BENEFITS AND PROGRAMS THAT COULD PROVIDE FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR YOUR FAMILY cont.

COMMUNITY AND STATE FINANCIAL RESOURCES

COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES

A great place to start, if you are in need of financial help, is your local Community Action Agency.6 Nearly every community in the U.S. has a Community Action Agency. These are non-profit organizations which receive state and federal funding. They administer many assistance programs for low-income residents, including rental assistance, energy assistance, food and nutrition programs, case management, education and literacy programs, and emergency assistance. Your local Community Action Agency will be able to connect you with various programs and sources of financial assistance that are available in your area.

FAMILY GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Autism Speaks maintains a Resource Library for families, which contains a list of Family Grant Opportunities.7 Each of these grants are designed to help parents pay for a variety of needs related to autism treatment and care. You can visit autismspeaks.org/family-grant-opportunities for each listing to learn more about how to apply.

There also may be local grant opportunities listed in our online Resource Guide.8 Go to autismspeaks.org/resource-guide, then select your state and look under the category "Advocacy, Financial and Legal Resources" to find any available grant programs.

TIPS TO CREATE AND MANAGE YOUR BUDGET

• Involve the entire family: Agree on a budget up front and meet regularly to check your progress.
• Stay disciplined: Try to make managing your budget a part of your daily routine.
• Choose your timing wisely. Start your new budget at a time when it will be easy to follow and stick with the plan (i.e., start at the beginning of the year, as opposed to right before the holidays).
• Find a budgeting system that fits your needs (i.e., budgeting software). • Categorize your expenses, distinguish between expenses that are "wants" (i.e., designer shoes) and expenses that are "needs" (i.e., groceries).
• Build rewards into your budget (i.e., eat out every other week).
• Build an emergency fund: Accumulate 3 to 6 months of fixed expenses as an emergency reserve. This will make it easier to address life's inevitable surprises or emergencies and allow you to stay on track with your budget without having to utilize your credit cards.

References

1. nationalautismdatacenter.org/costs-of-common-services
2. hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb268-ED-Costs-2017.jsp
3. autismspeaks.org/financial-autism-support#able
4. autismspeaks.org/blog/home-and-community-based-services-hcbs-waivers
5. autismspeaks.org/news/10-things-know-about-able-act
6. autismspeaks.org/advocacy-news/update-able-accounts
7. communityactionpartnership.com
8. autismspeaks.org/family-grant-opportunities
9. autismspeaks.org/resource-guide

Read more in the Autism Speaks Financial Planning Tool Kit at autismspeaks.org/financial- planning-tool-kit. •

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marta Chmielowicz is the Content Manager of Mission Delivery at Autism Speaks, where she leads science communications to advance the mission of Autism Speaks to create an inclusive world for all individuals with autism throughout their lifespan.