Last updated: 2026-11-02
Autism Grants for Families (2026): Therapy, iPads, Housing, and Trips
We checked each of these autism grants for families on the program's own website on October 17, 2026, and updated the deadlines on November 2. Fifteen are open or rolling, and eight open on an annual or quarterly window. We left eight names from popular grant lists off the open list because they are closed, paused, offline, or do not fund autism alone.
Clinically reviewed by Meaghan Timko, MS, BCBA, LBA BACB certification #1-05-2608
Ask ChatGPT which grants fit your family
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Grants open now (November 2026)
Each program below is open or taking rolling applications. We checked every program on its own website on October 17, 2026, and updated the deadlines on November 2, 2026. Amounts and windows change, so the sources at the end of this guide name the page we checked for each program. Most programs fund future costs only, so apply before you pay for the service or device. Two November windows close soon: Oracle Health, the largest single grant, closes November 15, and ASDF's holiday gift cards close November 16.
Grants work best once you know who will provide the care. Compare ABA providers near you and the best special education programs and special needs schools in your state, then apply for grants that cover what insurance and your school district won't.
| Program | Covers | Max | Who qualifies | When to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation | Therapies, treatments, and equipment a doctor prescribes. ABA only for ages 3 to 6 | $5,000 a year; $10,000 lifetime | "The child must be 16 years of age or younger at the time of the application." Commercial health plan as primary insurance; income limits by family size | Rolling; boards meet monthly |
| First Hand Foundation | Therapies, evaluations, assistive tech, equipment, service dogs, care travel | No published cap | "The child must be 18 years old or younger." Income up to $65,000 for one child (max $125,000); insurance denial required | Monthly; current cycle closes Nov 15, 2026, and the next runs Nov 16 to Dec 15 |
| Oracle Health Foundation pediatric grants | Clinical care, equipment, and care travel that insurance does not cover | Up to $17,000 per request (average $2,500); travel up to $1,000 | "The child must be 21 years of age or younger." No insurance coverage for the request; one request per 12 months, three per lifetime | Monthly, 1st to 15th; November window closes Nov 15, 2026, or when full |
| Small Steps in Speech | Speech therapy, AAC devices, summer speech camp. No ABA, no iPads | Average $1,000; devices up to $1,200 | "We accept grant applications for individuals from age 3 to 22." US citizen; "Applications will not be accepted for a joint family income in excess of $125,000." Never received a Small Steps grant | Quarterly; next deadline Feb 1, 2027 |
| National Autism Association: Give A Voice | An iPad for AAC communication, or up to 4 S2C/RPM letterboard sessions with a set of letterboards | The device or sessions | Individuals with autism "who are nonspeaking or unreliably speaking, and whose communication challenges put them at increased risk of injury or harm." "This program is intended for families who are in dire need of financial assistance and are otherwise unable to attain access to these communication methods." | Accepting applications now |
| ACT Today! SOS fund | Urgent autism treatment when a child's safety is at risk | $5,000 | "Income level of the applicant's family must be below $45,000/year." "Applicant may not have received support from Autism Care Today within the past 12 months of applying." | Any time, by email |
| ASDF Holiday Gift Cards | Holiday e-gift cards for families with an autistic child, chosen at random | A holiday e-gift card | Families with an autistic child; autism documentation if selected | Nov 2 to 16, 2026 |
| Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation: iPad For Kids | A donated iPad (you add the apps) | The device | Children and adults with autism | Rolling; online application only |
| UCP Elsie S. Bellows Fund | "Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices"; "iPads, laptops, computers, and adaptive technology"; sensory equipment, adaptive bikes, seating. No home renovations | Not published | "Applicants do not need to have cerebral palsy to qualify. Individuals with any disability may be eligible if they are working with a participating UCP Affiliate and meet the program guidelines." | Rolling, through your local UCP affiliate |
| My Gym Foundation | "Rehabilitative therapy, My Gym classes, assistive devices, medical equipment, and sensory items." "We do not offer monetary gifts." | $500 | "Applicants must be under the age of 18." Physical, cognitive, or developmental disability, chronic illness, or financial hardship | Rolling; committee meets monthly |
| Flutie Foundation: Locative Tech | SafetyNet tracking bracelets with a 24/7 emergency call center | Device and service | "Caregivers of people with autism with underlying conditions with a history of wandering who could not otherwise afford them" | Rolling; contact the foundation |
