Who is eligible for Ben's Fund?
Eligible applicants must:
-Be between the ages of 0-23
-Be a Washington state resident
-Have an official diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder
-Be between the ages of 0-23
-Be a Washington state resident
-Have an official diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder
How long is the application process?
Please allow up to 60 days from when we receive your completed application. Only completed applications with all required documents are presented to the committee for review. Incomplete applications are held for 6 months before expiring.
Can I be reimbursed for an item/service I already purchased for my child?
No. Ben's Fund does not reimburse families directly. All items or services you are requesting funding for will be paid by Ben's Fund directly to the service provider or retailer.
How often can I apply?
One application per year, per child. If you have previously been awarded a Ben's Fund Autism Grant, you are eligible 12 months from your last award date.
What Items & Services are not covered by the grant?
-Subscription services that do not allow prepayments
-Respite care
-Autism diagnostic appointments
-Gas, mileage, airfare, and/or other travel related expenses
-Vehicle purchases
-Loan payments
-Vehicle maintenance
-Gift cards
-Medications not administered by a physician
-Items/services that are not related to your child or young adult's autism spectrum treatment.
-Items/services that are not indicated in your referral letter.
-Reimbursements
-Respite care
-Autism diagnostic appointments
-Gas, mileage, airfare, and/or other travel related expenses
-Vehicle purchases
-Loan payments
-Vehicle maintenance
-Gift cards
-Medications not administered by a physician
-Items/services that are not related to your child or young adult's autism spectrum treatment.
-Items/services that are not indicated in your referral letter.
-Reimbursements
wHAT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED TO APPLY?
In addition to the signed application, please submit the following:
1. Family Story: 1-2 pages; please share why you are applying for a grant, how it will assist your family financially and how the services or equipment will assist your child as an autism service or tool. Please include any extenuating circumstances or financial hardship so that these may be consider too.
2. Proof of Diagnosis: a copy of the official autism diagnosis or a signed letter on letterhead from a MD or ARNP. We no not accept IEP Plans as proof of diagnosis.
3. Financial Document: a current 1040 tax return; must list the child as your dependent and gross adjusted income. Supplemental Social Security letter (listing the child) is accepted in lieu of a tax return. We do not accept W-2's.
4. Signed Referral Letter: must be on letterhead and refer the requested items, indicating their benefit to the child or young adult's autism treatment. Referral letters can be completed by a Doctor, Therapist, or Special Ed Teacher.
5. Invoice/Exact Pricing: must indicate the individual amount(s) plus tax and shipping costs for your request. Requests can be an invoice or website shopping cart. Service requests must include the exact amount and service outlining patient balance. We do not fund the insurance portion of a bill.
1. Family Story: 1-2 pages; please share why you are applying for a grant, how it will assist your family financially and how the services or equipment will assist your child as an autism service or tool. Please include any extenuating circumstances or financial hardship so that these may be consider too.
2. Proof of Diagnosis: a copy of the official autism diagnosis or a signed letter on letterhead from a MD or ARNP. We no not accept IEP Plans as proof of diagnosis.
3. Financial Document: a current 1040 tax return; must list the child as your dependent and gross adjusted income. Supplemental Social Security letter (listing the child) is accepted in lieu of a tax return. We do not accept W-2's.
4. Signed Referral Letter: must be on letterhead and refer the requested items, indicating their benefit to the child or young adult's autism treatment. Referral letters can be completed by a Doctor, Therapist, or Special Ed Teacher.
5. Invoice/Exact Pricing: must indicate the individual amount(s) plus tax and shipping costs for your request. Requests can be an invoice or website shopping cart. Service requests must include the exact amount and service outlining patient balance. We do not fund the insurance portion of a bill.
What if I am not awarded a Ben's Fund Award
Please review your denial letter for specific reasons. You may choose to apply again 12 months from the date of your denial letter.
ipad's and other apple device requests
- Click here to review the available iPad options. You may print the iPad options sheet to use as an invoice for you application.
- All Apple requests will be purchased through Apple Inc. with 2-years of AppleCare+ and a protective case for the device.
- Ben's Fund does not honor requests for engraved or personalized iPad's. This is due to personalized Apple devices being nonrefundable.
- You may only apply for an iPad once every two years. iPad's less than two years old are still covered by the AppleCare+ Warranty.
- App requests are fulfilled by providing the family with a redemption code. The redemption code is then used to download the app onto your device. Ben's Fund does not provide iTune's Gift Cards.
- All Apple requests will be purchased through Apple Inc. with 2-years of AppleCare+ and a protective case for the device.
- Ben's Fund does not honor requests for engraved or personalized iPad's. This is due to personalized Apple devices being nonrefundable.
- You may only apply for an iPad once every two years. iPad's less than two years old are still covered by the AppleCare+ Warranty.
- App requests are fulfilled by providing the family with a redemption code. The redemption code is then used to download the app onto your device. Ben's Fund does not provide iTune's Gift Cards.
requests for service/support animals
Ben's Fund can help cover the costs associated with purchasing and training service and emotional support animals. Only if a qualified medical professional specializing in autism related treatments provides a referral letter for the animal and service.
The grant may not be used for covering:
-Supplies (food, litter, toys, etc.)
-Vet and insurance services (pet insurance, micro-chipping or any other vet related expenses).
The grant may not be used for covering:
-Supplies (food, litter, toys, etc.)
-Vet and insurance services (pet insurance, micro-chipping or any other vet related expenses).
Which financial documents are accepted?
- Social Security Award Letter (for the current year only)
-1040 Tax Return - Cannot be more than two years old (i.e. Must be your 2018 or 2017* tax return)
You may not use the same tax return two years in a row for applying.
NOT accepted as proof of income:
-W2s
-Medicaid documents
-Paystubs