If you’ve recently learned that your child has or will have Down syndrome, there are many steps you can take to give her or him a happy, healthy, and rewarding life. And with early intervention, there are many therapies for children with Down syndrome that can have a positive impact. Even if your family is struggling financially, you may be eligible to receive benefits so you can provide these therapies for your child with Down syndrome and pay for them without any financial stress.

Read More

When you are raising a child with autism, there are many different types of services you may qualify for. But researching the right ones for your child can be an overwhelming experience. If you need financial help, or you are battling the school district for the services your child needs, you can get assistance from an advocate to help you with your child with autism.

Read More

Today, the estimated cost of raising a child with autism from birth to 18 years is about $30,000 a year, $17,000 more a year than a child who doesn’t have special needs. Over a lifetime, this can add up to well past $1 million depending on the severity of the disability. Occupational, behavioral and life skills therapy, private schooling and private caregivers factor into these expenses. Is there a way to get financial assistance for your child with autism? Read More

If you are a single parent who is struggling financially, you may be eligible to receive benefits such as In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) for your child with special needs. But what about child support? You should be receiving enough money every month to not only support your child, but to cover all of his doctor appointments, therapy and extra essentials. If not, you need to get more child support for your child with a disability like autism.

Read More

If you are struggling financially to raise your child with special needs such as autism, Down syndrome or cerebral palsy, you may be eligible to receive financial benefits such as In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS). This funding can be used to meet your child’s daily needs and can help pay the expenses associated with his disability. But, what if you already get financial benefits such as SSI? Will your SSI be affected if you apply for IHSS?

Read More

If you are raising a child with a disability such as autism, Down syndrome, or cerebral palsy, you could be eligible for financial benefits as an In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) provider. In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is a California government program that provides monetary support for in-home caretakers of children with developmental disabilities. But is your child is too young to be eligible for IHSS?

Read More

As your child begins school, whether for the first time or not, it’s important to know his educational options, especially if she has a disability such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or epilepsy. The Individualized Education Program (IEP) can help your child receive the special attention and opportunities he needs. So if you think your child needs an IEP, you should request one.

Read More

You may have a strong suspicion that your little one may have autism, and as a parent, you know your child best. But since language and social development are such a major part of the condition, and toddlers tend to have limited language and social skills even if they’re neurotypical, medical professionals are sometimes unwilling to give a diagnosis if they are under two years of age. So, what do you do if your doctor won’t give your child a diagnosis for autism?

Read More

As a parent of a child who has autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or another disability, you may be eligible to get paid as an In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Protective Supervision provider. This means you could get money to pay for your familiy’s living expenses, as well as therapies and equipment that are necessary for your child with special needs to lead a fulfilling life. Many parents cannot work fulltime because they must take their children to regular doctor appointments and be present for their child in order for them to remain safely at home. IHSS provides crucial benefits for families of children with developmental disabilities.   Applying for IHSS as a Protective Supervision Provider IHSS is a California government program that provides financial support for in-home caretakers of impaired elders, persons with disabilities, and children with developmental disabilities including autism. While a variety of benefits are available, the most important for families of children with special needs is “Protective Supervision.” When you are approved for Protective Supervision, you will receive an hourly wage to stay home and care for your child as an IHSS provider. This wage is exempt from federal income taxes. Few things can make such a big difference in the lives of a family as the ability to give your special needs child the full care he or she deserves, without endangering your family finances. If your child has been diagnosed with autism or another development disability, you may be eligible for Protective Supervision. Unfortunately, applying for and receiving these benefits are notoriously difficult and many families give up after encountering road block after road block. The application process can be confusing, and you need to adequately prepare all the necessary documentation to become an IHSS provider. How Much Does IHSS Pay in California? Recent legislation created various options for counties to implement IHSS provider wage and benefit increases. Specifically, recent state minimum wage increases and budget-related legislation adopted in 2017‑18 instituted both temporary and permanent changes to how counties can increase IHSS provider wages and benefits with varying effects on state and county costs. On January 1, 2019, the minimum wage increased to $12 per hour. On January 1, 2020, the minimum wage will increase to $13 per hour. On January 1, 2021, the minimum wage will increase to $14 per hour. On January 1, 2022, the minimum wage will increase to $15 per hour. Currently, as an IHSS Protective Supervision provider, the maximum number of hours you can claim is 283 per month. That equates to $3,396 per month today. How to Get Help The IHSS application process generally involves a written application, an in-home interview with a social worker, and medical records. Once approved as an IHSS provider, there will be ongoing assessments. You can get assistance at every stage of this process whether you are a first-time applicant, or your application has been denied. First time applicants can get help to: Determine if you are eligible Create a plan with you to maximize your benefits Perform all necessary research and complete all paperwork Obtain any required medical records Assist you through the interview and all processing If you applied for IHSS benefits and were rejected, you can get help to: Review your case Check all records and research the reason for your rejection Assist you in appealing your application Represent you at hearings Every child with special needs deserves full supervised care, and no family should be turned away. If you feel overwhelmed and you need help, please contact us. American Disability Association is dedicated to the wellbeing and protection of children with disabilities and actively provides support to enhance their quality of life. Whether you are dealing with federal or state benefits or struggling with a school district to get proper education for your child, we have the resources to help you. Many individuals and families managing a disability are not aware of the wide array of services available to them, or they do not know how to apply for these benefits in a way that is likely to succeed. Contact us for help. Dial (877) 283-4807 or email us at [email protected]isabilityassociation.org.

Read More

Few things can make such a big difference in the lives of a family as the ability to give your child with special needs the full care he or she deserves, without endangering your family finances. In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) can provide important funding for families of children with developmental disabilities. But what if you were approved for IHSS, but given the minimal amount of benefits? Can you get more IHSS hours?

Read More