Financial Help For Autism

Financial Assistance for Autism & ABA Therapy

When your child is newly diagnosed with autism, a number of concerns quickly flood your brain. How can I help? What does this mean for my child’s future? What treatments are best? Can I even afford treatment?Autism treatment should be accessible and affordable for every family.As a parent or caregiver, you should be able to focus on answering those other questions – not on worrying about paying for therapy.

Thankfully, there are a number of financial support resources available for parents of children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder). Fortunately, every state in the United States, including Georgia, now requires that health insurance companies cover the cost for autism therapy. Medicaid also pays for services in many states, including Georgia. However, many families don’t have insurance coverage, which can cause a financial burden when a diagnosis arises. There are a number of private and government programs that might be able to help your family.

Federal Assistance

Federal Programs

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) pays out a monthly benefit from the Social Security Administration. It also includes Medicaid medical insurance. To apply for SSI, you will be required to submit an application and a Child Disability Report. Your family will need to meet a maximum income limit to qualify. Medicaid provides children with insurance coverage for services, doctor bills, hospital stays, and more.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) may be available for your child, based upon your family’s specific circumstances and your child’s age. SSDI is available for individuals with a work history who have a formal autism diagnosis. You can get more information and apply for SSDI online.

Tax credits are also available for parents of children with special needs. Be sure to speak to your accountant or tax expert, or research tax credits available in your state and for your family’s specific circumstances.

How We Can Help

Accepted Insurance

Apollo Behavior’s list of insurance is always growing. If you don’t see your insurance listed, reach out to us and we’ll discuss what we can do for your family. We accept all insurance, and currently or will soon be in network with the following:

Amerigroup
Anthem
BlueCross/BlueShield
CareSource
Cigna
Humana
Medicaid
Peach State Health Plan
United/Optum

Financial Help In Our State

Georgia State Benefit Programs

Katie Beckett Waiver Program: is a Medicaid program that allows the state of Georgia to provide benefits for the families of disabled children without considering the income of the family. This program is a helpful resource for families whose child meets certain criteria. The child must be considered disabled according to the Social Security Act, must live with their parents or caregiver (not in an institution), must be 18 years old or younger, and cannot qualify for SSI. Qualifying for this program is based upon the child’s individual care requirements. For qualified children, the waiver supplies medical insurance, exempts the family from deductibles and copays, and helps cover the monthly cost of health insurance. The application packet includes providing documentation and filling out a number of different forms.

Family Support Services: assesses each family’s individual needs to determine support. Services may include special medical equipment, advocacy for benefits or services, family education, need assessment, referrals and information, and more. To apply, find your local office, complete an application for family services and a family support agreement, and provide supporting documentation.

New Options Waiver Program (NOW) and Comprehensive Supports Waiver Program (COMP): offer support and services for those with a developmental or intellectual disability. Programs provide a variety of services, including behavior support, vehicle adaptation, specialized medical supplies and equipment, residential services, employment, and more. Specific qualifications must be met (including Medicaid eligibility, intellectual disability diagnosis, among others).

Able Accounts: are savings accounts that allow families to save or invest. These accounts are tax-advantaged, so they don’t have any impact on means-tested benefits.

Dottie Adams Scholarship Fund: (Formerly Partnership Funds and Learning Opportunities Support Fund) is a fund that supports people with developmental disabilities. It provides individuals and families with scholarships, which allow the eligible candidate to attend conferences, learning events, and advocacy. It provides a maximum of $2,500 per event per person or family. To apply, complete and submit an application and information about the event you or your child wish to attend, along with some information about how the event will help the child.

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Nation Wide Non-Profits

Other Non-Profit Services

ITAALK: is a 501c3 program that provides children on the spectrum with iPads and technology to educate and support the child through beneficial apps and training. To apply for a grant to receive an iPad, reach out to iTaalk via email.

Blooming With Autism: is a nationwide charity that strives to give families the tools they need to bloom! They provide iPads to people with autism who cannot afford such resources. This grant is first come, first serve, and it involves an application, an ASD diagnosis, a public release form, and an income requirement.

