Get help finding cerebral palsy funding for treatment
Without cerebral palsy financial assistance, many families struggle to pay the overwhelming medical expenses needed to manage the condition.
It costs over $1.6 million (adjusted for 2024) to care for a child with cerebral palsy over their lifetime, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Thankfully, organizations worldwide provide cerebral palsy funding to help reduce the financial strain. Additionally, government benefits can help offset treatment and home modification costs. Further, when CP is caused by a medical mistake, legal options may be available.
- Cerebral palsy lawsuit compensation, worth over $1 million on average
- Cerebral palsy grants, which sometimes award $5,000 per year
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments of $943 per month for 2024
By taking advantage of all options for cerebral palsy financial assistance, parents and caregivers can ensure their child receives the therapies, medications, and surgeries needed to live their best life.
If you suspect your child’s CP could have been prevented, don’t wait to take action. Money from a birth injury lawsuit can be a direct pathway to the cerebral palsy financial support your family needs and deserves.
Get a free legal case review right now to see if your family is eligible.
Government benefits for cerebral palsy
Several government assistance programs offer cerebral palsy funding and health insurance for families affected by CP.
Cerebral palsy government benefits include:- Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- Medicaid
- Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
All programs are funded at the federal level, but you can access them through your state or city government. This makes applying for and receiving the help you need quicker and easier.
Contact your local benefits office to apply for government-funded cerebral palsy financial assistance.
CHIP coverage benefits
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides health care coverage to families with incomes above the income limit for Medicaid.
The costs associated with CHIP can vary for each family. However, this health insurance option ensures you will only pay up to 5% of your family's income for the year.
CHIP benefits differ by state, but the following services are provided across the nation:
- Dental and vision care (for co-occurring conditions)
- Doctor visits
- Emergency services
- Immunizations
- Inpatient and outpatient hospital care
- Laboratory and X-ray services
- Medications
- Routine check-ups
You can access CHIP benefits by applying through your state's health insurance program or the Healthcare.gov website.
IDEA program benefits
The IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) is a federal law that requires schools to serve the educational needs of students with physical and developmental disabilities.
Children with cerebral palsy are generally eligible for special education services under the IDEA. Children showing signs of developmental delay but who do not have an official CP diagnosis may still qualify for services.
- Early intervention for children up to 36 months of age
- Family counseling
- Health and nutrition services
- Physical and occupational therapy
- Speech therapy
- Transportation and assistive technology
The IDEA is meant to help school-age children participate fully in their educational program by providing services and accommodations. It covers children enrolled in public school between the ages of 3 and 21.
To access IDEA program benefits, contact your local school district or state's Department of Education for eligibility and application procedures.
Medicaid program benefits
This federal health insurance program is available to families with limited income. Medicaid coverage is available for eligible children receiving SSI payments, with automatic eligibility in most states.
To access cerebral palsy funding through Medicaid, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
- Be within or below federal poverty guidelines
- Meet all state requirements regarding assets, income, marital status, and age
- Reside in the state that you are applying for assistance
Many families affected by cerebral palsy use Medicaid to help pay for medical expenses. In some states, help with housing and assistive devices may also be available.
To seek Medicaid benefits, individuals should apply through their state's Medicaid agency or the Healthcare.gov website.
SSDI benefits
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) allows children with disabilities who cannot work to receive monthly compensation.
Children with cerebral palsy may qualify for immediate SSI payments for up to 6 months while their SSDI disability determination is pending.
There are no income requirements to receive SSDI. However, the child's parents must have contributed federal payroll taxes to fund Social Security.
The general requirements to collect SSDI benefits include:
- IQ score of 70 or less
- Medical evidence of the child’s qualifying health condition that will last at least one year
- Proof that the child is unable to work in any capacity
- Proof of parent’s employment within the last 10 years showing Social Security taxes taken out
To apply for SSDI benefits, individuals should submit an application online at the Social Security Administration's (SSA) website or contact their local SSA office.
SSI benefits
Supplemental Security Income is reserved for low-income families. It comes in the form of monthly checks for children and adults with severe disabilities such as cerebral palsy.
The base amount for SSI is $943 a month per eligible individual as of 2024.
The general requirements to collect SSI benefits include:
- Be a citizen or legal resident of the U.S.
- Be able to demonstrate that you have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from engaging in substantial gainful activity (adults)
- Be able to demonstrate limited physical or mental abilities (children)
- Be able to present medical evidence that your condition exists
- Be able to show there is no work for which you can be trained
- Have limited money and assets
- Have a qualifying medical condition that will last more than 12 months
You can apply for SSI benefits online at the Social Security Administration's website, by phone, or in person at a local SSA office.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a federal program that provides cerebral palsy financial assistance and other support services to low-income families.
- Be 18 years of age or younger and the head of their household
- Be pregnant
- Care for a child 18 years old or younger
While TANF is a federally funded program, each state determines its own benefits. Contact your local TANF program to see if you are eligible to receive cerebral palsy funding.
