Grants and Financial Resources

Parent Resource

August 17, 2023

Even with insurance coverage, medical and therapy bills for a child with autism can stretch any family’s budget. There are several grants and other funding options available to help families cover costs associated with autism. The following organizations offer resources to help support to families financially:

Autism Speaks also has a list of several grants that can help families. Click this link to see their list. Autism Speaks has an Autism Cares Grant that provides up to $500 for families. Families are required to contact Autism Speaks’ Autism Response Team to apply for that grant. This link has their contact information.

ACT Today – Awards grants with priority given to families with household incomes less than $100,000. Funding may be used for ABA, speech therapy, OT, medication and home safety devices.

Anchor of Hope Foundation

Anchor of Hope Foundation – Offers financial assistance to individuals who can provide a proof of diagnosis of a developmental disability to help cover the costs of therapy, education, equipment, and other needs of the individual not covered by insurance or Medicaid.

Autism Cares Foundation – Helps families affected by autism to cover costs associated with critical living expenses such as; housing, utilities, car repair, daycare, funeral expenses, and other essential items on a case-by-case basis.

National Autism Association – Give a Voice Grant – Qualifying applicants are individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder who are non-verbal or minimally verbal, and whose communication challenges put them at increased risk of injury or harm. Funding for this program is extremely limited. It is intended only for families in dire need of financial assistance who are otherwise unable to obtain a
communication device. Only U.S. residents may apply.

National Autism Association Helping Hand Program – One-time $1000 grant for families in dire financial need (less than $50,000/year annual net income). Child must be under 21 years of age and have an autism diagnosis.

United Healthcare Children’s Foundation

The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity dedicated to facilitating access to medical-related services that have the potential to significantly enhance either the clinical condition or the quality of life of the child and that are not fully covered by the available commercial health benefit plan. This grant has some financial eligibility requirements.