Resources

This page lists the organizations and programs we point people toward most often — for equipment, benefits, advocacy, transportation, and community connection across Montana. Resources change. If you find a broken link or outdated contact, please let us know. If you're not sure where to start, the section below offers paths in by situation.

LOOKING FOR…

Start Here

If you're not sure where to begin, these are the front doors. A short call usually opens up the right next step.

  • Living Independently for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT) — Center for Independent Living serving southeast Montana, based in Billings. Information, peer support, advocacy, and independent living skills training. [VERIFY phone] Link: https://www.liftt.org/

  • Summit Independent Living Center — Center for Independent Living serving western Montana, based in Missoula. Peer support, advocacy, independent living skills, and transition services. [VERIFY phone] Link: https://www.summitilc.org/

  • North Central Independent Living Services — Center for Independent Living serving north-central Montana, based in Great Falls. Peer support, advocacy, and independent living services. [VERIFY phone] Link: https://www.ncils.org/

  • Montana Independent Living Project (MILP) — Center for Independent Living serving southwest Montana, based in Helena. Peer support, advocacy, and independent living services. [VERIFY phone] Link: https://www.milp.us/

  • Montana Area Agencies on Aging — Statewide network of regional aging services agencies providing information, nutrition, caregiver support, and connections for Montanans 60 and older. Yellowstone County: 406-259-5212. Lewis & Clark County: 406-447-1680. All county numbers at https://dphhs.mt.gov/sltc/aging/adrc/. Link: https://dphhs.mt.gov/sltc/aging

  • 211 Montana — Statewide telephone information service connecting Montanans with social service resources. Dial 211 from most Montana phones, or call 406-268-1337 (Yellowstone County). Navigate by zip code for other areas. Link: https://www.211.org/

  • Big Sky Independent Living Solutions (BSILS) — Equipment matching for Montana residents who need mobility, accessibility, or daily-living equipment. Contact us through this site. Link: [your About page or Contact page URL]

Equipment and Assistive Technology

Where Montana residents find mobility equipment, assistive technology, and home accessibility help.

  • MonTECH — Montana's federally-funded assistive technology program at the University of Montana. Equipment demonstration, short-term loans, and a device reuse program. [VERIFY phone and URL — original Resources page entry] Link: https://www.montech.umt.edu/

  • Habitat for Humanity ReStore — Some Montana Habitat ReStores carry donated mobility equipment, accessibility items, and home modification materials at reduced cost. Locations vary by community. Link: https://www.habitat.org/restores

  • Goodwill Industries (Montana) — Some Montana Goodwill locations carry donated basic mobility equipment such as walkers, canes, and shower chairs. Selection varies. Link: https://www.goodwill.org/

  • Big Sky Independent Living Solutions — Equipment matching for Montana residents. Link: [your Contact page URL]

Veterans Resources

VA medical care, benefits, equipment, and the community organizations that support Montana veterans and their families.

Transportation

Urban transit and paratransit, rural transportation programs, medical transport, and the federal and state agencies that administer them.

  • MET Transit (Billings) — Billings public transit including fixed-route buses and ADA paratransit (MET Special Transit). Application required for paratransit eligibility. 406-657-8433. Link: https://ci.billings.mt.us/138/MET-Transit

  • Capital Transit (Helena) — Helena area public transit with fixed-route service and complementary paratransit for ADA-eligible riders. 406-447-8080. Link: https://www.helenamt.gov/Departments/Transportation-Systems/Capital-Transit

  • Mountain Line (Missoula) — Missoula public transit operated by the Missoula Urban Transportation District. Fixed-route service and paratransit for ADA-eligible riders. 406-721-3333. Link: https://www.mountainline.com/

  • Streamline (Bozeman) — Bozeman-area fixed-route bus service. Paratransit and accessibility information available through the website. 406-587-2434. Link: https://streamlinebus.com/

  • Great Falls Transit — Great Falls public transit with fixed-route service and complementary ADA paratransit. Application required for paratransit eligibility. 406-727-0382. Link: https://www.gftransit.com/

  • Montana Department of Transportation — State agency administering rural transit programs (federal Section 5311 funding), tribal transit funding, and statewide transit coordination. District office phone numbers at https://www.mdt.mt.gov/contact/organization/districts.aspx. Statewide transit map at https://mdt.mt.gov/other/webdata/external/planning/maps/public-transportation.pdf. Link: https://www.mdt.mt.gov/

  • Federal Transit Administration (FTA) — Federal agency overseeing ADA paratransit rules and federal transit funding. Authoritative source for federal regulations governing accessible transit. 202-366-4043. Link: https://www.transit.dot.gov/

  • National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) — National resource center providing accessible-transportation guidance and technical assistance for older adults and people with disabilities. 866-983-3222 or contact@nadtc.org. Link: https://www.nadtc.org/

  • Montana Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) — Medicaid benefit covering transportation to and from covered medical appointments. Contact the Senior and Long Term Care Division for current broker information. 406-444-4077. Link: https://dphhs.mt.gov/SLTC/csb/

Insurance and Benefits Navigation

For Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and the navigation help that makes these systems workable.

