Resources available through Social Security Administration
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Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Tel. (203) 849-1911 or 1-800-772-1213
http://www.ssa.gov/work/index
This federal program provides money each month to children with disabilities whose families qualify as "lower income." Eligibility is determined by both income and disability standards. To meet the income requirements, a family's income and size are assessed. The definition of disability is determined on the basis of functional ability which is assessed in terms of the child's abilities as they relate to the abilities of a typical child of the same age.
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Social Security Dependent Benefits
1-800-772-1213
Benefits are paid to children under age 18 on the record of a parent who is collecting retirement or disability from Social Security or survivors' benefits are paid to children under age 18 on the record of a parent who has died. The child does not need to have a disability to collect. Payments can continue until age 19 if the child is still a student.
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Social Security Benefits for Adults Disabled since Childhood
1-800-772-1214
The above benefits can continue into adulthood if the child has a disability. To qualify, the child must be a son or daughter of someone who is getting Social Security Retirement or Disability Benefits, or someone who has died and that child must have a disability that began prior to age 22.
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Medicare
1-800-772-1213
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older and for people who have been getting Social Security Disability Benefits for two years. (Not generally available until the individual is 20 years old).
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Resources Available through the Department of Social Services
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Medicaid (Title 19)
Tel. (860) 551-2818
Title 19 is available through the Department of Social Services. This program covers medical costs for financially eligible individuals. There are income and asset limits which apply to eligibility determination. Out of pocket medical expenses may be deducted from income to assess eligibility. Medicaid will cover medical services, prescriptions, hospitalizations, and medically necessary transportation.
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State Supplement-DDS
Tel. (203)855-2700
This is financial aid to disabled individuals in the form of a cash allowance per month. It is designed to supplement assistance under the federal Supplemental Security Income program, however, actual receipt of SSI is not required. The amount is determined comparing income and expenses.
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Medicaid Waivers
Waivers are available through the Department of Social Services. Under this program, families who exceed the income and asset limits for Title 19 may receive Medicaid benefits for their child, waiving the deeming rule as it applies to family income and assets. The cost of care at home must be less than the cost of institutional placement. The child must demonstrate a need for skilled care at home.
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Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides temporary assistance while recipients seek and obtain employment that will make their families self-sufficient. Services are available to help them seek and obtain employment. More permanent assistance is available to families in which there is no employable person. The program is referred to as Jobs First.
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Food Stamps Program
Tel. (203 ) 855-2700
Food Stamps are available to provide monthly benefits to individuals with low incomes for the purchase of food. Income and assets are considered in determining eligibility.
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Child Care Subsidy Program
This program provides financial assistance to help pay for child care costs. Eligibility is determined on the basis of income, family size, for a working parent or teenage parent who is completing high school and has a child under age 13. Children who are under age 18 and have special needs may be eligible with additional documentation. A child care provider who is selected by the parent and approved by the Department of Social Services may include a licensed center, licensed group day care home, licensed family day care home, a relative of at least 18 years of age in the relative's home or someone of at least 18 years of age in the child's home to provide care, will receive the subsidy each month after child care has been provided. Parents or spouses may not receive payments. This program is designed as a cost sharing program with the parent's share determined by income.
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The Assistant Technology Loan Program, (Tech Act Project)
The Bureaus of Rehabilitation Services has loans to individuals with disabilities whose income is at or below the State median. The loans can be used to purchase equipment. Also peer counselors will assist consumers in obtaining information and applying for funding.
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Family Support Grant
Attn: Leslie Burkhart, 25 Sigouney Street, Hartford, CT 06106
Tel. (800) 424-5372
The goal of this program is to maintain children with disabilities (other than mental retardation) at home with their families by the provision of subsidies to defray the extraordinary expenses associated with raising their child at home.