| Danny Did Foundation | Seizure detection devices, for children with autism and epilepsy | Not published | "An adult living with epilepsy who is seeking assistance, OR the parent/legal guardian or primary caregiver for the person with epilepsy who is seeking assistance." Household income reviewed | Rolling |
| Variety, the Children's Charity (local chapters) | Adaptive bikes, mobility equipment, communication devices. Texas grants "help cover experiences, equipment, and everyday essentials that make life more accessible, supportive, and inclusive." | Texas: "a lifetime funding cap of $10,000 per child" | Children with disabilities in one of 18 US chapter areas | Chapter request forms. Texas: "Heart of Variety grants are awarded throughout the year in scheduled funding cycles" (2026 award dates: Apr 30, Jun 19, Sep 30, Nov 21) |
| Sunshine Foundation | One dream trip per family | One dream | "Child must be between the ages of 3-18." Level 3 autism only. "Family's household annual income may not exceed $100,000." No prior wish | Rolling referral; wait of several years |
| Coast Guard Mutual Assistance | Special-needs camps, adaptive equipment, assistive tech | $3,000 every 5 years | "Active Duty CGMA members who are faced with increased financial requirements because they have dependents registered in the Coast Guard Special Needs Program" | Rolling, through a CGMA representative |
Grants for therapy and medical costs
Three national medical grant programs accept autistic children, and each sets a different insurance rule. Pick by your child's coverage first, then by age.
UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation: for families with commercial insurance
UHCCF pays up to $5,000 in a 12-month period and $10,000 per child lifetime (as of October 2026). You do not need UnitedHealthcare. Its eligibility page sets the rules:
- "The child must be 16 years of age or younger at the time of the application."
- "The child must have primary insurance coverage by a commercial health plan, either through an employer or individually purchased. Secondary insurance through Medicaid or CHIP is acceptable."
- Income limits: "Family Size of 2 – $65,000 or less. Family Size of 3 – $100,000 or less. Family Size of 4 – $135,000 or less. Family Size of 5 or more – $170,000 or less."
- Not covered: "ABA therapy for children outside ages 3–6. One grant per child may be considered within the eligible age range."
- "Grants are available for medical costs incurred within 90 days of the time UHCCF determines the application to be complete."
UHCCF also excludes social skills therapy, music therapy, and camp tuition. Apply as soon as a bill is coming.
First Hand Foundation: for costs insurance denied
First Hand funds therapies, evaluations, assistive technology, equipment, service dogs, and travel to care. From its grants page:
- "The child must be 18 years old or younger."
- "Each child is eligible for one grant every 12 months."
- "We do not cover bills or reimbursements for services incurred before the date of application. Funding must be awarded for future treatment/care."
- "Please have your provider complete this form prior to applying: Provider Certification of Medical Necessity."
Household income caps at $65,000 for one child plus $15,000 per additional child, up to $125,000. You need an insurance denial letter. First Hand pays clinical and equipment grants directly to the provider or vendor; travel grants go through your social worker. The current cycle closes at 11:59 p.m. Central on November 15, 2026, and the next one runs November 16 to December 15. It does not fund education-related therapies or permanent home modifications.
Oracle Health Foundation: the largest single grant on this page
Oracle Health Foundation pediatric grants are the largest on this page. Its eligibility rules, as published in October 2026:
- "The child must be 21 years of age or younger (an individual aged 22–25 may be considered if they are receiving pediatric treatment)."
- "There must be no existing insurance coverage for the requested expenses."
- "Only one request per 12 months, per individual, is accepted, for a maximum of three times in an individual's lifetime."
- "Pediatric grants for clinical and equipment requests average US$2,500 and do not exceed US$17,000. Grants for travel and lodging requests do not exceed US$1,000."
- On income: "take your adjusted gross income (AGI), and subtract out-of-pocket medical expenses for the child in the last 12 months. The sum will equal your qualifying income."
A family of four qualifies at $97,000 or less after that subtraction. Applications open on the 1st of each month and close on the 15th or when the month fills. The November window is open now and closes November 15, 2026, or sooner if it fills, so apply early in the window.
Speech therapy and urgent ABA
Small Steps in Speech funds speech and language therapy with an ASHA-certified therapist, with an average award of $1,000. Deadlines are February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1; the November 1, 2026 deadline has passed, so the next is February 1, 2027. From its FAQ:
- "We accept grant applications for individuals from age 3 to 22."
