|
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Quality of Life Grant applications will be posted online on August 28, 2009. If you would like to receive an email reminder when the applications will be ready for download or for online submission, please contact us. In an effort to "give as much as we can" to families in need, we will not be sending any information about Quality of Life Grants through any other method than this website.
Grant Information
Through our Quality of Life Grant program, families that care for children and adults with autism and other special needs may receive funding to offset their enormous financial burdens. These grants provide families with stipends that may be used for a wide variety of supports related to their family member.
In order for an application to be considered for a Quality of Life Grant, an applicant must:
- Have an individual with a diagnosed developmental disorder or disability living at home.
- Have a family income of less than $30,000 per year (see below).
- Live in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States (i.e., Virginia, Washington D.C., Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York only).
- Submit a legible and complete application via the NeighborHeart website or via the United States Postal Service postmarked by November 1. If an application is submitted via the NeighborHeart website supporting documentation must be sent via the Postal Service. All packages sent via the Postal Service must be postmarked by November 1, 2009 and have the proper postage. NeighborHeart will not accept any COD packages.
- Submit evidence of diagnosis from a doctor, therapist or school on their letterhead.
- Submit a copy of your previous year's Federal Tax Return or Proof of Income letter from the Social Security Administration. SSI PAPERWORK IS NOT AN ACCEPTABLE FORM OF PROOF OF INCOME
- Not have received a NeighborHeart Quality of Life grant in 2008.
Changes for 2009
Due to the overwhelming need for financial assistance by low-income families, NeighborHeart will only be accepting Quality of Life Grant applications from families making less than $30,000 per year. We certainly understand that these grants are extremely useful for all families, regardless of income. However, we believe that lower-income families are in the greatest need of financial assistance.
Grant Amounts
Quality of Life Grants are set at $500 per approved individual.
Grant Requests
You may apply to use the money for anything that improves your family's quality of life. This may include (but is not limited to) the following uses:
- Remediation
- Occupational Therapy
- Physical Therapy
- Speech Therapy
- Equine Therapy
- Behavior Therapy
- Security Improvements
- Medical Travel
- Respite Care
- Membership Fees
- Registration Fees
- Educational Training and Seminars
- Educational Advocacy
- Vision Services
- Other Medical Services
- Anything else to improve quality of life...
Distribution of Grants Criteria
Grants will be distributed by December 15th, 2009 and will be distributed to families based on the following factors:
- Order in which application received (i.e., date and time stamp of online submission and/or of mail package)
- Income Level and/or Financial Necessity
- The number of grants distributed will be limited to the funds available at the time of issuance.
Only families that have been selected to receive grants will be notified.
Application Process
We are currently not accepting grant applications. If you would like to be notified when information is available for 2009, click here.
Review Process
Once your application is received, it will be reviewed to determine if you meet the above guidelines and prioritized based on the Distribution of Grants Criteria. If your application is selected, we will contact you to arrange payment. Since there is a limited amount of available funds, please apply as soon as you can.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact us.
|
