• To apply for a Ben’s Fund grant, you must upload all required documents listed below when you submit your application. 
• Please review the information carefully – incomplete applications cannot be submitted. 
• We can only accept one file per upload. If your document is more than one page, please submit as a PDF, or Word doc.
• If your document is a single page and you are uploading it as a jpeg, the picture must be clear and cropped with nothing in the background. 
• Gather all documents before you apply. 
• 💡Tip : Make sure all of your documents are prepared and saved in one folder on your computer. Mark your calendar for the next grant opening, and try to apply as soon as it becomes available to secure a spot.

Please list all household members, then in as many words as you feel comfortable, tell us about your child or your young adult and how the requested equipment or services will support their autism journey. 

✅ You can either type your family story directly in the online application or upload it as a file. 

To qualify, your family’s household income must be at or below 400% of the current Federal Poverty Level ( FPL), based on household size. Households includes everyone living together and sharing living costs ( parents, children, dependents, extended family). Please see the FPL chart below.

You must submit either A or B, plus C if applicable. 

A. If you file taxes

Submit your 2024 or 2025 IRS-Filed Tax Return (Form 1040) for all household members -showing dependents.

If you get SSI, you still need to submit your 1040.

B) If you did NOT file Taxes

Submit your 2026 SSI Award Letter, dated with the last 90 days, showing your child as the beneficiary.

C) You must also upload documentation for any additional income not listed on your 1040, including:

• • Child Support
  • Social Security
  • SSDI
  • Pensions
  • 1040s for all household members, if separate

Please have these documents ready to upload.

❌If you do NOT file a 1040 tax return and do NOT receive SSI: You will need to file a 1040 tax return before you can apply. 

☑️View our Income Eligibility Thresholds:

For an independent young adult: Adjusted Gross Annual Income: $62,600

For a family of 2: Adjusted Gross Annual Income: $84,600

For a family of 3: Adjusted Gross Annual Income: $106,600

For a family of 4: Adjusted Gross Annual Income: $128,600

For a family of 5: Adjusted Gross Annual Income: $150,600

For a family of 6: Adjusted Gross Annual Income: $172,600

For a family of 7 +: Adjusted Gross Annual Income: $194,600

Please Note

• Young adults 18–25 must include household income if living with guardians
• If your child is claimed on someone else’s taxes, contact us for guidance
• Additional documents may be requested to verify income and residency, but cannot replace the required documents above
• Applications from families above our income limit are rarely accepted. Extenuating circumstances should only be included if truly extraordinary.
• We do not accept W-2s, 1099s, bank statements, 1040s from before 2024, SSI award letters older than 90 days, Social Security, SSDI, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), or Apple Health.

Referral Letters should come from professionals who are qualified to recommend items or services related to their area of work.   Qualified professionals include doctors, therapist, SP ED teachers, etc. )

Must recommend all services or equipment you are requesting as a medical necessity.

Each letter must: 

1. Be dated within one year
2. On official letterhead from the service provider
3. Signed (digital signatures are accepted)
4. Clearly explain how each item or services will support your child’s autism treatment (a list of items is not accepted without explanation)
5. If a young adult does not have access to the professionals listed above, we can accept a referral letter from a social worker.  

💡Tip: An accepted professional who diagnoses autism can confirm the diagnosis and provide the referral in the same letter.

Before You Apply

1. Choose your request:

a) you can select up to 3 types of items or services. Therapeutic & Safety Equipment, Therapy, Services, Camps or Assisted Technology. 

b) You may request up to 20 items total from no more than 3 vendors.

c) We recommend choosing larger, more meaningful items to make the biggest impact.

2) Prepare your invoice table

a) you will need to list each item individually, including item name, cost (with tax and shipping) and a direct website link or vendor name.

b) iPads (assistive technology) request will enter their chose from our iPad pack options. These are available below, and when you apply. 

3) Gather your invoices, if applicable.

a) for services, camps or therapies, an invoice or estimate is required.

b) for therapeutic equipment & safety equipment, an invoice is only required IF it is a specialty item with prepared quote ( e.g,, Spring Free Trampoline, fencing)

c) please do not upload general website lists. You will enter the website links into the invoice table provided online.

General Guidelines 

• Grants cannot exceed $1,000 total including tax and shipping.
• Only items listed in the referral letter will be reviewed.
• We purchase all services and equipment directly and ship any equipment to your home – funds are not given to families.
• Ben’s Fund can NOT register the applicant for services.
• We purchase all items at once and make a one-time lump sum payment to the service provider. Need suggestions on what’s eligible ?
• Please view our Grant Request Eligibility Guidelines below.