How to apply for Access to Home — Accessibility Modifications in New York

Who it's for

Access to Home pays to adapt your home so you can keep living there instead of moving into a nursing home or other institution. It covers wheelchair ramps and lifts, handrails, widened doorways, stair glides, roll-in showers with grab bars, bathtub grab bars and seats, non-skid flooring, and easy-to-reach work and storage areas. Repairs can total up to $25,000 for a unit. It works for a home you own or one you rent, as long as it is your primary, permanent residence. You apply through a Local Program Administrator — usually your county or town government or a local nonprofit — not to the state directly.

What you'll need

• Documentation of a substantial limitation caused by a disability
• Household income documentation
• Proof the home is your primary, permanent residence (owned or rented)

Where to apply

Step by step

1. Confirm you are eligible. Your household income must be at or below 80% of area median income — or 120% for veterans certified by the VA or Department of Defense as entitled to disability payments for a war-related disability. These limits vary by county and household size. The home must be your primary, permanent residence. If you rent, your landlord must not already be required by law to make the modification.
2. Find your Local Program Administrator. This program is run locally — usually by your county or town government or a local nonprofit — not by New York State directly. Search online to identify the administrator serving your area.
3. Contact your Local Program Administrator before applying. Ask whether there is an open funding round and whether a waiting list is in place. Funding availability varies by location.
4. Gather your required documents. You will need: documentation of a substantial limitation caused by a disability; household income documentation; and proof that the home is your primary, permanent residence (whether owned or rented).
5. Apply online through your Local Program Administrator's application portal.
6. Work with the Local Program Administrator to complete any follow-up steps they request, such as a home assessment to identify the modifications needed.

What to expect: After you submit your application, your Local Program Administrator will review your eligibility and assess your home to determine what modifications are needed. Processing times vary, so ask your Local Program Administrator for an estimate when you apply. If approved, covered modifications — such as wheelchair ramps, widened doorways, grab bars, stair glides, roll-in showers, and non-skid flooring — can be made to help you remain safely in your home. The total assistance for a unit cannot exceed $25,000 during the regulatory period, though a unit may be assisted more than once as long as that cap is not exceeded. Keep records of your approval and any work completed in case you wish to apply for additional assistance in the future.

Renewals

a unit may be assisted more than once, but not more than $25,000 total during the regulatory period