Grants for people with a disability.
Living with a disability often comes with added costs, including expenses such as adaptive equipment or modifications to your home, to specialized medical or transportation needs. Fortunately, there are many grant programs (in effect free money) that is designed specifically to help. Some are federal, some state or local, and many are offered by nonprofits. Learn more below, including with contact information and links to more resources, on where to get free grant money for disabled people. There are funds for individuals as well as low-income families who rely on social security SSI. The government or private grant money for individuals with disabilities will help them or their families pay the bills or basic needs. Various agencies can either process the applications, or they will refer the disabled individual to another organization that may issue the free money. The main types of grant programs for people with a disability include the following .
Government programs that provide free grant money to the disabled
Grants for veterans with a disability
Non-profit grant programs Each of these programs listed below focuses on a specific need or condition. The application process will vary, but in general a disability grant, whether from a private company, charity or the government, is only for a low income family or single person that also has limited assets. Any financial aid is provided at the discretion of the administering agency only.
Government programs that provide free grant money to the disabled
ABLE Accounts
are state-run savings programs for individuals who developed a disability before a certain age (often 26). The in effect free money in ABLE accounts can be used for qualified disability-related expenses and is excluded from countable resources for SSI or Medicaid, and grows tax-free and learn more about state government ABLE accounts https://www.ablenrc.org/what-is-able/what-are-able-accounts/ .
Assistance for Indian Children with Severe Disabilities
can be reached at 505-563-5264. The federal Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) offers educational services as well as grant money to Native American and/or American Indian families with children.
Client Assistance Program (CAP)
only provides information and referrals. They do not provide direct cash assistance. Instead it advises adults with a disability of all services available under the Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), with many resources offered that will help people find money for rent . The agency also explains rights and services under the Rehabilitation Act and ADA and helps with state Vocational Rehabilitation issues. The U.S. Department of Education runs it. Call 202-245-6769 or 1-800-421-3481.
Division of Coal Mine Workers' Compensation (DCMWC)
covers claims under the Federal Black Lung Program. The grant will provide monthly cash benefits for food, bills, paying rent, and more. It will also help widows as well as dependents of miners that were impacted by pneumoconiosis. The US Department of Labor can provide more information, especially in states such as West Virginia or Tennessee Email . Division of Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation grant program , or DLHWC, helps adults impacted by employment injuries and deaths. Financial support from this grant program can cover health or dental needs, make up for lost wages from a disability and pay for rehabilitation services. Survivor benefits are provided too. If an employment injury or occupational disease happened in maritime or covered employment, this federal program pays medical, wage-loss, rehab and survivor benefits. The main phone number is 202-513-6809. Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities is a state run grant program. It will assist households with children under the age of 2 with a developmental delay. Grants can help with physical, cognitive, communication, social development needs, emotional or pay for self-help programs for infants or toddlers. Many states may also pay for Individualized Family Service Plans. Applications are available from the local Department of Education in each county or learn more here https://www.usa.gov/special-education . Employment grants and work at home programs for the disabled are available. here are many grants that can pay for work at home positions, equipment, and other resources for making money. All of them are free to use, and find lower impact jobs for the disabled .
Former Worker Medical Screening Program (FWP)
is a grant that helps pay for medical bills and check ups for adults that worked in the Department of Energy weapons complex programs. It looks for people impacted by radiation, beryllium, asbestos, noise, lasers, or silica. The grant will pay for all testing needed with details here https://www.energy.gov/ehss/former-worker-medical-screening-program-0 . Grants.gov is a government affiliated service that lists local and national grants. It lists non-profits, charities and government agencies too with a search function set up. Learn more on the grant database https://www.grants.gov/ .
Job Accommodation Network
(JAN) from the U.S. Department of Labor deals with workplace needs for employees with a disability. JAN is a referral service only, and the intake number is 1-800-526-7234. People with a mental, physical or mobility disability can get financial help in the form of government grants. LIHEAP (or your state’s version) and Weatherization are federal grant programs for both paying utility or heating bills or conserving energy. While anyone can apply (not just the disabled) the application period opens earlier for them. Some states also provide priority to a household with a disabled member. Free money is offered from LIHEAP (often several hundred dollars per year) to help keep the electric on. More information on low income home energy assistance program .
Section 811 Supportive Housing Grant Program for Persons with Disabilities
is available for rent and housing needs. Tenants can be referred to grant based financial aid available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Grants also pay for supportive services as well as the development of new homes/apartments. Continue with section 8 housing for the disabled .
Social Security Administration
provides a combination of one time grants and monthly cash benefits to people with a disability. The main ones are below.
Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits
(SSDI) is one of the main federal grant programs - but it is really a monthly benefit. It will help people with a disability (whether physical, emotional, or mental) that will be 12 months or longer, or that results in death. The U.S. Social Security Administration grants pay for many living expenses, whether prescription medications, housing, or energy bills and more. Call 1-800-772-1213. Social Security Offices, including over the phone or in person, can help people find, and apply for, grants including SSI, SSDI and other benefits.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI
) is free government grant money for low income disabled Americans that have a limited (or no) ability to work. SSI provides monthly cash grants to applicants with a low income and assets. Public benefits pay for various bills and basic needs, and call 1-800-772-1213 for details or read more here . The government will screen for people with a total disability and not partial or short-term disabilities. Ticket to Work is for people on SSI or SSDI. The Social Security Administration will provide grant money for disabled people are aged 18-64. This program helps you gain job training, find work, and access employment networks, while protecting certain benefits and learn more about Ticket to Work .
