BENEFITS AND PROGRAMS THAT COULD PROVIDE FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR YOUR FAMILY

We encourage you to explore all of these different funding sources to determine what your family may qualify for. For more detailed information, download the Autism Speaks Financial Planning Tool Kit at autismspeaks.org/financial-planning-tool-kit.

STATE AND FEDERAL DISABILITY BENEFITS

MEDICAID

Medicaid is a program that is funded in part by both the federal and state government. Medicaid pays for a wide array of services for people with disabilities, and provides government-funded health insurance for children and adults with disabilities who have limited financial resources. Medicaid also provides government funding for long-term services and supports. An individual can qualify for Medicaid based on both income and disability. Eligibility rules vary widely across states.

MEDICAID HOME AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES (HCBS) WAIVERS

In the past, Medicaid funding was limited to those who live in certain types of facilities. But now, through the use of Medicaid HCBS waivers, people with autism and other disabilities can use these funds more flexibly.3 The program enables states to serve people who wouldn't normally be eligible for Medicaid, or provide services that aren't offered as part of the regular Medicaid benefit package in that state.

A Medicaid waiver is designed to provide support, services and care, allowing an individual to remain at home or in the community, rather than in an institution, nursing home or hospital. The benefits provided by these waiver programs vary by state. Generally, they provide coverage for medical treatments, respite care, transportation, in-home support and more. In some states, children do not need to meet eligibility criteria for Medicaid in order to qualify for a waiver. However, just like insurance laws, waiver criteria and availability vary from state to state.

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI)

Supplemental Security Income is a monthly government payment through Social Security, which is designed to support people who are aged 65 and older, as well as, blind or disabled. Individuals with autism may be eligible to receive SSI to help support them financially. Qualification for SSI depends on household income and resources. Information on this and other programs can be found at ssa.gov.

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY INSURANCE (SSDI)

Social Security Disability Insurance provides income supplements to people who are restricted in their ability to be employed, because of a disability. The SSDI program pays benefits to adults who have a disability that began before they became adults. SSDI is payable to adult children of parents who are receiving Social Security retirement or disability benefits, or who have died and worked enough prior to their deaths to qualify for Social Security benefits. The Social Security Administration considers this a "child's" benefit, because it is paid on a parent's Social Security earnings record. These benefits continue as long as your child meets the definition of disabled.

One important difference between SSI and SSDI is that SSDI payments are uniform in all states. SSI is different in each state, as sometimes the state supplements the federal payments.

OTHER ENTITLEMENTS

Once you or your child is eligible for payments through SSI, you may also be able to access additional supports. In many cases, eligibility for SSI automatically qualifies you for other low-income assistance programs in your state. These can include, but are not limited to:

ABLE ACCOUNTS

A new type of savings option was made available for families of individuals with disabilities through the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014.4 The ABLE Act, passed after years of advocacy from Autism Speaks, authorized the establishment of private tax-advantaged savings accounts that can help you save for long-term expenses, without sacrificing eligibility for public benefits, such as Medicaid and SSI.5

These accounts are modeled after the current 529 education savings plans that help families save for future college costs. Once an account is established for a beneficiary, account contributions will accumulate tax deferred, and any earnings will be tax free at the federal level, if the money is used for qualified expenses.