Apply to our Grant

Our Grant Application is currently CLOSED

Please check back in January 2025 for the next opportunity to apply for a grant.


Grant Overview
Ben’s Fund provides financial support to families and young adults in Washington State to help with the costs of services and equipment related to an autism diagnosis. Grants of up to $1,000 are available each year per qualifying child or young adult.

 

 

Application Period
Applications are accepted and grants are awarded quarterly.

 

How to Apply
Applications are accepted online. Our application is managed through a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform (Salesforce), allowing you to apply online, save drafts, and track your application history. If you would like to apply by mail, please contact us for a paper application. 

 

Application Assistance
Please contact Ben’s Fund if you need any help with your application. Families must submit the application themselves, though service providers can offer assistance. Please note, service providers cannot submit applications on behalf of the family.

Eligibility

    • Autism Diagnosis: The applicant must have a documented autism spectrum diagnosis.
    • Age 25 or Younger: The applicant must be 25 years of age or younger at the time of application submission.
    • Washington State Residency: The applicant must reside in Washington State, as indicated on their financial document.
  • Financial Need
    Applicants must demonstrate financial need, as indicated by financial documents and extenuating circumstances. Even if you have health insurance, you are still eligible for this grant.
  • Eligible Health-Related Requests
    The requested equipment or service must be directly related to the child’s autism treatment, as recommended in the referral letter.

Required Documents

 
Document Preparation

Before applying online, please gather all the required documents listed in these guidelines. Only complete applications can be submitted, and all documents are required to be eligible for a grant.

 
 
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Application Process

We accept applications on a quarterly basis. Applications may be submitted at the beginning of each quarter.

Our application will stay open for one month, or until we reached our quarterly cap for application, whichever occurs first. If our online application is closed, please check back to apply the following quarter. If we receive a paper application during our closed period, we can keep that application on file to process once opened. 

Complete applications that are successfully submitted each quarter will receive their decision within that quarter.

 

We aim for a decision within 90 days, and will update you if any unforeseen circumstances occur. 

 

You will receive an email whether you are awarded a grant or denied. 

 

If awarded, Ben's Fund will purchase the equipment directly and send to your home address. Please contact us if your mailing address has changed or for special delivery instructions. 

 

We will reach out to the service provider to initiate payment and obtain a W9. This process may take 2-3 weeks. Contacting your service provider of your grant award may help us speed up this process. 

 

 

Additional Information

FAQ's

How often can I apply or get a grant?

You may apply for a grant once a year. You may be awarded a grant 12 months after your last grant anniversary date. Your anniversary date is listed in your award letter

Who can complete the application?

For children, applications must be completed by a parent or legal guardian. You may complete the application with assistance from a service provider. You will be required to list this service provider when applying. 

For young adults, you or your legal guardian may apply on your behalf

Service Providers can NOT apply on behalf of a child or young adult. 

Are grant awards based on income?

We understand that a number alone does not always reflect financial situation and that autism services can be expensive. We do look at extenuating circumstances and consider each application on a case-by-case basis. Families with the most financial need will be considered first.

Can I be reimbursed for an item/ service I already purchased/completed for my child?

For equipment, no. For services, you may request funds to go towards past due services ONLY if you are continuing those services. You must confirm payment arrangements for that service. If awarded, funds will go directly to the service provider.

Can I request equipment that is more than $1,000 if I agree to cover the remaining portion?

Only if you make payment arrangements and they are clearly outlined in your application. If awarded, we will submit payment to vendor only after your portion of the payment is submitted.

What if I am not awarded a Ben’s Fund grant?

Please review your denial letter for specific reasons.

An Incomplete Application is NOT a denied application. If your application is incomplete, we will follow up with documents we will need.  You will have 90 days to complete it. After 90 days your application will expire, and you will need to re-apply. 

What is Eligible for a Grant?

From equipment to services, we provide grants for up to $1,000 per award year, per child or young adult.  A medical professional or special-ed teacher must recommend the specific service/equipment you are requesting and indicate that it will directly assist the child or young adult’s autism treatment.

 

Example of eligible items to apply for a grant for are: 

  • Therapies: ABA, OT, PT, Speech, Hippotherapy,  etc.
  • Equipment: Sensory items, swings, weighted  blankets,  toys or items to increase social and life skills etc.
  • Technology: AAC devices & Apps for communicating, laptops, computers
  • Safety Equipment: Fencing, alarm systems, AngelSense GPS
  • Services: Social/life skills, swimming, music, sports, art , service Animals and recreation.
  • Camps: Summer, year-round, social skill groups & specialty.
  • Young Adults may apply for the above items in addition to job skill tools.
What is NOT Eligible for a Grant?

Items not listed in your referral letter or part of the autism treatment, respite care, autism diagnostic appointments, travel expenses, gift cards/subscriptions, any service that requires monthly payment including DEFY Seattle and TD Snapp app, untrained service animals, medicine not administered by a physician, AirTags or other GPS monitoring not intended for "people",  reimbursements for equipment or for past due services that you are no longer receiving. Smart Phones are only eligible for Teens and Young Adults on a case by case basis. 

We do NOT give any funds to the families. Items will be purchased by Ben’s Fund directly and payment will be issued to the service provider/vendor.

Upcoming Quarterly Timeline *

January 1, 2025: Accepting Applications for Quarter 1 funding. Camp grant requests may apply here. 

April 1, 2025: Accepting Applications for Quarter 2 funding. Camp grant requests MUST apply here. 

July 1, 2025: Accepting Applications for Quarter 3 funding. 

October 1, 2025: Accepting Applications for Quarter 4 funding. 

*Application will CLOSE once we receive our maximum number of applications per quarter. 

Our Disclaimer

Submitting an application does not guarantee a grant award.  The Ben’s Fund Review Committee reserves the right to approve or deny grants according to their policy and procedures.

False or misleading information in an application may result in losing my grant if awarded, being required to return disbursed funds or other actions against me.

 

No applicants will be discriminated against on the basis of his/her race, sex/gender, religion/creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, national origin or other similar factors. The information provided with this application is confidential and Ben’s Fund is HIPPA Compliant.