THE HOME MODIFICATION LOAN PROGRAM AND THE ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY LOAN PROGRAM
The July CRC Information Session focused on some lesser-known, but key programs for people with physical limitations. Guest speakers were Susan Gillam, Program & Outreach Coordinator for the Home Modification Loan Program and Kobena Bonney, MassMATCH Coordinator.
The Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP)
This state program, administered by the Mass. Rehabilitation Commission, offers low- and no-interest loans to modify homes for elders and those with disabilities.. Loans range from $1,000 - $30,000. 0% interest loans require no monthly payment and no interest accrues, payment is required when the property is sold or transferred. There are two 3% loans, amortizing and deferred payment loans, these loans require full payment in 5, to 15 years, depending on the amount of the loan (these are the loan products offered to landlords). Some examples of modifications appropriate for such a loan include:
- Installing ramps
- Lifts
- Widening doorways
- Kitchen and bathroom modifications
Details are being finalized on an expansion of the program to be able to serve those who need safety modifications because of a cognitive or neurological disabilities such as dementia or autism.
Eligibility:
- Someone in the household must have a severe disability. The residence’s owner must apply for the loan. Landlords who own less than 10 units may apply for modification to accommodate a tenant (landlords with more than 10 units are required by law to make these modifications which are considered a cost of business).
- The unit requiring modifications must be the primary, principal residence of the individual with the disability.
- Income guidelines, based on total household gross income, up to 200% of the area median income as published by HUD, determines whether it is a no- or low-interest loan. Note: for tenants, their income is counted, not the landlord’s, but the landlord is the one who must take out the loan.
- The modifications to be made to the residence must be necessary to allow the beneficiary to remain in the home and must specifically relate to their ability to function on a daily basis.
- The homeowner cannot have previously obtained an HMLP loan for the same property.
- The modifications cannot have already been made. HMLP does not reimburse for work previously completed.
2008 HMLP Income Guidelines
Household size
up to 100% of Median Income
0% Interestfrom 100% up to 200% of Median Income 3% Interest
1
up to $60,100
up to $120,000
2
up to $68,600
up to $137,200
3
up to $77,200
up to $154,400
4
up to $85,800
up to $171,600
5
up to $92,700
up to $185,400
6
up to $99,500
up to $199,000
7
up to $106,400
up to $212,800
8
up to $113,300
up to $226,600
Application:Verification of income and a letter from a medical professional detailing the disability and the necessity of home-modifications is required. Staff of the agencies who administer the program for MRC (“regional provider agencies”) in some cases do home visits to help with applications.
Applicants should contact their regional provider agency to apply- look up by hometown. The application can also be downloaded at www.mass.gov/eohhs/docs/mrc/hmlp-application-2016.pdf.
Once the application and verifications have been submitted, they can usually make a decision within a couple of days.
Construction:
The homeowner must hire and manage their own contractor. An initial disbursement of no more than 1/3 of the loan can be made to allow the contractor to start the work. Subsequent disbursements are made after the homeowner submits contractor receipts or invoices showing a given percentage of the work has been completed. The final 10% is withheld until the final inspection and final completion of work.
Advocacy Tips:
- Remember- apply for the loan first! The program cannot offer loans for work that is already completed. Staff can really help by educating patients about this program soon after a new disability or disease progression that requires accessibility modifications.
- It is important to think about the expected progression of the condition and age and other factors that may impact one’s long-term needs. The homeowner is only eligible for one home modification loan while living at a given property, so it is wise to plan accordingly.
- There is currently no waiting list for this program.
More information: www.mass.gov/mrc/hmlp.
MASSMATCH- ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
MassMATCH stands for “Maximizing Assistive Technology in Consumer’s Hands”. The program has several components aimed at educating and training people to understand what Assistive Technology is available and appropriate for different needs.
getATstuff.org
getATstuff.org is the website of the Assistive Technology Exchange in New England. The goal of getATstuff is to help get Assistive Technology devices that are no longer being used into the hands of people who need and can benefit from them. The website lists AT for sale or for free. It is a partnership with other New England states, so is not limited to Massachusetts.
The Assistive Technology Program
Assistive technology (AT) devices and services help to maximize an individual with a disability’s control over their environment and achievement of self-determined goals. The ability to use AT to perform such tasks as check or letter writing, money management, shopping, controlling the home environment and communication improvement are anticipated outcomes. Individuals served under this program are those with independent living goals and must be clients of MRC’s vocational rehabilitation program.
MRC contracts with 3 organizations for the provision of AT assessments, purchase and set-up of equipment, training and follow-up. These 3 providers; MA Easter Seals, United Cerebral Palsy of Berkshire County and CLASS, Inc. provide services on a regional basis and have on-site AT devices to be used for evaluation and training. Project SHARE provides similar AT assessment and training to individuals in the Greater Fall River-New Bedford area. People with disabilities can have hands-on trials with the equipment and even borrow it and try it in their homes.
Regional AT Providers
Western MA Area
Central MA Area
Greater Boston Area
Southeast/Cape AreaMA Easter Seals
1-800-922-8290
(508) 751-6448Fall River/New Bedford Area
Project SHARE
(508) 999-8482Assistive Technology Loan Program
The Massachusetts Assistive Technology Loan Program, operated by Easter Seals Massachusetts and Sovereign Bank, gives people with disabilities and their families’ access to low-interest cash loans so they can buy the assistive technology devices they need. MRC negotiates a preferred interest rate and then “buys down” the difference between what the bank offers, currently the program has a 4.5% interest rate. The repayment length is based on the expected useful life of the device purchased. For example, most loans for computers are repaid in three years, while vehicle modification loans can be repaid over a much longer time. This allows one to keep lower monthly payments by stretching them over longer periods.
Applicants must have a stable source of income and be able to demonstrate a realistic expectation of their ability to pay back the loan.
The program staff is trained in helping people through the loan process, if that is requested. Please visit www.massatloan.org or contact Jason Luciano at 1-800-244-2756 for more information
--Thanks to Susan Gillam and Kobena Bonney for their presentations and help with this article.
07/08