Financial Help for Individuals with Special Needs

Help! The finances of caring for a child or an adult with special needs can be staggering. But don’t be discouraged. Many grants, scholarships and resources exist. All you need is time, persistence, an internet source and a bit of writing skills.

POINTERS:

1. Make a list of the specific items (doctor visits, therapies, labs, supplements, travel, equipment, respite care,etc) you need funding for.
2. Look up different financial resources on the internet (See below). Look carefully for restrictions of that funding – do you live in the required location? Age restrictions? Financial caps? Specific diagnoses funded? Specific therapies? Provider letter required?
3. Match #1 with #2. Choose the top 3-5 that match.
4. Download the appropriate applications. Fill out completely. Have someone proofread.
5. Submit your application on time – some resources only take requests certain times of the year.
6. Keep a binder of the supporting documentation as the funding source may have some questions for you.
7. Ask for help whenever you need it from your local support groups!

GRANTS

These suggestions relate to Autism.

1. www.autismspeaks.org/family-services/finances-assistance: provides a financial planner app and a tool kit. Great organizer for any financial planning.
2. www.Act-today.org: has specific application dates.
3. www.nationalautismassociation.org/helping-hand-grant-applications-now-being-accepted

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

• Alyssa V. Phillips Foundation: Even if you don’t need help with funding cerebral palsy treatments your insurance doesn’t cover, this foundation will help you to gain a better understanding of cerebral palsy and how to care for children with this condition.
• Aubrey’s Warriors Foundation: The mom of a special needs daughter founded this organization to help families with kids whose needs strain their budgets.
• Bryan’s Dream Foundation: Bryan’s Dream issues several grants every year to help families with treatment costs.
• Building Blocks for Kids: Whether it’s paying for treatments or helping with home modifications to make your child’s life easier, this organization does all it can to make things easier for you.
• Danny’s Wish: Offers I-pads for kids on autism spectrum.
• Different Needz Foundation: Families of kids with developmental disorders can get the help they need here.
• First Hand Foundation: Medical insurance only covers so much. When all other avenues are exhausted, first hand helps with medical and transport expenses.
• Fred’s Footsteps: When kids are ill or injured, a foundation commemorating the life of a generous entrepreneur steps in.
• Fund It Forward: Provides funding for adaptive and sensory equipment that is not funded by other sources.
• Generation Rescue: The families of autistic children can get funding for therapy with the help of this worthy organization.
• Gia Nicole Angel Foundation: Kids with physical disabilities have costly needs. This foundation wants to make a difference.
• Hands to Angels: What could be more tragic than discovering your child has a rare genetic disorder? The parents of one such little boy have started a foundation to help other families in this situation..
• June Brandy Foundation: Whether kids are ill or disabled, the June Brandy foundation reaches out.
• Kya’s Krusade: Even if you don’t need financial help, having a caring community of parents who are in a similar situation to you is important – and if you need financial help, the community will do its best.
• Maggie Welby Foundation: Grants and scholarships are offered in memory of a little girl who never had the chance to grow up.
• Mark’s Money: If you live in Tennessee or Indiana, are struggling to keep your head above the water financially, and your child has Down Syndrome, Mark’s Money could see you through.
• Matthew Larson Foundation: The families of kids who have brain tumors can get financial assistance here.
• Modest Needs: When we’re down on our luck, a little help may be all we need.
• Molly Bear Foundation: Trisomy 18 is a rare disorder. Those who loved a little girl with T18 started this funding organization to help families with needs their insurance won’t cover.
• My GOAL Inc: Kids with autism spectrum disorders need to socialize too. Socialization and interactive therapy programs may be costly and far from home. My GOAL helps you get on programs you otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford.
• Needy Meds: If your income is low and your medical costs are high, getting cheap, free or discounted meds can literally be a lifesaver.
• Parker Lee Project: When your insurance doesn’t cover your child’s needs, you needn’t despair.
• Ride to Give: A group of cyclists have turned their sport into a great way to raise funds for those in need of medical help.
• Snap4Kids: Like so many of the wonderful organizations that help special needs kids, this one is run by parents like you. They don’t have a lot of resources, but if they can help, they will.