Giving Angels Foundation: awards grants for children from low-income families. These grants are to be used to cover the cost of therapeutic toys, specialized camps, family bills, medical supplies, and life-changing equipment to enhance the child’s everyday life. Children must be under 21 years of age and have a physical disability diagnosis. This grant pays up to $1,000 maximum per family. These grants are awarded based on income eligibility and on a case-by-case basis, and applications are voted on monthly.

Friends of Man: is a program that accepts applications from referring professionals, including healthcare technicians, clergy, social workers, principals, teachers, school counselors, or nurses. These professionals can submit an application on behalf of the child. Relatives and friends cannot submit applications. The program helps people meet a limited range of needs.

Danny’s Wish: is a campaign that provides life-enhancing resources to families with children on the autism spectrum. It is designed to provide nonverbal children who have autism with free iPads, which are used to communicate and learn. Applications are accepted from September 1st to December 31st each year, and iPads are awarded the following April. Some of the eligibility requirements include an autism diagnosis, financial need, access to a computer, and documentation. The application is available online and must be mailed to the Danny’s Wish Foundation.

Chrysalis Fund: is a 501c3 charity that works to enhance the educational environment of children on the autism spectrum. Proposals submitted by special needs teachers at public schools in the United States are given top priority. Grants range from $2,500 to $10,000. Grants are not directly administered to individuals.

Modest Needs: provides grants to families with children diagnosed with ASD. One such grant is the Self Sufficiency Grant. This grant helps give [lower income] families and individuals access to assistance with covering emergency or unexpected expenses or monthly bills. First, you’ll register with Modest Needs online. After registration, you’ll be able to submit applications for assistance.

Autism Escapes: provides reviews of health and fitness products to provide a detailed, user-friendly analysis. This allows you to make the best decisions on products for your autistic child.

Ace Scholarships: help low-income families provide their special needs children with the best possible education. Provided your family meets specific income requirements (families need to meet income requirements for the federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program), you can apply for this program directly through the private school to which you want to send your child.

Anchor of Hope Foundation: provides children who have proof of a developmental disability with help in covering the costs associated with equipment, education, therapy, and other expenses that are not covered by Medicaid or insurance. This scholarship pays a maximum of $250 annually for each individual. To apply for this scholarship, you must complete and submit an online application to the Anchor of Hope board of directors.

Autism Cares Foundation: works to improve the lives of special needs individuals of all ages. They provide activities and events for children and young adults with autism to participate in.

Maggie Welby Foundation Grants: make a difference in the lives of children with autism by helping families pay for the child’s tuition. The foundation offers scholarships for children from Kindergarten to 12th grade. These scholarships are awarded twice annually, in May and November. A scholarship application must be filled out, and financial need must be demonstrated. To apply for this scholarship, simply fill out the online application.

Autism Care Today: is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that raises awareness and provides support and treatment services to help children. This organization partners with a number of others to support families of children with autism. They also fund a grant that pays up to $5,000 to pre-approved providers and vendors on behalf of families affected by autism. Documentation and an application must be provided to apply for this grant.

IPAD for Kids Program: is a program by the Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation (ASDF). iPads are helpful for autistic children because they aid in communication. When funds are available, the foundation will review your request, which must include your child’s name and address, along with a copy of their diagnosis. Requests are accepted annually after October 1st. To submit a request, an email must be sent to the foundation.

UHCCF Grants: are awarded to significantly improve the quality of life or clinical condition of commercially insured children age 16 or younger in the United States. Other requirements include a social security number, an eligibility requirement (documented by a 1040 tax form), commercial health care coverage. These grants help cover treatments, services, and therapies that meet specific requirements. Applications may be submitted online.

First Hand: is a foundation that offers a grant to help caregivers and parents keep their child healthy and happy by covering medical expenses like equipment, lodging, therapy, vehicle modification, and more. To apply for this grant, complete an online application with First Hand. Certain criteria must also be met, including age, specific health needs, and lack of insurance coverage. One grant may be awarded annually, and a maximum of 3 grants can be awarded throughout the child’s life.