DME Loan Closets and Medical Equipment Reuse in Texas
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DME means durable medical equipment. In this guide, that means home-use items like walkers, wheelchairs, shower chairs, bedside commodes, transfer benches, and similar equipment.
Last updated: 16 April 2026
Bottom Line: Texas does not have one state-run, senior-only DME loan closet that serves every county. The best statewide starting points are the Texas Technology Access Program, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission services locator for Area Agencies on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Centers, 2-1-1 Texas, and the official Texas Centers for Independent Living directory. After that, most seniors solve the problem through regional programs in Austin, San Antonio, Houston, North Texas, or El Paso.
Emergency Help Now
- Call the hospital discharge planner, rehab social worker, home health nurse, or hospice team today if the senior cannot return home safely without equipment.
- Call the Texas Aging and Disability Resource Center path at 1-855-937-2372 and ask for the nearest equipment-loan or reuse options for your county or ZIP code.
- If the person cannot safely transfer, toilet, or breathe right now, call the doctor, home health agency, or 911 instead of waiting on a loan closet.
Quick Help
- Fast statewide start: Check the Texas Technology Access Program reuse page.
- Best local start: Use the Texas Health and Human Services Commission services locator or call 1-855-937-2372.
- Fastest phone option: Dial 2-1-1 Texas or 1-877-541-7905 and ask for medical equipment or home medical supplies near your ZIP code.
- Rural backup: The Texas Technology Access Program short-term device loan program lends devices for 35 days and pays shipping both ways.
- Austin and Williamson County: Try AGE of Central Texas H.E.L.P. (Health Equipment Lending Program).
- San Antonio and South Texas: Try Project MEND.
- Houston area: Try Living Hope Wheelchair Association and RSVP Texas.
- Dallas-Fort Worth area: Try REACH.
- El Paso area: Try the Volar Center for Independent Living lending closet. If the senior is leaving University Medical Center, ask about Project C.A.R.E..
What This Help Is, and What It Is Not
What it is: A Texas loan closet or reuse program lends or gives away donated equipment that can still be used safely. These programs are usually run by nonprofits, hospitals, independent living centers, or community groups. They can be a lifesaver when a senior needs a walker, commode, shower chair, or wheelchair fast and cannot afford retail prices.
What it is not: It is not the same thing as Medicare Part B DME coverage or the Texas Medicaid DME rules. A loan closet cannot bill your insurance, overturn a denial, guarantee same-day delivery, or custom-fit every item. If the item should be covered by insurance, start the coverage path and the reuse path at the same time.
Quick Facts
- Texas does not have one official statewide senior loan closet: most help is local or regional.
- Texas has 28 Area Agencies on Aging: the state aging network serves older adults and caregivers, while local Aging and Disability Resource Centers help people find long-term support options.
- The strongest Texas assistive technology program is the Texas Technology Access Program: it is a statewide starting point, but it does not run every local reuse program itself.
- Inventory changes fast: call before you drive.
- Pick-up is more common than delivery: many Texas programs are appointment-based.
- Hospital beds, power chairs, lifts, and bariatric items are the hardest items to find quickly.
Best Statewide Starting Points in Texas
For most Texans, the right move is one statewide search plus one regional call. Start broad, then narrow fast.
| Statewide starting point | Why it matters | Best for | How to use it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Technology Access Program (TTAP) | TTAP is the closest thing Texas has to a statewide reuse signpost. It also offers 35-day short-term device loans and a network of demo centers across Texas. | Rural seniors, temporary gaps, and people who need to compare equipment before buying or seeking coverage. | Call 512-232-0740 or 1-800-828-7839, or start online. |
| Texas Health and Human Services Commission services locator | Lets you search by county or ZIP for your local Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center. | Seniors age 60 and older, caregivers, and families who need local navigation. | If you do not know where to begin, call 1-855-937-2372. |
| 2-1-1 Texas | 24/7 statewide referral line. The website includes a category for general medical equipment and supplies. | Fast local leads, especially at night, on weekends, or when you do not know the right agency name. | Dial 2-1-1 or 1-877-541-7905. |
| Texas Centers for Independent Living directory | The official Texas Health and Human Services Commission directory shows regional Centers for Independent Living that often know about local equipment loans, reuse options, and disability supports. | When the aging network does not have an answer, or the senior needs disability-specific help. | Search by county or ZIP. Many rural areas are covered through a regional center in a larger city. |
Texas-specific tip: the official Texas Center for Independent Living directory is especially useful outside the big cities. It shows regional centers such as ARCIL in Austin, HCIL in Houston, SAILS in San Antonio, VAIL in the Rio Grande Valley, LIFE Inc. in Lubbock, PILC in Amarillo, Able in Odessa, and Volar in El Paso.