- "Applications will not be accepted for a joint family income in excess of $125,000."
- "Effective January 1, 2019, Small Steps in Speech will only accept grant applications for individuals who have not previously received and utilized a Small Steps in Speech grant."
- "As of August 1, 2014, we will not accept applications for Applied Behavior Therapy (ABA)."
For ABA in a crisis, the ACT Today! SOS fund takes requests by email year round, up to $5,000. Its criteria: "Applicant must have an immediate need for treatment/support and if treatment is not found, the applicant's physical safety is in jeopardy," and "Income level of the applicant's family must be below $45,000/year."
A full year of ABA costs far more than any grant on this page. Check your health plan's autism benefit first (state-regulated plans and self-funded employer plans follow different rules). Medicaid reviews ABA requests for enrolled children under 21. Compare ABA and autism therapy centers near you, ask which ones take your plan or Medicaid, and use grants for copays and denied services.
Communication devices and equipment
A device grant funds one item at one price, so the application is short. Apply to more than one program, because each funds a different kind of device.
- The National Autism Association's Give A Voice program is accepting applications for iPads for AAC from nonspeaking or unreliably speaking autistic individuals. NAA describes it as serving autistic people "who are nonspeaking or unreliably speaking, and whose communication challenges put them at increased risk of injury or harm." It adds: "Grants for spellers will provide up to 4 sessions with a practitioner of your choice along with a set of letterboards." Ask your child's speech-language pathologist about the evidence for letterboard methods before you choose that option. The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation donates iPads every month to children and adults with autism. ASDF's rule: "Applications must be submitted online. Any application via email, mail or phone will not be considered."
- UCP's Elsie S. Bellows Fund pays for AAC devices, iPads, sensory equipment, adaptive bikes, and seating for people with any disability. In UCP's words: "Applicants do not need to have cerebral palsy to qualify. Individuals with any disability may be eligible if they are working with a participating UCP Affiliate and meet the program guidelines." The fund does not pay for ramps or other home renovations.
- The My Gym Foundation funds children under 18. Its rules: "Requests, limited to gifts of $500 or less, may include but are not limited to rehabilitative therapy, My Gym classes, assistive devices, medical equipment, and sensory items. Please specify exact items needed and where they can be purchased." And: "The policy of the My Gym Foundation is to directly purchase all equipment and services. We do not offer monetary gifts." A committee decides every month.
- Small Steps in Speech: "We will consider applications for communication devices however our awards will not exceed $1200." On tablets: "as of November 2012, SSIS is no longer awarding grants for iPads." UHCCF does not fund iPads either.
- Local Variety chapters fund adaptive bikes and mobility equipment in their own areas. Variety of Wisconsin's Freedom Program funds adaptive bikes, Variety of Illinois funds bikes and communication devices, and Variety of Texas says: "Families can submit multiple requests over time, with a lifetime funding cap of $10,000 per child."
- Every state has an assistive technology program that demonstrates and lends devices and runs device reuse, and many of these programs also offer financial loans. Borrow a device so your child can try it before you buy; find your program in the AT3 Center directory. A loaner trial also strengthens a grant application.
Safety and wandering
As of October 2026, families get tracking bracelets, Project Lifesaver enrollment, and seizure monitors through the programs below. NAA's Big Red Safety Box still appears on grant lists, but it is paused.
- The Flutie Foundation says it is "able to provide tracking bracelets to caregivers of people with autism with underlying conditions with a history of wandering who could not otherwise afford them." The SafetyNet bracelets come with a 24/7 emergency call center. Request one through the foundation's contact page.
- Local police and sheriff's offices run Project Lifesaver, which describes itself as "the premier search-and-rescue program operated internationally by public-safety agencies," designed for "'at-risk' individuals who are prone to the life-threatening behavior of wandering or eloping due to autism, Alzheimer's disease, dementia or other cognitive conditions." Call your sheriff's non-emergency line and ask whether your county enrolls children.
- If your child also has epilepsy, the Danny Did Foundation funds seizure detection devices, either up front or as partial reimbursement for a device bought in the last 30 days.
- The National Autism Association's free Big Red Safety Box (door alarms, an ID bracelet, stop-sign prompts) is paused and out of stock. Sign up for NAA's newsletter to hear when it returns.
UHCCF's exclusion list includes "Alert bracelets and GPS trackers," "Camera/video surveillance equipment," and exterior fencing. If your child is on a Medicaid waiver, ask the case manager whether the plan covers safety adaptations to your home.
