Where can I go to seek financial help to cover my autistic son needs? I make gross 45 K a year. Not Enough!?

Question

I have a mortgage of $2003 a month. I bought this house two years ago for my son to have a backyard and more space to be able to play and develop abilities he was lacking. It was hard to take him to a park and have him play with other kids. He was very sensible to noises and showed severe reaction to changes.
I work from 9 to 5 as an Office Manager and devote to my son the rest of the time. We do the homework, play, work on his speech therapy, and more than anything else we exchange expressions of love. For autistic children the emotional field is different from ours, but in my son's case, moderate autism, he has learned to interact with others and show emotions. He laughs a lot and tells me constantly that he loves me with all his heart.
It's hard to provide for him. He only eats certain foods and wears certain clothes.
He's 6 y/o and the needs keep increasing.
Yet, my salary sounds too much for the government agencies and I don't qualify for any type of aid. Please, help!

Answer 1

Medicaid in each state offers waivers to help parents with things that can help the children live at home.

Most of these programs have waiting lists. But, they can be a tremendous help with respite care. Some even pay for durable medical equipment. Contact your local Medicaid office and ask for waiver assistance. Your income would not be an issue. The waiver is known by different names in each state, but it all evolved from the Katie Beckett waiver.

My daughter has Rett Syndrome and is on the E & D waiver here in Alabama. There are actually a couple of waivers to choose from here in Alabama. But, we do not get much except for respite.

As I stated earlier, most have waiting lists, so call today and get started! :)

Here is a list of Medicaid waivers by state:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicaidStWaivProgDemoPGI/MWDL/list.asp

Answer 2

I am in a similar situation, my son has mild autism, and we also don't qualify for any aid. However, he is in a special program through the school district, and a program called Southeastern developmental Services. They provide a set amount per year ($1200 last year) for anything that is needed to help him, such as treatments, etc. You might check with your school district or public health office to see if there is anything similar in your area. There is no cost and no income guidelines because it is under the right to a free public education. Good luck and hang in there :)

Answer 3

sweetie, i also have a son with special needs, it can be so dranning! the meds. the drs. and my son would eat his shirts, so i spent a ton of money on things like that!. go to your local social security office with medical records and have him put on ssi, i get about 600.00 extra a month and wow it really helps, they will also give him a medical card, that is like gold, it pays for all his dr. apts. and some meds. take all of your bills to show them what you are out per month, there is no reason they should not help you, i worked also, his chech may be a bit smaller , but the medical care helps so much. good luck and GOD BLESS YOU BOTH.