WorkABILITY LOAN PROGRAM
A Program of the Maryland Technology Assistance Program / Maryland Department of Disabilities, the WorkABILITY Loan Program helps Maryland residents with disabilities qualify for low-interest loans to buy equipment to gain or maintain employment.
Who Can Apply?
Anyone who intends to use the loan to buy equipment for a Maryland resident with a disability to enable him or her to establish home-based work or start a small business. By increasing opportunities to home-based work and self-employment, current barriers to employment such as inadequate transportation, fatigue, inaccessible work environments, and the need for personal assistance are reduced and eliminated.
Will Everyone Be Able To Get A Loan?
No. You must have a good likelihood of repaying a loan. The program will look at your income, debt, credit history, etc. Some applicants will be denied. But the program’s criteria -much less stringent than banks use- will enable many people to get loans whom banks would turn down.
How Much Can I Borrow?
From $500 to $50,000. * Unsecured loans available up to $7,500. Other restrictions may also apply.
What Is The Interest Rate?
All loans have below-market interest rates. Most loans have rates below prime.
What Types Of Equipment Can Loans Be Used To Buy?
- Computers, printers, and related peripherals
- Software
- Fax machines, scanners
- Office machines (e.g. fax machines, scanners, calculators)
- Telecommunications devices
- Telecommunication system installation charges (i.e. DSL)
- Office furniture Home and/or home office modifications for accessibility
- Assistive technology (a device or item that enables an individual with a disability to live and work more independently or productively with an improved quality of life)
Contact The Program To Get An Application:
loans@mdtap.org, 410-554-9233 (Voice), 1-800-832-4827 (Voice-toll free), 1-866-881-7488 (TTY-toll-free), 410-554-9237 (Fax)