According to the Pew Research Center, there are roughly 42.5 million people living with disabilities in the United States, making grants an essential requirement.
However, finding grants for disabled adults can be a challenge, which is why we created this essential guide.
Below, you will find a comprehensive list of both public and private disability grants available in the United States to help you lead a more supported and fulfilling life.
Public grants are funded by a federal, state, or another publicly funded agency. Here are some of the top public disability grants that are currently available in the U.S.
This federal grant program is designed to assist people living with a physical, emotional, or mental disability that lasts 12 months or longer or ultimately results in loss of life. The U.S. Social Security Administration uses these funds to assist with living expenses, prescription medications, and more. The SSDI also assists families with children who meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disabled. Some of the qualifying disabilities include autism, visual impairment, cerebral palsy, and down syndrome.
The SSI is another free government grant fund for low-income disabled Americans who are unable to work. Before funds are paid out for various bills and basic needs, screenings take place to identify whether the disability is short-term, partial, or total disability.
Specifically created for rent and housing requirements, this grant program is made available by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Along with supportive services, these funds are also used towards the development of new homes that benefit the disabled community.
The ABLE Act of 2014 makes it possible for states to create savings programs for people living with disabilities. Deposits into these savings accounts can be made by family, friends, or any other individuals. These funds are not taxed and can be used to pay toward qualified disability expenses.
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Federal Special Education Entitlement Grant provides funds to disabled students, ensuring they receive a free public education that matches their specific requirements. IDEA also assists states and educational service agencies in providing for the needs of differently-abled students.
There are currently several programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education that provide billions of dollars to students with disabilities looking to attend postsecondary schools. Many grants don’t even need to be repaid. There are also a number of campus-based programs available from participating schools.
Government grants for mobility scooters are available through Medicare. All that’s required is a prescription from a medical professional stating the need for mobility equipment in accomplishing daily tasks. Medicare is able to cover up to 80% of the total cost of the equipment.
This insurance program is funded by the state and is designed to contribute toward medical services for low-income, disabled, and senior citizens in the United States. Qualifying criteria differ between states, but someone’s ability to engage in daily activities will always be reviewed first.
Autistic people of color who require financial support can access individual microgrants of between $100 and $500 through this fund. An autistic person of color is anyone who is non-white, black, Asian, or an ethnic minority.
SAH offers housing grants to Veterans and service members with disabilities, making it possible for them to purchase or alter a home to meet their specific needs. This could involve the installment of ramps or widening doorways to allow for wheelchair access and greater independence overall.
For more information on public grants for disabled individuals, you can visit the Grant Watch website.
Private grants for disabled adults and children are privately funded by businesses and organizations. Here are some of the top private grants that are currently available in the United States.
FODAC provides refurbished equipment such as wheelchairs to people with disabilities, helping them better their quality of life. This is made possible through a network of partners, volunteers, and donors.
This organization’s main objective is to find a cure for paralysis, but in the meantime, they provide assistance to those living with neurological disorders. To make it easier to perform daily tasks such as bathing, the Byron Riesch Paralysis Foundation provides people with adaptive equipment for their homes. Scholarships are also available to people struggling with neurological disorders.
U.S. residents with a permanent physical disability can apply for a grant through the I Got Legs Foundation. To qualify, there needs to be proof of financial aid and specific medical documentation. Preference is given to individuals in need of prosthetic treatment or adaptive technologies. Grants can also be used towards home modifications such as the installation of ramps and lifts.
This particular grant is for low-income elderly and disabled people living in the United States. People over the age of 55 who meet the necessary criteria are eligible for this grant, including those who are determined to be disabled by the federal government. Funds can be used toward bills, health insurance, car repayments, mortgage payments, and more.
With the help of therapies, the Chanda Foundation is helping people with physical disabilities to improve their quality of life. Therapies include massage, exercise, chiropractors, acupuncture, and yoga. The center provides access to integrative treatments at its Lakewood facility through disability-competent providers and community partners.
To help people with disabilities gain more independence, Wheels of Happiness provides medical equipment and supplies, psychological assistance, and general inspiration. All of this is made possible through corporate funding, individual donors, and fundraising events.
Injuries such as amputation and spinal and brain injuries can be life-altering, which is where High Fives comes in. Individuals who were injured during an adventure sport or inertia-based accident are able to apply for a grant that will help them regain some of their independence.
This particular grant is for individuals working in construction who sustained serious injury and/or a disability. Grants from the Joseph Groh Foundation can be used to pay for medical equipment as well as home medications such as remodeling for wheelchair access or the construction of ramps and lifts.
California’s Department of Healthcare Services currently offers a number of programs that are designed to support and aid the disabled community, including in-home supportive services, home and community-based services, a genetically handicapped persons program, and an assisted living waiver.
This program currently supports individuals who are four years and older and are living with a physical disability. This includes individuals who acquired a disability due to age or because of a medical condition. Grants of up to $3,600 are available per year and can be used toward equipment, minor home modifications, and other disability-related services.
To provide disabled people in Montana with equal access to a fulfilling life, the Department of Public Health and Human Services is involved in a number of support programs, including the developmental disabilities program, pre-employment transition services, and statewide independent living services.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services and the Rehabilitation Services Administration, BRS aids the disabled with sourcing and maintaining employment. Grants are also offered to those who require special transportation and other support to get to and from work.
Disabled individuals living in Colorado who need access to assistive technology devices such as communication tools, hearing aids, and wheelchairs may be eligible for funding through the Assistive Technology Program of Colorado.
