Financial Loans

PATF has two loan programs:

	Mini-Loan	Low-Interest Loan
Loan Amount (as of January 18, 2021)	$100 – $7,000*	over $7,000**
Interest Rate	0%	3.75%
Repayment Terms	Minimum monthly payment of $20. Maximum repayment term is 4 years.	Repayment term is based upon the expected life of the device.
Examples of AT	Computers Tablets (i.e., iPad, Android, etc.) Specialized software (e.g., Dragon Naturally Speaking) Hearing aids Vision devices (e.g., OrCam glasses, magnifiers) Adaptive sports equipment Portable ramps Smart home technology (e.g., smart speakers, lights, thermostats, alarm systems, door openers) Stair glides Wheelchair and scooter cushions Seat-lift chairs Flashing doorbells and bed shakers	Home modifications (e.g., ramps, roll-in showers, lowered counter tops, widened doorways) Adapted vehicles (e.g., lowered floors, ramps, tie-downs, computerized hand controls) Eye-gaze systems (e.g., Tobii) Farm and outdoor recreation equipment (e.g., utility vehicle, skid steer)

* If the applicant meets eligibility guidelines and PATF has funds available, we will extend a one-time only partial grant in conjunction with the Mini-Loan. This will lower the amount of the loan. See Mini-Grant section below. PATF does not extend grants only.

** PATF’s Low-Interest Loans are processed by our partner banks. If the bank is confident about an applicant’s ability to repay the loan, the loan may be approved as a traditional loan for up to $60,000. If there are credit issues such as a low FICO score, high debt-to-income ratio, or no credit history, the bank may request PATF’s Board of Directors guarantee or back the loan. If the Board agrees to do so, the maximum amount for a guaranteed Low-Interest Loan is $45,000.

Read Our Loan FAQs

Who is eligible to apply?

PATF is a program for Pennsylvania residents who need assistive technology devices and/or services.
PATF can help people of all ages, disabilities and health conditions.
People of all income levels may apply for a loan. An applicant must have an ability and willingness to repay a loan.

Loan Amounts

All PATF loan applications must include a vendor quote that specifies the cost of the assistive technology that will be purchased with the loan. PATF can extend loans in amounts lower than the cost of the assistive technology, but cannot extend a loan in an amount greater than the cost of the assistive technology.

Allowable Equipment

PATF will extend loans to purchase a broad range of assistive technology. Examples include, but are not limited to the following:

Wheelchairs and scooters
Hearing aids
Computers, tablets, and specialized software
Smart home technology
Vehicles that have been adapted or require adaptations
Home modifications for accessibility
Adaptive sports equipment

Loan Repayment Terms

The length of the loan term is based on the expected useful life of the assistive technology device to be purchased.

General Criteria for a Loan

PATF does not discriminate because of race, disability, color, national origin, age, gender, creed, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. All borrowers are treated fairly and according to the same standards.

The loan applicant can be the person with the disability, an older Pennsylvanian, or someone who is applying on behalf of the person with the disability, including a family member or acquaintance.

Four important considerations when PATF is reviewing an application for approval are:

Assistive technology device/service and its purpose
Credit history
Debt-to-income ratio
Ability to repay the loan

If the applicant has a history of credit problems, they must demonstrate that there is a workable plan to deal with these problems.

View our Mini-Loan Policies and Procedures.

View our Low-Interest Loan Policies and Procedures.

Mini-Grants

PATF does not extend grants only. If a loan applicant meets eligibility guidelines and PATF has funds available, we will extend a one-time only partial grant in conjunction with the Mini-Loan. This will lower the amount of the loan by no more than 50%, a maximum of $1,000. There are three types of Mini-Grants:

Mini-Grants for Borrowers who are Low-Income: The Mini-Loan borrower must exhaust all other funding options and must have a household income that is no greater than 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Mini-Grants for Tablet Technology: Available for a limited time in conjunction with a Mini-Loan for tablet technology. Borrowers of any income level are eligible for this grant.

Grants are not available without application for a Mini-Loan. All Mini-Loan applications are reviewed for partial grant eligibility and applicants will be notified if they have received one. You cannot apply for a Mini-Grant only.