American Financial Resources

If you have ever worried about your family’s finances, you’re absolutely not alone and unfortunately- your concern is valid.

💲Raising a child with special needs can cause financial hardships. For example, according to the CDC, the average expenses for a child with ASD are $4,110 – $6,200 more per year than those of a child without. Add in behavioral therapy and you’re looking at $40-60K more per year. Education, health care, therapies, sensory equipment and medications can add up, and quickly. There’s nothing shameful about applying for assistance; It’s part of a smart financial plan for your entire family.

📒Navigating resources can get confusing so we hope this post will give you somewhere to start and serve as a guide you can refer back to in the future should you need it. We’ll cover—

🔹SSI

🔹 MEDICAID/CHIP

🔹 WAIVERS

🔹RESPITE CARE

🔹 CHILDCARE ASSISTANCE

🔹FOOD PROGRAMS

🔹 TANF/WELFARE

🔹HOUSING AND UTILITY PROGRAMS

🔹RX ASSISTANCE

🔹 TRANSPORTATION

🚩EMERGENCY RESOURCES

🔹OTHER PROGRAMS: DID YOU KNOW?

🔹ADDITIONAL RESOURCE LINKS

💲SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI)

Your child may be eligible to receive monthly payments to help with their expenses.

In order to qualify, the SSA says the child:

1. Must have a physical or mental condition(s) that very seriously limits his or her activities

—AND—

1. The condition(s) must have lasted or be expected to last at least 1 year or result in death.

To apply, visit the website below to request an appointment. Someone will call you to schedule a date/time for your phone interview. The interview is where you will complete the actual application. Prior to the appointment, be sure to complete the Child Disability Report. Below you’ll also find a printable childhood disability checklist. The timeframe for a decision is 3 to 5 months.

🔸 APPLY: https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/apply-child.html

🔸 CHILD DISABILITY REPORT: https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/i3820/main.html

🔸 PDF CHECKLIST: https://www.ssa.gov/disability/Documents/SSA-1171-KIT.pdf

🏥 MEDICAID & CHIP INSURANCE

Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Plans are joint Federal and State programs. Medicaid offers free or low-cost health insurance to low-income adults, children, people over 65, pregnant women and the disabled. If you do not qualify based on income, you can apply for CHIP or a Medicaid waiver CHIP, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, provides health coverage to uninsured children in families where income exceeds the cap for Medicaid but they cannot afford coverage elsewhere. In some states, an approval for SSI is also for Medicaid.

⚕️Healthcare.Gov is a government site that will check your family’s eligibility for both Medicaid and CHIP. If they find that anyone in your household qualifies, they forward your information to your state’s agency. They will contact you regarding enrollment.

🔹For more information on both programs

https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/

📄 WAIVERS/TEFRA KATIE BECKETT

Medicaid waivers are specific programs within the Medicaid system that provide additional services and supports for children with special healthcare needs or disabilities. These waivers qualify kids that may of been denied Medicaid due to income. Each state has its own set of Medicaid waivers, and they may have different names or eligibility criteria.

🔸Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers enable children to receive necessary healthcare services while living at home rather than in a hospital or institution. Most states offer some form of HCBS waivers to children with developmental disabilities.

🔸Developmental Disabilities (DD) Waivers provide home and community-based services to children with a diagnosis of a developmental disability or a related condition.

🔸TEFRA/Katie Beckett Program has now been enacted in 24 states in one form or another. Income is counted from the child, not the parent.

https://www.specialneedsalliance.org/.../katie-beckett...

You can contact your state’s Medicaid office to learn how you can apply.

*Full list of Children’s waivers:

https://www.kidswaivers.org/full-list/

*Click on Medicaid Waivers and search for your local agency’s contact information.

https://www.autismspeaks.org/resource-guide

👩‍💼 RESPITE CARE & FUNDING

Having someone to care for your child(ren) in order to give you a break isn’t selfish, in fact, it’s absolutely necessary. Not everyone has someone in their life who can give them such break which is where respite care comes in. There are in-home and center-based options. For other childcare options, see our next section.

🔹 Visit the ARCH National Respite Network to find a respite provider in your area. https://archrespite.org/caregiver-resources/respitelocator/

🔹 Summer camp is an option, depending on your child’s age. Find one at http://www.friendshipcircle.org/.../25-summer-camps-for... or https://www.veryspecialcamps.com

🔹 A Consumer Guide for Caregivers https://archrespite.org/.../2022/05/ABCsofRespite-2.pdf

💰There’s a few different ways to pay for respite care if you cannot afford it. If you have Medicaid, your state may already include respite care as part of your plan. A few states have a Lifespan Respite Voucher Program. (link below) Through your state’s various Medicaid waivers, there will generally be respite assistance. Local organizations such as Easterseals, The Arc, Salvation Army, Lutheran Services in America and community churches also offer various programs at low or no cost, including respite care. Also, be sure to check grants, both local/state and private foundations- most of which include respite care as an accepted use of their funds. (See our Programs & Grants post) Check with your community resources.

