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Last updated: 13 September 2026
Utah has several real ways to borrow or obtain durable medical equipment (DME) at no cost or low cost. The strongest starting points are the statewide Utah Assistive Technology Program and Utah’s regional Centers for Independent Living. Depending on where you live, you may be able to borrow a wheelchair, walker, cane, shower bench, bedside commode, knee scooter, power chair, or other assistive device while you recover or wait for permanent equipment.
Bottom Line
Start with two calls at the same time. First, call the Utah Assistive Technology Program at 1-800-524-5152 and ask about loans, used equipment, and the Utah AT4ALL inventory. Second, call the independent-living loan bank that serves your county. Many regional loan banks lend basic DME free for short-term use.
Do not assume every Utah equipment program is free. UATP says most demonstration-library devices are free to borrow, but some mobility equipment has a monthly rental fee. Other reuse programs may sell refurbished equipment at reduced prices. If you need a medically fitted or long-term item, keep Medicare, Medicaid, or your health plan process moving while you search for a temporary loan.
If Equipment Is Needed Today
If a hospital or rehabilitation discharge is planned and the home will not be safe without equipment, tell the discharge planner before leaving. Ask the team to arrange the medically necessary equipment and, at the same time, help you look for a temporary community loan.
If the person cannot breathe safely, has fallen with an injury, cannot transfer safely, or faces another medical emergency, call 911. For other urgent needs such as food, utilities, housing, or transportation while you solve the equipment problem, see the GFS guide to Utah emergency assistance.
Start Here
- Search statewide inventory. Use the UATP lending library or the Utah AT4ALL database. Call 1-800-524-5152 if the online list is confusing or you need a specific size.
- Call your regional loan bank. Utah’s six Centers for Independent Living cover the state. Several operate free DME loan banks, and their inventory changes with donations.
- Keep insurance moving. For long-term, fitted, respiratory, pressure-relief, or power-mobility equipment, ask the clinician and supplier to start Medicare, Medicaid, or health-plan approval while you look for a short-term loan.
| Need | Start here | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walker, cane, manual wheelchair, shower chair, commode | Regional loan bank | Exact item, size, pickup date, and loan length | Stock can change daily. |
| Try equipment before buying | UATP | Whether the device is free to demo or has a rental fee | Some mobility items have monthly fees. |
| Power chair, custom seating, hospital bed, oxygen, CPAP | Clinician and health plan | Prescription, fitting, prior approval, supplier, and repair rules | A community closet may not be safe or suitable for complex equipment. |
| Cannot afford a permanent device | UATP financing and benefits | Grant, reduced-cost reuse, insurance, or other funding options | Approval is not guaranteed and some programs require insurance to be tried first. |
What Counts as Medical Equipment Help
Durable medical equipment is reusable equipment that helps with a medical need, mobility, transfers, bathing, toileting, or safe daily living. Community loan banks commonly handle basic items such as walkers, canes, crutches, manual wheelchairs, transport chairs, shower benches, bedside commodes, toilet risers, knee scooters, and some ramps.
A loan closet is different from insurance. A community program may lend donated equipment for a few weeks or months. Some programs let a borrower keep certain sanitary items. Others offer refurbished equipment for sale. This can be useful after surgery, during recovery, while a senior waits for insurance approval, or when the need is temporary.
For a broader explanation of how loan closets, reuse, and insurance fit together, see the GFS national guide to free DME loan closets.
Do not treat every donated device as medically interchangeable. Power wheelchairs, patient lifts, specialty mattresses, oxygen equipment, CPAP machines, and fitted seating may require a prescription, professional setup, training, sanitation controls, or a supplier that can service the equipment.
Utah Assistive Technology Program
The Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP), based at Utah State University, serves Utah residents with disabilities of all ages. It is the best statewide starting point because it combines device demonstrations, short-term loans, equipment reuse, customization, and financing.
Loans and demonstrations
UATP says its lending library can help with short-term needs such as recovery after surgery. Its inventory includes manual wheelchairs, powered mobility devices, knee scooters, daily-living aids, and other assistive technology. Most demonstration-library devices are free to borrow. Other items may have a monthly fee.
As posted on the current UATP fees page, last updated 19 May 2026, examples include $20 per month for a manual wheelchair, rollator, or knee scooter; $30 per month for a power wheelchair or scooter; and $40 per month for a transportable folding ramp. Ask UATP to confirm the current charge before pickup.
Used and refurbished equipment
UATP also refurbishes donated equipment and lists used items through AT4ALL. Its refurbished equipment page says donated items can include wheelchairs, walkers, rollators, shower chairs, toilet risers, ramps, lift chairs, Hoyer lifts, magnifiers, and hearing aids. Refurbished items are generally lower cost rather than automatically free.
Small grants
The Utah Assistive Technology Foundation also offers small grants of up to $500 for approved Utah residents with disabilities who have low income, are at or below 150% of the federal poverty guideline, and have no other funding source. The small grant page says approval must come before the purchase. For mobility equipment, applicants with insurance are told to try insurance first and provide a denial if applicable.