The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority focuses on awarding mini-grants of up to $2,500 per beneficiary depending on their requirements. However, it should be noted that these grants are awarded to an agency on behalf of a beneficiary.
An abundance of financial and other support is readily available to U.S. citizens living with disabilities, ensuring they have equal access to education and work opportunities and can lead a normal life. Assistance is also readily available to those who are feeling nervous or confused about applying for grants for people with disabilities, it’s just a case of reaching out.
A disability loan can be a personal, mortgage, or auto loan, however, special loan programs are also available. These funds can be used to pay for living expenses or purchase equipment such as wheelchairs, ramps, and mobility scooters. Most disability loans can be used to supplement disability benefits.
I hope to continue to provide everything that I’ve given to society before my disability including love, humor, advice, humor and other support while seeing my understanding family grow with programs available to those like me. I have had extensive legal and literary careers and feel those would benefit those in a position or less mobile than me. Feel free to correct my grammar–that is nothing new! All best to you: “I am not a robot.”
Disabled with COPD ANXIETY STRESS SEIZURES NEED REPAIRS
ON MY MANUFACTURE HOME NO MONEY GOING THROUGH SSI O WORK HISTORY WATER LEAK HOT
WATER TANK ITS GOING TO GO TO
MOLD MILDEW WHERE DO I START? LIVE IN NEW YORK STATE I NEED HELP WITH RENT UTILITIES DENTAL HELP? DONT JUDGE JUST HELP PLEASE!
E-Mail at [email protected]
Sign Need to breath!
I am looking for help or guidance in getting financial help for building my husband a ramp and entrance way into our home. He is 65 and has been on ssdi for a few years now. But like all as we get up in years our health goes down hill. So with his many existing health issues he got senior age health issues on top of it. He is using a walker for most the day events but some days he uses a wheel chair. But it useless to get in or out of our house with. I fear if an emergency happened and he had no way to get away from it what could happen. Or winter months he well never get in or out on his own even with the walker. So I have a sub contractor and 2 sons that volunteered to build the 2 entry ways to make both doors accessible for him and it would make it safe for him or for us to help him in or out as well. But we have to pay for materials our selves. Month to month income leaves us with little to no money after paying monthly expenses. And also help getting our car fixed and safe to drive to his doctor appointments it needs a couple small repairs done to it and some normal up keep and maintenance things to make it more reliable and road worthy and economical do better all around.
My name is Margaret from Botswana Southern Africa, and currently residing in my home country Botswana. I have in the past organized sports tournaments, especially netball, emphasis being to empower the youth through sports and at the same time giving food hampers and toiletries to our less privileged members of our communities. This is when i realised that amongst our communities we have young mothers with disabled children. These children are school.going children, but unfortunately they cannot go to school, they cannot talk nor walk, and did not undergo therapy. Their mothers go through so.much because they ended up being grounded by the conditions of their children, no further career even a relationship. My mandatevis now to empower them with projects to sustain themselves, at the same time taking care of their children with these complex conditions.
Thank you.
I need so many repairs in mour home. My husband is only able to use his left arm. Has had 4 major back surgeries. I have had 5 levels in my neck done because if deteriorating disc and 2 lower back surgeries. I have seizures. We need water fixed, floors, ceilings, back door, and insulation done. We have no vehicle.
I need a 3bedroom2bath saylorsburg area zip code 18353 and a car I can’t afford to buy one can some one help me I’m on SSI and I only get,$930 a month I need help fixing up my home if I can in stead of buying a new home but it’s to cold and nasty up here I need to move this place needs to much work
I need a bathroom upgrade so I can get in shower. Been on SSDI since 2010. I can’t even afford a special medicine. Who can help? My husband is 20 years older and can’t hardly get in the shower either. He is 81. I’m 64. I was injured by a Dr. (spinal cord) he told me it would go away. I believed him back in 1998!
Looking for grant mobility as I’m on social security, widowed ,& supporting 3 people. I’ve been on disability younger & am 73 now- senior female, disability proved years ago…get social security today & like to get grant to help buy better car, lower mileage etc ..I can barely walk any longer today?!
My son had post polio using crutches and wheelchair . He needs a lift to be able to go up and down in our two story house and .our bathroom is not equipped to accommodate him in bathing . He is obese 57 years old . We , his parents both eighty years old are on SSS and don’t know any resources to help him . My husband had a stroke last month and also struggles to go up and down . We need help to find out ways we don’t know who ti call . Thank you
I own a 2010 Chevy Malibu my granddaughter gave me.unfourtunatly it has 250,000 miles on it. I was needing small loan to try get something’s bf reliable. It is very important my situation is I am 64 disabled and taken bf care of my great niece that is 16 disabled and very high on Autism spectrum. So very difficult in useing public transportation. So any help and information greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I’m in Russellville Arkansas and I’m disabled I live in a fifth wheel I’ve gotten to were I can barely get outside I’m loosing mobility in right arm and my left arm is following, my electric (wiring) Is in very bad shape, I don’t have a hot water heater I have stretched my SSDI check as far as I can my grocery allowance from insurance has gone from $180 and a 58 dollars change insurance companies and I’ll get $75 how many times I go hungry I just need a chance
I’ve been disabled since 2006 and bedridden since 2017. I have Intractable Pain, constantly. I need a greatly improved quality of life. I only get $102/mo from SSI and DSHS. I can’t live like this. I lost my home & EVERYTHING! I need considerable financial help and greatly improved quality of life. I am 76. I lost my precious pet. I’m all alone in the world.