Available Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities
Supplemental Security Income
(SSI)
SSI provides cash benefits to eligible individuals with
disabilities. In most states, children who get SSI also qualify for free medical care
through Medicaid. Financial and disability rules apply.
For information about eligibility, call the Social Security Administration's toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (EST).
Social Security Disability Insurance
(SSDI)
SSDI provides monthly cash payments to eligible workers and
sometimes to their dependent children. Rules of eligibility apply for workers. To apply
or learn more about eligibility, contact the Social Security Administration at
1-800-772-1213.
Medicaid
Medicaid is the
federal-state program that provides free medical care to children and adults. Eligibility
varies among states. To apply, go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicaid/statemap.asp for a list of the state
Medicaid toll-free numbers.
Family Support
Some states
set aside special funds to support families raising children with disabilities. Rules for
eligibility vary among states. A list of family support programs is available from the
National Center for Family Support at http://www.familysupport-hsri.org.
Women, Infants and Children
(WIC)
The WIC program provides free food and formula to eligible
women and children. It also educates women about proper nutrition and provides referrals
to health care providers.
For a list of toll-free numbers in your state, go to http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic.
Adopting Children with
Disabilities
Parents who adopt children with special needs may qualify for assistance. The National
Adoption Information Clearinghouse can provide information about adopting a child with
special needs. Go to http://naic.acf.hhs.gov and click on "Prospective and Adoptive
Parents," then on "Preparation for Adoption " and then click on "Introduction to
adoption."
For a more comprehensive list of assistance services, contact the Arc at http://www.thearc.org or 301-565-3842.
Build Your Own Care Notebook
http://www.medicalhomeinfo.org/tools/care_notebook.html
FAS Community Resource Center
http://www.come-over.to/FASCRC/
Information resource for parents about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol
Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
FASD Forums/Discussions/Support Groups
From www.elpidaeducation.com
FASLink Mail List
http://www.acbr.com/fas/faslink.htm
Large discussion list for parents, professionals and persons with FASD
FASD Connections Forum
http://fasdconnections.ca
Resources and forum for adolescent and adults with FASD
FAS Resource Mail List
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/FASResources
Open list to learn more about FAS
FAS FORUM Mail List
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/fasforum
For discussion of FAS/FAE
AdoptFASD2 Mail List
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AdoptFASD2
For families who have adopted kids with FAS or FAE
RAD-FASD Mail List
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/RAD_FASDkids
For families whose adopted children are alcohol exposed and have symptoms of Reactive
Attachment Disorder
OLDER FAS Mail List
http://come-over.to/FAS/JoinOlderfas.htm
Support
list for parents of teens/adults only
FASHOMED Mail List
http://www.topica.com/lists/FASHOMED
For parents who wish to home school their children with FAS/FAE
HISFAS Mail List
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/HISFAS
Christians who are either family members or individuals with FASD or who have been
diagnosed themselves.
PrimoMadre Mail List
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/FASDBirthparents
For birth moms with kids with FAS/FAE