Because income guidelines change each year, do not rely on an old printed income table. Ask UATP to confirm the current 2026 threshold for your household before applying.
Free and Low-Cost Loan Banks Across Utah
Utah’s independent-living network is unusually useful for DME. The six regional Centers for Independent Living cover all Utah counties. These programs serve people with disabilities, and older adults with mobility or functional limitations may qualify for their services. Call before driving because stock depends heavily on donations.
| Program | Area served | Loan details | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|
| UILC equipment loans | Salt Lake, Summit, Tooele | Free short-term loans; some items require a refundable deposit | 801-466-5565 |
| Ability 1st loan bank | Utah, Wasatch, Juab, Sanpete | Free for eligible consumers; initial 90-day loan, with possible extension | 801-850-5568 |
| Roads loan bank | Weber, Davis, Morgan | No fee; normally three months, longer case by case | 801-612-3215 |
| OPTIONS loan bank | Cache, Box Elder, Rich | Up to 90 days; some equipment requires a refundable deposit | 435-753-5353 |
| Active Re-Entry loan bank | Daggett, Duchesne, Uintah, Carbon, Emery, Grand, San Juan | No fee; temporary loans handled case by case | 435-637-4950 |
| Red Rock services | Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Millard, Piute, Sevier, Washington, Wayne | Public loan bank for shorter-term needs; ask about current inventory | 435-673-7501 |
If you are unsure which regional program covers your address, UATP’s lending page lists all six Utah independent-living centers. Older adults can also use the state Utah aging office finder to locate the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) serving their county. The GFS Utah AAA guide explains what to ask when you call.
Another Utah Reuse Option: Ability Found
Ability Found in West Valley City is another useful route for mobility and adaptive equipment. It receives donated equipment, customizes it when needed, and provides equipment for a low-cost fee. Its current list includes manual and power wheelchairs, walking devices, gait trainers, hospital beds, specialty mattresses, commode and shower equipment, patient lifts, transfer devices, ramps, vehicle lifts, and other adaptive items.
Ability Found is not a general free-supplies program. Its equipment help page says it does not provide items such as wound-care supplies, diabetic supplies, incontinence supplies, or routine financial help for co-pays. A physical or occupational therapist can submit an equipment request, or a person without a therapist can contact the organization directly. Current phone: 801-505-0529.
Keep Medicare or Medicaid Moving Too
A community loan bank can solve a short-term gap. It should not replace insurance when the senior needs permanent, medically necessary equipment.
Medicare
Original Medicare Part B covers medically necessary DME for home use when Medicare’s rules are met. Under the Medicare DME rules, after the Part B deductible, the beneficiary generally pays 20% of the Medicare-approved amount when the supplier accepts assignment. The 2026 Part B deductible is $283.
Use the Medicare supplier directory to find enrolled suppliers. If you have Medicare Advantage, call the plan because supplier networks, authorization rules, and cost-sharing can differ. If the 20% share is difficult to afford, the GFS guide to Utah Medicare Savings Programs explains cost-help pathways worth checking.
Utah Medicaid
Utah Medicaid may cover DME when the item is medically necessary and program rules are met. The current Utah Medicaid DME criteria state that a current physician order is required for DME and medical supplies, and some items require prior authorization. Wheelchairs can require additional documentation such as a seating evaluation and medical-necessity records.
If you need a participating supplier, use the Utah Medicaid provider finder. A Health Program Representative can help with benefit and provider questions at 1-866-608-9422. If you are enrolled in a managed-care plan, use the number on the Medicaid card for plan-specific authorization and network rules.
If the equipment request is part of a broader disability or home-and-community services need, the GFS guide to Utah disability help can help you identify other state and local routes. For Medicaid applications and account access, see the GFS guide to Utah benefits portals.
How to Start Without Wasting Time
Loan banks often cannot tell you what they will have next week. A short, specific request gets better results than asking, “Do you have medical equipment?”
- Name the exact item. Say manual wheelchair, transport chair, rollator, shower bench, bedside commode, knee scooter, or other specific device.
- Know the size. For wheelchairs, ask the therapist or discharge team for seat width, weight limit, footrest needs, and whether the user can self-propel.
- Give the deadline. Say whether the equipment is needed today, before discharge, or for a planned surgery date.
- Ask about pickup. Confirm address, hours, deposit, loan term, and whether delivery is possible.
- Call more than one route. If the first closet has no stock, call UATP and the next local resource the same day.
Information to have ready
- Senior’s county and ZIP code
- Exact device and size
- Height and weight when fit matters
- Hospital or surgery discharge date
- Doctor or therapist contact if needed
- Medicare, Medicaid, or health-plan information
- Whether transportation or delivery is needed
- Whether the need is temporary or long term
If the problem is not the device itself but a doorway, steps, bathroom layout, or permanent ramp, equipment alone may not solve the safety issue. The GFS guide to Utah home repair help covers accessibility and repair routes that may be more appropriate.
Reality Checks
- Inventory changes. Donation-based programs may have several walkers and no wheelchairs, then the opposite a week later.
