Financial Aid For Special Needs

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than one in seven American children have a mental, developmental, or behavioral disorder. The cost of caring for these children is prohibitive; a 2009 study published in Pediatrics found that 91.2 percent of parents with disabled children spent out of pocket to care for children with disabilities. In addition to paying for physical and occupational therapy, parents must compensate caregivers or lose a second income in order to act as caregivers on their own.

Although recent research is unfortunately lacking, a 2004 study from the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report estimated that the lifetime costs for children born with cerebral palsy in 2000 would total at least $11.5 billion, including $9.241 billion for indirect costs such as loss of productivity, $1.175 billion for direct medical costs, and $1.054 billion for direct non-medical costs, such as special education.

From medical care to lost wages, the expenses associated with cerebral palsy can be prohibitive, particularly for low-income families. Thankfully, numerous financial aid programs provide relief for parents and guardians of children with CP. The following are a few of the most significant sources of financial assistance for families struggling under the financial burden of CP care:

Supplemental Security Income

Managed by the Social Security Administration and funded by the United States Treasury general funds, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) offers financial assistance to approximately eight million Americans, many of whom suffer developmental disabilities.

For SSI, disability is regarded as the inability to engage in substantial gainful activity that would otherwise allow the individual to earn a monthly gross income of $1,090 (as of 2015). Among children, classification as disabled depends on whether the disability is expected to lead to death or last for a continuous period of at least twelve months.

Unfortunately, not all children with CP automatically qualify for SSI. Those with mild or moderate motor dysfunction must demonstrate additional disability, such as an IQ of 70 or less, severe speech impairment, significant emotional disorder, or seizure disorder.

Social Security Disability Insurance

Funded by payroll taxes, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) offers financial assistance for those experiencing long-term disability. Eligibility is determined based on the amount of time the CP patient (or his or her parents) has spent employed while contributing payroll taxes, as well as the severity of the disorder. Those with mild or moderate CP may not qualify, but a medical-vocational allowance may be available based on the Social Security Administration’s determined residual functional capacity.

Other Sources of Financial Aid

The United Cerebral Palsy Elsie S. Bellows Fund helps cerebral palsy patients obtain access to much-needed assistive technology. CP patients can also access assistive technology through programs funded under the Assistive Technology Act. The Department of Developmental Services offers a range of grants for children with developmental disabilities. These grants typically range between $600 and $1,000, although some provide up to an annual $5,000.