How to Get Financial Help for Cerebral Palsy Families

Dealing with the effects of cerebral palsy can be financially challenging for families. Knowing where to turn for financial help in the form of insurance programs, scholarships, educational benefits, disability income, reduced rent and low-interest loans for assistive technology can help make it easier to get the care you and your family need.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Get Financial Help for Cerebral Palsy Families

1. Apply for Adult Child Social Security benefits if you became disabled before the age of 22 and one or both of your parents died while receiving Social Security disability or retirement benefits.
2. File a claim for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) through your local Social Security office. SSI benefits are also available to children under 18.
3. Obtain Medicaid coverage if your primary source of disability benefits is Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or Medicare coverage, if your benefits are mainly derived from Social Security.
4. Research your family's insurance plan to find out what type of coverage they provide for equipment such as wheelchairs and other assistive technology. If your child is uninsured, apply for insurance through the federally funded Insure Kids Now! program (see Resources below).
5. Speak with an attorney about filing a suit if you or your child's cerebral palsy resulted from medical malpractice.
6. Apply for United Cerebral Palsy Community Resource Funds available through some local chapters of UCP to help families get money for unexpected emergencies, living expenses and technological needs. Find a UCP chapter near you by visiting the United Cerebral Palsy website (see Resources below).
7. Apply for low-interest loans for assistive technology devices through state agencies. Visit the USA TechGuide website for a partial list of assistive technology loans and grants issued by state (see Resources below).
8. Apply for an Individual Education Plan (IEP) through the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). An IEP provides your child with a team consisting of educators and therapists, as well as funds for assistive technology devices to facilitate learning.
9. Apply for Section 8 housing assistance vouchers through the Housing and Urban Development department, through which renters can receive reduced rent based on their income.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact an attorney to establish a Special Needs Trust that will continue to provide for your child's financial needs after your death.
• Apply for scholarships to educational programs and summer camps through service organizations such as the Elks Club, Lion's Club, United Way and Easter Seals.