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Cerebral palsy financial assistance

Paying for your child's cerebral palsy treatment can be costly and stressful. Thankfully, several cerebral palsy foundations and government assistance options are available to help with the cost of your child's care. Learn more about cerebral palsy funding by downloading our free guide.

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Get help finding cerebral palsy funding for treatment

Many families struggle to pay the overwhelming medical expenses needed to treat cerebral palsy. Parents can feel more secure about their finances and their child’s future by accessing cerebral palsy financial assistance.

Cerebral palsy funding can provide much-needed help to parents and caregivers.

According to 2003 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it costs around $1 million to care for a child with cerebral palsy over their lifetime — in addition to normal living expenses. As of 2023, this equates to over $1.5 million.

Similar to community support organizations, there are organizations worldwide that were founded solely to help reduce the financial burden of caring for a child with cerebral palsy (CP). Additionally, government benefits and cerebral palsy grants provide cerebral palsy funding that can help offset the cost of treatment and home modifications.

By applying for cerebral palsy financial assistance, 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

Parents may not know where to start when seeking cerebral palsy financial assistance.

Fortunately, there are cerebral palsy financial assistance organizations across the country that may be able to help.

The following foundations may be able to help your family access cerebral palsy funding.

  1. 1. Cerebral Palsy Foundation

    Cerebral Palsy FoundationThe Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF) focuses on clinical research to improve the lives of individuals who have cerebral palsy. CPF has created a network of experts, combining prestigious medical institutions with technology, to develop advances in cerebral palsy treatment.

    Cerebral palsy funding raised by CPF provides high-quality medical intervention and access to critical information about cerebral palsy to people affected by this condition.

  2. 2. Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association

    Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke AssociationThe Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) 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.

  3. 3. The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project

    The M.O.R.G.A.N. ProjectThe M.O.R.G.A.N. Project was established by Robert and Kristen Malfara in honor of their son Morgan, who is affected by a rare brain disorder called leukodystrophy. The foundation name is also an acronym for Making Opportunities Reality Granting Assistance Nationwide, which reflects its mission to raise awareness and offer support to parents of children with special health care needs.

    This nonprofit organization provides guidance, resources, and gently used disability equipment to assist children with a physical disability or mobility concerns.

  4. 4. UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation

    United Healthcare Children's FoundationThe UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) provides families affected by cerebral palsy with funding that can help them access health-related services not covered by their commercial health insurance plan.

    This group provides cerebral palsy grants of up to $5,000 annually and $10,000 a lifetime per child. Even if your family is not enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare insurance plan, you can still apply for a UHCCF grant.

    As of 2023, the UHCCF has awarded over 3,200 grants worth approximately $65.8 million.

Government funding for cerebral palsy

There are several government assistance programs that offer cerebral palsy funding and health insurance for families affected by CP.

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)
  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

All programs are funded at the federal level, but you can access them through your state or city government. This makes it easier to apply for and receive the help you need without a lengthy evaluation process.

To apply for government-funded cerebral palsy financial assistance, contact your local benefits office.

CHIP coverage benefits

CHIP Coverage Benefits

The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health care coverage to families that exceed the income limit for Medicaid.

CHIP benefits 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 can vary for each family. However, this health insurance option ensures you will only pay up to 5% of your family's income for the year.

IDEA program benefits

The IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) is a federal law that requires schools to serve the educational needs of students with physical and developmental disabilities.

Children with cerebral palsy are generally eligible for special education services provided by the IDEA. Children showing signs of developmental delay but who do not have an official CP diagnosis may still qualify for services.

Some benefits included under the 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

The IDEA is meant to help school-age children participate fully in their educational program by providing services and accommodations. Children enrolled in public school who are between the ages of 3 and 21 are covered by the 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.

To access cerebral palsy funding through Medicaid, you must:

  • 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) allows children with disabilities who cannot work to receive monthly compensation. Unlike Supplemental Security Income (SSI), there are no income requirements to receive SSDI, but the child’s parents must have contributed federal payroll taxes to fund Social Security.

The general requirements to collect SSDI benefits include:

  • IQ score of 70 or less
  • Medical evidence of the child’s qualifying health condition that will last at least one year
  • Proof that the child is unable to work in any capacity
  • Proof of parent’s employment within the last 10 years showing Social Security taxes taken out

SSI benefits

A couple holds their sleeping baby as they look out the window in content.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is reserved for low-income families. It comes in the form of monthly checks for children and adults with severe disabilities such as cerebral palsy. As of 2023, the base amount for SSI is $914 a month per eligible individual.

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 present medical evidence that your condition exists
  • Be able to show there is no work for which you can be trained
  • Have limited money and assets
  • Have a qualifying medical condition that will last more than 12 months

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a federal program that provides cerebral palsy financial assistance and other support services to low-income families.

