Find where to get free money for disabled people from government grants or private organizations.
There are funds available for individuals and low-income families who receive Social Security SSI. Find free grant money for people with disabilities.
Over 40 million Americans have a disability, including over 5 million children. Low-income households can face severe financial difficulties due to disabilities. 50% of households with a disabled member have annual incomes below $25,000.
Therefore, government and private organizations offer grants for disabled people. These grants help pay for necessities like housing, transportation, medical care, daily needs and more.
In this article, we’ll explore the main grant programs available in 2024 and how to qualify for free grant money for disabled people!
Grants for Disabled People in 2024
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) Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
SSI provides free government grant money to disabled people in America. The current maximum monthly payment for SSI in 2024 is $914 for an individual and $1,371 for couples.
To qualify for SSI, you must meet Social Security’s definition of disability, have less than $2,000 in assets as an individual, and have income below the program limit. Assets limits are higher for couples. SSI applications can be submitted online or by phone at 1-800-772-1213.
2) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI).
SSDI pays grants to people with disabilities if they have worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes. The average SSDI benefit amount as of January 2024 is $1,358 per month.
To get SSDI, you’ll need to prove you can’t work due to a severe long-term disability expected to last at least 12 months.
The Social Security Administration of the United States provides financial assistance for various living expenses, including prescription medications, energy bills, and housing costs. For more information, contact 1-800-772-1213.
Other Federal Government Disability Grants
Beyond to SSI and SSDI, there are other lesser-known federal grant programs for disabled individuals, such as:
Client Assistance Program (CAP) – Provides information and referrals on services available under the people with Disabilities Act. It is Managed by the Department of Education. Call 202-245-6769 for more information.
Division of Coal Mine Workers’ Compensation – Provides monthly cash benefits to coal miners impacted by black lung disease and their dependents. Email [email protected].
LIHEAP and Weatherization are federal grant programs that help households pay utility bills and conserve energy. Disabled individuals have an earlier application window, and some states give priority to households with disabled members.
LIHEAP offers free money, often several hundred dollars per year, to assist disabled individuals, senior citizens, and others in paying their utility bills.
Former Worker Medical Screening Program– FWP is a grant that pays for medical bills and check-ups for adults who worked in the Department of Energy weapons complex. It looks for people impacted by radiation, beryllium, asbestos, noise, lasers, or silica and pays for all testing needed.
Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities– This program Assists households with infants/toddlers under 2 who have developmental delays. Contact your state Department of Education.
Employment grants and Programs for Disabled – Helps disabled individuals find accommodated work-from-home jobs. Contact the Job Accommodation Network at 1-800-526-7234.
Non-Discrimination in Federally Assisted Housing – Prohibits discrimination against disabled applicants seeking housing assistance. Call HUD at 202-708-2333.
Section 811 Supportive Housing – Provides rental/housing aid and supportive services for disabled persons. Contact HUD for referrals.
Tax Help for People with Disabled – The U.S. Department of the Treasury coordinates Tax Help for People with Disabilities program. Local community action agencies run the program. To qualify for assistance, applicants must be taxpayers who need free help or advice on preparing their federal or state tax returns.
Disability Grants for Veterans
Veterans with a service-connected disability may qualify for VA grants that pay for medical bills, adaptive vehicles, respite care, prosthetics, vision aids, and more. Some options include:
Home Based Primary Care Grants (HBPC) are available to veterans with serious, complex physical or social conditions. This government program covers medical expenses for chronically ill individuals in the months and years leading up to their death. It includes rehabilitation, medication management, primary care, disease management, and other health care needs. For more information or to apply for the HBPC grant, call 1-877-222-8387.
Specially Adapted Housing Grants – SAH grants help Veterans and Service members with disabilities buy, remodel, or build such as with a wheelchair accessible home.
The maximum grant amount is $117,014 for FY 2024 and changes yearly.
Check the website https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/disability-housing-grants/ for more details.
Automobiles and Adaptive Equipment for Disabled Veterans – Disabled veterans and service members can receive a grant of up to $20,000 for their automobile or related transportation needs.
This grant can also cover the cost of installing adaptive equipment or making repairs to the vehicle. National Guard and Reserve members are also eligible to apply. To obtain this grant, you can reach out to the VA at 1-800-827-1000.
Caregiver Support Program – Pays stipends and other aid to veteran caregivers. Call 1-877-222 8387.
Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) – Low-income, homeless, unemployed, and economically disadvantaged veterans may be eligible for grants from the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP). These grants can help cover educational bills and costs. To apply for these grants, visit your local Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) office.
Children of Women Vietnam Veterans Health Care Benefits – If you are a child of a woman who served in Vietnam, you may be eligible for health care benefits that cover medical expenses related to birth defects. These benefits also cover travel costs for treatment across the country, such as gas, buses, and hotels.
The Spina Bifida Health Care Benefits and grant program offers this assistance. To learn more, contact the Denver VA Regional Office at 1-888-820-1756.
Clothing Allowance and free vouchers for the disabled – Individuals with a service-connected disability can access an annual clothing allowance and free vouchers. This monetary support can assist those with medical needs, orthopedic or prosthetic appliances, and those with disabilities requiring specialized garments. For further information, contact the Inquiry Routing & Information Systems (IRIS) at 1-877-222-8387 or free clothes giveaway Programs
The Veterans Pension Grants are for wartime service members only. Eligible clients can get financial help from government grants and public aid programs. To apply, applicants must meet Congress’s specific requirements, including a low income and limited savings. For more information, call at 1-800-827-1000.
Home Improvements and Structural Alterations Grant – Adapts the veteran’s residence to improve mobility/function.
Vocational Rehabilitation – Pays for job training and employment services for disabled veterans. Call 1-800-829-4833.
Talk to a VA center or your local veteran employment office to learn more about applying for VA disability grants.
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.
- 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 Hearing Impaired
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 hearing impaired students pursuing 4-year degrees.
- Cochlear Americas Scholarships – Awards $2,000 per year for up to four consecutive years merit-based college scholarships to hearing impaired 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
Many private organizations and foundations provide grants to support disabled individuals. These private grants can help cover costs related to:
- Assistive technology and equipment – Funding for devices like wheelchairs, hearing aids, accessibility equipment.
- Medical treatment and care – Grants to help pay for therapies, surgeries, prescription medications.
- Education and training – Scholarships and grants for disabled students pursuing higher education.
- Transportation – Grants for modified vehicles.
- Housing – Funding to improve home accessibility and safety.
- Daily living expenses – Money for necessities like food, clothing, bills.
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?
Below are the steps for getting free money for disabled persons from disability grants:
- Research programs based on your disability, age, needs and state.
- Check eligibility – income limits, disability status, qualifications.
- Apply directly through government agencies and nonprofits.
- For federal grants, start with the Social Security Administration, HUD and VA.
- For medical grants, find foundations focused on your health disorder.
- Enlist a social worker or case manager to help identify and secure grants.
- Hire a disability lawyer for help qualifying and applying for federal disability benefits.
To improve your chances of getting approved for disability grants, seek guidance from social services and legal experts. Research thoroughly to find grant programs that fit your specific needs.
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.
