Free Money For Disabled Persons: Grants and Assistance Programs in 2025

Free Money For Disabled Persons: According to the Pew Research Center, more than 42 million Americans live with a disability, including millions of children. For many, covering daily costs like housing, food, healthcare, and transportation is a struggle. Over half of households with a disabled member report yearly incomes under $25,000, making financial support not just helpful, but necessary.

Thankfully, both government programs and private foundations offer grants and financial assistance. These resources can cover basic living needs, medical bills, mobility equipment, or even education.

This guide breaks down the most important disability grants in 2024, how to qualify, and where to apply.

Public Grants for Disabled People in 2025

The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees two major programs that provide free money for disabled persons:

1) Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

2) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).

1. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

SSDI is a federal program for people who have worked and paid Social Security taxes but can no longer work due to a long-term disability.

• Average monthly benefit (2024): $1,358
• Covers: living expenses, prescriptions, healthcare needs
• Disabilities covered: physical, mental, or developmental conditions expected to last at least 12 months
• Family benefits: Children or dependents of disabled workers may also qualify

Apply through the Social Security Administration: 1-800-772-1213

2. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI is designed for low-income individuals with disabilities who have little to no work history.

• Monthly maximum (2024): $914 (individual) or $1,371 (couple)
• Eligibility: limited income, less than $2,000 in assets (individual), less than $3,000 (couple)
• Covers: housing, utilities, food, medical expenses

Apply online or call 1-800-772-1213

3. Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities

Run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), this program helps people with disabilities afford safe and accessible housing.

• Provides rental assistance and supportive services
• Funds construction of new accessible housing units

Contact HUD: 202-708-2333

4. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act Accounts

The ABLE Act of 2014 allows people with disabilities to create tax-free savings accounts.

• Contributions: made by family, friends, or others
• Uses: housing, medical expenses, transportation, and other qualified disability-related costs
• Funds are not counted against SSI or Medicaid eligibility

5. Medicaid and Medicare

• Medicaid: State-funded insurance covering medical services for low-income disabled individuals. Eligibility differs by state but always reviews daily activity limitations.
• Medicare: Covers up to 80% of mobility equipment costs such as scooters and wheelchairs (with a prescription).

6. IDEA – Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Provides federal funding so children with disabilities can access free public education tailored to their needs. Covers special education services, therapies, and individualized support.

7. Federal Student Aid

The U.S. Department of Education offers billions of dollars in grants and scholarships for disabled students seeking higher education. Many programs don’t require repayment.

Other Federal Government Disability Grants

8. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) & Weatherization Assistance

Households with a disabled member often get priority access to LIHEAP and Weatherization programs.

• LIHEAP: Provides several hundred dollars per year to help cover heating and cooling bills.
• Weatherization: Pays for home improvements to reduce energy costs, like insulation or window repairs.

Apply through your local community action agency.

9. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

TANF is a federal program that provides short-term cash aid to low-income families, including those with disabled members.

• Covers: rent, childcare, utilities, job training
• States run their own TANF programs, so eligibility and benefits vary

Apply through your local Department of Human Services office.

10. Early Intervention Program (Infants & Toddlers with Disabilities)

Supports families with children under age 2 who have developmental delays or disabilities.

• Provides therapies, home visits, and special education support
• Run through each state’s Department of Education

11. Client Assistance Program (CAP)

Offers free advocacy and information for people applying for disability services.

• Helps navigate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protections
• Funded by the U.S. Department of Education

Call 202-245-6769 for information.

12. Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation

Provides monthly cash benefits to coal miners affected by black lung disease, along with their families.
📧 Email: [email protected]

13. Former Worker Medical Screening Program (FWP)

Covers free medical screening for former employees of the U.S. Department of Energy’s weapons complex.

• Tests for radiation, asbestos, beryllium exposure, and more
• Pays for necessary medical check-ups

14. Employment Support & Job Accommodation Programs

Disabled individuals seeking work can get free help through the Job Accommodation Network (JAN).

• Services: work-from-home job opportunities, accommodations, employment rights guidance
  📞 Call 1-800-526-7234

15. Tax Assistance for People with Disabilities

The U.S. Treasury funds free tax preparation programs for disabled individuals.

• Run through local community action agencies
• Helps with both federal and state tax returns

With these federal and state programs, disabled individuals can get support not only for living expenses, but also for energy bills, medical screenings, employment, and child development needs.