  • Montana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — Free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Helps with enrollment, plan comparison, claims questions, and appeals. Administered through AAAs and senior centers. 1-800-551-3191. Link: https://dphhs.mt.gov/sltc/aging/SHIP

  • Medicare.gov — Supplier Directory — Find Medicare-enrolled durable medical equipment suppliers near you. Search by zip code. Link: https://www.medicare.gov/medical-equipment-suppliers/

  • Medicare Rights Center — National nonprofit providing Medicare counseling, advocacy, and educational resources. 1-800-333-4114 (national helpline). Link: https://www.medicarerights.org/

  • Montana Office of Public Assistance (OPA) — Apply for Montana Medicaid here. Local OPA offices serve every county. [VERIFY current phone] Link: https://dphhs.mt.gov/hcsd/Localofficeofpublicassistance

  • Mountain Pacific Quality Health — Conducts level-of-care assessments for Montana Medicaid waivers, including the Big Sky Waiver. 1-800-219-7035. Link: https://www.mpqhf.org/

  • Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance — File complaints about private insurers operating in Montana. Mediates consumer disputes with insurance companies. 1-800-332-6148. Link: https://csimt.gov/

  • National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) — Directory of attorneys specializing in elder law, disability planning, and benefits navigation. Useful for complex cases. Link: https://www.naela.org/

Disability Rights and Advocacy

For ADA questions, accessibility complaints, and disability rights matters.

  • Disability Rights Montana — Federally-funded Protection and Advocacy organization providing free legal advocacy and information for Montanans with disabilities. Handles ADA, accessibility, and disability discrimination matters. 406-449-2344. Link: https://disabilityrightsmt.org/

  • Montana Human Rights Bureau — State agency within the Department of Labor and Industry that handles discrimination complaints including disability discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. 406-444-6543. Link: https://erd.dli.mt.gov/human-rights/

  • ADA.gov (U.S. Department of Justice) — Federal source for ADA information, current regulations, technical assistance, and the federal complaint process for Title II and Title III violations. ADA Information Line: 800-514-0301. Link: https://www.ada.gov/

  • Montana Legal Services Association — Free legal help for income-qualifying Montanans on civil legal matters including benefits, housing, and consumer issues. 1-800-666-6899. Link: https://www.mtlsa.org/

  • State Bar of Montana — Lawyer Referral Service — Bar-sponsored attorney referral program that connects callers with attorneys handling specific case types. 406-449-6577. Link: https://www.montanabar.org/

Recreation, Travel, and Outdoor Access

Federal recreation passes, accessible state and national parks, and accessible travel resources.

  • NPS Access Pass — federal recreation pass — Lifetime free pass to over 2,000 federal recreation sites for U.S. citizens and permanent residents with permanent disabilities. Available in person at participating sites or online. 1-888-275-8747. Link: https://store.usgs.gov/access-pass

  • Montana State Parks — State parks system with accessibility information for individual parks, accessible camping options, and recreation programs across the state. 406-444-2535. Link: https://stateparks.mt.gov/

  • Glacier National Park — Accessibility — Park accessibility information including accessible trails, shuttles, visitor centers, and lodging. 406-888-7800. Link: https://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm

  • Yellowstone National Park — Accessibility — Park accessibility information including accessible trails, shuttles, visitor centers, and lodging. 307-344-7381. Link: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm

  • U.S. Forest Service — Accessibility — National forest accessibility resources and Access Pass information for federal recreation lands managed by the Forest Service. 800-832-1355. Link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/national-forests-grasslands/accessibility

  • Amtrak — Accessible Travel Services — Accessibility procedures and accommodations for Amtrak travel, including the Empire Builder route through northern Montana. 1-800-872-7245. Link: https://www.amtrak.com/accessible-travel-services

  • Society for Accessible Travel and Hospitality (SATH) — National nonprofit providing accessible travel information, resources for travelers with disabilities, and industry advocacy. 212-447-7284. Link: https://sath.org/

  • Montana Office of Tourism — State tourism office with general Montana travel information and some accessibility-related content. 1-800-847-4868. Link: https://www.visitmt.com/

Disability-Specific Organizations

National and regional organizations providing support, advocacy, and community for people with specific conditions.

If none of these fit

Sometimes the formal pathways don't fit a specific situation. Maybe insurance denies coverage, maybe waitlists are too long, maybe the equipment falls in a coverage gap, maybe paperwork barriers feel insurmountable.

If that's where you are, get in touch. We can talk through what BSILS might be able to provide directly, suggest other options we know about, or help connect you with someone who can navigate a specific program. There's no formal eligibility process for that conversation — just reach out.

Get in Touch

Disclaimer

This page is provided for general information only and is not legal, financial, or clinical advice. Program rules and contact information change. For your specific situation, contact the program directly or work with a qualified benefits counselor. BSILS is not affiliated with any of the organizations linked above and cannot guarantee the accuracy of their information.