Apply to our Grant

Grant Application CLOSED

Our application for 4th Quarter funding is now closed.


 If you submitted a COMPLETE application before July 15, 2024, your application is under review for 3rd quarter.

If you submitted a COMPLETE application September 1- 19, 2024, you application your application is currently being processed. Please check your email inboxes for updates and next steps.

Ben’s Fund provides support to Washington state families and young adults in ‘need’ to help cover services and equipment costs to associated with their autism diagnosis.  Ben’s Fund grants are available for up to $1,000 per qualifying child or young adult, per year. 

 

We accept applications and award funds on a quarterly basis. 

 

We use an online application process provided by Salesforce and is HIPPA compliant. You will be able to apply online, save draft applications and keep track of your request history. Families must apply for a grant, but may get assistance from service providers. Service providers cannot apply on behalf of a family. 

 

Eligibility

  • Autism Diagnosis: Child must have a documented autism spectrum diagnosis
  • 25 Years or Younger: Age of applicant must be 25 years of age or younger at the time of application submission
  • Washington State Resident:  Place of residence must be a Washington Address as indicated on your financial documents.
  • Financial Need: Have financial need, indicated by financial documents and extenuating circumstances. Even if you have health insurance, you are still eligible for this grant.
  • Valid Health Related Request: The requested equipment or service must be directly related to the child’s autism treatment as recommended in the referral letter. 

Required Documents

Please gather all of these documents and have them ready to apply.
 
  • Family Story
  • Autism Diagnosis
  • 2023 1040 Tax Form or Supplemental Security Income Award Letter 
  • Referral Letter 
  • Invoice/Estimate
 
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Tips for Applying Online

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

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 for "objects", 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 *

September 2024: Accepting Applications for Quarter 4 funding

January 1 - 31, 2025: Accepting Applications for Quarter 1 funding

April 1 - 30, 2025: Accepting Applications for Quarter 2 funding. Camp grant requests must apply here. 

*Application may close early if 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. 

 

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.

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.