Camps, recreation, and vacation grants for autism
Almost no program pays for a family trip because a child has autism. The Sunshine Foundation does, for children with Level 3 autism. For everyone else, summer money comes from camp grants and Medicaid waiver respite.
- The Sunshine Foundation grants one dream per family, including to children with Level 3 autism. Its criteria: "Child must be between the ages of 3-18." "Children must be diagnosed with SEVERE or PROFOUND physical, developmental, or intellectual challenges." "Family's household annual income may not exceed $100,000." Mild to moderate autism does not qualify, a prior wish from any organization disqualifies the family, and the foundation warns that the waiting list can run several years. Refer early.
- Make-A-Wish lists these criteria at referral: "Diagnosed with a critical illness, i.e., a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that is placing the child's life in jeopardy," and "Older than 2½ years and younger than 18." Autism alone does not qualify; a co-occurring critical illness does.
- Small Steps in Speech funds summer speech camps (up to about $1,000; apply by February 1). Variety of Texas funds camps for Texas children. The Flutie Foundation's Joey's Fund pays camp tuition for New England families each spring. For Coast Guard families, CGMA states: "CGMA will reimburse members up to $3,000 every 60 months for services or resources designed for special needs."
- Easterseals says it is "the largest provider of recreation and camping services for children and adults with disabilities in the United States," with day and residential camps and respite at select locations. Ask your local Easterseals about fees and financial assistance.
- State Medicaid waivers such as the Maryland Autism Waiver and Colorado CES Waiver fund respite, which is the break most parents mean when they search for a vacation grant.
UHCCF excludes "Tuition for school or camp (including day camps for therapies)," and swimming lessons.
Housing grants for families with autism: vouchers, repairs, and home modifications
No national program gives a family a housing grant because a child has autism, and any site that promises "free housing grants for autism families" is selling something. Money for a safer home or an affordable rental comes from programs built for disability, home repair, or low income. These programs pay for housing help for autistic children and adults as of October 2026.
Medicaid waiver home modifications
Medicaid 1915(c) waivers exist because, in CMS's words, "Within broad Federal guidelines, States can develop home and community-based services waivers (HCBS Waivers) to meet the needs of people who prefer to get long-term care services and supports in their home or community, rather than in an institutional setting." They fund home modifications in states including Maryland (Environmental Accessibility Adaptations in the Autism Waiver), Colorado (Home Accessibility Adaptations in the CES Waiver), Virginia, and New Jersey. The change has to be written into your child's service plan.
USDA Section 504 home repair (rural)
USDA describes Section 504 this way: "this provides loans to low and very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards." The terms, from USDA: "Maximum loan is $40,000." "Maximum grant is $10,000." "Loans are termed for 20 years." "Loan interest rate is fixed at 1%." For grants, applicants must "be age 62 or older and have a household income that does not exceed the very low limit by county," so parents under 62 use the loan. Apply year round at your local Rural Development office.
Home repair charities: Rebuilding Together and Variety of Texas
Rebuilding Together affiliates do home repairs. In the organization's words: "Our affiliates across the country help neighbors in need and work to revitalize communities." Each affiliate sets its own application. In Texas, Heart of Variety grants name "home repairs or accessibility improvements" as a covered need.
State assistive technology loans
Many state AT programs run financial loan programs for assistive technology, alongside free device loans and device reuse.
ABLE accounts for long-term savings
Since January 1, 2026, a person who meets Social Security's severity test can open an ABLE account under the ABLE Age Adjustment Act. The ABLE National Resource Center explains: "The age of eligibility expands to allow individuals who have a disability that began before age 46 (instead of before the age of 26) to be ABLE-eligible." "Up to $100,000 of savings in an ABLE account is not counted toward the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) resource limit." "ABLE accounts can be used for a broad range of expenses including housing, education, transportation, healthcare, employment support and more." Put family money set aside for your child's future home here.
HUD rental help: Housing Choice Vouchers and Section 811
Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) pay part of the rent for low-income families. HUD's tenant page says: "Generally, families must be extremely low-income or very low-income to qualify." A voucher family typically pays "30% of your adjusted monthly income. However, your rent may be as high as 40% of your adjusted monthly income." On the waiting list: "Reaching the top of the waitlist depends on the available number of vouchers, when you applied, and any selection preferences you may have indicated on your application such as 'veteran' or 'disabled.'" HUD also warns: "Due to high demand and long waiting lists for housing vouchers, you may need to apply to multiple Public Housing Agency waitlists." Section 811 is described by HUD this way: "The Section 811 program supports the creation of multifamily housing for very low-income persons with disabilities." Residents also pay about 30% of adjusted income. Use it when an autistic young adult moves out of the family home.