- Free does not mean statewide delivery. Many programs require pickup. Some can deliver in limited cases, but you must ask.
- Deposits are not always fees. UILC and OPTIONS may require refundable deposits on certain equipment.
- UATP is not entirely free. Most demo-library items are free, but some mobility devices have monthly rental charges.
- Sanitation matters. Some programs do not take back used toileting or bathing items. Ask whether the item is cleaned, inspected, and safe for reuse.
- Complex DME needs service. A borrowed power chair or lift can become unsafe if it is the wrong fit or no one can repair it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Driving before calling. Always confirm stock, hours, and pickup rules first.
- Asking only for “a wheelchair.” Give the seat width, weight limit, footrest needs, and whether a transport chair is acceptable.
- Stopping the insurance request. A temporary loan is useful, but it may not meet a long-term medical need.
- Assuming every program serves every county. Start with the regional center covering the senior’s home address.
- Paying a stranger for “grant access.” Utah loan banks and official benefit programs do not require paying a private person to unlock public assistance.
Denied, Delayed, or No Equipment Available
If one route fails, do not start over from zero. Ask why it failed and move to the matching backup.
- No inventory: Ask the closet when to call again, then try UATP, AT4ALL, and the next regional referral.
- Insurance delay: Ask the clinician or supplier what document, prescription, evaluation, or prior authorization is missing.
- Medicaid problem: Contact a Utah Medicaid Health Program Representative at 1-866-608-9422. If a plan denied the request, follow the appeal instructions in the written notice.
- Cannot afford the share: Ask UATP about financing or small grants and check Medicare cost-help programs if you have Medicare.
- No local lead: Contact Utah 211 by dialing 211 or 888-826-9790. As of this review, live navigator service is listed daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
For broader benefit screening beyond equipment, the GFS Utah senior assistance guide can help you check food, housing, healthcare, utility, tax, and other support programs.
Phone Scripts You Can Use
UATP or a loan bank
“I live in [county]. I need a [exact item] for a senior by [date]. The person is [height/weight if relevant]. Do you have one available, what does it cost, how long can we keep it, and where would we pick it up?”
Hospital discharge planner
“The home is not safe without this equipment. What exact item and size are required before discharge, and can you start the insurance supplier order while I look for a temporary loan?”
Medicare or health plan
“My doctor says I need [item] for home use. What order, prior authorization, or in-network supplier is required, and what will my plan expect me to pay?”
Area Agency on Aging
“I am helping an older adult in [ZIP code] who needs [item]. Which loan closet, disability center, reuse program, or transportation service should I call first?”
Resumen en Español
Utah tiene varios programas que prestan equipo médico duradero y tecnología de asistencia gratis o a bajo costo. Para empezar, llame al Utah Assistive Technology Program al 1-800-524-5152 y pregunte por préstamos, equipo usado y AT4ALL. También llame al centro de vida independiente que atiende su condado; muchos prestan sillas de ruedas, andadores, bastones, bancos para ducha y cómodos por un tiempo limitado.
No todo el equipo es gratis. Algunos artículos de UATP tienen una cuota mensual y ciertos programas pueden pedir un depósito reembolsable. Para equipo médico permanente o especializado, siga también el proceso de Medicare, Medicaid o su plan de salud. Si no sabe dónde empezar, marque 211 en Utah para pedir una referencia local.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can seniors get a free wheelchair in Utah?
Sometimes. Several Utah independent-living loan banks lend manual wheelchairs at no cost when one is available. Ability 1st Utah, Roads to Independence, Active Re-Entry, and other regional centers list wheelchairs among possible loan-bank items. Stock changes, so call before traveling.
Is UATP medical equipment free?
Not always. UATP says most demonstration-library devices are free to borrow, but some mobility equipment has a monthly rental fee. It also sells refurbished equipment at reduced prices. Ask for the current fee before borrowing or buying.
How long can I borrow equipment?
It depends on the program. Ability 1st Utah starts many loans at 90 days. Roads to Independence normally uses a three-month loan period. OPTIONS for Independence loans equipment for up to 90 days. Other programs set a due date based on the item and current demand.
Will Medicare pay for DME?
Medicare Part B can cover medically necessary DME for home use when Medicare’s requirements are met. After the Part B deductible, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount when the supplier accepts assignment. Medicare Advantage plans can have different networks and authorization steps.
Does Utah Medicaid cover medical equipment?
Utah Medicaid may cover medically necessary DME when its coverage rules are met. A current physician order is required for DME and medical supplies, and some equipment requires prior authorization or additional documentation. Contact your Medicaid plan or a Health Program Representative for help with the current process.
What if no Utah loan bank has the item?
Try UATP and AT4ALL, ask the regional center when inventory may change, call Utah 211 for additional local referrals, and keep the Medicare, Medicaid, or health-plan supplier request moving. For expensive assistive technology, UATP may also have financing or a small-grant route.
About This Guide
Sources: This guide uses official federal, state, local, university, and other high-trust nonprofit 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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