Assistive Technology Loans (Northwest Access Fund)

Assistive Technology Loans (Northwest Access Fund) is sponsored by Northwest Access Fund. The Northwest Access Fund provides low-interest loans for assistive technology, home modifications, and adapted vehicles to residents of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho with disabilities, including seniors with age-related functional limitations.

Assistive Technology Loans – Northwest Access Fund Assistive Technology Loans Foundational Community Supports Augmentative Communication > Assistive Technology Loans Assistive Technology Loans Up to $25,000 with up to a 5-year term for most kinds of assistive technology. Up to $60,000 with up to a 10-year term for home modification loans. Up to $60,000 with up to a 10-year term for adapted vehicle loans.

A 10% down payment is required. Available to residents of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. Loan interest rate is determined by the Board and can vary monthly Washington, Oregon, and Idaho residents of all ages with disabilities of all types, including seniors with age-related functional limitations, are eligible.

See below for answers to some frequently asked questions about our assistive technology, home modification, and adapted vehicle loans. With a Northwest Access Fund Loan, the Burketts were able to purchase an adapted vehicle, allowing their family to go on outings.

This field is hidden when viewing the form This field is hidden when viewing the form Converts negative exponent to positive This field is hidden when viewing the form We offer multiple ways to apply for an assistive technology loan: Our secure online application Download the loan application in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

Fill it out and email or mail it back to us at: [email protected] Have an application mailed to you by: Calling our office at 206-328-5116, or Toll-free at 877-428-5116 Sending an email request to [email protected] , or What is assistive technology? Assistive technology includes both devices and services.

A device is any item or piece of equipment used to maintain or improve the functional capability of a person with a disability, including older adults with age-related functional limitations.

Assistive technology includes, but is not limited to, the following: Dentures and partial dentures Mobility equipment, such as a scooter or wheelchair Durable medical equipment Adaptive recreational equipment Frequently Asked Questions Who can apply for Northwest Access Fund’s low-interest loans?

Washington, Oregon, and Idaho residents of all ages with any type of disability, including seniors with age-related hearing, vision, mobility, and cognitive limitations, can apply for our loans. Northwest Access Fund also considers applications from family members, employers, and other representatives, as long as the item is purchased for a person with a disability.

What can Northwest Access Fund’s assistive technology loans be used for? Assistive Technology loans can be used to purchase any device that helps to improve the functioning of a person with a disability as it relates to the disability.

Examples include: hearing aids, dentures, closed circuit TV magnifiers, wheelchairs, scooters, wheelchair accessible vehicles, vehicle hand controls and wheelchair lifts, computers, Braille readers, and specialized software for individuals with learning disabilities.

Loans also can be used to pay for home accessibility modifications (e.g., ramps, bathroom modifications, etc.) and to purchase assistive technology services such as evaluations, training, extended warranties, insurance, maintenance, and repair that is related to the technology. What can Northwest Access Fund’s home modification loans be used for?

Home modification loans can be used to finance: home accessibility modifications, home repairs, weatherization, smart home technologies, or other modifications or additions that improve the living quality of a person with a disability. Examples of home accessibility modifications include: Widening of doors and hallways Counter height adjustments What can Northwest Access Fund’s adapted vehicle loans be used for?

Adapted vehicle loans can be used to finance: Vehicles with existing accessibility adaptations Chassis of a vehicle that will be adapted Adaptations to be installed into an existing vehicle, like ramps, hand controls, and chair lifts How much can I borrow and what are the terms? Our loans have no fees. Our interest rates are set by the Board and can vary monthly.

Term length varies depending on the type of loan, the useful life of the technology/adaptation, and the income available to repay the loan. Assistive technology loans: Up to $25,000, with up to a 60-month term; Home modification loans: Up to $60,000, with up to a 120-month term; Adapted vehicle loans: Up to $60,000, with up to a 120-month term. A 10% down payment is required.

We offer multiple ways to apply for an assistive technology loan: Click here to apply online. Download the Microsoft Word Application or PDF Application Download the Microsoft Word Large Print Application or PDF Large Print Application To have an application mailed to you, call our office at 206-328-5116 or toll free at 877-428-5116, send an email to [email protected] , or mail a request to: What happens after I submit my application?

Your application will be reviewed by staff for completeness. We also will obtain a credit report and may call you for additional information. Once the application is complete, it will be submitted to our Loan Review Committee, which meets twice a month.

If the Committee approves your application, we will send you a Promissory Note and other loan documents. Once these closing documents are signed and returned, we will pay the vendor directly. If your application is not approved, we will tell you why and try to help you identify other resources.

What criteria will be used to decide if I get a loan? Both eligibility and ability to repay must be shown. Eligibility is established when you show that (a) you have a disability and (b) the item you want to purchase is eligible under one of Northwest Access Fund’s products.

Ability to repay is evaluated on the basis of income, expenses, current debt levels, availability of other resources, and credit history. My credit is not great. Will that disqualify me?

Having poor credit or a history of bankruptcy will not necessarily disqualify you. Your circumstances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Northwest Access Fund staff will help you identify steps you can take to improve your chances of qualifying (e.g., participating in financial coaching, or taking care of past due accounts or items in collections).

My income is very limited and I’ve never taken out a loan before. Can I still apply? Absolutely.

Northwest Access Fund looks at each application individually. In some cases, we may ask for a co-signer or collateral. In other cases, we may offer extended payments and/or a smaller loan.

Who finances Northwest Access Fund’s low-interest loan programs? We are supported by a mix of federal, state, and private grants, as well as individual donations. We have current or recent federal grants from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s CDFI Fund, and from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living.

In Washington State we have received funding from Washington’s Department of Commerce and Department of Financial Institutions. How to Apply for a Northwest Access Fund Loan Planning to apply for a loan with us? We can help!

This 30 minute class will tell you all about our loan products, how our process works, and give tips to get loan-ready and strengthen your application. Check back soon for our next class!