DME Loan Closets and Medical Equipment Reuse in New York

Last updated: 16 April 2026

Bottom Line: New York does not run one senior-only statewide durable medical equipment (DME) loan closet. The best statewide path is usually to start with the Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities (TRAID) program, NY Connects, and your local Office for the Aging, then move to city, county, nonprofit, or town-level closets that actually serve your area.

For older adults in New York, this matters because rules change by county, borough, town, and even school district. Some programs are free, some ask for a refundable deposit, some lend only for a few weeks, and some will not deliver at all.

Emergency help now

• Call NY Connects at 1-800-342-9871 and say exactly what is needed today: walker, wheelchair, commode, shower bench, hospital bed, or transport help.
• Call your regional TRAID center and ask whether a short-term loan is in stock now. New York says TRAID loans are generally short term, often up to 60 days.
• If a hospital or rehab wants to send someone home today without safe equipment in place, ask for the discharge planner, social worker, or therapist and say the home is not ready yet.

Quick help

• Fastest statewide start: NY Connects at 1-800-342-9871.
• Best New York reuse network: the state’s TRAID regional centers.
• Best county-level help: your local Office for the Aging.
• After hours or if you do not know who serves your ZIP code: call 211 New York or text your ZIP code to 898-211.
• New York City only: use NYC NY Connects; if you are uninsured and need prescribed equipment, also check NYC Care.

What this help is, and what it is not

What it is: A DME loan closet or reuse program lends or redistributes used durable medical equipment such as walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, commodes, and similar items. In New York, the closest true statewide system is TRAID, and the best statewide referral systems are NY Connects and the county Offices for the Aging.

What it is not: It is not the same as insurance coverage. A community loan closet may lend reused equipment for short-term use, while Medicare Part B durable medical equipment coverage and New York Medicaid rules deal with medically necessary equipment through approved suppliers. If you need long-term covered equipment, billing help, or a supplier dispute, call New York’s Health Insurance Information, Counseling, and Assistance Program (HIICAP) at 1-800-701-0501.

Quick facts for New York seniors

• New York does not appear to maintain one official senior-only statewide loan-closet directory. Instead, the state points people to TRAID, NY Connects, and local aging offices.
• The New York State Justice Center says TRAID has 12 regional centers and device loans are generally up to 60 days.
• The Office for the Aging says every county has a local office, and New York City has one office serving all five boroughs.
• NY Connects is free and serves older adults, people with disabilities of any age, caregivers, and helpers.
• 211 New York is available 24/7 statewide and also accepts texts to 898-211.
• Inventory changes fast. A closet may have three walkers today and none tomorrow.
• Rules differ inside New York. One program may be open to any New York resident, while another may be limited to one town or school district.

The best statewide starting points in New York

Start here	Best for	Why it matters in New York	How to reach it
TRAID	Short-term loans, trying equipment before buying, reuse referrals	The New York State Justice Center runs this statewide assistive technology network through 12 regional centers. The state says loans are generally short term, often up to 60 days.	1-800-624-4143 for general TRAID help
NY Connects	County-by-county local help	NY Connects routes you to local staff who can identify nearby loan closets, transportation, home care, and benefit programs.	1-800-342-9871
Office for the Aging	Senior-specific support, local referrals, transport help	Each county office knows what actually exists nearby, including small volunteer closets that may not show up well online.	Find the right county office online
211 New York	After-hours help and broad community searches	Useful when a senior needs a local church, town, or volunteer-run closet fast and does not know where to start.	211 or text ZIP to 898-211
HIICAP	Insurance problems, Medicare questions, coverage denials	Use this when you need a covered item from a supplier, not just a reused loaner from a community closet.	1-800-701-0501

New York City note: If you live in the five boroughs and need doctor-prescribed equipment rather than a reuse loan, NYC Care’s durable medical equipment benefit may help eligible uninsured members through NYC Health + Hospitals.

