Living with a disability often means facing extra costs, including medical bills and home modifications. These expenses can make it tough to make ends meet. That’s why grants for disabled people can make such a difference.
Government Grants for Disabled People
Housing Assistance
A 2023 CNBC report found that fewer than 5% of homes are accessible for people with disabilities. This makes the few available ones more expensive due to high demand.
Building more accessible housing would help to meet the demands of the 44.1 million Americans with disabilities. But until that happens, several programs can help right now, including the following:
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
Section 8 helps to cover rent for people with disabilities. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds the program while local Public Housing Agencies (PHA) administer it.
Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons With Disabilities
This is another federal initiative funded by HUD to help low-income disabled people live independently in the community. It funds affordable rental housing and supportive services like case management or referrals.
State and Local Programs
Many states and local governments offer housing grants for disabled adults. An example is Texas’s Amy Young Barrier Removal Program. Another is the Access to Home Program in New York.
To find these programs in your state, contact your state housing agency or call 211 for your city’s resources.
Education and Training Assistance
The government provides free grants for disabled people to go to school or learn new skills. Some of these programs include:
Pell Grant Program
Federal TRIO Programs
Additionally, you can fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form to find more help for schooling.
Social Security Administration (SSA) Programs
The Social Security Administration (SSA) runs two main programs that provide monthly payments to cover basic needs like food and housing.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI supports individuals who have worked and paid Social Security taxes prior to becoming disabled. To qualify, the disability must stop you from engaging in “substantial gainful activity” for at least 12 months.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI is for anyone with a disability. You don’t need work history, but you must be a low-income earner. You can keep the first $85 you earn each month, then the rest reduces your SSI check by only 50 cents per dollar.
Healthcare Support
Medicaid and Medicare help individuals with disabilities afford medical care. Each program has its own rules based on income and need.
Medicaid
Medicaid provides for low-income individuals, including people with disabilities. It covers hospital care, doctor visits, laboratory services, and home health services. Some states also cover adaptive equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers.
Medicare
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and older. Younger persons with disabilities may also qualify for the benefits. If you’ve been on SSDI for 24 months, you are automatically enrolled.
Special Grants and Programs for Disabled Veterans
Disabled veterans can find grants and financial aid from Veterans Affairs through programs like:
Specially Adapted Housing (SAH), Special Housing Adaptation (SHA), and Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) grants for housing assistance
VA Disability Compensation, which is a tax-free payment to veterans with disability
Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) and Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) for education, training, and employment
Nonprofit Grants for People With Disabilities
Healthwell Foundation
The Healthwell Foundation helps people with low incomes pay for medical costs, such as copays, premiums, and deductibles. They support those living with chronic illnesses, including conditions that cause disabilities such as Parkinson’s.
Patient Advocate Foundation
The Patient Advocate Foundation helps people with disabilities navigate complex systems to access necessary healthcare services. They also provide financial aid and copay assistance.
Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
This nonprofit organization fosters research for the cure of spinal cord injuries. They also support individuals affected by paralysis and their families.
Hope and Help Are Within Reach
Many government and nonprofit programs offer financial help for people with disabilities. Whether you need support with housing, medical bills, or education, these resources can make daily life more affordable.
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