Financial Help
for Care of the Disabled
Providing care for a disabled family member or friend can bring financial strain to the care giver. Several forms of assistance are available to ease the burden of providing a stable environment for those with special needs.
State Aid
Medical care is provided free or at low cost to those who qualify for assistance, through Medicaid and similar programs managed by their state. Some programs also provide in-home assistance to those who need help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation and housework. In order to apply, contact your county's social-services office.
State indigent-care programs also offer some care for the disabled, such as physical or occupational therapy programs, with a copay based on the client's income. These are cooperative programs with the state and each individual hospital. Indigent programs often provide medical assistance for disabled persons whose income exceeds Medicaid limits.
SSI
Cash assistance is available through Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a federally funded program which helps meet basic needs, including food, clothing and shelter, for aged, blind and disabled people with little or no income.
Community Programs
Many community programs, often run in partnership with the Area Agency on Aging, provide activities and support which may include child or adult care, meals and counseling. They provide services at no cost or for a nominal fee, can bill Medicaid for payment, or may even provide financial assistance.
Private Help
If you need special equipment or modifications to your home for a disabled person, local service organizations like the Lions Club and Knights of Columbus may help.They may be willing to raise money on your behalf to provide adaptive equipment or services such as physical or occupational therapy.
Food Programs
Food stamps can be used at grocery stores or at programs like Angel Food Ministries. If your income exceeds the limits for the federal program, you may turn to food pantries or local missions. Qualified aliens are eligible for food stamps if they are blind or disabled and receive disability or assistance benefits, according to the Social Security Administration. If a person qualifies for food stamps, he also may qualify for the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which provides meals and snacks to those in qualifying care centers, as well as to disabled adults and seniors.
Tags: assistance available, blind disabled, care disabled, Financial Help, Financial Help Care
