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.
Nation Wide Non-Profits
Other Non-Profit Services
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).