Transportation Assistance Fund

  • PATH’s Transportation Assistance Fund (TAF) was started with a grant from Twice is Nice to help older adults in Charlottesville/Albemarle and the surrounding counties when other options are not available, or when the person has a specialized need that cannot be met by public transportation providers or volunteers. In those cases, the TAF helps pay for transportation for older adults and people with disabilities.

The Transportation Assistance Fund is a last resort for older adults with specialized transportation needs, or who live in areas where there are few transportation options. The Transportation Assistance Fund serves the city of Charlottesville and the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson.  Funds are distributed equally between each county and the city of Charlottesville.

Examples of the transportation needs TAF covers are below.

  • Someone has outpatient procedures scheduled with sedation. When a person has been sedated, the doctor’s office or hospital will not release them to go home under their own care. The patient has to bring someone with them to sign them out and drive them home. Non-emergency Medical Transportation will provide that service, as will companion care/personal care agencies, however the cost can be high and many of our callers can not afford the expense.  Most of the time it is not covered by insurance.
  • They live in an area that only has limited service with public transportation. Sometimes the date and time of their appointment does not line up with the transportation services available. If the appointment cannot be changed, the person may be able to receive help from the Transportation Assistance Fund to get a ride to and from their appointment.
  • Are unable to drive themselves, and are not yet approved for para-transit.

The Transportation Assistance Fund can help people in these and other unique situations.

The Transportation Assistance Fund is made possible by a grant from the Twice is Nice fund. The Twice is Nice fund supports local nonprofit agencies who provide services to local seniors in need. Twice is Nice is a resale store that promotes sustainability and helps the community. The proceeds from the sale of gently used items are used to benefit local organizations that work to preserve and improve quality of life for older adults.

PATH will determine eligibility based on income and will exhaust other options before turning to the Transportation Assistance Fund.

How to apply?

Check if you are eligible 

To be eligible to receive TAF assistance, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

  • Is the person a resident of the city of Charlottesville or Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, or Nelson County? (must live in Region Ten to receive assistance)
  • Is the individual 60+ years old or a person with a disability?
  • Can the request be fulfilled using public transportation, Jaunt, or a volunteer driver?
  • Does the individual have insurance that covers transportation costs? Some Medicare plans and most Medicaid plans have coverage for some transportation costs. We can call to check on the client’s behalf if they would like us to.
  • Can the appointment be rescheduled to a time when transportation is available? (This could be through Jaunt, CAT, volunteer, family/friend, etc.).
  • Is this a chronic or ongoing need? (This program is meant for occasional use. Chronic needs should be addressed through other means if possible).
  • Has the person received assistance from the TAF before? (If they have received assistance previously, the PATH team will review the request and make a decision. A person may receive assistance more than once, but it is meant to be a last resort and is not for chronic needs).
  • Meets the income eligibility requirements – below the (US Department of Housing and Urban Development) Very Low Income Limit for the area:

    The City of Charlottesville, the Counties of Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna, and Nelson:

    Income Limit Category ($)

    Persons in Family

    1

    2

    3

    4

    5

    6

    7

    8

    44,050

    50,350

    56,650

    62,900

    67,950

    73,000

    78,000

    83,050

    Louisa County:

    Income Limit Category ($)

    Persons in Family

    1

    2

    3

    4

    5

    6

    7

    8

    36,100

    41,250

    46,400

    51,550

    55,700

    59,800

    63,950

    68,050

Contact PATH to apply

– Call our helpline: 888-879-7379
– email us: info@pathva.org
 
 

Sponsor a Ride!

If you would like to donate to keep the Transportation Assistance Fund going, please click below.
There is no minimum or maximum amount.

  • 5 donations of $25 could provide a ride home from a medical procedure.
  • $200 could provide transportation for a person who needs wheelchair transportation when Jaunt is not available.

Your contributions help sustain the Transportation Assistance Fund so we can offer more rides to seniors in need.  One hundred percent of the donations go towards transportation assistance for older adults and people with disabilities in the city of Charlottesville and counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, and Nelson.