Government Agencies and Programs
- CalABLE provides a tax-free treatment on earnings and withdrawals to pay for disability-related expenses.
- California LifeLine is a state program providing discounted home phone and cell phone services to eligible households.
- Child Support Services Program provides professional services to locate parents, establish paternity and enforce orders for financial and medical support.
- Digital Access Project supports people with disabilities in getting internet services at a lower cost.
- Financial Assistance for funeral costs due to COVID
- Free File, where you can prepare and file your federal individual income tax return for free using tax-preparation-and-filing software.
- **Orange County 2-1-1 can help with all type of low-cost services available in the county.
- Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps individuals find the most effective free or low-cost medicine program to assist them.
- Rx Outreach is a non-profit that provides critical medicine for those who cannot afford their prescriptions. Individuals must apply to determine eligibility.
- Safelink Wireless is a Federal and California Lifeline government assistance program that provides FREE cellular phone and airtime each month to income eligible customers who qualify .
- **Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income.
- **Utility Assistance: California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) offers low-income customers a 20% discount on electric and gas bills. If a family member receives SSI, you may qualify for the discount.
- **Southern California Edison CARE
- **Southern California Edison Energy Assistance Fund – one-time assistance of $100 per year.
- **Southern California Edison Medical Baseline Allowance provides low rate for persons with certain medical conditions.
- **Southern California Gas provides application for bill assistance
Foundations and Charity Grants
- Autism Care Today provides funding assistance to families throughout the U.S. on a quarterly basis. Grants up to $5000 are designed to provide access to individuals with ASD.
- Catholic Charities is a non-profit organization which helps people without regard to their religious affiliation.
- Children’s Wish Foundation International tries to fulfill the favorite wish of any child having a limited life expectancy.
- The Complete List of Free Things and Grants for Kids with Special Needs
- Disabled Children’s Relief Fund grants modest awards for assistive devices such as wheelchairs, orthopedic braces, walkers, hearing aids, eyeglasses, medical equipment, physical therapy and surgery. Applications are available between April and September.
- Family Assistance Ministries is a faith-based non-profit serving south Orange County with resources for food, shelter and counseling.
- Financial Resilience Center, from the National Disability Institute (NDI), is a resource for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions, their families and communities.
- Financial Resources and Discounts for Students with Disabilities provides links regarding college financial aid, travel and entertainment discounts, utility help, etc.
- First Hand Foundation helps children with health-related needs when insurance and other resources have been exhausted.
- Five Ways to get a Free iPad for your Special Needs Child suggests approaches of advocacy (but no free iPad)
- FreedomTech offers Californians affordable financial loans to purchase needed assistive technology, loans range from $500-$15,000. Includes hearing Aids, computers and adaptive accessories/software, adaptive driving equipment, home modification equipment for accessibility if you own your home (ramp, shower, grab bars)
- Go Fund Me provides a fundraising website to raise dollars for personal causes and life events.
- The Jonathan Foundation assists families with needed advocacy, education and assessments.
- Kids Wish Network grants wishes to children from age 3 – 18 who are battling life-threatening conditions.
- **Make-A-Wish Foundation enriches the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
- Maryam Parman Foundation for Injured Children provides help to children and families affected by catastrophic injury. Services include health care, disability accommodations or assistance navigating legal system.
- Lutheran Social Services has a center in Garden Grove; they helps with requests for food, hygiene items and utility and shelter assistance.
- Mercy Medical Airlift is a non-profit which assists patient travel for long-distance medical trips.
- Miracles for Kids help parents with critically ill children with food, clothing shelter and more.
- Need Help Paying Bills provides general advice as to where rental assistance, and help with other common household and medical bills might be found in Orange County.
- **Salvation Army of Orange County may provide food, transportation vouchers, clothing, school supplies and utility assistance to low income families who qualify.
- **S.O.S. (Share Our Selves) provides financial assistance for rent, utilities and transportation.
- The Society of St. Vincent de Paul Orange County provides assistance through local Catholic churches.
- Sunshine Foundation answers the dreams of chronically ill, physically challenged and abused children, age 3 – 18.
- **Variety Club provides help to children who are disabled and disadvantaged; provides children with physical challenges with mobility devices and adaptive bikes.
- **Warrior Hearted Special Children’s Foundation offers up to $500 grants to Los Angeles and Orange County families; applications are considered for services or equipment for a special needs child.
