on Aging resources near your ZIP code.
| Situation | Best first route | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walker, manual wheelchair, commode, shower chair, hospital bed, lift | FODAC reuse | “Do you have this exact item in stock today?” | Inventory depends on donations and changes quickly. |
| Need to try a device first | Tools for Life | Ask about a device demonstration or short-term AT loan. | Its lending library is mainly for assistive technology trials, not a permanent giveaway program. |
| Senior age 60+ needs local help | ADRC / Area Agency on Aging | Ask for equipment reuse, assistive technology, home safety, and local providers. | Services and funding can differ by region. |
| Power chair, oxygen, CPAP, custom wheelchair, complex bed | Doctor and health plan | Ask what order, supplier, fitting, and prior approval are required. | A donated item may not safely replace clinically fitted equipment. |
| Veteran needs adaptive equipment | VA care team | Ask primary care, rehabilitation, or prosthetics about medical aids and mobility equipment. | Eligibility and equipment depend on VA clinical rules and enrollment. |
What Counts as Medical Equipment Help?
Durable medical equipment, usually shortened to DME, is reusable equipment used for a medical need. Common examples include walkers, canes, crutches, wheelchairs, commode chairs, hospital beds, patient lifts, oxygen equipment, and some breathing equipment.
A loan closet usually lends donated equipment for a short or flexible period. A reuse program collects used equipment, checks or refurbishes it, and redistributes it. An assistive technology loan often lets someone try a device before deciding what to buy or request through insurance.
If you want a broader national explanation of these choices, see the GFS guide to DME loan closets.
Helpful tip: Basic equipment is usually easier to obtain through reuse. For oxygen, CPAP, custom seating, power mobility, or equipment that must fit a medical condition, use a clinician and approved supplier rather than relying only on donated stock.
FODAC Is Georgia’s Main Reuse Route
Friends of Disabled Adults and Children is the most important Georgia-specific reuse resource to try first. Its FODAC medical equipment program lists manual and power wheelchairs, walkers, canes, hospital beds, Hoyer lifts, shower supports, gait trainers, standers, and other home medical equipment as available when donated stock allows.
FODAC says equipment is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Call before visiting. The organization asks for the user’s height and weight so staff can match equipment safely. It also asks new clients for identification or other proof of address.
Cost: FODAC’s current public information says its home medical equipment is free, with a $25 registration fee for a new client. Power equipment may require new batteries at the client’s cost. Limited delivery can carry a fee and restrictions.
Tucker, Savannah, Griffin, and partners
FODAC’s main site is in Tucker. Its current locations page also lists client centers in Savannah and Griffin. The Savannah branch serves the coastal area and provides home medical equipment. If you are farther away, use FODAC’s statewide access partners. The partner list includes aging agencies, Centers for Independent Living, and other organizations in areas such as Athens, Augusta, Bainbridge, Columbus, Dalton, Darien, Franklin, Macon, Marietta, Oakwood, Rome, Savannah, and Waycross.
Do not assume a partner keeps every item onsite. FODAC says partner deliveries may occur monthly or quarterly. Call the partner first and ask whether it is taking equipment requests now.
Repairs can be useful too
If you already own a wheelchair or other home medical equipment, replacement may not be the only option. FODAC’s equipment repair program accepts repair appointments even for equipment that did not come from FODAC. The repair program currently lists a $25 repair fee, with possible added parts, service, or battery costs.
Other Georgia Loan Closets and Local Equipment Programs
Georgia does not have one government-run inventory showing every available wheelchair or walker. Local programs often work from donated stock. The best plan is to use several verified routes instead of waiting on one closet.
| Program | Area or audience | What it offers | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia ADRC | Statewide; older adults and people with disabilities | Information, referrals, options counseling, and connection to 12 AAAs | Finding the closest local program when you do not know where to call |
| Walton Options STAR | Augusta area and disability community | Reused wheelchairs, shower chairs, tub benches, commodes, hospital beds, walkers and similar equipment | Augusta-area reuse and disability support |
| disABILITY LINK | Metro Atlanta disability community | Free borrowing through a loan closet, including some wheelchairs, crutches, walkers and assistive technology | Short-term borrowing or trying equipment |
| Fayette Senior Services | Fayette County older adults and families | Gently used medical equipment loans on a first-come basis | A local senior-specific loan route in Fayette County |
The state Georgia ADRC says its network serves all 159 counties. You can call 1-866-552-4464. The official local AAA finder shows Georgia’s 12 Area Agencies on Aging and the counties each serves. GFS also has a practical guide to Georgia aging agencies.
For Augusta and nearby communities, Walton Options STAR describes a reuse network for people with disabilities who may not otherwise afford equipment. For metro Atlanta, the disABILITY LINK loan closet states that borrowing is free. In Fayette County, Fayette equipment lending is a senior-focused local option.
If equipment is only one part of a larger disability problem, the GFS Georgia disability guide covers additional state and local help.
Tools for Life: Try Assistive Technology Before You Buy
Georgia Tech’s Tools for Life is Georgia’s Assistive Technology Act program. It serves Georgians of all ages with disabilities and older adults. This is especially useful when you need to test a device before buying it or asking insurance to pay.
