Financial Resources

Benefits CheckUp - A free, easy-to-use service that identifies federal and state assistance programs for older Americans and individuals with disabilities.

Benefits For Children With Disabilities - This booklet is for the parents, caregivers or representatives of children under age 18 who have disabilities that might make them eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments. It is also for adults who became disabled in childhood and who might be entitled to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.

Challenged Athletes Foundation - Established in 1997, the CAF is a unique organization that recognizes the athletic greatness of people with disabilities and supports these efforts by providing grants for training, competition and equipment needs.

Children's Ability Fund - Canada - Applications may be made to fund equipment, such as wheelchairs, tilt systems, walkers, overhead lift systems, vehicle lifts, tie downs, lift chairs, platform lifts, ramps, standing frames, hospital beds, special children's carseats, voice synthesizers, signaling devices, TTY's, FM systems, Braille printers, specialized keyboards, head trackers, voice activated software, and alphasmarts. 780-454-9191

Disabled Children's Relief Fund - New York - a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, provides disabled children with assistance to obtain wheelchairs, orthopedic braces, walkers, lifts, hearing aids, eyeglasses, medical equipment, physical therapy, and surgery. Blind, Deaf, Amputees, and children with Cerebral Palsy, Muscular Dystrophy, Spastic Quadriplegia, Encephalitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spina Bifida, Down's Syndrome, and other disabilities receive assistance. DCRF focuses special attention on helping children throughout the U.S. that do not have adequate health insurance, especially the physically challenged.

Kate Kimberly Foundation: benefiting Spinal Cord Injury, SCI - The Kate Kimberly Foundation runs a unique Individual Grant program that provides full financial grants to qualified individuals with SCI for the purchase of adaptive sports, recreation and exercise equipment.

Legal Forum - An article from New Mobility that discusses several questions dealing with various benefits: getting a power wheelchair when your insurance only covers a manual; special needs trust; qualifying for Social Security; statute of limitations on filing law suits for injuries; and getting health insurance to pay for treatments.

Maximizing Your Benefits - An article in New Mobility magazine (July, 2001) that reviews ways to "work the system" so that you can still earn a paycheck and keep your benefits.

Repair and Rehabilitation Grant - A grant is available to dwelling owner/occupant who is 62 years of age or older. Funds may only be used for repairs or improvements to remove health and safety hazards, or to complete repairs to make the dwelling accessible for household members with disabilities.