The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA)
offers grants of up to $150,000 for medical conditions. The condition needs to be approved by the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act, which can be for radiation and similar issues. Part E pays variable compensation up to $250,000 based on impairment and wage loss, plus medical benefits. It assists both disabled victims and their survivors, such as spouses or children. Apply at the US Division of Energy, with details https://www.dol.gov/agencies/owcp/energy .
Non-profit grant programs for people with a disability
Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF)
helps pay for adaptive sports costs. This is especially equipment, training, etc. If you’re physically disabled and want to be active in sports, this one is strong and learn more on the non-profit https://www.challengedathletes.org/ .
is also a resource that can be used for information on both private and federal government disability grants. Every county has one of these non-profits. These sites will often have will have details on other grant programs that the resident may be qualified for as well and more details on community action in your area . Semper Fi & America’s Fund , while mostly focused on veterans, can sometimes provide grants to other disabled people. There is money to help pay for adaptive and specialized equipment, housing or transportation, plus financial relief for veterans. Some of the grants apply to non-veterans in certain cases as well with details here https://thefund.org/our-programs/get-assistance/ .
TRIO Student Support Services
is a form of financial assistance for low-income or disabled students as well as first generation college attendees. Colleges receive federal TRIO grants to provide tutoring, counseling, mentoring and sometimes emergency grant aid to eligible low-income, first-generation or disabled students. Ask your campus TRIO office.
Grants for veterans with a disability
Automobiles and Adaptive Equipment for Disabled Veterans and Service-members is a grant of over $20,000 may pay for a care or related transportation. It also pays bills for installing adaptive equipment in the automobile, or even for repairs to it. The grant can also help a veteran get a free car . National Guard and Reserve members may also apply. The VA offers it, and phone number is 1-800-827-1000.
Caregiver Programs and Services
helps veteran care givers. A grant, or monthly stipend, can pay for travel costs, lodging such as a hotel, health insurance benefits, mental health care, and more. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) can be reached at 1-877-222 8387. Or call the VA Caregiver Support Line at 1-855-260-3274. Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits Program as well as Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Health Care Benefits pay for medical bills for birth defects. It also pay for travel costs for treatment, such as gasoline, buses, and hotels nationwide, as part of the Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits and grant program. The Denver VA Regional Office can be called at 1-888-820-1756. Clothing allowance and free vouchers for the disabled is an annual sum of money is given if they have a service-connected disability. This can cover people on medication, with aprosthetic or orthopedic appliance, and the disabled that need garments. Call the Inquiry Routing & Information Systems (IRIS) at 1-877-222-8387. Or there are other resources too, and find a list of free clothes for low income families .
Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP)
– While not a cash grant, DVOP specialists provide intensive employment services to disabled and other priority veterans through state workforce agencies.. The service will help a veteran find grant money if they are low income, homeless, unemployed, and economically disadvantaged veterans. It pays for educational bills and costs. Applications are available at a local Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) office or learn more https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets .
Home Based Primary Care Grants (HBPC)
are for veterans with serious, complex physical or social conditions. The government program will pay for some expenses for the chronically ill through the months and years before death. The government grant money covers rehabilitation, medications, primary care, disease management, and other health care needs. Call 1-877-222-8387.
Respite Care
for service members is coordinated by the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). It provides for up to 30 days of respite for the caregiver, whether it is a friend or family member. Contact a local VA medical center or dial 1-877-222-8387 to learn more about the government grant for veterans (or their families) that have a disability. Services and Aid for Blind Veterans grants pay for job skill training, family education, adaptive technology, eye glasses, computers and more. More information is available at VA Medical Centers, or the phone number is 1-877-222-8387. Veterans Prosthetic Appliances, from t he Veterans Administration, provides some or all of the following. Clients can be given hearing aids, communication aids, artificial limbs, free prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, or mobility devices. That can include orthopedic braces and shoes, canes, wheelchairs, or crutches among other items. Call 800-698-2411 or details here https://www.prosthetics.va.gov/ .
Veterans Pension Grants
is for wartime service members only. The VBA will ensure that the client is given financial help from all government grants and public aid programs that they qualify for. Applicants need to have a low income, limited savings and assets, and meet other criteria set by Congress. Telephone – 1-800-827-1000. Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Services for Veterans with Disabilities is a grant that provides for job placement and training needs. Grants can pay for equipment, clothing, workshops for short and long-term training, supplies, and other equipment needed to address the employment handicap. Components include Rapid Access to Employment, Long Term Services, and Reemployment. Non-profits and the government both offer this financial aid. The goal of the grant is to help the family live an independent life. Phone - 1-800-829-4833. We also have a community discussion forum focused on grant programs for individuals with a disability. There you can find support from the community, look for other local or national programs, shares viewpoints and so much more. It is free to sign up too. And here is the link for the NHPB grant forum for disabled people .