Additionally, you could be entitled to access other forms of cerebral palsy funding if your child’s condition was caused by an act of medical negligence, even if they haven’t been officially diagnosed.
If your child is showing signs of a developmental delay that you suspect might be cerebral palsy, connect with one of our registered nurses today.
Foundations for cerebral palsy financial assistance
Parents may not know where to start when seeking cerebral palsy financial assistance.
Fortunately, there are cerebral palsy financial assistance organizations across the country that provide support.
The foundations listed below may be able to help your family access cerebral palsy funding.
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1. Cerebral Palsy Foundation
The Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF) focuses on clinical research to improve the lives of individuals with cerebral palsy. CPF has created a network of experts who combine prestigious medical institutions with technology to develop advances in cerebral palsy treatment.Cerebral palsy funding raised by CPF provides high-quality medical intervention and access to critical information about cerebral palsy to people affected by this condition.
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2. Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association
The Children’s Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA) provides financial assistance and cerebral palsy grants to families in need. CHASA is dedicated to helping parents of children with cerebral palsy by creating a network to share information about treatment clinics and educational programs.
From family retreats to social media support groups, the CHASA community helps people worldwide affected by cerebral palsy.
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3. The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project
The M.O.R.G.A.N. Project was established by Robert and Kristen Malfara in honor of their son Morgan, who is affected by a rare brain disorder called leukodystrophy.
The foundation's name is also an acronym for Making Opportunities Reality Granting Assistance Nationwide, reflecting its mission to raise awareness and support parents of children with special health care needs.
This nonprofit organization provides guidance, resources, and gently used disability equipment to assist children with a physical disability or mobility concerns.
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4. UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation
The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) provides families affected by cerebral palsy with funding that can help them access health-related services not covered by their commercial health insurance plan.This group provides cerebral palsy grants of up to $5,000 annually and $10,000 a lifetime per child. You can still apply for a UHCCF grant, even if your family is not enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare insurance plan.
The Cerebral Palsy Foundation (CPF) focuses on clinical research to improve the lives of individuals with cerebral palsy. CPF has created a network of experts who combine prestigious medical institutions with technology to develop advances in 
The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) provides families affected by cerebral palsy with funding that can help them access health-related services not covered by their commercial health insurance plan.Contact your health department or CP advocacy groups to find local programs offering cerebral palsy financial assistance. You can also search online for specialized nonprofits and foundations dedicated to CP support in your area.
Cerebral palsy grants
Grants for families of children with CP are offered through nonprofit organizations and some government programs. Unlike loans, grants for cerebral palsy usually do not need to be paid back.
As of 2024, the UHCCF has awarded over 34,000 grants worth $70 million.
Easterseals is another nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting people with disabilities. You may be able to find cerebral palsy grants for your child by connecting with your local Easterseals affiliate.
Cerebral palsy government assistance is also available in the form of disability or housing grants that can help families affected by CP pay for medical treatment, adaptive equipment, and living expenses.
If you have questions about cerebral palsy financial support, Click to Live Chat or call us at (855) 220-1101 day or night.
Legal options for cerebral palsy compensation
There are many circumstances where cerebral palsy could have been prevented, which means it may have been caused by medical negligence. In these cases, affected families may be entitled to legal compensation from a cerebral palsy lawsuit.
Cerebral palsy lawsuit compensation can be used to help pay for past and future medical costs associated with your child’s cerebral palsy treatment.
- $10.5 million for a Missouri family
- $9 million for the family of a 5-year-old in Colorado
- $7.8 million for a child in Florida who was injured at birth
- $6.5 million for a Washington child deprived of oxygen from delayed delivery
- $5.9 million for a child in Texas whose medical care was delayed
- $4.1 million for a child in New Jersey who experienced fetal distress
- $2.4 million to a child in a Massachusetts family
If you believe your child's cerebral palsy is the result of medical negligence, one of the best ways to access the cerebral palsy funding you need — and deserve — is through a lawsuit. Most birth injury lawsuits settle before ever having to step foot into court.
Our national network of legal partners includes some of the best cerebral palsy law firms in the country. Together, they have helped families recover over $905 million for preventable birth injuries, including CP.
Get a free and confidential legal consultation to see if you can work with a top cerebral palsy lawyer near you.
Get cerebral palsy financial assistance today
Many cerebral palsy financial assistance options are available to help families pay for overwhelming medical expenses. These options can help ensure your child gets the best cerebral palsy treatment possible.
Accessing cerebral palsy funding through nonprofit foundations and government assistance is not always easy. However, if these funds are available, they can help bridge the stressful financial gap caused by the lifelong care of a child with CP.
Additionally, for families who are victims of medical negligence, cerebral palsy lawsuits can offer the funding needed to safeguard their child’s future.
Call Cerebral Palsy Guide right now at (855) 220-1101 or fill out our form for a free legal case review to see if your family may be eligible to receive financial compensation.
