FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Having a child with special needs can be very expensive and time-consuming. Fortunately, there are funds available to help families pay for the many services needed. It is also important to put certain pieces in place to ensure that if anything happens to you, your child with a disability will be cared for and have the means to survive.
Government disability benefits, assistive technology devices, special housing funds and other financial benefits are available for people with disabilities and their families.
The Statistics
If you suspect a learning disorder the most important first step is to support your learner’s journey to understanding their strengths and challenges.
Relevant Resources
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): A Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes), designed to help aged, blind and disabled people, who have little or no income. It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter.
The Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2014 (ABLE) states that its purpose is to (1) encourage and assist individuals and families in saving private funds for the purpose of supporting individuals with disabilities to maintain health, independence, and quality of life; and (2) provide secure funding for disability-related expenses of beneficiaries with disabilities that will supplement, but not supplant, benefits provided through private insurance, title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) and title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act, the beneficiary’s employment, and other sources. For more information, click here.
Autism Waiver-Funded Services:
Waiver participants are eligible for services such as respite care, environmental modifications to their home and family training at little or no cost.
Developmental Disabilities Administration-Funded Services:
This funding covers some residential, vocational and other support services.
Florida’s school choice programs allow parents to choose the best educational setting—public or private—for their child. The McKay Scholarship Program for Students with Disabilities provided funds to over 31,000 Florida students with special needs giving them the opportunity to attend a participating private school during the 2018-19 school year. This is a dollar value tied to the costs of your child’s IEP. It is not tied to the overall cost of the program you choose. The McKay Scholarship Program also offers parents public school choice. A parent of an eligible special needs student may choose to transfer the student to another public school.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that addresses the education of children with disabilities. This publication includes information that explains the provisions related to, and benefits available to, children with disabilities who are enrolled by their parents in private schools.
FND Trust Services provides comprehensive, caring, and transparent trust administration services, including special needs trust administration. FND trust has worked with many beneficiaries to plan, manage, and access assets through pooled trusts, special needs trusts, and settlement protection trusts.
