You can get a walker for free through Medicare, VA benefits, community loan closets, disease-specific nonprofits, and local civic organizations. The right option depends on your insurance status, whether you have a specific medical condition, and how quickly you need the device. Most people have at least two or three viable paths, and some can have a walker within days.
Medicare and Medicaid Coverage
Medicare Part B covers walkers as durable medical equipment when a doctor prescribes one for use in your home. After you meet the annual Part B deductible, Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount, leaving you with a 20% copay. If you also have Medicaid or a Medicare Supplement plan, that remaining 20% is often covered entirely, making the walker effectively free.
To qualify, your doctor needs to document that the walker is medically necessary. This typically means you have a condition affecting your balance, strength, or ability to walk safely. Your supplier must accept Medicare assignment for the pricing to apply, so confirm this before placing an order. Medicare may also let you rent certain models rather than buy outright, which lowers upfront costs further. Medicaid programs vary by state but generally cover walkers with no copay for eligible individuals.
VA Benefits for Veterans
Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare can receive walkers and other mobility aids at no cost through the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS). This is one of the most straightforward paths to a free walker if you’re eligible. PSAS provides a full range of durable medical equipment, from canes and walkers to wheelchairs and artificial limbs.
Start by contacting the prosthetics department at your nearest VA medical center. You can find yours through the VA Facility Locator online, or submit a question through ask.va.gov. Your VA provider will evaluate your mobility needs and write the prescription internally. There’s no copay for prosthetic and mobility devices.
Community Loan Closets
Loan closets are one of the best-kept secrets for getting a walker quickly and for free. These are collections of donated medical equipment, usually walkers, canes, wheelchairs, and commodes, maintained by churches, nonprofits, senior centers, or local health departments. You borrow the device for as long as you need it, then return it when you’re done.
There’s no single national directory, which makes them tricky to find. Your best bet is to search “[your county or city] medical equipment loan closet” or call your local Area Agency on Aging. Many are run by faith-based organizations. For example, the Lutheran Church of Saint Andrew in Montgomery County, Maryland, maintains a donated medical loan closet with walkers, wheelchairs, and other supplies. Similar programs exist in communities across the country, often with little or no publicity.
Some loan closets require a medical referral from a doctor. Others simply ask you to sign a borrower agreement and pick up the equipment. Call ahead rather than walking in, since many are staffed by volunteers with limited hours.
Lions Clubs and Civic Organizations
Local Lions Club chapters frequently run medical equipment lending programs that provide walkers, crutches, canes, and wheelchairs to residents at no charge. The Lodi Lions Club in California, for instance, loans small non-electrical medical equipment to individuals in their service area. Borrowers need a medical referral and must schedule an appointment to pick up the device and sign a loan form.
Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis chapters, Elks Lodges, and similar civic groups sometimes operate comparable programs or can direct you to one. Call your local chapter and ask. These organizations rely on donations from the community, so availability depends on what’s been contributed recently. Walkers are among the most commonly donated items.
Disease-Specific Nonprofits
If you or a family member has been diagnosed with a specific condition, the national organization for that disease may provide mobility equipment directly. The ALS Association operates an equipment loan program that lends walkers and other durable medical equipment to people living with ALS. You contact your regional care services coordinator, who checks whether the item you need is available and arranges delivery if it’s appropriate for your situation.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association runs a durable medical equipment grant program for people with neuromuscular diseases. It helps cover the cost of walkers, wheelchairs, lifts, and similar devices. To apply, you need a physician’s diagnosis of a covered neuromuscular condition and must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. MDA membership is required but free to join as part of the application process.
Other condition-specific organizations, including those focused on multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and arthritis, offer similar programs. Check the national website for your diagnosis and look for “equipment assistance” or “resource programs.”
State Assistive Technology Programs
Every U.S. state has an Assistive Technology Act program funded by the federal government. These programs typically offer three services relevant to getting a walker: short-term equipment loans so you can try a device before committing, device reutilization programs that refurbish and redistribute donated equipment, and online exchanges where people list assistive technology they no longer need. Some state AT programs provide equipment at no cost, while others charge a reduced fee. Search “assistive technology program” plus your state name to find yours, or visit the AT3 Center website for a directory of all state programs.
Online Giving Communities
The Buy Nothing Project, which operates through a dedicated app and over 8,000 Facebook groups, connects neighbors who want to give away items they no longer use. Walkers are commonly posted. You join the group for your geographic area and can either browse what’s being offered or post a request. Everything is free, with no bartering or selling allowed.
Freecycle operates similarly, with local groups where people post items they want to give away. Craigslist’s “free” section and Facebook Marketplace (filtered to $0) are also worth checking daily, since walkers appear frequently and go fast. These peer-to-peer options work best when you’re flexible on timing and willing to pick up the item yourself.
How to Check a Used Walker for Safety
A free walker is only useful if it’s safe. Before relying on any secondhand device, spend a few minutes inspecting it. Check the metal frame for dents, bends, or cracks. Make sure the walker sits evenly on a flat surface without wobbling. Test that the height-adjustment clips lock securely and that the adjustment holes aren’t stretched or elongated. Tighten any loose screws.
If the walker has wheels, confirm they’re properly attached, aligned, and spin freely. For models with hand brakes, squeeze them to verify they engage firmly and hold. Look at the rubber tips (called ferrules) on the bottom of each leg. They should have visible tread and grip. If they’re smooth, cracked, or split, replace them before using the walker. Replacement tips cost a few dollars at most pharmacies and are the single most important safety component on the device. Finally, check that the handles are firmly attached and not cracked or worn down, since loose handles can cause a fall.