Apply to our Grant

Important Update on Applying:

Ben’s Fund is excited to announce a new addition to our team, our Ben’s Fund Manager is expecting a baby this September! 

 

Our Manager will be fortunate enough to take 12 weeks of parental leave to bond with their new baby and family. 

 

Ben’s Fund will not be accepting any NEW Grant Applications until December 2023.

 

We will still be processing & reviewing applications received before September 1, 2023. Those families will be notified by email with any status updates.

 

We will start accepting new applications again December 2023, using an online application process provided by Salesforce, on our website.

 

We will still be awarding our Schneider Family Game Day Tickets throughout the Football season so please apply here for the opportunity to be chosen !

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 Residence: Place of residence must be a Washington state address

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. See the full list of suggested equipment or services here

Apply for a Grant

We increase accessibility to therapy, treatments, equipment and more

We provide support to children and young adults with autism through financial assistance. From therapies to equipment, we support Washington families by easing some of the financial strain associated with autism. 

Ben’s Fund grants are available for up to $1,000 per qualifying child or young adult, per award year.

Please Check Back December 2023 to Apply

Application Process

Apply Online: December 2023

 

Application Processing: Once an application is received, we will notify you within 14 days that it is either complete, or incomplete indicating what documents are missing.

Incomplete Applications: If an application is submitted incomplete, we allow you up to 90 days to submit the required documents before it expires.

 

Only completed applications are submit quarterly for review with the Ben's Fund Committee.

The Ben’s Fund committee review process may take up to 45 days. We will contact you once a decision has been reached. 

Approval: If approved, we will send you an Award Letter which will detail your grant award. Please read the entire Award Letter in detail.

Denial or Expiration: If your application expires or is denied, you may apply for a grant one year from the expiration/denial date.

Grant Purchasing: Purchasing and Payment may take up to three weeks

Grant Details: What is covered by the 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.

Grants assist children and young adults in gaining access to *:

 

  • Therapies: ABA, OT, PT, Speech, Hippotherapy,  etc.
  • Equipment: Sensory items, swings, weighted  blankets,  toys or items to increase social and life skills etc.
  • Technology: iPads,  Apps for communicating & laptops
  • Safety Equipment: Personal and home safety, fencing, GPS devices
  • Services: Social/life skills, swimming, Music, Sports, Art , Service Animals and recreation.
  • Camps: Summer, year-round, social skill groups & specialty.

 

*Please contact us to see if your request could be considered.

Grant Details: What is not covered by the grant?

Items not listed in your referral letter or part of the autism treatment, respite care, autism diagnostic appointments, travel expenses, gift cards/subscriptions, 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.

We do NOT submit payment to applicants. Items will be purchased by Ben’s Fund directly and payment will be issued to the service provider/vendor.

Submitting an application does not guarantee a grant award. It is at the committee’s discretion as to whom and what will be awarded. Decision is based on provided documentation. All decisions are final.

The Ben’s Fund Committee does not discriminate applicants on the basis of his/her race, sex/gender, religion/creed, physical or mental disability, marital status, national origin or other similar factors.

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FAQ

When can I apply for a grant?

December 2023

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 with written permission for Ben’s Fund to contact them.  For young adults, you or your legal guardian may apply on your behalf

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.

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. You may choose to apply again 12 months from the date of your denial letter.