UHCCF excludes home modifications and fencing, and First Hand's exclusions include "Permanent home modifications, vehicle repairs, vehicle purchases," so do not spend a medical grant application on them.
State programs that pay more than any private grant
The largest private grant on this page is $17,000 per request, and Oracle Health caps a child at three requests in a lifetime. State education savings accounts and scholarships pay that much or more every year, and Medicaid waivers fund ongoing services. If your state has one, it belongs at the top of your list. Figures below come from our state guides, which cite each state's own documents.
| State | Program | What it pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | FES-UA scholarship | About $9,600 to $14,400 at base matrix levels; $21,379 to $39,091 at Levels 4 and 5 (2026-27) |
| Arizona | Empowerment Scholarship Account | ADE estimates $34,121 to $47,725 a year for students with autism |
| Texas | Education Freedom Account (TEFA) | Up to $30,000 a year for students with an IEP at an approved private school |
| North Carolina | ESA+ | $17,000 a year full-time when autism is the primary or secondary disability |
| Utah | Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship | $12,175 for private K-12 in 2026-27 |
| Georgia | Georgia Special Needs Scholarship | Averaged about $7,767 in 2024-25, with top awards above $19,000 |
| Maryland | Autism Waiver | Services only: 1:1 support, respite, home adaptations, plus full Medicaid |
| Colorado | CES Waiver | Services only: respite, assistive technology, home and vehicle adaptations |
| Every state | Medicaid for children under 21 | Medicaid plans review ABA requests for enrolled children under EPSDT rules |
Grant windows to put on your calendar
These programs are active, but their application windows are closed as of November 2, 2026. ACT Today runs quarterly cycles; the rest open once a year. Each row shows the next opening date wherever the program has posted one. Set a reminder for that date.
$3,000 for autistic students enrolling full time in a two- or four-year college, trade school, or life skills program; plan for it in a teen's senior year
OAR: "The next application cycle will open in December 2026 for funding during the 2027-28 school year."
Autism treatment, including ABA, assistive tech, and summer programs; grants run $100 to $5,000 and go directly to the provider. No income cap; families earning under $100,000 are reviewed first
ACT Today!: "Grant payments will be made directly to pre-approved treatment providers, assessors or materials vendors."
Pays the monthly premium on a health plan that covers ABA, for a family member receiving at least 12 hours of ABA a week. It does not pay deductibles, copays, or coinsurance
Autism Hero Project: "Applicants MUST have a current autism diagnosis. Applicants MUST be a resident of Illinois or Florida."
Inclusive sports and recreation: adaptive equipment, lifeguard support, dance training
Flutie Foundation: "Accepting applications open January 10, 2026 and close March 8, 2026."
Camp tuition, recreation, therapies, safety items (New England families only)
Flutie Foundation: "Application for families that opens annually in February and closes in March."
Medical, personal, enrichment, and camp costs for autistic children under 18; $25,000 shared by 25 families in 2026
MyGOAL: "In 2026, we will give out $25,000 in grants to 25 families."
Music lessons, music therapy, and recording for autistic self-advocates 15 and older; up to $1,000
Flutie Foundation: "Autism self-advocates must be 15 years of age or older and be living in the United States."
Partial or full scholarships to social skills, equine, and aquatic therapy camps
ASDF: "ASDF's 2026 Summer Scholarship program application has closed."
Programs we left off the open list, and why
Grant roundups copy each other, so dead programs stay in circulation for years. These names appear on popular lists, but we did not list them as open after checking each one in October 2026.
- The Orange Effect Foundation announced on June 18, 2026 that it will shut down at the end of 2026. Speech grant lists still include it.
- A former Ohio equipment-grant charity still appears on many grant roundups, but its old web address now shows an online casino page. Treat any grant link that lands somewhere unexpected as dead.
- The National Autism Association's Helping Hand program page is gone, and NAA no longer lists it among its programs.
- NAA's Big Red Safety Box is paused and out of stock as of October 2026. NAA takes newsletter signups for the restock.
