Apply to our Grant

Grant Application is CLOSED

Thank you for your interest in Ben’s Fund!

 

Our Grant application will reopen on July 1, 2025 for 3rd Quarter funding, and will remain open until we reach our maximum capacity. Given the high volume of interest, we strongly encourage you to submit your completed application as soon as possible.Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions—we’re here to help.

 

Update: Our 2025 income eligibility requirements are now available to provide clarity & assist you during the application process.

 

Please Click HERE to View Our Income Eligibility Criteria

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: Ben’s Fund grants are available to   families in need of financial support,  regardless of insurance coverage.   Eligibility is based on family size and   income. To qualify, your family’s gross adjusted    income must be at or below 400% of the   Federal Poverty Level (FPL), based on   your family’s size. Please Click Here to View our Income Eligibility Criteria
  • 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

Before you submit your online application, please take a moment to gather all the required documents listed in these guidelines. We can only accept complete applications, and all documents are needed to qualify for a grant.

 

Here’s what you’ll need:

 


    1. Family Story
    2. Confirmed Autism Diagnosis
    3. Income & Washington State Residency Verification
    4. Referral Letter
    5. Invoice
 

Click here to view REQUIRED DOCUMENTS details

 
Apply Now

Application Process

We accept applications on a quarterly basis, with submissions opening at the start of each quarter.
 

The application period remains open for one month or until we reach our quarterly application cap, whichever comes first.

If the online application is closed, please check back to apply in the next quarter.

 

Paper applications received during the closed period will be kept on file and processed once the application window reopens.

Complete applications successfully submitted each quarter will receive a decision within that same quarter.

 

Our goal is to provide decisions within 90 days. Should any unforeseen circumstances arise, we will keep you informed with updates.

 

Applicants will be contacted by EMAIL once a decision has been reached by the Ben's Fund Committee, whether approved, denied or needing further information. 

 

You will receive an email notifying you of the outcome of your application, whether you are awarded a grant or denied.

 

Please read the Award Letter in Detail. 

 

If awarded, Ben's Fund will purchase the equipment directly and send it to your home address. We will also contact the service provider to initiate payment.

 

FAQ’s

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.

Ben's Fund is not responsible for lost or stolen packages.

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. 

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?

Ben’s Fund offers grants to children and young adults diagnosed with autism in Washington State. Grants are available to families in need of financial support, regardless of insurance coverage.

Eligibility is based on family size and income.

To qualify, your family’s Gross Adjusted Annual Income must be at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), based on your family’s size.

 

Please Click Here to View our Income Eligibility Criteria

 

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?

You must contact us before you apply to receive approval. 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.