Texas Programs and Regional Organizations That Matter Most
Texas help is highly regional. The programs below are the ones most worth checking first. Some are senior-focused. Others serve adults with disabilities of any age, which still helps many older Texans.
| Region | Program | Common equipment | How it usually works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Texas | AGE of Central Texas H.E.L.P. (Health Equipment Lending Program) | Wheelchairs, rollators, walkers, shower chairs, benches, canes, bedside commodes, crutches, grab bars, elevated toilet seats, and adult incontinence products. | Free for older adults in need. AGE asks you to call or email first so staff can check stock and schedule pickup. Main sites are in Central Austin, South Austin, and Georgetown, with regional closets in Lockhart, Leander, and RBJ Senior Housing. |
| San Antonio and South Texas | Project MEND | Wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, power chairs, hospital beds, Hoyer lifts, rollators, commodes, scooters, and transfer equipment. | Project MEND says you need a prescription or letter of medical necessity. TTAP describes Project MEND loans as long-term for people who continue to need the equipment. For harder items, this is one of the strongest reuse programs in Texas. |
| Greater Houston | Living Hope Wheelchair Association | Wheelchairs, scooters, hospital beds, and other medical equipment, plus monthly supply distribution and wheelchair repair help. | Good Houston-area option for people who need basic equipment or supplies and can call ahead at 281-764-6251. |
| Greater Houston | RSVP Texas (Rehabilitation Services Volunteer Project) | Transport wheelchairs, tub benches, 3-in-1 commodes, canes, rollators, walkers, and some complex rehab equipment such as customized manual chairs, power chairs, standing frames, and rolling shower commode chairs. | RSVP focuses on people who are unfunded or underfunded. It is appointment-based, and the organization says it shares the exact location after scheduling. Call 1-855-825-7787. |
| North Texas | REACH in Dallas, Fort Worth, Denton, and Plano | Loaner equipment like wheelchairs, visual aids, and walkers, as available. | Useful for Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, and Collin County areas. Current office pages list Dallas at 214-630-4796, Fort Worth at 817-870-9082, Denton at 940-383-1062, and Plano at 972-398-1111. Call before going, especially for Plano, because the office has reported a move in progress. |
| El Paso | Volar Center for Independent Living lending closet | Wheelchairs, canes, crutches, walkers, diapers, and other available items. | Volar says there is no charge or time limit, but asks that items be returned when no longer needed. This is one of the clearest walk-in style lending-closet options in West Texas. |
| El Paso hospital discharge | Project C.A.R.E. (Community Access to Rehabilitation Equipment) | Wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, hospital beds, and similar recovery items. | This program is for uninsured and financially challenged patients at University Medical Center and El Paso Children’s Hospital. Equipment is distributed through a UMC social worker referral, so ask during discharge planning. |
Important Texas pattern: many of these programs are not statewide mail-order closets. A senior in Temple, Del Rio, Alpine, or Brownsville may need to use a statewide navigator first, then widen the search to Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, Lubbock, Amarillo, Houston, or the nearest regional hub.
What Equipment Texas Programs Usually Have
Texas programs vary, but a clear pattern shows up across AGE, Project MEND, Living Hope, RSVP, REACH, and Volar.
| Usually easier to find | Harder to find | Often not accepted or not reused |
|---|---|---|
| Canes Crutches Walkers Rollators Shower chairs Tub transfer benches Bedside commodes Elevated toilet seats Manual or transport wheelchairs Adult incontinence products |
Hospital beds Hoyer or patient lifts Power wheelchairs Scooters Bariatric items Complex seating and positioning equipment Standing frames |
Used oxygen and respiratory equipment Used mattresses Prescription drugs Opened or single-use medical supplies Some powered items at smaller closets |
What this means for seniors: if you need a walker or commode, you may get help quickly. If you need a hospital bed, lift, or power chair, call multiple programs the same day and start the insurance path too.