The Tools for Life loans program offers demonstrations and a lending library. Its current library includes daily-living devices, hearing and vision equipment, communication tools, aging-related devices, environmental controls, and other assistive technology. Device loans are for a limited period so the user can see whether the equipment is a good fit.
The AT lending library lists examples such as amplified listening devices, magnifiers, adapted keyboards, automatic pill dispensers, seat-assist devices, caregiver alert tools, and communication equipment. This is different from FODAC’s permanent equipment reuse.
Tools for Life also maintains funding and reuse information. It specifically points Georgians toward FODAC and other reuse or financing options rather than promising direct cash assistance.
Aging Services May Help With Assistive Technology
Georgia’s non-Medicaid Home and Community Based Services program lists assistive technology among its in-home services for adults age 60 and older. The program is administered regionally through Area Agencies on Aging, so availability is not the same in every county.
Use the state’s HCBS services page as a starting point, then call your local AAA. Ask whether assistive technology, home modification, or other in-home services are available in your region and whether there is a waitlist.
If equipment is needed to stay at home safely, the GFS guide to Georgia home care can help you compare related support. If the problem is a ramp, grab bars, unsafe steps, or another structural barrier, see Georgia home repair help.
When Medicare or Georgia Medicaid Is the Better Route
A loan closet is often faster for simple equipment. It is not a replacement for insurance when the equipment needs a prescription, fitting, clinical documentation, ongoing supplies, or repair support.
Medicare
Original Medicare Part B covers medically necessary durable medical equipment for home use when Medicare’s rules are met. Medicare’s Medicare DME coverage page lists examples such as canes, commode chairs, CPAP equipment, crutches, glucose monitors, hospital beds, walkers, wheelchairs, and oxygen equipment.
After the Part B deductible, a beneficiary generally pays 20% of the Medicare-approved amount when the supplier accepts assignment. The doctor and supplier must meet Medicare requirements. Use the official Medicare supplier finder to search by ZIP code.
If Medicare bills are hard to afford, Georgia SHIP provides free, unbiased counseling at 1-866-552-4464, option 4. The Georgia SHIP program can explain coverage, claims, appeals, and financial assistance. GFS also explains Georgia Medicare Savings programs.
Georgia Medicaid
Georgia Medicaid has a durable medical equipment benefit. Current state policy materials show that covered equipment and supplies must meet medical-necessity and program requirements, and some DME needs prior approval. Do not buy an expensive item first and assume Medicaid will reimburse you later.
Start with the doctor or other treating professional and a supplier that participates with your Medicaid coverage. The Georgia Department of Community Health directs providers to its current Medicaid provider manual, and the GAMMIS portal has a Medicaid provider search.
If you still need to apply for Medicaid or other state benefits, use the GFS Georgia benefits portal guide.
Veterans
Veterans enrolled in VA health care should also ask their VA care team. The VA Atlanta services page lists prosthetics and rehabilitation, including medical aids, adaptive home equipment, mobility help, and durable medical equipment for daily living and home safety. The GFS Georgia veteran guide covers related state and federal help.
Which Items Are Easier to Find?
| Equipment | Good first route | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Canes, walkers, crutches, commodes, shower chairs | Reuse or loan closet | These common items are often donated and need less customization. |
| Manual wheelchairs and transport chairs | FODAC or local closet | Reuse can work when size and condition are appropriate. |
| Hospital beds and patient lifts | FODAC plus insurance | Used stock may exist, but large items need safe setup and transport. |
| Power chairs and scooters | Insurance plus reuse backup | Battery condition, fitting, control setup, and repairs matter. |
| Oxygen, CPAP, ventilator equipment | Doctor and approved supplier | These are medical therapies that require the formal clinical route. |
| Magnifiers, hearing tools, pill devices, communication aids | Tools for Life | A trial can show whether the technology actually works for the user. |
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Write down the exact item. Include size, width, weight capacity, power/manual type, and any special feature you know.
- Call before driving. Donation stock can change in hours. Ask whether the item can be held and for how long.
- Give the ZIP code. FODAC partners, AAAs, and Centers for Independent Living work by service area.
- Ask what the program needs. Confirm ID, prescription, referral, fee, pickup rules, and whether a caregiver can collect the item.
- Keep insurance moving. A borrowed walker can help today while Medicare or Medicaid works on a longer-term order.
- Call again if stock is empty. Reuse inventory changes as donations come in.
What to Gather Before You Call
- Full name, ZIP code, county, and best callback number
- Exact equipment needed
- User’s height and weight for mobility equipment
- Short-term or long-term need
- Hospital or rehab discharge date, if applicable
- Doctor, therapist, home health, or case manager contact
- Prescription or order, if one already exists
- Medicare, Medicaid, VA, private insurance, or uninsured status
- Whether you can pick up a large item and what vehicle you have
Check Fit and Safety Before Using Reused Equipment
Free equipment is not useful if it causes a fall or does not fit the person. For walkers and wheelchairs, height, width, brakes, footrests, tips, wheels, and weight capacity matter.
