Get help paying for your child’s cerebral palsy treatment
Similar to community support organizations, financial support groups offer much needed help for parents and caregivers of a child with cerebral palsy.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the cost of caring for a child with cerebral palsy over a lifetime is around $1 million — in addition to normal living expenses.
Many families struggle to pay the overwhelming medical expenses needed to help manage their child’s symptoms. Parents can feel more secure about their family’s finances and future by receiving cerebral palsy financial assistance.
There are countless organizations worldwide that were founded solely to help alleviate the cost of caring for a child with cerebral palsy. In addition to financial support organizations, there are many government benefits and cerebral palsy grants available that can offset the costs of treatment.
By finding ways to manage their expenses, parents and caregivers can ensure their child receives the best therapies, medications, and surgeries needed to live an independent life.
Foundations for cerebral palsy financial assistance
The search to find financial support is not always a simple undertaking. Parents may wonder exactly how to find these groups and what kind of resources are available. Fortunately, there are many cerebral palsy financial assistance organizations across the country that can help your family.
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1. Cerebral Palsy Foundation
The Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF) is an organization that focuses on clinical research to improve the lives of individuals living with cerebral palsy.
CPF has created a network of experts, combining prestigious medical institutions with technology, to develop advances in cerebral palsy treatment.
Funding raised by CPF is used to provide high-quality medical intervention and access to critical information about cerebral palsy to individuals living with disabilities. -
2. Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association
The Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) is an organization that provides financial assistance and cerebral palsy grants to families in need. CHASA is dedicated to helping parents of children with cerebral palsy by creating a network to share information about treatment clinics and educational programs.From family retreats to social media support groups, the CHASA community helps people from all over the globe affected by cerebral palsy.
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3. The MORGAN Project
The MORGAN Project is a non-profit organization established by Robert and Kristen Malfara in honor of their son Morgan, who suffers from a rare brain disorder called leukodystrophy. Their mission is to raise awareness and offer support for parents of children with special health care needs.This organization provides guidance, resources, and gently used disability equipment to assist children with mobility concerns.
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4. UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation
The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) is an organization that provides families affected by cerebral palsy with the opportunity to access health-related services that are not covered by their commercial health insurance plan.This group provides cerebral palsy grants of up to $5,000 annually per child. Families without a UnitedHealthcare insurance plan are still eligible to receive UHCCF benefits.
The Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF) is an organization that focuses on clinical research to improve the lives of individuals living with cerebral palsy.
The Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) is an organization that provides financial assistance and cerebral palsy grants to families in need. CHASA is dedicated to helping parents of children with cerebral palsy by creating a network to share information about treatment clinics and educational programs.
The MORGAN Project is a non-profit organization established by Robert and Kristen Malfara in honor of their son Morgan, who suffers from a rare brain disorder called leukodystrophy. Their mission is to raise awareness and offer support for parents of children with special health care needs.
The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) is an organization that provides families affected by cerebral palsy with the opportunity to access health-related services that are not covered by their commercial health insurance plan.Government benefits for cerebral palsy
There are five federally-funded assistance programs that offer additional income and insurance for those with cerebral palsy.
These cerebral palsy government benefits include:
- Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- Medicaid
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
While this funding originates within the national government, benefits are accessible through your state or city government. This makes it easier for parents to apply for and receive the help they need without having to endure a lengthy process of evaluation.
Local government agencies are responsible for dispersing the funds allotted to their citizens with disabilities. To apply for these benefits and/or insurance plans, parents should seek out any necessary applications and forms through their local government.
CHIP coverage benefits
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health care coverage to children through both Medicaid and separate CHIP programs. CHIP gives low-cost health care coverage to families that exceed the income requirement for Medicaid.
Benefits available with CHIP differ by state, but the following services are provided across the nation:
- Dental and vision care (for co-occurring conditions)
- Doctor visits
- Emergency services
- Immunizations
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital care
- Laboratory and X-ray services
- Medications
- Routine check-ups
The costs associated with CHIP coverage can vary for each family. However, this health insurance option ensures that you will not pay more than 5% of your family’s income for the year.
IDEA program benefits
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) is a federal law that requires schools to serve the educational needs of disabled students.
Children with cerebral palsy are generally eligible for special education and treatment services provided by IDEA. Children who are showing signs of cerebral palsy but do not have an official diagnosis may still qualify for special education services.
Some of the benefits included under IDEA are:
- Early intervention for children up to 36 months of age
- Family counseling
- Health and nutrition services
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Transportation and assistive technology
IDEA for school-age children is meant to foster an environment that is more conducive to learning by providing access to an array of accommodation services. Children attending a public school system who are between the ages of 3 and 21 are covered by IDEA.
Medicaid program benefits
Medicaid is a federal health insurance program for families with limited income. Many families affected by cerebral palsy use Medicaid to help pay for medical expenses, housing, and assistive devices.
The general requirements to qualify for Medicaid include:
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Be within or below federal poverty guidelines
- Meet all state requirements regarding assets, income, marital status, and age
- Reside in the state that you are applying for assistance
SSDI benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides monthly income for adults that are unable to work due to their disability. SSDI does not require the applicant to have a certain income amount in order to receive benefits.
The general requirements to collect SSDI benefits include:
- Be able to present medical evidence that you have a medical condition
- Be able to show that you are unable to work in any capacity
- Have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity (adults)
- Have an IQ measurement that is 70 or less
- Have a qualifying medical condition will last at least one year
- You or your parent must have worked at a job during the last 10 years in which Social Security taxes were paid
SSI benefits
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is reserved for low-income families and comes in the form of monthly checks for children and adults with serious disabilities such as cerebral palsy. As of 2021, the base amount for SSI is $794 a month.
The general requirements to collect SSI benefits include:
- Be a citizen or legal resident of the U.S.
- Be able to demonstrate that you have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from engaging in Substantial Gainful Activity (adults)
- Be able to demonstrate limited physical or mental abilities (children)
- Be able to show there is no work for which you can be trained
- Be able to present medical evidence that your condition exists
- Have a qualifying medical condition that will last more than 12 months
- Have limited money and assets
Legal options for cerebral palsy compensation
In addition to other forms of cerebral palsy financial assistance, you may also be able to access legal compensation.
There are a number of cases where cerebral palsy could have been prevented and was caused by medical negligence. In these cases, affected families may be entitled to legal compensation through a cerebral palsy lawsuit.
Lawsuit compensation can be used towards paying past and future medical costs associated with your child’s cerebral palsy treatment.
Kristin Proctor, RN
Registered Nurse for 20+ Years
Get cerebral palsy financial assistance today
There are many cerebral palsy financial assistance options available to your family to help pay for overwhelming medical expenses. These options can help your family ensure that your child is getting the best cerebral palsy treatment possible to live an independent, long, and happy life.
Get a free case review today to see if your family is eligible to receive financial compensation.