Disability Grants for Veterans in 2024

Veterans with service-connected disabilities have access to a wide range of financial aid and specialized grants through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These programs cover housing, adaptive equipment, healthcare, education, and caregiver support.

1. Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grants

• Helps veterans and service members with disabilities buy, build, or modify homes to improve accessibility.
• Examples: installing ramps, widening doors, remodeling bathrooms.
• Maximum grant (FY 2024): $117,014
  Learn more: VA Disability Housing Grants

2. Automobiles and Adaptive Equipment Grants

• Provides up to $20,000 for purchasing a vehicle.
• Covers the cost of installing adaptive equipment (wheelchair lifts, hand controls, etc.).
• Available to eligible veterans, National Guard, and Reserve members. Call the VA at 1-800-827-1000

3. Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA) Grant

• Covers modifications needed for medical purposes, such as ramps, walk-in showers, or widened hallways.
• Complements other housing grants like SAH.

4. Caregiver Support Program

• Provides stipends, training, and mental health resources to family members who care for disabled veterans. Call 1-877-222-8387 for help

5. Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC)

• For veterans with serious, long-term health conditions.
• Covers rehabilitation, disease management, and in-home medical care.

6. Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E)

• Offers job training, education, counseling, and placement services for disabled veterans seeking employment. Contact: 1-800-829-4833

7. Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP)

• Helps homeless, unemployed, and low-income veterans with employment services, training, and education grants. Apply through your local Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) office.

8. Clothing Allowance & Free Vouchers

• Annual stipend for veterans who need specialized clothing due to prosthetics, orthopedic devices, or skin conditions caused by service-related injuries. Contact VA at 1-877-222-8387

9. Veterans Pension Grants

• Available to wartime veterans with low income and limited assets.
• Provides monthly financial support for living expenses.

10. Spina Bifida and Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Benefits

• Provides lifelong medical care, travel costs, and other aid for children born with spina bifida or birth defects linked to a parent’s service in Vietnam. Contact Denver VA Regional Office at 1-888-820-1756

State-Specific Disability Programs and Grants

Alongside federal aid, many states run their own disability programs. These state programs can be easier to access and often provide more targeted support. Here are some examples:

• California – Department of Healthcare Services
  Offers in-home supportive services, assisted living waivers, and community-based programs. The Genetically disabled Persons Program provides medical support for qualifying conditions.
• Texas – In-Home and Family Support Program
  Provides up to $3,600 per year for individuals age four and older with physical disabilities. Funds can be used for home modifications, equipment, or disability-related services.
• Montana – Department of Public Health and Human Services
  Runs programs such as Developmental Disabilities Services, Pre-Employment Transition Services, and Statewide Independent Living Services. These help residents gain independence and access education or work opportunities.
• Connecticut – Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS)
  Helps disabled individuals find and keep employment. Grants can cover transportation and other job-related supports. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Colorado – Assistive Technology Program
  Provides funding for essential devices such as communication tools, hearing aids, and wheelchairs.
• Alaska – Mental Health Trust Authority
  Offers mini-grants of up to $2,500 per person, awarded through agencies on behalf of beneficiaries. Funds can cover a wide range of needs.

Each state has different requirements and funding levels. Contact your state’s Department of Health or Human Services to check current availability and eligibility.

Grants for Low-Income Disabled Households

If you have a limited income, grants are available that you can use for expenses like food, utilities, medical bills, and housing:

• SNAP Food Benefits – Provides monthly funds on an EBT card to buy groceries. Apply through your local social services office. n addition to government benefits, some churches that help with food offer free meals and pantry items to disabled individuals and low-income families.
• LIHEAP Energy Assistance – Helps pay heating and cooling bills. Priority is given to households with a disabled member.
• Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers – Pays a portion of monthly rent for low-income households. Disabled individuals get preference.
• Medicaid Health Coverage – Provides free or low-cost health insurance. Eligibility is based on disability status and income.
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) – Provides cash aid, subsidized childcare, job training, and other services for families in need.

Always apply for any federal or state public assistance benefits you may qualify for.