- The Modest Needs website did not load on October 17, 2026. We list it again once we can confirm it is taking applications.
- The Special Kids Fund site now redirects to a wheelchair van request program, which does not fit most autistic children's needs.
- Make-A-Wish requires a child "Diagnosed with a critical illness, i.e., a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that is placing the child's life in jeopardy." Autism alone does not qualify.
- Autism Speaks does not give grants to families. It lists other organizations' grants and does not administer them.
How to write a strong grant application
First Hand warns that missing information "will result in a delayed or denied application," and on quotes, "lack of a discount may delay or disqualify the application." Its pricing rule: "Pricing details must be included directly on the document; links to pricing will not be accepted." Build one packet of documents and reuse it for every program.
Diagnosis report
The evaluation that names autism. The Sunshine Foundation needs documentation of Level 3 autism specifically.
Sunshine Foundation: "Children must be diagnosed with SEVERE or PROFOUND physical, developmental, or intellectual challenges, or trauma from physical/sexual abuse."
Letter of medical necessity or the program's own form
First Hand requires its Provider Certification of Medical Necessity form and does not accept IEP evaluations in its place. UHCCF requires a prescription from an MD, DO, or audiologist.
Oracle Health Foundation: "Physician documentation must be submitted in letter form, on letterhead, outlining the child's diagnosis and explaining the medical necessity for the specific request for funding."
Insurance denial
A denial letter or an exclusion of benefits. First Hand requires one, and Oracle Health funds only costs with no insurance coverage.
Oracle Health Foundation: "There must be no existing insurance coverage for the requested expenses."
Itemized quote
Total price, payee, a provider discount (First Hand delays or rejects quotes without one), and per-session pricing printed on the document itself. First Hand rejects links to prices.
Oracle Health Foundation: "All clinical and equipment requests must be accompanied by a quote from the provider/equipment vendor."
Proof of income
Your most recent federal tax return. UHCCF wants the full Form 1040; First Hand and Oracle Health use the first page (First Hand also takes a W-2). MyGOAL accepts a tax return or SSI notice but not pay stubs or W-2s.
UHCCF: "UHCCF uses the federal tax return (IRS Form 1040) to verify both income and family size."
AAC evaluation for devices
Small Steps in Speech requires a formal AAC evaluation showing which devices your child trialed and why the one requested fits best.
Small Steps in Speech: "A formal Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Evaluation from a qualified service provider must be included stating that different pieces of technology have been trialed and what you are requesting is the best fit for a means of communication."
What a strong letter of medical necessity says
- The diagnosis, with the date of evaluation and the clinician's credentials.
- The exact item or service, such as the device model, or the sessions per week and number of weeks.
- The functional need it meets, in concrete terms: "cannot request help or report pain," "has left the house through the front door three times this year."
- What you already tried and why it fell short, and what happens to your child without it.
- Apply before you pay. First Hand, Oracle Health, and Small Steps in Speech fund future services only. UHCCF is the exception and covers costs from up to 90 days before your application is complete.
- Expect payment to go to the provider. First Hand and Oracle Health pay the provider or vendor directly, so line up a provider who accepts grant payments.
- Split needs across programs. Most programs allow one award per 12 months, so send therapy to one, a device to another, and safety gear to a third.
- Write down the next dates: November 15 (First Hand cycle and Oracle Health window close), November 16 (ASDF holiday gift cards close), December (OAR scholarship opens for college-bound teens; Oracle Health reopens December 1), and February 1, 2027 (Small Steps in Speech deadline).
How to spot a grant scam
- You pay nothing to apply. None of the programs on this page charges an application fee. The FTC puts it plainly: "Offers of free money from government grants are scams." And: "No government agency will ever contact you to demand that you pay to get a grant. And no government agency will ever ask you to pay with cash, a gift card, a cash reload card, by wire transfer, or with cryptocurrency. Not for a grant, and not ever."
- Real grants do not find you. The FTC: "The government won't get in touch out of the blue about grants. It won't call, text, reach out through social media, or email you." And: "The only place to find a list of all available federal grants is at grants.gov. And that list is free."
- Guard your bank account. Legitimate programs such as First Hand and Oracle Health pay the provider. Someone who asks for your bank login or account number to "deposit your grant" is stealing it. The FTC warns: "Once you give your bank account information, or pay fees, your money will disappear. And, you'll never see the grant they promise."
