As a parent raising a child with autism, you can often make sacrifices to support your child and make sure she lives a joyful and productive life. Sometimes it means that you have to take time off from your job to improve your child’s quality of life with doctor visits and therapy. Life seems to go into overdrive.

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As a parent raising a child with autism, you can often make sacrifices to support your child and make sure she lives a joyful and productive life. Sometimes it means that you have to pay a lot of money to improve your child’s quality of life with doctor visits and therapy. If you are struggling to pay the bills, you can apply for disability benefits to help you with the medical and living costs that can add up quickly. (more…)

If you have a child with a disability such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, or another disability, you know that the system is complex. You already feel the stress of having to take care of his health, educational, and emotional needs. This doesn’t even include having to cope with a drastically lowered income because of reduced work hours or having to pay someone else for childcare. An IHSS advocate can help you.

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Down syndrome is probably one of the most common disabilities in existence, and there are many more efforts today to mainstream children with Down syndrome into society. Usually diagnosed very early in a child’s life, all of these factors may make the disability seem less severe than it actually is. But a lot of families raising a child with Down syndrome need financial benefits so they can provide their child with a quality life.

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If you have been denied IHSS benefits, you can appeal this decision and still get up to $3,000 per month in funding. Trying to get In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) for your child with special needs on your own the first time around is difficult. When you are a parent of a child with a disability like autism or Down syndrome, an IHSS denial can be stressful. You know you need financial help to take care of your child who needs supervision 24 hours a day. You’ve had to cut your hours or you can’t work at all because you have to stay home.

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Are you feeling the stress of having to take care of the health, educational and emotional needs of your child with a disability? Or are you trying to cope with a cutting your hours at work and lowering your income or having to pay someone else for childcare?

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When your child has special needs such as autism, Down syndrome or cerebral palsy, you as a parent may be struggling financially. This is especially so if you have to cut your work hours or quit your job altogether to take care of your child. How will you pay your bills?

Fortunately, you may be eligible to receive government benefits. This funding can be used to meet your child’s daily needs and can help pay the expenses associated with your child’s disability.

What Is In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)?

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is a program designated to help children as well as the elderly who have disabilities to safely remain in their own homes when they are not able to fully care for themselves. It is an alternative to out-of-home care in nursing homes and institutions.

In-Home Supportive Services provide crucial financial benefits for families of children with developmental disabilities. Unfortunately, applying for and receiving these benefits are notoriously difficult and many families give up after encountering road block after road block.

What Are IHSS and Protective Supervision Benefits?

While a variety of benefits are available through IHSS, the most important for families of children with special needs is “Protective Supervision.” When you are approved for IHSS Protective Supervision, you will receive an hourly wage to stay home and care for your child. 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 ASD or another development disability, you may be eligible for Protective Supervision.

If you are a California resident and receive Medi-Cal benefits, you may be eligible for IHSS. Eligibility is assessed with an evaluation regarding whether your child needs the services it provides to stay safely in your own home as an alternative to out-of-home placement.

But the application process can be confusing, and at present only 10% of eligible families receive this credit.

How an Advocate Helps

The IHSS application process generally involves a written application, an in-home interview with a social worker, and medical records. Once approved, there will be ongoing assessments. An advocate can assist at every stage of this process whether you are a first-time applicant or your application has been denied.

For first time applicants an advocate will:

• 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, an advocate will:

• Review your case with you
• Check all records and research the reason for your rejection
• Assist you in appealing your application
• Represent you at hearings

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 info@americandisabilityassociation.org.

If your child has a disability, and if your family is struggling financially, you may be eligible to receive benefits. This funding can be used to meet your child’s daily needs and can help pay the expenses associated with disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome. There are many steps you can take to give your child a happy, healthy, and rewarding life.

But sifting through all the information may leave you confused about what is available. The following is a list of frequently asked questions and the answers you need to move forward:

What is IHSS?

In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is a program designated to help children as well as the elderly who have disabilities to safely remain in their own homes when they are not able to fully care for themselves. It is an alternative to out-of-home care in nursing homes and institutions.

How do I qualify for IHSS?

If you are a California resident and receive Medi-Cal benefits, you may be eligible for IHSS. Eligibility is assessed with an evaluation regarding whether your child needs the services it provides to stay safely in your own home as an alternative to out-of-home placement.

If I have been denied IHSS, can I appeal?

Yes. If you have completed the IHSS process, and you have been denied by the county IHSS Office or IHSS Public Authority Office to be an IHSS Provider, you have the option to ask for an appeal within 60 days of the denial with the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).

How do I appeal IHSS?

If you are already receiving IHSS services, the request for appeal must be filed during the 10 calendar days before the Notice of Action is effective. The benefits will not change until there is a hearing and a decision is issued. A request for hearing is required to be filed within 90 calendar days after the date of the county action or inaction. A written request for a rehearing must be filed within 30 calendar days of receipt after the decision is received. A request for a state hearing may be written or oral and there is a request form on the back of the Notice of Action. The request for a state hearing should include: the aid program involved (i.e., IHSS), the reason for the disagreement with the county action, if an interpreter is needed and what kind, and a copy of the applicable Notice of Action.

What is the IHSS In-Home Assessment?

The IHSS in-home assessment is initiated by the county Social Services Agency at the time of application, every twelve months thereafter, and whenever the county has information that the recipient’s physical/mental condition or living/social condition has changed. The number of hours authorized may change with each evaluation. The reason for the assessment is to evaluate the disabled person’s physical or mental condition, living and social situation, and ability to perform various functions of daily life, as well as the statement of need and the medical records.

Can I get paid as a caregiver to take care of my child?

There are many circumstances that permit a parent of a disabled child to receive IHSS payments: (1) If the parent quit his or her job or can’t get a job because he or she must care for the disabled child. (2) If no other suitable care provider is available (willing and able). (3) If the child is at risk of out-of-home placement or inadequate care. (4) If both the parents live in the home, one parent may get paid when the other parent is working, in school, or disabled.

If I was denied SSI can I apply for IHSS?

Yes. You can still qualify for in-house supportive services, even if you have been denied supplemental security income. The services are related, but not interconnected.

How long does it take to get paid?

The application must be processed within 30 days following the application. This includes eligibility determination, the needs assessment, and the notice of action. An exception to the 30-day requirement may be made when a disability determination has not been received within the 30-day period, or the person has not moved into his or her own home.

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 info@americandisabilityassociation.org.

When you have a child with a disability, like autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, it’s tough to navigate the school system. Unfortunately, school districts often worsen this situation by not supplying the special education support that children with special needs are entitled. When that happens, the best thing that you can do as a parent is to learn what your rights are and seek educational advocacy. (more…)

Financial experts say that raising a child costs about $250,000. If you are a parent of a child with autism, you can expect to pay about ten times that amount. And if you have a child who incurs regular medical costs, your expenses can reach more than $3 million over time.

Before you get completely overwhelmed, there is a solution: make a plan. But how do you do this? (more…)