Grants for People Who Have Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP), a neurological disorder that affects body movement and muscle coordination, can be a financial burden on people with the disability. Disability grants can help relieve some of the financial burden caused by CP. State and federal programs along with private organizations offer disability grants for cerebral palsy.

Significance

• In 2003, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke estimated lifetime cerebral palsy-related expenses to be $921,000. Disability grants help to cover some of these expenses.

Types

• There are a variety of private organizations which provide disability grants for different purposes, such as paying for assistive devices to allow someone with CP to be more independent. State and federal government programs can also provide financial relief to those with cerebral palsy.

Disabled Children's Relief Fund

• The Disabled Children's Relief Fund provides grants to assist in paying for CP treatments, like physical therapy and surgery, and assistive devices, like wheelchairs and walkers, for kids with the neurological disorder. Grants from the Disabled Children's Relief Fund can be applied for once a year and offer a maximum of $200.

Children's Charity Fund

• The disability grants given out by the Children's Charity Fund can be applied for on an annual basis and provide up to $500 to help pay for medical equipment.

Department of Developmental Services (DDS)

• DDS disability grants are available to cerebral palsy patients who are also mentally challenged. The dollar amount of the grants typically ranges from $600 to $1,000 a year, with a yearly maximum of $5,000. The grant money can be used for home needs, such as equipping a van with a wheelchair ramp.

Medicare & Medicaid

• Medicare is a federal program which can provide health insurance to children with cerebral palsy. Medicaid, a state run program, can provide health care to adults with cerebral palsy.