New York’s TRAID regions in plain English

Region	Area served	Lead organization	Phone
Adirondack	Clinton, Essex, Franklin, St. Lawrence	Adirondack Regional Technology Center	1-518-564-3362
Southwestern New York	Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Schuyler, Steuben	AIM Independent Living Center	1-607-962-8225
Western New York	Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming	Center for Assistive Technology	1-716-836-1168
Central New York	Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Tompkins	AccessCNY	1-315-410-3335
Genesee/Finger Lakes	Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, Yates	Regional Center for Independent Living	1-585-442-6470
Hudson Valley	Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster	Hudson Valley Regional TRAID	1-845-336-7235
Lower Hudson Valley	Dutchess, Putnam, Westchester	Westchester Institute for Human Development	1-914-493-7364
Capital Region	Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, Washington	Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center	1-518-792-3537
Southern Tier	Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga	STIC	1-607-724-2111
Long Island	Nassau and Suffolk	Suffolk Independent Living Organization	1-631-880-7929
New York City	New York City residents	ADAPT Community Network TechWorks	1-718-436-7600
Mohawk Valley/Leatherstocking	Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Montgomery, Oneida	Upstate Caring Partners	1-315-292-1968

Why TRAID matters: Unlike many generic web lists, this is New York’s official statewide system. Several regions add special features: AccessCNY says it makes monthly rural outreach visits outside Onondaga County, ADAPT’s TechWorks To Go brings assistive technology into community sites in New York City, and Upstate Caring Partners says it has more than 3,000 devices in its library.

Major regional organizations and what local variation looks like

New York City

Start with NYC NY Connects or the city’s TRAID center run by ADAPT Community Network. NYC Aging contracts different NY Connects operators by borough: Bronx 1-347-862-5200, Brooklyn 1-718-671-6200, Manhattan 1-212-966-9852, Queens 1-718-559-4400, and Staten Island 1-718-489-3954. If you are uninsured and need prescribed equipment instead of a short-term loan, NYC Care is a city-specific fallback.

Long Island

Nassau and Suffolk residents can start with the SILO TRAID region. But Long Island also shows how local rules vary: Three Village Lending Aids limits loans to residents of the Three Village School District, while The Society for Lending Comforts to the Sick in Smithtown loans equipment free of charge during set lending hours. Always ask whether a program is countywide, townwide, or neighborhood-only before you drive there.

Hudson Valley and Capital Region

Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess use the Lower Hudson Valley TRAID center. Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, and Ulster use the Hudson Valley Regional TRAID center in Lake Katrine. For a broader community option, the Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley loan closet in Troy says it is open to New York State residents, requires no insurance, and may arrange pickup or delivery in some cases.

Central New York, Finger Lakes, Western New York, and the North Country

In Central New York, AccessCNY is especially useful for rural seniors because it reports monthly outreach outside Onondaga County. In Ithaca, the Finger Lakes Independence Center loan closet lends durable medical equipment for up to three months, and its Try it Room offers one-month loans of smaller daily-living aids without a deposit. Buffalo-area counties use the Center for Assistive Technology, southwestern counties can call AIM Independent Living Center, the Southern Tier uses STIC, and the North Country uses the Adirondack Regional Technology Center.

Disease-specific help: If the need is tied to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), skip the generic search and call the ALS Association’s Robert Wright Memorial Equipment Loan Program, which covers Upstate New York and keeps loan closets in Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse.

What equipment is commonly available in New York

Across New York loan closets such as ILCHV, FLIC, TRAID centers, and the ALS Association, the same pattern shows up again and again:

Usually easier to find	Sometimes available	Often harder to find
Canes, crutches, walkers, rollators, manual wheelchairs, transport chairs, commodes, shower chairs, tub benches, raised toilet seats, bed rails, reachers	Hospital beds, temporary ramps, knee scooters, bariatric sizes, transfer boards, patient lifts, cushions, low-vision and hearing devices, communication devices	Custom power chairs, specialty mattresses, large bariatric beds, respiratory gear, opened supplies, and anything that needs fitting, programming, or sterile handling

How loans usually work in New York

There is no one statewide rule. New York works through a mix of state-funded assistive technology centers, county referrals, independent living centers, disease-specific nonprofits, and small local volunteer closets.