🔹 How to pay for respite care-

https://archrespite.org/caregiver.../how-to-pay-for-respite/

🔹 Autism speaks & respite care-

https://www.autismspeaks.org/respite-care-0

🔹 Lifespan Respite Voucher Program-

https://archrespite.org/ta.../respite-voucher-programs/

👦 CHILDCARE PROGRAMS (+ ASSISTANCE)

There are many different kinds of care for children of all ages and it can get expensive. Some options for low/no cost care are state vouchers, head/early head start programs, state funded preschools, and certain nonprofit’s before/after school programs.

🔸 States have their own childcare assistance programs or state vouchers that pay the costs for qualified families so they can go to work or school. Find your local CCR&R (Child Care Resource & Referral Agency- link below) to get information on services for children with special needs, referrals to child care providers, information about help paying for child care and they provide additional support with insurance, food assistance, hotlines and parenting workshops.

🔸 Head Start + Early Head Start are programs for low-income families that offer learning and development services for children ages birth - 5. Children with disabilities are always welcomed. Find a Head Start near you:

https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/center-locator

🔸 Some states find half or full day Pre-K programs for ages 3-5 in order to improve school readiness. For eligible families, these programs may be offered at little to no cost. Check out public schools, churches, child care centers and nonprofit organizations usually all offer a preschool program. Your local CCR&R can help you find a Pre-K program where you live.

🔸 For older children, local schools usually provide care before and after school through an outside provider like YMCA or the Boys and Girls Club. For low/no cost options, look for community-based programs and check with churches. Also ask your local CCR&R for Sliding Fee Scale providers that charge based on your income. Local nonprofits may offer scholarships based on need.

*Search for your local CCR&R- https://www.childcareaware.org/resources/ccrr-search/

*Find your state’s resources for child care options and assistance paying for them- https://www.childcareaware.org/resources/map/

*Find special needs child care in your area- https://www.care.com/special-needs-child-care

🍞 FOOD ASSISTANCE- SNAP & WIC

To receive monthly food assistance, you must apply through your state. Each state had its own requirements and your amount will depend on things like the household’s size and income. WIC is a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children. They provide monthly food assistance, nutrition counseling and referrals for other social services.

🔹 The USDA has information for SNAP, WIC, National school lunch program and emergency food assistance listed for each state.

https://www.fns.usda.gov/fns-contacts

🔹 The National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program and the Summer Food Service Program are all part of a comprehensive effort that offers free or reduced meals to school children. If you already participate in a federal assistance program such as SNAP or TANF, you’re automatically eligible for free school meals. Additionally, if you earn at or below current income guidelines, you can apply with your school or district anytime.

🚨Scroll down for help finding EMERGENCY food assistance in your area.

💸 CASH ASSISTANCE/TANF/WELFARE

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program could be called a few different names depending on your state. It gives families monthly cash assistance, although the program is time-limited. Ask about the option for a one-time payment for emergency situations in lieu of monthly payments. If your family is considered low-income and is in need of cash assistance, contact your state’s Department of Children & Families or Benefits/Supports division to see state specific eligibility rules and to apply.

🔸 Find your state’s division here: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/map/about/help-families

🏘️ HOUSING & UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE

The Department of Housing and Urban Development sponsors different programs across the US to provide housing counselors, public housing, rental assistance, homebuyer assistance, refinancing programs and help to avoid foreclosure and home improvements.

🔹 To connect with a housing counselor for little to no cost, call (800) 569-4287

🔹 Public housing provides safe and affordable housing for low-income families, the elderly and disabled individuals. You can contact the PIH customer service center for more information at (800) 955-2232 or find your local authority— https://www.hud.gov/.../public_indian_housing/pha/contacts

🔹 The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 😎 pays for all or part of your rent. The family is responsible for finding a suitable place where the landlord agrees to the program. The subsidy is paid directly to the landlord.

https://www.benefits.gov/news/article/388

👉 You can also choose to use a Housing Choice voucher for the HOMEOWNERSHIP program, although not all PHAs participate.

