Independent Living: Financial Assistance

National
State Listings: AZ / FL/ GA / MN / OR
(Official USPS State Abbreviations)

National

New Sign National Multiple Sclerosis Society a Financial Assistance Program that supports independence, safety, health and quality of life for people living with MS, as well as their families. This program offers guidance and resources to help contain the financial impact of MS. In the past, the program has provided support for needed modifications to homes and automobiles, helped with the purchase of wheelchairs and walkers, and provided immediate resources to overcome urgent financial crises. For more information, contact the National MS Society at (800) 344-4867.

Ride For Life, a New York-based non-profit organization for people with ALS, offers Care for Life Grants to people living with ALS. The $1500 grants can be used for limited in-home respite care. Grant recipients are selected via a random drawing of all elegible entries. For more information, visit their website or call (212) 355-3880.

State Listings

Arizona

Arizona Department of Economic Security, via their Division of Developmental Disabilities' Client Services Trust Fund, offers one-time assistance, up to $3500, to people with developmental disabilities and their families to reach their goal of increased independence. Anyone who is eligible to receive supports through the Division of Developmental Disabilities is eligible to apply for assistance. To apply, you must complete an application and a financial need statement. Applications are due March 1st and September 1st each year. For more information, call (602) 542-0419.

Florida

The Christian Sharing Center is an inter-denominational ministry providing assistance for local families in need through coordination of aid from more than 60 churches in Seminole County, Florida, and northeast Orange County. Assistance is provided free of charge. Depending on individual needs and available resources, help provided by The Christian Sharing Center may include, but is not limited to: Food, Clothing, Rent or Mortgage Payment, Utilities, Bus Tokens and other Transportation Needs, Vouchers for Prescription Medicines, Referral for Job Training, Financial Counseling or Other Assistance. For more information, call (407) 260-9155.

Georgia

Georgia Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission was created in 1998, from surcharges on DUI fines, for the purpose of offseting the high costs of care and rehabilitative services for persons with traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries. The goal of Trust Fund disbursements will be to support independence, inclusion in the community, consumer choice and self-determination. For more information, visit the Trust Fund website or call (404) 651-5112.

Minnesota

National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Minnesota Chapter offers a variety of financial assistance, grant and equipment programs. Programs include the Aids for Daily Living Grant, which provides up to $100 to purchase a daily living aid, the Chore Services Grant, which provides up to $750 to purchase housekeeping, meal preparation or home maintenance services, and the Adaptive Equipment/Home and Vehicle Modification Grant, which provides up to $1500 to purchase adaptive equipment or home modifications. For more information, call the MS Society Minnesota Chapter at (612) 335-7900 or (800) 582-5296 (Voice/TDD).

Oregon

Blanche Fischer Foundation is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that makes direct grants on behalf of individuals with physical disabilities. The aid may relate directly to the disability or may less directly foster independence. They fund a wide variety of items, which have included hearing aids, eyeglasses, wheelchairs, ramps (residential and mobile), construction related to accessibility (bathroom modifications, etc.), vehicle modifications, tuition assistance, adaptive software and hardware, adaptive toys, skills training equipment and employment-related assistance. Any individual who has a disability of a physical nature, can demonstrate financial need and resides in Oregon may apply. Application forms are available on their website or may be obtained by calling (503) 819-8205.

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