How Loans and Reuse Usually Work in Texas
Texas does not use one single model. The Texas Technology Access Program lends short-term devices for 35 days and pays shipping both ways. Project MEND uses a prescription-based intake and long-term reuse model. Volar says there is no charge or time limit. AGE of Central Texas checks stock and schedules pickup appointments. Living Hope works around monthly supply distribution, and RSVP Texas uses appointments.
The rule to remember: in Texas, inventory is local, donation-based, and always changing. Never assume a website means the item is in stock today.
What to Do First
- Name the exact need. Say “front-wheel walker,” “transport chair,” “3-in-1 commode,” or “fully electric hospital bed,” not just “medical equipment.”
- Pick the fastest lane. For local help, use the Texas Health and Human Services locator and 2-1-1 Texas. For short-term or rural gaps, use TTAP.
- Call one regional program right away. Use the table above based on where the senior lives.
- Ask the doctor, discharge planner, therapist, or social worker for a prescription or letter of medical necessity if the item is specialized or large.
- Confirm pickup details before anyone drives. Ask about hours, appointment rules, loading help, and whether a caregiver may pick up.
- Start the permanent coverage path too if Medicare or Texas Medicaid should cover the item.
What to Gather or Know First
- ☐ The exact item needed
- ☐ The senior’s height and approximate weight
- ☐ Whether the need is short-term after surgery or long-term
- ☐ The discharge date or deadline
- ☐ Whether a prescription or referral is already available
- ☐ Whether someone can pick up and return the item
- ☐ Vehicle type for pickup, especially for beds, lifts, or scooters
- ☐ Home layout issues, like narrow doors, steps, or bathroom size
What to Ask Before Pickup
- Is the item in stock right now?
- Is it a loan or a giveaway?
- How long can we keep it?
- Do you need an ID, prescription, referral, or proof of address?
- Can my daughter, son, or caregiver pick it up for me?
- What are the seat width, height, weight limit, and model type?
- Has it been cleaned, checked, repaired, or fitted with new tips or parts?
- For powered items, is the charger included, and does the battery hold a charge?
- Do you offer delivery, or is pickup required?
- If we no longer need it, where and when should it be returned?
Transportation, Delivery, and Rural Texas Problems
Transportation is one of the biggest Texas barriers. Many regional programs are in large metro areas, and many do not promise home delivery. That is why statewide navigation matters so much here.
Good news: TTAP is unusually helpful for rural Texans because its short-term loan program ships both ways. Less good news: TTAP says shipping can take 3 to 14 days, so it is not the right answer for a same-day discharge crisis.
Also note: RSVP Texas says it shares its physical location only after an appointment or donation is confirmed. That is another reason to call before traveling.
If a Rural Senior Cannot Find Help Nearby
- Ask the Aging and Disability Resource Center to search outside your county. In Texas, the nearest workable option may be in the next metro area, not the next county office.
- Use the official Center for Independent Living directory. Regional centers often cover many counties and may know about small church or community closets that never show up in search results.
- Ask whether a caregiver can pick up. Many Texas families solve this with an adult child, neighbor, church volunteer, or home health worker.
- Have the hospital social worker call for you. Programs may respond faster when they hear the senior is being discharged and home safety is at risk.
- Use TTAP for the temporary gap if shipping time works.
- Do not stop at one “no.” In Texas, the right item may be two hours away, but still worth the drive.
Sanitation, Condition, and Safety Questions
Do not feel awkward asking how a reused item was handled. Project MEND says donated equipment is professionally refurbished, repaired, and sanitized to state standard. The TTAP reuse page also describes Project MEND items as evaluated, sanitized, refurbished, and repaired before reuse.
- Ask who checked the item and when.
- Inspect brakes, wheel locks, leg rests, rubber tips, and seat belts before leaving.
- Make sure all needed parts are included.
- For power items, ask for a charger test before pickup.
- Stop using the item right away if it feels unsafe or unstable.
