Financial Assistance Available for Children with Special Needs
Raising a child with special needs can be a expensive. For example, The Autism Society of America estimates that the lifetime cost of caring for a child with autism ranges from $3.5 million to $5 million. That is a staggering number, especially in todays economy. There are resources available to help alleviate some of this burden, and I hope to explain a few of these.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IDEA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout our nation. There are 2 parts-Part C, covers children from birth to 3 years, Part B, covers children from 3 to 21 years.
Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Act, Section 303.16, states that infants and toddlers who have a diagnosed physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay are eligible for services. Children with delays in cognitive, motor, vision, hearing, communication, social-emotional or adaptive development may also be eligible for service.
Here is where you apply for services under IDEA part C by state:
ALABAMA- Early Intervention Program- 1-800-543-3098
ALASKA- Infant Learning Program- 1-877-477-3659
ARIZONA- Early Intervention Program 1-800-439-5609
ARKANSAS- Infant and Toddler program 1-800-439-5609
CALIFORNIA- Early Start- 1-800-515-2229
COLORADO- Early Intervention- 1-888-777-4041
CONNECTICUT- Birth to Three System 1-800-505-7000
DELAWARE- Birth to Three- 1-302-255-9134 (couldn't find toll free on their website)
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA- Office of State Superintendent of Education 1-202-727-5853
FLORIDA- Early Steps- 1-800-654-4440
GEORGIA- Babies Can't Wait- 1-888-651-8224
HAWAII- Early Intervention- Oahu1-808-594-0066 other islands 1-800-235-5477
IDAHO- Children's Developmental Services - 1-800-926-2588
ILLINOIS- Early Intervention -1-800-447-6404
INDIANA- First Steps- 1-800-441-7837
IOWA- Early ACCESS - 1-888-425-4371
KANSAS- Children's Developmental Services -1-800-332-6262
KENTUCKY- First Steps- 1-877-417-8377
LOUISIANA- Early Steps- 1-866-783-5553
MAINE- Child Development Services -1-800-355-8611
MARYLAND- Early Intervention- 1-800-535-0182
MASSACHUSETTS- Early Intervention - 1-800-905-8437
MICHIGAN- Early On - 1-800-327-5966
MINNESOTA- Early Learning Services- 1-651-582-8523
MISSISSIPPI- First Steps- 1-800-451-3903
MISSOURI- First Steps- 1-866-583-2392
MONTANA- Early Intervention- 1-406-444-5647
NEBRASKA- Early Development Network- 1-402-471-9329
NEVADA- Project ASSIST- 1-800-522-0066
NEW HAMPSHIRE- Bureau of Developmental Services- 1-800-852-3345
NEW JERSEY- Early Intervention- 1-800-322-8174
NEW MEXICO- Family and Infant Toddler Program- 1-877-696-1472
NEW YORK- Early Intervention- 1-800-522-5006 - for NYC call 1-800-577-2229
NORTH CAROLINA- Early Intervention- 1-919-218-2786
NORTH DAKOTA- Developmental Disabilities Unit- 1-800-755-8529
OHIO- Early Intervention- 1-800-755-4769
OKLAHOMA- Special Education Office- 1-405-521-4880
OREGON- Office of Special Education- 1-503-947-5703
PENNSYLVANIA- Early Intervention- 1-800-692-7288
RHODE ISLAND- Early Intervention- 1-401-462-0318
SOUTH CAROLINA- First Steps- 1-803-734-8077
SOUTH DAKOTA- Birth to 3- 1-800-305-3064
TENNESSEE- Early Childhood Services- 1-888-212-3162
TEXAS- Early Childhood Intervention- 1-800-628-5115
UTAH- Baby Watch- 1-800-961-4226
VERMONT- Children's Integrated Services- 1-802-241-3622
VIRGINIA- Infant and Toddler Connection- 1-800-234-1448
WASHINGTON- Early Support for Infant and Toddlers- 1-800-322-2588
WEST VIRGINIA- Birth to Three- 1-800-642-9704
WISCONSIN- Birth to 3- 1-800-642-7837
WYOMING- Early Intervention- 1-307-777-7115
Once your child has been enrolled in IDEA Part C, they are automatically transitioned to Part B. Under Part B, they begin preschool in the county in which you live. If you have an older child not enrolled in Part C, the numbers above can transfer you, or directly call your local department of education.
Katie Beckett Deeming Waiver Medicaid
KATIE BECKETT DEEMING WAIVER
Katie Beckett is also known as Section 134 of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act(TEFRA). It allows state to ignore the income and resources of parents of children with chronic illness and disabilities for the purpose of eligibility for Medicaid.
Even if you have private insurance, your child cannot be denied if eligible. It can be a life saver when it comes to co-pays, deductibles, etc. Therapies can especially add up, even if you are only having to pay 20%
Who is Eligible
Child must be 18 yrs or younger
Child must have been denied for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Child must meet federal social security criteria for childhood disability
Child must meet institutional level of care
Caring for child at home must be cost effective
What Katie Beckett Covers
Katie Beckett is medicaid. It is insurance that covers medical, hospital, dental, therapies for disabled children.
Where to Apply
contact your local health department, or family and children services
Health Insurance Premium Payment Program
HIPP
HIPP is a Medicaid program that may pay for the cost of your private health insurance premiums, when it is found to be cost-effective.
In other words, the state compares the cost of your insurance premiums to the cost of covering your child under medicaid. If your premiums cost less, that is what they will pay for. This could be advantageous, because if the child qualifies for HIPP and the family's private insurance plan covers the entire family, then the premium for the entire family is paid.
Who is Eligible
One person in the household must be eligible for Medicaid
Health Insurance must be available to cover medicaid recipient
Premiums must be deemed Cost effective
Where to Apply
Your local health department or local family or children's services
I hope this helps you understand some of the resources available for these special children. There are several waivers out there, sometimes you just have to dig a little to find them. I hope to keep updating, as I learn more, so keep checking back, and good luck!
Comments
April on March 03, 2014:
Would be helpful to know which states have the KB deeming waiver. Difficult to find that info on state websites.
