Cerebral Palsy Financial Support

No one would argue that the worst thing about dealing with cerebral palsy is the economic burden of caring for the child.  But there is no denying the economic realities.  One of the many unfortunate consequences of cerebral palsy is that it can be a huge financial burden for any family. Raising a child with cerebral palsy is enormously expensive. They need medical treatments, therapy, support services, mobility aids, and other things that are not always covered by health insurance. We understand that your child and your family may need a wide array of services, resources, and programs to put your child in the best possible situation. There is help out there. You may have options for money for equipment, education, housing, and care. There are a number of public and private resources available to assist families with the economic cost of cerebral palsy.

There are a number of government-funded benefits and other financial programs available for families burdened by cerebral palsy. These government assistance options include traditional benefit programs, scholarships and grants, and subsidized loans.

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Under this program, families affected by cerebral palsy can get supplemental monthly income benefits. Cerebral palsy is almost always a qualifying disability, but families also have to demonstrate a financial need.
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): Under this federally mandated program, children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities are entitled to various public educational support services. These include both early intervention services (for children under 2) and special education services for older children.
• Medicaid: Low-income families dealing with cerebral palsy can get publicly funded coverage for health care services under this program.

Cerebral palsy is a common disability so there are a large number of private, non-profit organizations that provide financial assistance and other support.

• United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) - Belows Fund: the UCP Belows Fund offers qualified families financial assistance to pay for mobility devices and other assistive technology for children with cerebral palsy.
• Ability Found: the goal of Ability Found is to provide medical equipment to families dealing with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. They purchase used equipment at a discounted rate and distributed it to qualified families based on needs.
• Children's Hemiplegia and Stroke Association (CHASA): In addition to funding medical research and studies, CHASA offers grants for the purchase of orthotic mobility devices such as special crutches or walking aids. CHASA has other programs that provide financial benefits to families in need and scholarships for educational opportunities.

Although many people may not necessarily think of a birth injury lawsuit as a financial assistance program that is exactly what it is. If your child was hurt by the mistake of a doctor or a hospital, there is a path to get a stunning about of compensation that allows your child to be placed in the best possible situation. Of course, not every family dealing with cerebral palsy will be able to file a lawsuit. However, a large percentage of cerebral palsy cases are actually the result of medical negligence or error during childbirth. For these families, a medical malpractice is just like another potential source of financial support. Just like with other types of benefit programs, eligible families must go through an "application" process in the form of a malpractice claim and possibly litigation. Is it a long process? It is. But the rewards can be life-changing for your child and your family that is struggling to provide the care your child deserves.

Unlike public benefits and grants, which offer limited financial assistance, malpractice claims can result in life-changing financial support. If a birth injury malpractice claim is successful, the defendants and their insurance companies will have to step in and basically pay for everything. This includes all past and future expenses for medical, support services, mobility devices, and just about anything else necessary to care for a child with cerebral palsy. Malpractice settlements also compensation for the pain and suffering and economic losses resulting from your child's cerebral palsy. Most malpractice settlements are based on a Life Care Plan. A Life Care Plan is a comprehensive report prepared by a team of experts that estimates the total cost of a child's cerebral palsy over the course of their lifetime.

• How to hire a birth injury attorney (not our recommendation as to who you should hire)
  
• The healthcare cost of pregnancy and delivery in the US