A Guide to Financial Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities 

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According to Mass General Hospital, it takes roughly $60,000 a year to support an individual with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The good news is that there are federal, state and other programs available to help reduce that financial burden. Here are some options for your family to consider: 

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) 

SSI helps families with children under 18 with qualifying disabilities such as ASD, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability or blindness. Eligibility for SSI is based on several factors, from household income to how many individuals live in the home. It can take state agencies up to six months to decide if the benefits should be awarded. Once an individual qualifies for SSI, they will receive a monthly payment.  

Tax Credits  

Through the Medical and Dental Tax Credit, you can deduct unreimbursed medical expenses that are more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income when you file your federal taxes. This includes the cost of medicines, medically required foods, therapy-related supplies, doctor visits, and travel to and from healthcare visits.  

And if you paid to have someone care for your child so you could keep working or look for work, you may be eligible for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. The credit is based on your income and a percentage of your childcare expenses. 

529A Savings Account 

Another option to consider is a 529A (or ABLE) tax-free savings account for individuals with disabilities. This account makes it possible for individuals to remain eligible for their disability benefits while saving up to $15,000 a year for qualified disability expenses. 

U.S.-Based Grants  

Last, a number of organizations provide grants to individuals with disabilities. You can look online to see what’s available based on your child’s needs.

To help you get started, we’ve listed a couple of resources below:  

Even though the benefits described above may not cover all of your child’s treatment and therapy costs, they can significantly impact your family’s budget over the long run.