🔹 Find a rental assistance program that serves where you live and find out if applications are currently being accepted or they’re waitlisted.

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/.../find-help-with-rent.../

🔹 FHA loans offer first time homebuyers a low interest, minimal down payment, low credit score requirements and can be used on a variety of property types. You can also get an FHA loan to refinance your existing mortgage and lower payments. https://www.fhaloans.com

🔹 Needing home improvements? You can utilize the FHA’s options to refinance such as their Limited 203(k)Mortgage, Title 1 Property Improvement Loans and USDA home repair loans/grants. Find your state’s Rural Development Agency- https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?type=mobile

🔹 Facing eviction or foreclosure can be an extremely scary and confusing experience. Volunteer attorneys, licensed in your state, can answer any specific questions about any legal civil issues. https://www.abafreelegalanswers.org

🔹 The Hope for Homeowners Program is for people at risk of losing their home and they are given a chance to refinance their mortgage at a more affordable rate. Find this program and others to help you avoid foreclosure. https://www.hud.gov/topics/avoiding_foreclosure

🚩If you’ve been evicted, see emergency resources for immediate assistance below.

🔸 The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) initiatives assist families with energy costs. Depending upon your location, the LIHEAP can help with paying your energy bill, reducing costs by making your home more energy efficient, priority crisis assistance when you’re without heating or cooling, equipment repair or replacement, natural disaster assistance and energy education to help assist you with your home energy usage/bills.

https://www.liheap.org/directory

🔸 Check your eligibility for rental assistance, utilities, home repairs and more.

https://reliefbenefits.com

🔸 The Salvation Army has rent and utility assistance programs.

https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/usc/utility_assistance/

🔸 You can split any bill into 4 payments and pay them over time. https://deferit.com/en-us/

🚫✋ If you believe you or your child’s rights have been violated, you need to report housing discrimination. You can do so online by visiting: https://www.hud.gov/.../fair_housing.../online-complaint

Or you can call 1-800-669-9777

💊 PRESCRIPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

If you’re struggling to afford your family’s prescription medications, you are one of approximately 18 million Americans who rely on assistance programs. If you don’t have insurance or you have a high copay/deductible, monthly medications can be quite expensive. Here’s how to find assistance programs.

🔹 Your local health department and community pharmacy generally operate on a sliding fee scale and cater to the uninsured. Find your local health department- https://www.cdc.gov/publiche.../healthdirectories/index.html

🔹 Prescription Discount Cards are free cards you might see advertised on TV or online that pays up to a certain amount of the medication cost. Anyone can use them but you cannot use them in conjunction with insurance or another discount. Search for your medication, choose a pharmacy & view/print/email your savings card.

👉 Good RX- https://www.goodrx.com

👉 Familywize- https://familywize.org

👉 Needy Meds- https://www.needymeds.org

👉 WellRX- https://www.wellrx.com

🔹 Certain pharmacies offer some medications for free and others are heavily discounted. A few of those pharmacies are Walmart (no sign up fee), Walgreens ($20 annual fee), Rite Aid (enroll for free) and Kroger ($36 annual fee).

🔹 Many prescription drug companies offer manufacturer coupons and savings programs. Look up a medication to find manufacturers coupons and patient assistance programs.

https://www.rxpharmacycoupons.com/manufacturer-drug-coupons

🚘 TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE

If you are without transportation and have needs such as getting your child to and from therapy or getting to and from work, you may be able to apply for a vehicle to be donated to your family.

🔸 Free Charity Cars- Struggling families nationwide can apply for a free charity car at the organization’s car distribution website. https://freecharitycars.org/

🔸 800-Charity Cars- Call to find out what programs provide charity cars to families in need free of charge. https://800charitycars.org/

🔸 With Causes- You can request a vehicle to be donated to your family. They also provide financial assistance to families in need. They review each help request, case by case, and determine whether or not they can be of assistance.

https://www.withcauses.org/askforhelp.htm

🚨 Millions of Americans have found themselves needing some type emergency assistance at one point or another. With prices increasing for things like food, fuel, rent, medication and childcare, you may find yourself looking for assistance. Each state has their own programs that provide immediate, emergency assistance.

🚩 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE: FOOD

1. You can call local Food Pantries & churches, explain your situation- be sure to tell them if there are children or elderly persons in the home. It’s likely they’ll be able to help or point you in the right direction. To find a local food pantry, call 2-1-1 or visit https://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank

2. Call or search for local churches in your area and ask about assistance with food emergencies. Explaining your situation in detail will better help them understand your need and your sense of urgency.

