Rising to the challenge of providing much needed services for an individual with a disability often results in an enormous strain on a family's finances. Accessing medical and therapeutic interventions as well as adaptive equipment that can enhance the quality of life for an individual with a developmental disability is expensive. Often these interventions are on going, are not covered by insurance, nor are they provided through the school system or other support services. At the same time, a family's earning power may be greatly reduced when one parent gives up their employment to stay home to care for their child. As a result, many families are forced to tap into retirement funds, life savings or into the equity of their home to meet their financial challenges. In this section of the Family NET Works website, we offer you resources for accessing services that can ease the financial strain on your family's budget. Also in this section are resources to help you make long-range financial plans for your loved one's future care. You may also want to consult our Planning for the Future page for insights on other aspects of ensuring that your child's future is secure even when you and other support providers are no longer available.

The Autism Waiver
Through the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE)
Phone: (410) 767-2331
Through the Autism Waiver, families will be able to receive a variety of services such as: respite care, behavior management techniques, environmental adaptations to the home, extended day situations, speech therapy and mental health services. MSDE will start processing applications in the Spring of 2001.

Benefits InfoSource
(888)-838-1776/(301) 587-4137
A project of Independence Now, Inc., serving people living in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, the Eastern Shore and Southern and Western Maryland providing services to persons receiving disability benefits from Social Security who want to explore their options regarding employment and benefits planning.

The Benefits Resource Center
(888) 560-2221
A project of Making Choices for Independent Living (MCIL), assisting individuals with disabilities in Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard Counties.

Children's Medical Services (CMS) Program
Phone: (410) 767-1818; (800) 456-8900
The Children's Medical Services Program is a joint federal/state/local program which assists families in planning and obtaining specialty medical and rehabilitative care for children who have chronic illnesses or disabling conditions which interfere with normal growth and development. The program has both medical and financial eligibility requirements.

EPSDT - Early & Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment
Federal Law requires the state to provide screening, diagnosis and all "medically necessary" treatment services, including mental health services, to all Medicaid recipients under 21. EPSDT is a way to obtain the individualized wrap-around treatment and support services necessary to allow children to remain at home and in their community, or to return there after a hospitalization and other out-of-home placement. Children under the age of 21 receiving Medical Assistance benefits or Maryland Children's Health Program benefits are eligible for services under EPSDT. Children with developmental disabilities are also eligible. To secure services for a child with a developmental disability and no mental illness diagnosis, a licensed professional should send a written recommendation for specific services to: Ms. Karen Klein, R.N., Nurse Consultant for Division of Children's Services, Medical Assistance Program, DUHM, 201 West Preston Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Phone: 410-767-1485. If requested services are denied, contact the Maryland Developmental Law Center at (410) 727-6352 or 1-800-233-7201.

For more detailed information on EPSDT eligibility and services, click any of the links below:
Frequently Asked Questions about EPSDT
EPSDT Services
Sample Service Request Form

The Financial Planning Association
Phone: 800-282-7526
The financial planning association will provide a list of certified financial planners in your area, along with information on selecting a planner.

Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council Legislative Advocacy Support Fund
This special fund provides financial assistance to individuals with developmental disabilities and their family members in their efforts to educate and inform legislators and other policymakers on issues affecting the inclusion, independence, self-determination, and self-advocacy of Marylanders with developmental disabilities. The Legislative Advocacy Support Fund will reimburse costs directly related to participation in legislative activities for which there are no other sources of support. The Fund is not intended to replace other sources of assistance. Persons interested in applying for assistance from this Fund need to complete the Legislative Advocacy Support Fund Request Form available on the Councils website: www.md-council.org. From the home page click on Announcements. Or call the Council at (410) 333-3688 or (800) 305-6441 extension 1 for assistance. Requests should be made in advance whenever possible.

Approved costs will be reimbursed upon submission of original receipts documenting that the service was provided. You must also include the Federal ID Number of any service provider or Social Security Number of any individual being reimbursed. Reimbursement cannot be made without this information and complete documentation. Please allow 4-6 weeks for reimbursement.

Maryland Food Stamp Program
A listing of local food stamp providers (with phone numbers) and information on how to fill out a food stamp application.

MTRC
Phone: (410) 876-1836 or (800) 323-9407
The Maryland Trust for Retarded Citizens provides eligible individuals within the state of Maryland with variety of services including advocacy for members, legal rights protection, resource support and help with transition planning, upon the death of their primary caregiver.

The Arc of the United States
Phone: (301) 565-3842
The Arc's national Website has information and resources pertaining to financial issues.

Association for Special Kids (ASK)
(800) 832-0467
This nonprofit organization serves the mid-Atlantic states to help families who have children with special needs set up individual financial plans. There are no fees charged for services.

Meryll Lynch's Special Needs Planning Program
The Meryll Lynch Special Needs Program addresses the financial-planning needs of families who have a family member with a disability.

National Association of Personal Financial Advisors
Phone: (888) 333-6659
NAPFA members provide comprehensive personal financial planning services to individuals and business owners. They are compensated for those services solely by their clients, and not by commissions or other compensation paid by investment or insurance product suppliers. This site can help you locate a planner in your area.

Social Security Administration
Contains information about services, benefits and publications from the Social Security Administration, including SSI, SSDI, work incentives, food stamp program and other topics. Many families lose Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits for children because they delay filing for them. If you think your child might be eligible for SSI, apply as soon as possible. The SSA's new info packet, "How to Apply for SSI Benefits for Children", contains a fact sheet about SSI for children with disabilities, a pamphlet that discusses the medical and non-medical requirements for qualifying for SSI childhood disability benefits, a pamphlet about SSI, a report form, and authorization for release forms. The packet can be obtained from Social Security field offices and teleservice centers. For more info, contact the SSA Publication Distribution Center at 800/772-1213 or visit their website by clicking on the heading above.

About Planning for Your Child with Special Needs
Produced by MetLife Consumer Education Center and reviewed by the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources, and Exceptional Parent magazine. Contents include: Planning for the Future, Planning for Financial Needs, Planning for Medical Needs, Planning for Educational Need, and Additional Information. This MetLife Pamphlet #512.

Families with Special Needs Children: A Financial Guide for the Perplexed.
An on-line document that focuses on the economic problems faced by those who support persons with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. The latest tools and techniques used to solve those problems will be examined, as well as practical solutions that supplement available government assistance and enhance existing financial security.

Future Planning: Making Financial Arrangements with a Trust. Berkibien, R. and Varnet, T. (1997, October). The ARC. This publication is available to download on-line.

Planning Now: A Futures and Estate Planning Guide for Parents of Children and Adults with Developmental Disabilities. The Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council. This publication is available to download on-line.

Special Needs Calculator
Merrill Lynch now has their Special Needs Calculator available online. The Calculator lets families know what future costs will be for the special needs child, and how much they have to save and/or invest to ensure the quality of life for the special needs child.

The Special Needs Trust Administration Manual: A Guide for Trustees is a valuable reference guide for anyone who is managing a special needs trust for a person with disabilities. In an uncomplicated, user-friendly way, it explains the rules that govern Special Needs Trusts and how those rules relate to the many complicated government benefit programs that assist people with disabilities.