Sources for financial assistance for the purchase of assistive technology are many and varied. Each has different eligibility criteria. Most require that an application for services or financial assistance be completed. All have specific rules regarding what equipment can be purchased.
Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
National / State program that provides information and referral services for the deaf and hearing impaired.
Eligibility: none
Contact: Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
450 W. State St.
Boise, ID 83720
V/TDD: 208-334-0879
Email: schreinc@dhw.idaho.gov
Website: http://www.cdhh.idaho.gov/
Children's Special Health Program (CSHP)
A state wide program that provides family-centered, community-based and culturally-sensitive coordinated care.
Eligibility: Idaho children who are believed to have a chronic condition which may be treated to prevent or minimize a disability.
Contact: Children's Special Health Program
450 W. State 4th Floor
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720
Phone: 877-887-3075
Website: http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Default.aspx?TabId=160
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Developmental Disabilities Program (D.D.P.) or (A/C.D.C.)
Federal/State program intended to meet basic health care needs of persons with developmental disabilities.
Eligibility: Any person with a developmental disability from birth on up. Cost is based on a variable fee or sliding scale.
Contact: Local Developmental Disabilities Program \ Adult Child Disabilities Center
State Health and Welfare Department
450 W. State (10th Floor)
Boise, ID 83720-5450
Phone: 208-334-5500
Easter Seal Society
Charitable organization provides services to all disabilities, all ages, statewide.
Eligibility: Children or Adults with disabilities.
Contact: Easter Seals
1350 Vista Ave.
Boise, ID 83720
V/TDD: 208-334-0879
Website: http://www.easterseals.com
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Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Services (E.P.S.D.T).
Federally mandated program under Medicaid to assure that all children who are poor have access to and obtain routine health care screening, assessments and interventions to keep them healthy, as well as to stop any potential impact of physical or developmental impairment.
Eligibility: Medicaid recipients up to the age of 21.
Contact: local Medicaid Office or Idaho State Office
Related Website: http://www.idahocareline.org/eLibrary/Early%20Periodic%20Screening%20Diagnosis%20Treatment%20Program.html
Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
The duties of the Idaho Commission are to assist persons with blindness in achieving social and economic independence.
Eligibility: Legally, functionally, or totally blind, and have a substantial handicap to employment as a result of this or any secondary handicap.
Contact: Idaho Commission for the Blind & Visually impaired
341 W. Washington
Boise, ID 83702
Phone: 208-334-3220
Website: http://www.icbvi.state.id.us/
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Idaho Office on Aging
National / State program that provides services to older persons.
Eligibility: 60+
Contact: Idaho Office on Aging
700 W. Jefferson Rm 108
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0007
Idaho Infant Toddler Program (Health and Welfare)
Early intervention services for infants and children up to the age of three.
Eligibility: Children from birth to the age of three are eligible if they have developmental delays or have been diagnosed with a physical or mental condition that may lead to such a delay.
Website: http://www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/?TabId=78
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Independent Living Centers
Non-Profit organization provides support, evaluation, services, and devices.
Eligibility: Any person with disabilities can participate in center activities.
Contact: Access Idaho
P.O. Box 4185
Pocatello, ID 83201
Phone: 208-232-2747
In-Home Assistance Program (Health and Welfare)
Provides in-home assistance for persons with developmental disabilities.
Eligibility: Any person with a developmental disability from birth to age 21.
Contact: Local Developmental Disabilities Program (D.D.P.).
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Impairment-Related Work Expenses (IRWE)
federal Program under the social security administration that allows for impairment-related items and services needed for work to be deducted from earnings in figuring substantial gainful activity, even if these items and services are also needed for non-work activities.
Eligibility: Any person receiving S.S.I. or S.S.D.I. that is also working.
Contact: Department of Health and Human Services/Local Social Security Administration
Website: http://www.ssa.gov/ssi/spotlights/spot-work-expenses.htm
Workforce Investment Act (WIA) (JTPA)
The Workforce Investment Act is a federally funded program designed to increase the employment, retention, earnings, and occupational skill attainment of the adult and dislocated worker participants who receive service.
Eligibility: Disadvantaged or disabled adults and youth over 16.
Contact: Local Idaho Department of Labor Office
Idaho Department of Labor
317 West Main
Boise, ID 83735
Phone: 208-332-3570
Email: www@labor.idaho.gov
Website: http://labor.idaho.gov/DNN/Default.aspx?alias=labor.idaho.gov/dnn/wia&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
Labor
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Katie Beckett (Medicaid)
State program intended to meet the health care needs of children with disabilities who are not eligible for Medicaid due to family income.
