Funding Sources
Each agency will provide you with directions on how to apply for funding or an equipment loan. Education staff is able to assist families with contacting the appropriate funding agencies and obtaining the necessary paperwork to gain financial support. Community parent resource centers and Parent Training and Informatoin Centers help families complete funding applications and navigate through the various funders. They are there to offer guidance, training, and assistance to parents of children with disabilities up through the age of twenty-six.
If your first attempt to gain access to funds is denied, it is important for the family to become familiar with the appeal process for the particular agency providing the funding. If families are not successful in gaining and securing funding through private insurance or public sources, then the education program as payor of the last resort is required to cover the costs of the equipment if it is deemed necessary to help the child meet his or her IFSP or IEP outcomes. The school district under IDEA 2004 becomes payor of the last resort for children between three and twenty-one who qualify for services. For early intervention the lead agency is designated as the payor of the last resort if the IEP states that the child needs assistive technology to participate in daily activities. Generally, other possible funding resources must be considered before relying on the lead agency or school district for Part C of funding for AT services and devices.
Potential Funds are offered by the following programs if the child qualifies under the particular funding organization's criteria:
Medicaid: This program provides reimbursement for some SGDs which can be classified as durable medical equipment specified in the language of the program. This must be prescribed by the physician based on the daily communication and functional needs of the child.
Private Insurance: AT services such as assessment and therapy are carried over. Generally, private insurance covers equipment that is deemed medically necessary and has been recommended through a physician. Depending on their policies, hat might be covered as well as the duration can vary.
Other Private Sources: Private organizations and foundations have funding options that may support the purchase of an AT device. The family would have to follow the criteria to purchase funding of AT devices as well as submit applications to the individual agency for consideration. There are often other local private and nonprofit groups that can seek community projects to fund.
Lending Library: These are sometimes offered by public school programs of basic AT equipment. AT centers may also have lending libraries where equipment can be checked out for a longer duration and mailed directly for the center to the home of the child. There are other types such as cyber linked lending libraries through online communities and contain access to vendors, ways to evaluate equipment and software, fact sheets, training opportunities, and other information resources.
Private Insurance: AT services such as assessment and therapy are carried over. Generally, private insurance covers equipment that is deemed medically necessary and has been recommended through a physician. Depending on their policies, hat might be covered as well as the duration can vary.
Other Private Sources: Private organizations and foundations have funding options that may support the purchase of an AT device. The family would have to follow the criteria to purchase funding of AT devices as well as submit applications to the individual agency for consideration. There are often other local private and nonprofit groups that can seek community projects to fund.
Lending Library: These are sometimes offered by public school programs of basic AT equipment. AT centers may also have lending libraries where equipment can be checked out for a longer duration and mailed directly for the center to the home of the child. There are other types such as cyber linked lending libraries through online communities and contain access to vendors, ways to evaluate equipment and software, fact sheets, training opportunities, and other information resources.