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Resources Available through Connecticut's
Department of Mental Retardation
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Family Support Grant
Families who earn $75,600 or less (less otherwise nonreimbursable expenses related to the child's disability) who have a child with mental retardation and a severe disability, under the age of 18 are eligible. Eligibility is re-determined annually and the child's disability must present extraordinary financial impact on the family. $250 per month is available, up to $3,000 per year. Families are chosen at random from a central pool, may apply any time and should contact their Case Manager for information. Families may use these funds to purchase items or services that support the family to care for their child with a disability. Families must report on the use of funds on a semi-annual basis.
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Individual and Family Support Grants Demonstration Program
Individual and family grants provide cash for adults with mental retardation who live on their own, or to families who care for a family member who has mental retardation at home, whose disability has extraordinary financial impact or hardship on the family. Eligible individuals may apply. Distribution amount will be determined and based on requests to meet need, availability of funds, and maximum grants per year per family.
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In-Home Respite Grant
Quarterly cash payments are available for families whose child meets the Department's eligibility requirements. The dollar amount of the grant is determined individually, a signed agreement as well as a brief expenditure report are required. Families can access this program by contacting their DMR Case Manager.
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Temporary Support
Temporary support funding assists family members who are under a great deal of stress or are experiencing a life crisis. Often this support is needed during times of transition such as death of a family member and are provided on a short term basis (1-3 month duration with repeated renewals of up to 18 months). Examples of services purchased with this funding include supports from a behavior specialist or other professional support staff.
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Resources Available through the Department of
Health & Addictive Services
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Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Title Five
State Department of Public Health
1410 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT. 06106
Tel. (860) 509-8000
This program offers coordination of diagnostic and therapeutic services. It pays for specific services for eligible children after all potential sources of funding have been exhausted. Children ages 0 - 21 who meet diagnostic criteria are eligible. Families must also meet income/asset requirements. There are limits pertaining to amount, scope, and duration of services.
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Services Available for Children Birth to Three
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Connecticut's Birth to Three Service System
1344 Silas Deane Highway, Rocky Hill, CT 06067
Tel. (800) 505-7000
This is a state-wide comprehensive Early Intervention system for infants and toddlers (up to age 3), with disabilities, and their families. Administered through the Department of Mental Retardation, it assists families in identifying and coordinating the screening, evaluation, and program services for their family. Through the development and implementation of an Individualized Family Service Plan, family supports can be identified and provided.
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Resources Available through Department of Education
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Board of Education Services for the Blind
Children Services, 184 Windsor Avenue, Windsor, CT 06095
Tel. (860) 602-4000 or (800) 842-4510
Provides a range of services to legally blind adults and children with visual handicaps. Services include counseling, referral, preschool, elementary, and secondary education, vocational rehabilitation, and orientation and mobility instruction. Many services are provided in the individual's home and community via travelling staff. Funding is available for such services as adaptive visual aids, equipment, and school aides.
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Other Financial Resources
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Corporation for Independent Living
30 Jordan Lane, Wethersfield, CT 06109
Tel. (860) 563-6011
Has a low interest loan program for environmental adaptations.
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The Grottoes of North America
Executive Secretary of the M.O.V.P.E.R.
1696 Brice Road, Reynoldsburg, Ohio, 43068
Provides free dental care for individuals with cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, mental retardation, myasthenia Gravis up to an including the age of 18. Local provider is Dr. Xavier Frolier (refer to Medical Resources Section).
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Miles for Kids in Need
American Airlines
1-800-433-7300
Provides partial airfare for children who need to travel due to medical procedures.
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Connecticut Resources: A Guide for Families
by the Family Center, Health Care Financing Advocacy Project.
Available through Molly Cole, The Family Center, Dept. of Social Work,
Connecticut Children's Medical Center, 282 Washington Street, Hartford, CT.
Tel: (860) 667-5288
A comprehensive health care manual for families who have children with special needs. Answers what you qualify for and how to apply for it.
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Charles Schwab & Company, Inc.
300 Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT 06901
(800) 435-4000 Customer Service
Investment services, providing referrals for qualified trust and estate planning professionals.
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