3. Call the USDA National Hunger Hotline to find food assistance near you. ( 1-866-348-6479 )

🚩 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE: HOUSING

1. Find a local health center near you that provide programs for homelessness. https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov

2. Additional Homelessness assistance in your area. https://www.hudexchange.info/housing-and.../homeless-help/

3. For immediate help, find a local shelter. https://www.hud.gov/findshelter

4. The Red Cross offers emergency shelter and assistance. To find one near you, visit https://www.redcross.org/.../find-an-open-shelter.html

🚩 EMERGENCY PROGRAMS:

1. Autism Care Today SOS is a program dedicated to supporting the immediate and imperative needs of those impacted with autism throughout the United States. Their response time is two weeks or less. https://www.act-today.org/.../autism-care-today-grant.../...

2. Pathfinders for Autism Help Line for Immediate Assistance: ( 443-330-5341 )

🚩 Community Action Agencies offer a variety of assistance programs to the community. Assistance with utilities, rent, educational expenses, employment, information on school readiness programs, food assistance, GED assistance, Transportation services and more. Search for your local agency- https://communityactionpartnership.com/find-a-cap/

💥 Find INFORMATION, programs, nonprofits, community HEALTH services & EMERGENCY assistance in your area—

📲 UNITED WAY- CALL 2-1-1, TEXT your zip code to 898211 or visit https://www.211.org/about-us/your-local-211

💥 ASK questions, LISTINGS for therapies, including ABA & respite care & PERSONALIZED, local autism related services & resources—

📲 AUTISM RESPONSE TEAM (ART)- Call 1-888-AUTISM2 (mon-fri 9a-5p), Chat Live (mon-fri 9a-7p EST) or contact them by sending a message: https://www.autismspeaks.org/autism-response-team-art

❓ DID YOU KNOW??

There are ways to get an items like a wagon, a safety bed and diapers/pull-ups for free through insurance. Apply for a free, government funded smart phone and tablet as well as home internet. Additionally, you can apply to get a service animal funded at no cost to you if you qualify.

🔹 Baby’s on Broadway offers the WONDERFOLD WAGON at no cost to you with qualifying insurance. To check eligibility, fill out the verification form with your insurance information and they will contact you to let you know if it’s covered with your plan. https://www.powr.io/form-builder/i/27332775#page

If your insurance doesn’t cover one, they offer a discount for children with a disability.

🔹 The CUBBY safety bed can also be covered by some insurance companies. To request a funding guide, visit their website and give them your email. They will walk you through the process to get one paid for. If your insurance company doesn’t cover it, other funding options are available such as private grants and fundraising.

-To request a funding guide: https://cubbybeds.com/.../funding-guide-for-special-needs...

-Funding process: https://www.facebook.com/groups/403585854124106/permalink/883447046137982/?mibextid=W9rl1R

🔹 If you have Medicaid and your child meets the age requirement, you can get a monthly allotment of DIAPERS or pull-ups at no cost to you. Visit their website for eligibility: https://aeroflowurology.com/pediatric-diapers-medicaid

🔹 If you or someone in your household has Medicaid, food stamps or is eligible for other government benefits, you may qualify to receive a free SMARTPHONE, tablet or home internet. Your household may also qualify if you meet income requirements.

-Lifeline: https://www.lifelinesupport.org

-ACP Program: https://www.fcc.gov/affordable-connectivity-program

🔹 There are programs that help fund service animals for special needs children. To find out more about one of these programs, visit Neads. https://neads.org/apply-for-a-dog/apply-for-a-service-dog/

🖇️ ADDITIONAL RESOURCE LINKS:

🔸 Find your local Developmental Disability Agency to ask about specific programs in your area for disabled children: https://www.nasddds.org/state-agencies/

🔸 Free developmental & behavioral screenings with connection to appropriate resources. For ages birth through 8: htips://www.nasddds.org/state-agenc

🔸Find benefits with the department of health and human services: [https://www.hhs.gov](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hhs.gov%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3QuSHdqoNvxd0JCJO9JAJYoAE0etmhlYGIdeEODC2dri_V4BpP0ZurNNg&h=AT3XmdR85SWuouWxR_Vj4UWPGJVLBm-bviPeBUSIVb6A8YgJF9Bt2OQ_1pBy2BO7bTynqNqiE-gL5U4nL8fhWinBJGQx787Z4aOSLE-HfzoDHxU5N8UyW9RILrnQPFjXnpIL&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AT1be7dRbnhwXhDx1mdZeDrX1eLTykpVOwy3WEVS_iOepMGl7f0BfTOXlGhjMkko