Examples: The state’s TRAID brochure says loans are generally up to 60 days. The Finger Lakes Independence Center says many items can be borrowed for up to three months, with refundable deposits on some items. The Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley says loans are free, with no insurance required. Local town programs may be appointment-only or limited to local residents.

For seniors, the main point is this: call first, ask what is in stock, ask what the return rules are, and ask whether the item is meant as a short-term bridge while insurance or a supplier handles the long-term need.

What to ask before pickup

• Is the item actually in stock right now?
• Is it the right size and weight limit? Ask about seat width, walker height, bariatric capacity, and whether parts are adjustable.
• How long is the loan? Ask about due dates, renewals, and waitlists.
• Is there a fee or refundable deposit?
• How was it cleaned? Ask whether all removable parts were disinfected and whether any worn tips, grips, or soft parts were replaced.
• What parts come with it? Footrests, charger, commode bucket, straps, tray, or manual.
• Will it fit in my car and home? Measure doors, bathroom space, and entry steps before pickup.
• Who carries it? Many closets do not load, deliver, or set up the item for you.

Sanitation, condition, and safety questions

Do not skip the safety check. For walkers, look at rubber tips, brake cables, and frame cracks. For wheelchairs, check footrests, armrests, tire condition, and whether the brakes lock. For commodes and shower benches, check for rust, missing bolts, and loose legs.

Do not assume every program handles every kind of gear. The state TRAID brochure says donation rules vary by center and notes that medical devices like continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines and large items like hospital beds often cannot be accepted. At the same time, programs like ILCHV and the ALS Association’s Upstate New York program do list hospital beds. In other words, ask before you travel.

Transportation, delivery, and what rural seniors should do

Transportation is often the hardest part. The New York State Office for the Aging transportation page says local aging programs and partners help older adults get to vital destinations, and your county Office for the Aging can tell you what rides exist in your area. Some counties also participate in New York’s GoGoGrandparent partnership, but availability depends on county rules and funding.

If you live in rural New York, ask three extra questions right away: Do you deliver? Do you have an outreach day closer to me? and Do you know a partner program in the next county? That matters because AccessCNY reports rural outreach visits, ILCHV says pickup or delivery may be arranged, and many small local closets do not have regular online listings.

What to do first

• Write down the exact item needed and when it is needed.
• Call NY Connects at 1-800-342-9871 and your local Office for the Aging.
• Call your TRAID region and ask about stock, loan length, and pickup.
• If the senior is leaving a hospital or rehab, ask the therapist for exact specs such as height, width, transfer needs, and whether a commode, shower bench, or bed rail is safer than a cheap substitute.
• Call one local backup such as ILCHV, FLIC, a Long Island lending group, or a disease-specific group if that applies.
• Confirm transportation and return rules before saying yes.

What to gather or know first

• ☐ Senior’s full name, ZIP code, county, and phone number
• ☐ Height, weight, and major mobility limits
• ☐ The exact reason the item is needed: surgery, fall, stroke, arthritis, hospice, discharge home
• ☐ Home details: stairs, bathroom layout, narrow doors, tub or walk-in shower
• ☐ Car size and whether you have a helper for lifting
• ☐ Date the item is needed and likely return date
• ☐ Doctor or therapist recommendations if the item is specialized
• ☐ Insurance information only if you also want to explore a covered long-term item

Reality checks

• Inventory is never guaranteed. A program can be excellent and still be out of walkers this week.

• County and town lines matter. Some New York programs are truly regional, while others only serve a school district, town, or church area.

• Delivery is often the real barrier. The equipment may be free, but getting it home may not be simple.

• Reuse is best for short-term or bridge use. A custom chair, complex power device, or long-term insurance-covered need usually takes a different path.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Driving to a closet without calling first
• Assuming every program is free and countywide
• Borrowing a device that is the wrong height, width, or weight capacity
• Forgetting to ask about cleaning, missing parts, or charger cables
• Ignoring the return date or deposit rule
• Mixing up community reuse with Medicare or Medicaid coverage

What to do if the first path does not work

• Call the next statewide path: TRAID, NY Connects, the Office for the Aging, then 211.
• Ask about the next county over. Some New York referrals cross county lines when inventory is better elsewhere.
• Ask for a waitlist and a callback. Many closets get frequent returns.
• Ask a hospital therapist or discharge planner for exact local leads. They often know the closest working closet.
• Use national backup tools like the AT Act program directory and Medicare’s medical equipment and supplier tools if you need a new covered item instead of a reused one.
• If the need is condition-specific, call the related nonprofit. In New York, the ALS Association’s New York team is a good example.

