Every day, 5.99 million people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) need access to support services such as Remote Supports (1). For people with disabilities, support services make life better. They help people become more independent and give parents and caregivers a break. But there is a barrier to accessing these services: funding.
Securing funding is not an easy task. Getting funding from the state or other sources is often a convoluted process. There is a lack of guidance or easy-to-follow steps to take.
This is why we will be sharing three primary sources of funds where caregivers can get help to afford needed services for loved ones with I/DD.
Let’s dive in.
Content Overview
The Three Main Types of Funding for Support Services
Government Funding
Programs like Medicaid’s HCBS (Home and Community Based Services) provide a waiver to help people with I/DD. It can pay for support services that help them live their lives more fully every day.
Obtaining a waiver usually has strict eligibility requirements. These requirements vary from state to state but typically revolve around having a disability and a low income. These requirements, once met, can help provide an individual with a waiver to pay for support services, such as Remote Supports.
How to Navigate the Application Process For Medicaid Benefits
Eligibility requirements reign supreme when applying for Medicaid benefits. For example, some states require assets valued at no more than $2,000. The person needing Medicaid should live at home with an income of no more than $2,523 in most states. Check the specific requirements and income limits for your state.
For individuals looking to determine eligibility for Medicaid benefits, they should refer to the Benefits Eligibility Screening Tool. They can see if they qualify for SSI or SSDI programs and apply. After the application has been reviewed, the state Medicaid agency will reach out to discuss enrollment.
Remote Support’s Role in Government-Funded Programs
Once a person is approved for a waiver, they can sit down with their support circle to discuss the services they want and need. Following HCBS rules means letting the person with disabilities choose freely. People can be given options, like Remote Supports, but the final choice is theirs.
A Medicaid waiver will allow you a certain allotment of funds that can be put towards the health and security of your loved one with I/DD.
All service providers, like Remote Supports, must meet HCBS requirements when providing services to people with disabilities. This is essential to the choice, safety, and well-being of the person receiving services.
Remote Supports Services meets HCBS requirements for choice and gives a voice to those who have disabilities.
Private Funding
Private funding is a source of funding for people with I/DD. There are different ways to pay for programs that help people with I/DD. Grants can come from companies, charities, and groups that help people with disabilities. This money helps disabled people get benefits that make their lives better. Some types of insurance, like long-term care insurance, may pay for certain services.
ABLE accounts allow people with disabilities to contribute to a savings account without endangering eligibility for government assistance. They do not count toward Medicaid’s asset limits.
For example, if a caregiver had a $3,000 monthly income, they would no longer meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid. But if that income was split into $2,000 in their bank account and $1,000 in their ABLE account, the funds in the ABLE account would no longer be considered income, and they would still meet Medicaid’s eligibility requirements.
How do ABLE accounts work?
ABLE accounts work as a means for individuals to stay under the income limit so they can still receive SSI and SSDI program benefits. The funds inside the account aren’t taxable and do not affect the income a person has.
ABLE accounts allow people with disabilities to contribute to a savings account without endangering eligibility for government assistance. They do not count toward Medicaid’s asset limits.
ABLE accounts allow people with disabilities to contribute to a savings account without endangering eligibility for government assistance. They do not count toward Medicaid’s asset limits.
For example, if a caregiver had a $3,000 monthly income, they would no longer meet the eligibility requirements for Medicaid. But if that income was split into $2,000 in their bank account and $1,000 in their ABLE account, the funds in the ABLE account would no longer be considered income, and they would still meet medicaid eligibility requirements.
What are the benefits of ABLE accounts?
There are many benefits of ABLE accounts:
- Have a dedicated account meant solely for taking care of a person with I/DD.
- Not being taxed on the funds placed inside an ABLE account.
- Not having the ABLE account count as an asset toward Medicaid eligibility.
- Able accounts empowers people with I/DD the ability to plan financially for the long-term.
Advocacy Groups and Grants
Disability advocacy groups can provide relief to caregivers and individuals with I/DD who need help with finances and paying for services. An excellent tool for finding grants is the DRAFund’s Grants Directory.
Donors and government agencies provide funds to advocacy groups, which are carefully allocated to individuals in need. This allocation usually takes the form of small grants that can range from $5,000 – $15,000. These grants help support individuals with I/DD and their caregivers.
What are the Steps to Getting a Grant from an Advocacy Group?
The steps for individuals and caregivers to connect with advocacy groups and apply for grants are as follows:
- Become a member of the advocacy group. This usually involves signing up on their webpage or going in person to their location.
- Apply for the grant that is of interest. The grant application process is straightforward but can vary in length and intensity depending on the grant type. Most grants ask that caregivers write a letter explaining why they are the best choice for the grant. Most grants may also ask for supplemental information, like names and addresses.
- Submit the letter before the deadline and wait for the approval deadline. Most grants will detail when applications will be approved or not and will reach out with an answer.
Conclusion
It’s easy to feel hopeless in the face of a lack of funds when supporting a person with I/DD. However, it is essential to remember that options exist to help caregivers from all walks of life find the help they need to care for a person with disabilities. There isn’t just one option: we’ve nominated three options that caregivers can explore to leverage different financial support. These three are government funding, private funding with ABLE accounts, and advocacy group grants.
Choosing one or all of these options can help a caregiver get the support they need, with the financial support to access support services.
Additional Resources
- ICI WebPub (2019.) People with IDD in the United States. Retrieved from: https://publications.ici.umn.edu/risp/infographics/people-with-idd-in-the-united-states-and-the-proportion-who-receive-services
- USA (2023.) How to apply for Medicaid and CHIP. Retrieved from: https://www.usa.gov/medicaid-chip-insurance
