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Assistance for Mothers With Disabled Children in Virginia

Parenting a child with disabilities takes a toll financially and emotionally on any mother. Even if she is married, often times the mother has to stay home with the child and must take on the bulk of the responsibility for the child's care. This can result in depleted finances and a decline in health. Fortunately, a mother residing in Virginia can access the resources available through state and federal agencies to ensure her child is given the best chance in life.

  1. Care Connection for Children

    • Kids with special needs often require numerous specialists to manage their care. Care Connection for Children (CCC) is a statewide network funded by the Children with Special HealthCare Needs (CSHCN) organization. Eligibility includes children from birth to 21 years of age with a physical need or disability expected to last 12 months or longer. Other eligibility requirements include a limitation in function in which the disabled child is required to take medication, or eat special diets and use assistance technology.

    Financial Assistance through CCC

    • Financial assistance is available for mothers residing in Virginia who are uninsured or under-insured and have a gross family income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level. The funds can be used to assist with medications, testing, therapies and other health related needs such as hospitalizations. Useful information regarding further eligibility, services and location of counties and cities served by CCC can be found on the Virginia Department of Health website.

    Loans

    • The NewWell Fund offers a low-interest loan. Any caregiver of a disabled child is eligible. The loan was created to acquire assistance technology such as wheel chairs, electric scooters, hearing aids, communicative devices, and computers with special software. Current credit history and debt to income ratio are reviewed. Special circumstances such as debt or poor credit or no credit due to a child's disability is considered. Virginian mothers can borrow $30,000 or more. Amounts totaling $22,500 or less have a low-interest rate of 5 percent with a five year term. Further information about applying can be found on the NewWell Fund website.

    Support Groups

    • Support groups help mothers feel that they are not alone in their struggles. A variety of national chapters such as Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Society of America have nonprofit chapters located in Virginia. The Autism Society of Tidewater is a grassroots organization with the mission of helping to improve the lives of those on the autism spectrum. All of these and other nonprofit organizations have information about support groups and often online forums as well.

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