Housing Grants For Disable People

There are federal and state programs that provide grants for people with disabilities to modify, repair, or pay for housing:

• HUD Housing Grants – The housing agency offers disabled persons grants to make home accessibility modifications. Local nonprofits distribute the funds. Grants are capped at $10,000 – $25,000.
• USDA Housing Repair Grants – Disabled rural residents can qualify for this program helping homeowners repair, improve or modernize dwellings. Grants are issued up to $20,000.
• State Housing Grants – Some states like Texas and California offer housing repair and modification grants for disabled residents, often funded through Medicaid waivers. Grants range $5,000 – $50,000.

Debt Relief Grants for Disabled

Federal student loan borrowers with a disability can seek discharge of their debt through the Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Discharge program.

To qualify, you must submit documentation of your disability from a physician, the Social Security Administration, or the VA. Over $7.1 billion in student loans have been discharged through TPD to date.

The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 allows people with a proven disability to file Chapter 7 bankruptcy to liquidate assets and eliminate unsecured debt like medical bills and credit cards.

Certain disability criteria must be met to qualify for this debt relief option. Consult a bankruptcy lawyer for guidance.

Grants for Specific Disabilities and Needs

Beyond the large federal programs, there are hundreds of smaller foundations and nonprofits providing grants for disabled people with particular conditions and needs nationwide.

Grants for the Blind and Visually Impaired Adults

Visually impaired adults can qualify for specialized assistance. Key grant options include:

• AFB Scholarships – The American Foundation for the Blind awards $3500 scholarships annually to blind students pursuing higher education.
• NFB Scholarships – The National Federation of the Blind offers merit-based scholarships (over $250000 awarded per year) to legally blind students.
• Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation – This fund awards grants up to $5,000 to $25,000 to blind adults for assistive technology like screen readers.
• VisionServe Alliance Low Vision Rehabilitation Grants – Grants up to $500 are given to help cover devices and services to improve functional vision.

Scholarship Grants for Disabled Students

• L. And G. Butler Scholarship for the Disabled: A scholarship worth $650 is given to a disabled student who is studying at the University of Victoria. This scholarship is awarded based on academic performance, and can be given to either a newly admitted or returning student.
• Jake Jones Memorial Scholarship for the Learning Disabled: Graduating seniors in the Texas Panhandle who have learning disabilities may be eligible for the Jake Jones Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship, worth $1,000, was created by the family of Jake Jones and the Claude community in 1995.
• Auger and Auger Disabled Scholar Award: The Auger & Auger law firm is offering a scholarship called the Disabled Scholar Award, which is worth $1,000. This scholarship is available to disabled students who are planning to pursue an undergraduate degree. The application deadline for this award is November 30, 2023, and it is given out twice a year during the Spring and Fall semesters.

Grants for the Deaf and People with Partial Hearing Loss

Financial help for hearing loss includes:

• AG Bell College Scholarships – Awards up to $2,500-$10,000 are given to deaf and hearing-impaired students who qualify.
• Sertoma Hard of Hearing Scholarship – This $1,000 scholarship helps deaf or partially deaf students pursuing 4-year degrees.
• Cochlear Americas Scholarships – Awards $2,000 per year for up to four consecutive years merit-based college scholarships to deaf for partially deaf students who use cochlear implants.
• TDI Scholarships – Telecommunications for the Deaf organization awards $500 – $1,000 scholarships to deaf/hard of hearing students annually.
• Audient Alliance Hearing Assistive Technology Grant – Provides devices like hearing aids, amplifiers and caption phones to deaf/hearing impaired recipients.

Grants for Caregivers of Disabled

Programs that support disabled individuals and their caregivers cover costs like respite care, home health and aides:

• ARCH National Respite Network Grants – Grants up to $5,000 for caregivers of disabled children and adults.
• Elizabeth Dole Foundation Respite Grants – Covers respite care costs for military and veteran caregivers.
• Easterseals Home Care Grants – Need-based Easterseals grants for in-home care services.

Device and Equipment Grants for Disabled

Nonprofits give grants for medically necessary equipment and technology for the disabled:

• Wheel to Walk Foundation Grants – Provides walkers, wheelchairs, ramps, lifts and more daptive equipment for children and young adult with disabilities.
• AMBUCS Scholarships – Funding for therapeutic tricycles and other mobility devices.
• Audient Alliance Hearing Assistive Tech Grants – Grants for devices like hearing aids and interpreters.
• UnitedHealthCare Nourish Grants – Awards grants for specialized equipment like speech devices, wheelchairs, braces.
• Challenged America Project Grants – Provides adapted cars, wheelchairs, ramps and equipment for disabled children.
• Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief – Grants helping insured patients pay prescription, device and equipment copays.

