Financial Support
The financial needs for a family of a child with disabilities can be enormous. While the first consideration is always the health of your child, families soon discover that there is a great financial burden associated with this unexpected trauma.
Get A 100% Free CASE EvaluationParents need to learn about programs and other resources that are available to them to alleviate some of the financial weight that has suddenly been encountered. For those with children who have been diagnosed with permanent and long-term disabilities, the costs are mounting and have just begun.
Services Available
There are many services that may offer financial and other assistance to families of those that have a child with a disability. Some places to seek help include government agencies, financial aid offices, private hospitals, special foundations and other organizations. There are a wide range of options available if parents know where to look. Listed here is just a sampling of some of the most common services. There are many others that parents can find by searching online or by working with support groups.
Governmental Agencies
There are some government agencies that provide support to families of children with brain injuries and developmental disabilities. Support may include a number of things including financial help.
- Social Security for Infants with Disabilities – The Social Security Administration, SSA, allows children with disabilities to qualify for benefits that may include social security income or supplemental income.
- Autism Information Center – Part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Information Center helps direct parents and families of those with autism to grants and other financial opportunities for which they may apply.
- Military-based Programs – The Military OneSource program provides assistance on a variety of levels to military personnel and their families, including help for those who have disabilities.
- The Department of Education Special Needs Office, OSERS, is a governmental agency that provides some financial support to children and families. Ohio has a program in place to ensure that special needs children are properly educated.
Private or Not for Profit Organizations
There are a number of organizations that provide financial and other assistance to families of children with special needs. Some of these include:
- Shriners Hospitals for Children – Provides care and medical treatment to children at no cost to the families. They operate mainly by donations and are a leading research center for many types of children’s illnesses and diseases.
- The ARC of Ohio – Offers programs, support, and resources for children with disabilities and their families. They pledge to help advance the rights of Ohio citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Autism Speaks – Provides information to increase awareness of autism and assists parents and others with resources to assist the children.
- VFW National Home for Children – The Veteran’s of Foreign War helps families of veterans and active military members with a variety of medical, emotional and financial issues.
Educational Programs
The education of a developmentally disabled child is of utmost importance. As a parent, you want to ensure that your child gets the education he or she needs, but at the same time, the program must be geared towards your child’s abilities. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA, is a government program that provides that all people obtain an appropriate education. Individualized programs are designed to help families and children with disabilities reach their full potential. These children are required to have special education plans that allow schools to ensure that their educational needs are met.
Life Care Plan
A life care plan is a detailed plan that includes detailed instructions specifically for the care and education of a disabled child over his or her lifetime. The plan should include a financial plan for taking care of a child with a disability throughout childhood and as an adult. The plan lists all medical expenses required, care needs, special equipment, transportation, home care costs, and educational expenses. The plan is a tool that families can use to help determine their financial needs. The plan should also include costs that the parents themselves may encounter due to caring for a disabled child. For example, lost wages and modifications that are needed to the home could be included here.