Financial Help for Children With ADD

Parenting a child with Attention Deficit Disorder can be taxing mentally, physically and financially. The financial burden can be made worse if the child has a tendency to destruct things as a part of his ADD. Medical bills can add staggering costs to the price of care for these types of children. There are, however, some resources available that a child with ADD may qualify for to help parents or guardians with some of the financial burdens.

WIC

• WIC, or Women, Infants and Children, is a program designed to supply supplemental food, nutritional education and health care referrals for children from birth to 5 years old who are residing in low-income households and are at risk for poor nutrition. WIC is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at both the regional and national levels. A child may qualify due to the potential for poor nutrition often seen in children with ADD.

SSI

• SSI, or Supplemental Security Income, is a program designed to provide supplemental cash income to persons who are blind, aged or disabled and have little or no money. SSI provides money to pay for basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter; it is funded by general tax revenue and monitored and maintained by the federal government. A child may qualify for SSI based on income need and severity of the ADD.

Medicaid

• Medicaid is a health program in the United States that was developed to provide income for eligible families with low income and resources. Medicaid is funded by both the federal and state governments, and is governed by the states themselves. It is the largest source of funding for medical services in the United States. Medicaid qualification can be based on the amount of medical expenses incurred, so regardless or income, you should apply and see if your child with ADD qualifies.

Private Organizations

• Some private organizations that provide funding for ADD research and some of these organizations even supply funding for children in need based on the child's economic situation. Some of these organizations can be found on the Internet, or by contacting a support group for children with ADD; they may be able to connect the child or parents with one of these organizations.

Disabled Children's Relief Fund

• The Disabled Children's Relief Fund (DCRF) is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to children throughout the United States who do not have enough insurance coverage. DCRF is available through grants and provides funds for assistive devices, arts and humanities services, and rehabilitative services. A child with ADD may qualify for this grant under its provision for learning disabilities.