Private Grants for Individuals with Disabilities

Alongside federal and state programs, many private organizations and charities provide grants for people with disabilities. These funds often fill the gaps where government programs don’t reach, covering needs like adaptive equipment, medical treatment, transportation, and daily living expenses.

One of the most active groups is the Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC), which refurbishes and distributes wheelchairs, medical equipment, and assistive devices at little to no cost. This support can dramatically improve quality of life for people who might not otherwise be able to afford such equipment.

The Byron Riesch Paralysis Foundation provides direct help for people living with paralysis and neurological conditions. While its main mission is research, it also funds adaptive equipment for daily living and offers scholarships for those with neurological disorders.

The I Got Legs Foundation supports individuals with permanent physical disabilities, with a focus on prosthetic treatment and adaptive technologies. It can also help with home modifications such as ramps and lifts for better accessibility.

For older adults, the Elderly or Disabled Living (EDL) program provides grants to low-income seniors and disabled individuals. Funds may be used for rent, bills, health insurance, or other essential needs.

The Chanda Center for Health takes a different approach, focusing on holistic care. It provides therapies such as massage, acupuncture, exercise, and yoga to improve physical and mental health for people with disabilities.

Wheels of Happiness helps provide medical supplies, psychological support, and mobility equipment. Its work is supported by corporate donors and community fundraising events, making it accessible to a broad range of disabled applicants.

The High Fives Foundation specializes in supporting people who have suffered life-altering injuries during sports or outdoor activities, such as spinal or brain injuries. Grants help cover rehabilitation costs and adaptive equipment so injured athletes can regain independence.

The Joseph Groh Foundation targets individuals in the construction industry who became disabled due to serious injury or illness. Grants can be used to pay for home modifications, accessibility ramps, and mobility equipment.

Other well-known private foundations offering grants to disabled individuals include the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Arc, and the First Hand Foundation. These groups typically focus on condition-specific support, such as funding for therapies, research, or daily living expenses.

Private grants can be harder to find because they are run by smaller organizations, but they can provide life-changing assistance. Working with a social worker or case manager can make it easier to identify opportunities and complete the applications.

Some top private grant providers for the disabled include The Arc, UnitedHealthcare, Weaver Foundation, First Hand Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Muscular Dystrophy Association and more.

Applying for private disability grants takes research and assistance. Having a social worker or case manager help identify and secure funding is extremely beneficial. Private grants provide supplemental financial support to government disability programs.

How to Apply for Disability Grants

It takes effort to apply for disability grants, but breaking the process into clear steps makes it more manageable. Each grant program has its own rules, but most follow a similar pattern.

1. Research Available Programs
Start by listing out all the grants that match your needs. Federal programs like SSI or SSDI are a good starting point, but don’t stop there. Look into state programs, nonprofit foundations, and private grants as well. Many local organizations and charities also offer help that’s not widely advertised online.

2. Check Eligibility Requirements
Each grant has its own criteria. Some look at your income level, while others focus on disability status or work history. For example, SSDI requires a certain number of work credits, while SSI is based mainly on financial need.

3. Gather Documentation
Most applications require proof of disability, income, and identification. Common documents include medical records, a doctor’s statement, tax returns, Social Security award letters, and proof of residency. For educational grants, you may also need transcripts or enrollment confirmation.

4. Submit the Application
Federal and state programs usually have online portals or local offices where you can apply. Nonprofit and private grants may require paper forms or email submissions. Make sure you follow the instructions exactly.

5. Follow Up
After submitting, keep track of your application status. It may have long processing times. Some programs also allow appeals if your application is denied.

6. Get Professional Help if Needed
If the process feels confusing, consider asking for help from a social worker, case manager, or disability lawyer. These professionals know how to navigate the system and can improve your chances of approval. Many nonprofits provide free assistance with applications.

Don’t Delay – Apply for Disability Grants Today

Individuals with disabilities often face significant financial challenges. However, there are numerous government and non-profit resources available to provide free money for disabled persons.

Grants, benefits programs, and other forms of aid can reduce financial strain. It is recommended that individuals take advantage of these resources in order to receive the necessary assistance and support.

Frequently Asked Questions About Disability Grants