Reality Checks
- Inventory changes fast: a Texas program may list wheelchairs on its website and have none by the time you arrive.
- Big items are slow: beds, lifts, and power mobility devices are harder to store, repair, move, and match to the right person.
- The best answer may be outside your hometown: this is normal in Texas, especially in rural regions.
- You may need two paths at once: a reuse program for today and an insurance-covered order for the long term.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Driving to a site without calling first
- Asking for “a wheelchair” without knowing if it should be transport, standard, heavy-duty, or power
- Waiting until discharge day to start calling
- Assuming the program delivers
- Forgetting to ask if a prescription is required
- Accepting an item without checking size, brakes, tips, charger, or missing parts
- Thinking a community closet can fix a Medicare or Medicaid denial by itself
What to Do If the First Path Does Not Work
- Call the next nearest regional program the same day.
- Use the TTAP short-term loan program if the need is temporary and shipping time works.
- Ask your local Area Agency on Aging or Aging and Disability Resource Center for neighboring-county options.
- Check the official Texas Center for Independent Living directory for your region.
- If the item should be covered, use Medicare’s tools for providers, equipment, and suppliers or ask your Texas Medicaid plan or provider to start the DME order immediately.
- For broader backup, use the national AT3 Center to confirm Texas assistive technology program options.
- If home discharge is unsafe, go back to case management or the patient advocate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there one statewide Texas loan closet for seniors?
No. Texas does not run one senior-only statewide DME closet. The closest statewide entry points are the Texas Technology Access Program, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission locator, 2-1-1 Texas, and the Center for Independent Living directory.
What is the best first call if I do not know where to start?
Start with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission services locator or call 1-855-937-2372. Then call 2-1-1 Texas. That gives you both the aging-and-disability route and the general local-resource route.
Can I get a hospital bed or power wheelchair for free in Texas?
Sometimes, yes, but those are the hardest items to find. Project MEND, Living Hope, RSVP Texas, and Project C.A.R.E. may be better places to ask than a small neighborhood closet. Expect more screening, longer wait times, or a prescription requirement.
Do Texas programs deliver equipment to rural homes?
Usually not. Most Texas reuse programs are pickup-based or appointment-based. The major exception is the TTAP short-term device loan program, which pays shipping both ways, though shipping may still take several days.
Do I need a prescription or doctor’s note in Texas?
Not always. Simple items like walkers or shower chairs may be available with only basic intake. But Project MEND requires a prescription or letter of medical necessity, and Project C.A.R.E. works through hospital social worker referral. Specialized or powered equipment is more likely to need paperwork.
Are reused items cleaned and safe?
Reputable Texas programs usually check, clean, and inspect equipment before it goes back out, but the level of detail varies. Ask direct questions before pickup, inspect the item yourself, and do not use it if it feels unstable or incomplete.
Can my adult child or caregiver pick up the item for me?
Often yes, but ask first. Some Texas programs will release equipment to a family member if the paperwork is complete. This matters a lot in rural areas, where the senior may not be able to travel.
What if Medicare or Texas Medicaid should have covered the item?
Keep going on both tracks. A community program can fill a short-term gap, but it does not replace your coverage rights. Ask the doctor, supplier, Medicare plan, or Texas Medicaid contact to start the formal DME order, prior authorization, or appeal while you look for reused equipment.
Resumen en Español
Texas no tiene un solo programa estatal de prestamo de equipo medico para personas mayores. La mejor forma de empezar es usar el Texas Technology Access Program, el localizador de servicios de Texas Health and Human Services y 2-1-1 Texas. Estos recursos ayudan a encontrar programas locales, oficinas para personas mayores y opciones para areas rurales.
En Austin y Williamson County, una buena opcion es AGE of Central Texas H.E.L.P.. En San Antonio y el sur de Texas, Project MEND es uno de los programas mas fuertes para equipo reutilizado. En Houston, revise Living Hope y RSVP Texas. En El Paso, el Volar Center for Independent Living tiene un lending closet claro y util. Si usted vive en una zona rural, pida ayuda para buscar fuera de su condado y pregunte si un familiar puede recoger el equipo por usted.
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 16 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 and is 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.
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