Paying for it in Florida
4 Florida funding resources and 3 federal or nationwide resources currently listed, grouped by the question you are asking.
This page is still being built, so we keep it out of search results until it carries enough listed resources to land on.
Funding in Florida
4 published state entries across 4 money questions.
Medicaid waivers and home-based supports
Is there a waiver that pays for support at home instead of in a facility?
- State programReviewed by our teamLast checked What this means
iBudget Florida Home and Community-Based Services Waiver
iBudget Florida is APD's Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waiver for people with developmental disabilities. APD describes it as its most traditional pathway to services, covering medically necessary social, medical, behavioral, therapeutic and residential services, with the person living in their own home, a family home, or a community-based licensed residential facility. Enrolment requires an APD services application.
What it covers: APD states that through the waiver individuals can access a variety of medically necessary social, medical, behavioral, therapeutic and residential services based on their needs and goals.
Run by this state, so the rules and the people you contact are state-specific.
Health coverage and medical bills
How do we get medical care and equipment covered?
- State programReviewed by our teamLast checked What this means
Florida KidCare: Children's Health and Dental Coverage
Florida KidCare is the state's income-based health and dental insurance for children. Enrolment is open year-round, costs are based on the child's age, household size and adjusted gross annual income, and the program states many families pay $15 or $20 a month to cover all qualifying children in the household. Applications go through the KidCare parent portal or by phone.
Run by this state, so the rules and the people you contact are state-specific.
Savings accounts and tax help
How do we save money without losing benefits, and what can we claim on taxes?
- State programReviewed by our teamLast checked What this means
ABLE United: Florida's ABLE Savings Program
ABLE United is Florida's ABLE program. It offers a tax-advantaged account that lets a person with a qualifying disability save without those savings being treated like ordinary countable assets for programs such as SSI and Medicaid. ABLE United states there are no sign-up costs, no monthly fees and no minimum monthly contribution.
Run by this state, so the rules and the people you contact are state-specific.
Grants and scholarships from organizations
Can a nonprofit help pay for equipment, camp or therapy?
- State programReviewed by our teamLast checked What this means
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA)
FES-UA is a Florida scholarship for students with disabilities, as young as 3 years old, delivered as an education savings account. Families apply and renew annually through one of two approved scholarship funding organizations — Step Up For Students or A.A.A. Scholarship Foundation — which determine eligibility, award funding and approve spending.
Run by this state, so the rules and the people you contact are state-specific.
Federal and nationwide programs
These apply in every state, though the office you apply through is usually local.
- Federal or nationwideChecked against the sourceLast checked What this means
IRS Publication 907: Tax Highlights for Persons With Disabilities
IRS Publication 907 explains federal tax rules that matter to people with disabilities and their families, including impairment-related work expenses, the Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled, and ABLE accounts. As the IRS explains, ABLE accounts let people with disabilities save money without losing certain public benefits, with an annual contribution limit that is adjusted each year. This is federal guidance that applies nationwide, not just in Minnesota.
Next step: Read the sections relevant to your situation (Impairment-Related Work Expenses, Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled, or ABLE Account) before filing federal taxes.
Applies in every state, though the office you apply through may be local.
- Federal or nationwideChecked against the sourceLast checked What this means
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children
SSI provides monthly cash payments to children (and adults) with disabilities who have little or no income or resources. As the Social Security Administration explains, the payment amount depends on income, living situation, and other factors, and recipients must report changes in income and resources each month. This is a federal, nationwide program, not specific to Minnesota.
Apply through: ssa.gov
Next step: Use SSA's online tool to find out if you might be eligible, then apply.
Applies in every state, though the office you apply through may be local.
- Federal or nationwideReviewed by our teamLast checked What this means
What Social Security Changes at 18: The Adult Disability Definition and the End of Parental Deeming
Social Security says that when a child receiving SSI turns 18, it evaluates impairments using the definition of disability for adults instead of the childhood standard. Parental income and resource deeming is described as applying to a child under 18, so the household income test that kept many teenagers off SSI works differently once they are an adult.
Next step: If your child was denied SSI because of your household income, reapply as they approach 18 — the adult test does not count parent income the same way.
Applies in every state, though the office you apply through may be local.
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