Financial Help for Those with Disabled Children
Learning that your child has a disability can be overwhelming. Dealing with the additional health issues, and even modifications to the home to suit the child with the disability can make matters even more complicated. Parents may realize that they need financial help in order to pay for all of the incurred expenses. Fortunately, there are a few places parents can turn to get that help.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income, or SSI for short, is a government program that issues a monthly check to parents of disabled children. Parents must apply, showing proof of the disability. Once approved, the amount of the monthly check will be determined by the family's current monthly income. The great thing about qualifying for SSI is that the child will also automatically be enrolled in Medicaid, which covers 100% of the child's medical bills. This is true even if the family only qualifies for $1 in SSI benefits.
Division of Developmental Disabilities
DDD, or the Division of Developmental Disabilities has several programs set-up to help parents financially if their disabled child also has a developmental disability. There is no income limit to qualify. DDD has funds for such things as therapeutic horse back riding, modifications to make the home safe and respite care. Programs and available funds change yearly, but once you are approved, you will be assigned to a case manager that can inform you of the current programs. The case manager can also assist you in getting financial help from the available programs.
If you are a single parent with primary custody of a disabled child, you are entitled to financial support from the other parent in the form of child support. Each state has their own laws when it comes to child support for children with disabilities (see Resources). Many states end this type of financial support at age 18, but other continue until the child is 21. A few states even award child support for the duration of the child's life. An experienced attorney can help you obtain these benefits.
Specialty Groups
Depending on your child's specific disability, you may qualify for financial aid from a specialty group. For example, if your child has cancer, you are eligible for financial help from the Cancer Fund of America for any expenses that were not covered by your insurance company. Another specialty group, The Kelly Ann Dolan Memorial Fund, provides financial help for utility bills, rent, car repairs, traveling expenses and more for families of disabled and chronically ill children in need.
References:
State of New Jersey Department of Human Services: DDD Home
Social Security Online: Benefits for Disabled Children
Resources:
Kiplinger; Planning for Your Disabled Child; Kimberly Lankford; August 2007
National Conference of State Legislatures: Child Support Termination for Children with Disabilities
Ped-Onc Resource Center: Financial Help and Insurance Issues
Published by Alicia Bodine
I am a single stay at home mom of 2 girls. My youngest has Angelman Syndrome so I had to learn how to work from home. I enjoy writing and using the programs on my blog http://paidtowrite.blogspot.com. Fee... View profile
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