- Inspect moving parts. Brakes, locks, casters, leg rests, and folding joints should work smoothly.
- Ask about cleaning. Reuse programs should explain how an item was cleaned or refurbished.
- Check batteries. For powered devices, ask how old the batteries are and whether a charger is included.
- Use a clinician for complex fit. Ask a physical or occupational therapist when posture, pressure injury risk, transfers, or power mobility is involved.
- Do not improvise breathing equipment. Oxygen, CPAP, ventilators, and similar devices should follow the medical supplier route.
Reality Checks
- “Free” may still have small costs. FODAC equipment is free, but its current registration fee is $25, and batteries, delivery, or repairs can cost extra.
- Stock is not guaranteed. Loan closets and reuse programs depend on donations.
- Pickup can be the hardest part. A hospital bed or power chair may require a truck, helper, and safe way into the home.
- Insurance takes paperwork. Medicare and Medicaid may require an order, approved supplier, medical documentation, or prior approval.
- Local rules differ. A county senior program may serve only residents of its service area.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Driving to a warehouse or loan closet without confirming stock
- Asking only for “a wheelchair” without knowing the type or size
- Waiting until hospital discharge day to begin the search
- Assuming a donated power chair has a good battery or safe fit
- Stopping an insurance order after finding a temporary loaner
- Paying a stranger online for an item that should be medically fitted
If You Are Denied, Delayed, or Cannot Find the Item
If one route fails, use another route the same day. Ask FODAC about the next closest partner. Ask ADRC for the local AAA and Center for Independent Living. Ask the hospital social worker or home health team for community equipment resources.
If Medicare or Medicaid denies the item, request the denial reason in writing. Ask the doctor or supplier whether the problem is missing documentation, medical necessity, supplier enrollment, network rules, or prior approval. Georgia SHIP can help Medicare beneficiaries understand claims and appeals.
For broader help with bills, services, or other needs while equipment is delayed, the GFS Georgia assistance guide can help you find other state support.
Phone Scripts You Can Use
FODAC or loan closet
“Hello. I am helping an older adult in ZIP code [ZIP]. We need a [exact item]. Is one available today? What size information, ID, fee, or paperwork do you need? Can a family member pick it up?”
ADRC or AAA
“I need medical equipment for an older adult in [county]. We need a [exact item]. Please check equipment reuse, loan closets, Centers for Independent Living, and assistive technology programs near us.”
Hospital discharge
“The patient cannot go home safely without a [exact item]. Can case management help arrange a supplier, loaner, or community equipment source before discharge? What order should the doctor enter today?”
Medicare or Medicaid
“The treating clinician says I need a [exact item] at home. Which supplier should I use? Does it need prior approval? What medical notes, order, or evaluation must be submitted before I get it?”
Resumen en Español
En Georgia hay varias opciones para conseguir equipo médico usado, prestado o de bajo costo. Para sillas de ruedas, andadores, camas de hospital, sillas de ducha y otros equipos básicos, una de las primeras opciones es FODAC. Llame antes de viajar porque el inventario cambia con frecuencia.
Si FODAC no tiene el equipo, llame a Georgia ADRC al 1-866-552-4464 y pida recursos cerca de su código postal. Para oxígeno, CPAP, sillas eléctricas complejas u otro equipo recetado, siga también el proceso con el médico, Medicare, Medicaid o el plan de salud.
Antes de llamar, tenga a mano el nombre exacto del equipo, código postal, altura y peso de la persona, fecha de alta del hospital si aplica, seguro médico y cualquier receta u orden del médico.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get a free wheelchair in Georgia?
Start with FODAC. It distributes donated home medical equipment, including manual and power wheelchairs when available, and has a statewide partner network. Call first because inventory changes quickly. Local Centers for Independent Living and senior programs may also have wheelchairs to borrow.
Is FODAC medical equipment really free?
FODAC currently says its home medical equipment is free, but it charges a $25 registration fee for a new client. Power equipment may also require new batteries, and some delivery or repair services have fees.
Can I borrow equipment before buying it?
Yes. Georgia Tech’s Tools for Life lending library lets eligible users borrow assistive technology for a limited time to see whether a device meets their needs. Some local loan closets also lend walkers, wheelchairs, and other equipment.
Does Medicare pay for medical equipment in Georgia?
Medicare Part B can cover medically necessary durable medical equipment for home use when Medicare requirements are met. The doctor and supplier must meet Medicare rules. After the Part B deductible, a beneficiary generally pays 20% of the Medicare-approved amount when the supplier accepts assignment.
Does Georgia Medicaid cover durable medical equipment?
Georgia Medicaid has a DME benefit for covered medically necessary equipment and supplies. Some items require prior approval and must be obtained through the proper provider route. Ask the treating clinician and Medicaid supplier or health plan what is required before ordering an expensive item.
What if no Georgia loan closet has my item?
Call Georgia ADRC at 1-866-552-4464 and ask for your Area Agency on Aging, Center for Independent Living, and other local equipment resources. Keep Medicare, Medicaid, VA, or private insurance requests moving at the same time if the item is medically prescribed.
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: 13 September 2026 · Next review: 13 December 2026
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