You shouldn’t have to pay alone.

SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

Children & adults with disabilities, low-income

Monthly cash payment for individuals with limited income who meet SSA disability criteria. For children, parents’ income is "deemed" until age 18.

Eligibility rules change — confirm at ssa.gov before applying.

SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)

Adults who have worked & paid Social Security tax

Disability income for adults with sufficient work credits. Adult children of disabled, retired, or deceased workers may qualify under DAC.

Medicaid (Title XIX)

Low-income families & individuals with disabilities

Federal-state health insurance. Covers ABA, speech, OT, psychiatry, equipment in most states. Eligibility and covered services vary by state.

IDEA Part C / Part B

Children 0–3 (Part C), 3–21 (Part B)

Free early intervention (Part C) and special education + related services (Part B) through the public school system. Always free, regardless of income.

Autism / Developmental Disability waivers

Children & adults with an autism or DD diagnosis

Most states offer at least one waiver targeting autism or DD. Common services: ABA, respite, behavior support, family training, equipment, transportation.

Many waivers have multi-year waitlists — apply as early as possible.

Katie Beckett / TEFRA

Children with significant medical needs at home

Waives the parental-income test for Medicaid eligibility for children who would otherwise qualify only in an institution. Available in most states under different names.

CA: Self-Determination Program (SDP)

Californians with a Regional Center file

Lets families direct an individual budget across approved providers and services. Search SDP-enabled providers in our directory using the CA-only filter.

Autism Care Today — Family Grant

Families with an autistic child, US

Quarterly grants up to $5,000 for therapies, biomedical care, safety equipment, and assistive tech. Typically awarded directly to providers, not families.

United Healthcare Children’s Foundation

Families with employer-based commercial insurance

Up to $5,000 per year, $10,000 lifetime for medical services not covered by insurance. Includes therapy, AAC devices, and adaptive equipment.

CARE Family Grant Program

Lower-income families nationwide

Direct-pay grants for ABA, speech, OT, and assistive devices. Income-tested. Typically 4–6 week turnaround.

Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation

Autistic individuals & families, US

Grants for therapy, recreation, and assistive tech. Application windows open seasonally; check the website for current cycle dates.

ABLE accounts (529A)

Anyone with disability onset before age 26

Tax-advantaged savings of up to ~$18,000/yr without affecting SSI/Medicaid eligibility. Spend on housing, education, transportation, health, assistive tech.

Child & Dependent Care Credit

Working families paying for care

Federal tax credit on care expenses (including some therapy) that allow parents to work. Up to ~35% of qualifying costs, capped annually.

Medical expense deduction

Families itemizing deductions

Therapy, special-education tuition recommended by a physician, mileage to appointments, and AAC devices may be deductible above 7.5% of AGI.