Eligibility: Determined on a case by case basis and is based on child's level of care.
Contact: Local Medicaid Office or State Office.
Related Website: http://www.idahocareline.org/eLibrary/Katie%20Beckett%20Medicaid.html
Medicaid
Medicaid, title XIX of the Social Security Act, is a joint state-federal program which provides health care benefits to low-income recipients. The program reimburses providers for covered supplies and services rendered to qualified recipients.
Eligibility: Medicaid services are based upon financial need. Those covered include low-income families with children, pregnant women, elderly citizens, and persons with disabilities.
Idaho State Medicaid Office Division of Welfare
Towers building. (2nd Floor)
Boise, ID 83720
Phone: 208-334-5795
Website: http://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Medical/Medicaid/tabid/123/Default.aspx
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Medicare
Medicare is a federal health insurance program which provides coverage for a limited amount of medical expenses and limited types of medical services.
Eligibility: Persons 65 and older who are eligible for railroad retirement benefits or Social Security Benefits. Persons with disabilities who are eligible for railroad retirement benefits or Social Security Benefits. Persons who are diagnosed with Kidney Failure who are eligible for railroad retirement benefits or Social Security Benefits. Certain aged or disabled persons who do not qualify for Social Security benefits.
Contact: Questions on eligibility.
Local Social Security Administration
Attn: Disability Program Branch
2001 Sixth Avenue. M/S RX - 50
Seattle, Washington 98121
Contact: Questions on Medicare Coverage
Equicor
3131 W. State St.
Boise, ID 83720
Phone: 800-627-2782
Website: http://www.medicare.gov/
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Non-profit organization provides services to persons with multiple sclerosis.
Eligibility: persons with Multiple Sclerosis, families, and service providers.
National MS Society
All America Chapter
Idaho State Division
6901 W. Emerald, Suite 207
Boise, ID 83704
Phone: 208-388-1998
Fax: 208-388-1907
Email: idi@nmss.org
Website: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/IDI/index.aspx
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Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS)
A plan for achieving self-support (known as PASS) allows a person with a disability to set aside income and/or resources for a specified period of time for a work goal.
Eligibility: Any person who is disabled who receives S.S.I. or could qualify for S.S.I.
Contact: Department of Health and Human Services, Local Social Security Administration.
Website: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/pass.htm
Respite Care Program (Health and Welfare)
Provides respite care for persons with developmental disabilities in their home or the home of the care provider.
Eligibility: Any person with a developmental disability from birth on up.
Contact: Local Developmental Disabilities Program (D.D.P.).
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Senior Reverse Mortgage
A solution to the financial needs of persons over 62 years of age who face the daily challenge of living on a fixed income.
Eligibility: 62+, occupy a home as your principle residence, property should be paid in full or have a minimal balance remaining.
Contact: AIM Mortgage, Inc.
Phone: 800-505-5600
Special Education
The federal government mandates a free and appropriate education for all children with disabilities.
Eligibility / Coverage: the special education law does not contain a restrictive list of those services that may be covered.
Contact: Idaho State Special Education
650 W. State St. Rm 262
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720
Phone: 208-334-3940
Website: http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/special_edu/
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Veterans Administration
Federal agency which provides medical assistance to service men and women. Helps veterans who are filing a disability claim for service connected benefits.
Eligibility: Veterans
Contact: VA Medical Center
500 W. Fort St.
Boise, ID 83702-4598
Phone: 208-338-7235
Website: http://www.va.gov/
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Vocational Rehabilitation
Vocational rehabilitation (V.R.) is a joint state-federal program to assist individuals with a disability to maximize their employment, independence, and community integration.
Eligibility: A person must have a physical or mental disability which results in a substantial handicap to employment; and there must be a reasonable expectation that, with the provision of services, the person will be able to become employed.
Contact: Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Len B. Jordan Bldg.
650 W. State St Rm 150
P.O. Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0096
V/TDD: 208-334-3390
Toll Free: 1-800-856-2720
Website: http://www.vr.idaho.gov/
Workers Compensation
Employers insurance which is required by law to cover employee injuries or accidents (there are some exceptions).
Eligibility: Job-related injury or disabilitiy.
Contact: Industrial Commission.
317 Main Street
Boise, ID 83720-6000
Phone: 208-334-6000
Website: http://www.iic.idaho.gov/
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