U.S. citizens, legal aliens, or permanent residents who meet at least one of the following criteria may qualify:
  • Be 18 years of age or younger and the head of their household
  • Be pregnant
  • Care for a child 18 years old or younger

While TANF is a federally funded program, each state determines its own benefits. Contact your local TANF program to see if you are eligible to receive cerebral palsy funding.

You could be entitled to access other forms of cerebral palsy funding if your child’s CP was caused by an act of medical negligence.

If your child is showing signs of a developmental delay that you suspect might be cerebral palsy, connect with one of our registered nurses today.

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Cerebral palsy grants

Grants for families of children with CP are offered through nonprofit organizations and some government programs. Unlike loans, grants for cerebral palsy usually do not need to be paid back.

A doctor hands a patient some folded up paperwork.The United Healthcare Children’s Foundation provides medical grants to children across the country with special needs, including cerebral palsy.

Easterseals is another nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting people with disabilities. You may be able to find cerebral palsy grants for your child by connecting with your local Easterseals affiliate.

Cerebral palsy government assistance is also available in the form of disability or housing grants that can help families affected by CP pay for medical treatment, adaptive equipment, and living expenses.

If you have questions about cerebral palsy financial support, you can call us 24/7 to talk with a member of our team.

Legal options for cerebral palsy compensation

There are many circumstances where cerebral palsy could have been prevented, which means it may have been caused by medical negligence. In these cases, affected families may be entitled to legal compensation through a cerebral palsy lawsuit.

Cerebral palsy lawsuit compensation can be used to help pay for past and future medical costs associated with your child’s cerebral palsy treatment.

If you believe your child's cerebral palsy is the result of medical negligence, one of the best ways to access the cerebral palsy funding you need—and deserve—is through a lawsuit.

Our national network of legal partners includes some of the best cerebral palsy law firms in the country. Get a free and confidential legal consultation to see if you can work with a top cerebral palsy lawyer near you.

Get cerebral palsy financial assistance today

Many cerebral palsy financial assistance options are available to help families pay for overwhelming medical expenses. These options can help ensure your child gets the best cerebral palsy treatment possible.

Accessing cerebral palsy funding through nonprofit foundations and government assistance is not always easy. However, if these funds are available to you, they can help bridge the stressful financial gap caused by the lifelong care of a child with CP.

Additionally, for families who are victims of medical negligence, cerebral palsy lawsuits can offer the funding needed to safeguard their child’s future. Get a free consultation today to see if your family is eligible to receive financial compensation.

Cerebral palsy financial assistance FAQs

What benefits can I claim for a child with cerebral palsy?

The federal government offers certain benefits for families of children with a disability. These include the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicaid, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). You can apply for these benefits through local government agencies.

What help is offered to patients with cerebral palsy?

Individuals with cerebral palsy may be able to receive cerebral palsy funding from government support, cerebral palsy organizations, and cerebral palsy foundation grants. Additionally, if your child’s CP is the result of medical malpractice‌, you may be able to access funds with the help of a birth injury law firm through a cerebral palsy lawsuit.

Do children with cerebral palsy qualify for SSI?

Low-income families of children with CP may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI). General requirements to receive SSI include being a citizen or legal resident of the U.S., providing evidence of the qualifying diagnosis, having limited income, and more. As of 2023, the base amount for SSI is $914 a month for individuals.

What charity helps with cerebral palsy?

There are several nonprofit organizations that help with CP, such as United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), Easterseals, The Arc, and Parent to Parent USA. These support organizations offer a wide range of resources, including help accessing medical care, medical equipment, and physical therapy‌. They also provide respite care to give families a temporary rest from the duties of CP caregiving.

What resources are available for children with cerebral palsy?

Multiple cerebral palsy resources are available to cover not only medical care but also social, financial, and emotional needs. By taking advantage of available CP resources, you can help your child live a healthier and happier life.

If you have questions about what financial resources may be available to your family, we may be able to help. Call us 24/7 to speak with our team.

Cerebral Palsy Guide was founded upon the goal of educating families about cerebral palsy, raising awareness, and providing support for children, parents, and caregivers affected by the condition. Our easy-to-use website offers simple, straightforward information that provides families with medical and legal solutions. We are devoted to helping parents and children access the tools they need to live a life full of happiness

Sources
  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, May 2). Individuals with disabilities education act (IDEA) services. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 2, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/cp/treatment.html
  2. Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility requirements. Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Eligibility Requirements | HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2023, from https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/childrens-health-insurance-program/ Children's Hemiplegia & Stroke Association. CHASA. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2023, from https://chasa.org/
  3. Easterseals community and Disability Services. Easterseals Community and Disability Services. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2023, from https://www.easterseals.com/
  4. Parents and families. United Cerebral Palsy. (2022, November 4). Retrieved April 2, 2023, from https://ucp.org/resource-guide/parents-and-families/
  5. Social Security. SSI Federal Payment Amounts for 2023. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2023, from https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/COLA/SSI.html