Show me the Funding Part 2

I have read and heard of the stories about families having financial hardships due to the cost involved to provide treatment for their children on the autism spectrum.  We have been fortunate enough to live in a state where there is some funding available, but we still have paid for some services out of our pocket. There probably is some funding where you live as well you just have to go digging for it.  Funding for autism services is not like products being sold at Wal-Mart or some other big retailer; they are not advertising it on television, the radio, or in magazines.  Funding is out there and you need to ask about it or you will never get your hands on it. 

The federal government provides hundreds of millions of dollars to state governments to manage or oversee funding programs.  It is a very confusing process and at times I think it would be less painful to ram my head into a cement wall rather than have someone try to explain it to me.  Therefore, I am not an expert on this topic and often times have to ask my wife 25 times a week how it all works.  I will keep this as simple as possible and provide several links so you can research this often confusing and convoluted process when you have some significant time to review the information.

In Ohio, there are a few Medicaid waiver programs, such as, the Level 1 and Individual Options waiver (I/O Waiver).  The Level 1 waiver is for individuals with developmental disabilities and can help pay for respite care, day habilitation, transportation, specialized medical equipment, and other services.  There is a limit on the amount of funds you can use per year with the Level 1 waiver.  You can checkout eligibility and services provided at the following link: www.dodd.ohio.gov or www.olrs.ohio.gov/medicaid-waivers

The I/O Waiver is for individuals with developmental disabilities who are Medicaid eligible and meet the requirements for the level of care at an Intermediate Care Facility for people with developmental disabilities, but want to remain at home.  There are several services covered under the I/O waiver, including, homemaker and personal care, residential respite, transportation, home delivered meals, adaptive and assistive equipment, supported employment services, and a list of other services.  I will warn you that there is a waiting list for the I/O waiver.  We have been on the list since Zach was 3 years old and 9 years later we still have not received any I/O benefits.  Although, it would be nice to have, the important thing is the I/O waiver is made available to our son when he becomes an adult as the program will be of greater benefit to him at that time.  You can checkout eligibility and services provided by the I/O waiver at the following link:  www.dodd.ohio.gov or www.olrs.ohio.gov/medicaid-waivers

For educational needs, Ohio has an Autism Scholarship program that allows families who qualify the options to send their child to a special education program other than the one offered by the school district where the child lives.   The total value of an autism scholarship is $20,000 per school year.  You can learn more information regarding the Ohio Autism Scholarship at the following link:  www.ode.state.oh.us, click on the finance tab and then select scholarship programs to learn about the autism scholarship program.

Like Ohio, other states have similar programs and I would encourage you to check with your state or county government agencies to find out the funding programs that are offered, eligibility requirements, and what services are covered.  Some people do not apply for some or none of the above referenced programs, and frankly I do not understand why.  Maybe they do not think they meet eligibility requirements, because a lot of government programs seem to be based on income.  However, it does not cost anything to apply for these programs and I would encourage you to apply for some of these programs to determine if you meet eligibility.  These programs could assist in alleviating some of the financial burden you may be feeling due to the fact insurance companies do not cover the cost for a lot of services children with autism need.