Qualifications for a Grant

You must meet all of the following criteria to apply for a family grant:

• You are the parent or legal guardian of an autistic child age 0 - 22 years old OR you are a post-high school autistic adult. A diagnosis of Asperger Syndrome or Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is acceptable.
• Location: You must live in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, or Connecticut.
• Financial Need: This grant is specifically for low and moderate income families based on Federal HUD guidelines. Please do not apply if your family income exceeds these guidelines:
  • $62,800 for a family of 2
  • $70,650 for a family of 3
  • $78,500 for a family of 4
  • $84,800 for a family of 5
  • $91,100 for a family of 6

Grant amounts

Grants will range from $50.00 - $500.00

What you can ask for

You may apply to use the money for anything that directly improves your life (for an autistic adult) or your autistic child’s life (for parents of autistic children).
Examples of possible uses of grant money:

• Therapeutic services, including educational and neuropsychological evaluations, occupational therapy, physical therapy, sensory integration therapy, social skills groups, and speech therapy.
• Respite care and health-related expenses not covered by insurance, e.g. vision and dental care.
• Social and recreational activities, e.g. art classes, camp tuition, horseback-riding lessons, music classes and instruments, skating lessons, swimming lessons, and YMCA membership, as well as one-to-one aides to help access activities
• Programs and equipment, e.g. adapted bicycles, books, computers, games, puzzles, sports equipment, and videos.

Application Process

To be considered for funds, please supply all of the paperwork listed below. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application is complete. We cannot process your application until we have received all the necessary documentation.

Feel free to explain any unusual or special circumstances regarding your need that may not be evident by completing the application.

Step 1: Complete the application.

Step 2: Provide documentation of family income.

• If you are required to file a tax return, please supply the first page of your most current completed tax return. Please black out your social security number and date of birth.
• If you are not required to file a tax return, please supply alternative documentation of income dependent benefits, such as unemployment income, SSI, or state benefits such as Transitional Assistance.

Step 3: Provide current documentation of diagnosis

• Summary page from a report of neuropsychological testing (or, if unavailable, substitute psycho-educational testing by a school psychologist) and/or
• Individualized Education Plan that lists a current Autism Spectrum diagnosis and/or
• A 504 Plan that lists a current Autism Spectrum diagnosis and/or
• A signed letter stating that the individual has an autism spectrum diagnosis. The letter will need to be provided by a therapist, psychiatrist, and/or doctor (i.e., LICSW/MSW, LMHC, PhD, PsyD, MD, DO) and include the provider's name, license, and license number.

Documentation must be within the last 5 years.

When all the paperwork is received, it will be reviewed by the AANE Family Grants Administrator (grants@aane.org).

If funds are available, the Family Grants Administrator will notify approved applicants and the AANE Business Manager will issue a check to the family or to the service provider indicated on the application.

If an applicant wants to change the use of funds after acceptance, you MUST contact the AANE Family Grants Administrator in advance to obtain approval.
If an application is rejected, the applicant will receive notification of the reason for the rejection. In that case, families should feel free to reapply if their circumstances change such that they meet the eligibility requirements listed above.

Proof of service or purchase of goods

Families receiving money MUST send receipts or other proof of purchase for the agreed upon goods or services to AANE. This grant will be audited by a CPA and we must have proper documentation! You will be considered for a future grant only if we have received your receipts.

Questions?

Please feel free to email the AANE Grants Administrator (grants@aane.org) if you have any questions regarding the application process. We look forward to hearing from you.