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.
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1. Cerebral Palsy Foundation
The 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.
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2. Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association
The 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.
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3. The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project
The 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.
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4. UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation
The 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.
The 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 
The 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.
The 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 
The 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.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
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.
- 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
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