Frequently asked questions

Does New York have one statewide DME loan-closet directory just for seniors?

No. New York does not appear to run one senior-only statewide directory for free medical equipment. The closest official statewide system is TRAID, and the best statewide referral routes are NY Connects and your local Office for the Aging.

What is the fastest phone number to start with anywhere in New York?

For most seniors, the best first call is 1-800-342-9871 for NY Connects. If it is after hours or you do not know what organization serves your town, try 211 New York.

Who should New York City seniors call first?

Inside New York City, start with NYC NY Connects. Borough contacts are Bronx 1-347-862-5200, Brooklyn 1-718-671-6200, Manhattan 1-212-966-9852, Queens 1-718-559-4400, and Staten Island 1-718-489-3954. You can also call 311 in the five boroughs.

Can I borrow equipment for free in New York?

Often yes, but not always. The Independent Living Center of the Hudson Valley says its loans are free, while the Finger Lakes Independence Center says some items require a refundable deposit. Small local groups may ask for donations but still lend without charge.

Do I need a prescription or proof of income?

Usually not for basic community loans like walkers or shower chairs, but specialized equipment may require more. The state’s TRAID brochure says some specialized devices, such as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) equipment, may need documentation from a speech-language pathologist. Insurance coverage is different and often does require medical documentation.

What if I live in rural New York and cannot find help nearby?

Call your TRAID region anyway and ask about outreach, partner sites, or the next county over. This is worth doing because AccessCNY reports rural outreach visits and ILCHV says pickup or delivery may sometimes be arranged. Also ask your Office for the Aging about transportation.

Can I donate used equipment in New York?

Yes, but call first. The state’s TRAID brochure says each center has its own donation rules. In New York City, the donateNYC tool can help with second-hand donation leads, while programs such as Lending Comforts in Smithtown, Three Village Lending Aids, and ILCHV accept at least some reused equipment.

Can I get a hospital bed or power chair from a New York loan closet?

Sometimes, but these are harder to find than walkers or commodes. The ILCHV loan closet lists hospital beds, and the ALS Association’s Upstate New York program lists both hospital beds and power wheelchairs. For most people, though, long-term needs like these also require an insurance or supplier plan.

Resumen en español

En Nueva York no existe un solo directorio estatal para préstamos de equipo médico duradero. La mejor ruta es empezar con el programa estatal TRAID, llamar a NY Connects al 1-800-342-9871 y pedir ayuda a la Office for the Aging de su condado. Estos recursos pueden ayudarle a encontrar andadores, sillas de ruedas, cómodos, sillas de baño y otros artículos reutilizados o prestados por poco tiempo.

Las reglas cambian mucho dentro del estado. Algunos programas son gratis, otros piden un depósito reembolsable y otros solo atienden a residentes de una ciudad, distrito escolar o condado. Si vive en la ciudad de Nueva York, también puede usar NYC NY Connects; si no tiene seguro y necesita equipo recetado, revise NYC Care. Después de horas, 211 New York puede ayudar a buscar recursos locales. Siempre llame antes de ir para confirmar inventario, limpieza, tamaño, entrega y fecha de devolución.

About This Guide

This guide uses official federal, state, 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, office, utility, facility, or program guidance. Individual outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

Verification: Last verified 16 April 2026, next review August 2026.

Corrections: Please note that despite our careful verification process, errors may still occur. Email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections and we respond within 72 hours.

Disclaimer: This article is informational only, not legal, financial, medical, or government-agency advice. Office procedures, utility policies, complaint routes, and program rules can change. Confirm current details directly with the official office or provider before acting.