- Check that the website still belongs to the charity. When a small charity closes, its web address gets resold. One equipment-grant charity on many autism lists now has a casino page at its old address. Confirm the charity in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search before you send documents.
- If you sent money or information, contact your bank or the payment company right away and report the scam at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC: "Scammers often ask you to pay in ways that make it tough to get your money back. No matter how you paid a scammer, the sooner you act, the better."
Autism Society affiliates run information and referral services in their areas. Ask yours which local family funds are taking applications.
Line up a provider before you apply
Most grants on this page pay the provider directly, so you need the provider and the price before you submit. Special Needs Care Network's free matching service finds ABA, speech, and OT providers near you that take your insurance, Medicaid, or grant payments.
Find a provider who accepts grant payments
Compare ABA, speech, and OT providers by state and city, then contact them for a quote to attach to your grant application.
Sources (each checked October 17, 2026)
- Apply for a Grant | UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation
- Grants - First Hand Foundation
- Pediatric Medical Grants | Oracle Health Foundation
- FAQs - Small Steps In Speech
- NAA’s Give A Voice Program - National Autism Association
- NAA’s Big Red Safety Box® - National Autism Association
- Apply for Grant - Autism Care Today
- Autism Care Today SOS - Autism Care Today
- iPad For Kids Program - Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation
- Holiday Gift Card Program - Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation
- Locative Tech & Equipment | Flutie Foundation
- Contact Us | Flutie Foundation
- Joey's Fund Family Support Grant | Flutie Foundation
- Elsie S. Bellows Fund - United Cerebral Palsy
- Apply for a Gift | My Gym Foundation
- Grant Application | Autism Hero Project
- Postsecondary Scholarships | Organization for Autism Research
- Grant Application - The Danny Did Foundation
- Local Variety Chapter - Variety – the Children's Charity
- Heart of Variety | Nonprofit Serving Children with Disabilities
- Refer A Child - Sunshine Foundation
- Refer a Child | Make-A-Wish
- Special Needs Grant | Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
- MyGOAL Autism Grant Program – MyGOAL
- Autism grants for families | Autism Speaks
- Camp & Recreation | Easterseals Disability & Community Services
- USDA Rural Development: Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants
- Section 811 Portal | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Housing Choice Voucher Tenants | HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Find Your Local Affiliate | Rebuilding Together
- AT3 Center: AT Act Programs
- The ABLE Age Adjustment Act Fact Sheet - ABLE National Resource Center
- Medicaid.gov: Home & Community-Based Services 1915(c)
- Local Support | Autism Society
- FTC Consumer Advice: Government Grant Scams
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this guide
Are there grants for families of children with autism?
Yes. As of November 2, 2026, fifteen programs we checked are open or taking rolling applications, and eight more open on an annual or quarterly window. The largest are the UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation ("The amount awarded to an individual within a 12-month period is limited to $5,000. Awards to any one individual are limited to a lifetime maximum of $10,000."), the First Hand Foundation (monthly cycles for children 18 and under; the current one closes November 15, 2026), and the Oracle Health Foundation ("Pediatric grants for clinical and equipment requests average US$2,500 and do not exceed US$17,000"; its November window closes November 15, 2026, or sooner if it fills). Most set income limits, fund future costs only, and pay the provider instead of the family.
Are there grants for children with autism to pay for therapy?
Yes, with limits. UHCCF funds therapies a doctor prescribes, but its exclusions list "ABA therapy for children outside ages 3–6. One grant per child may be considered within the eligible age range." Small Steps in Speech funds speech therapy for ages 3 to 22, and its FAQ says: "As of August 1, 2014, we will not accept applications for Applied Behavior Therapy (ABA)." First Hand and Oracle Health fund therapies insurance does not cover; Oracle's rule is "There must be no existing insurance coverage for the requested expenses." ACT Today's regular window closed October 15, 2026. Its SOS fund takes urgent requests year round when "Income level of the applicant's family must be below $45,000/year."
Are there housing grants for families with autism?
No national program gives a family a housing grant because a child has autism. Housing money comes from Medicaid waiver home modifications, Variety of Texas grants, USDA Section 504 rural repair loans, Rebuilding Together, state assistive technology loan programs, and ABLE accounts. USDA's grant side is limited: applicants must "be age 62 or older and have a household income that does not exceed the very low limit by county." For rent, HUD Housing Choice Vouchers cover part of a low-income family's rent, and HUD says your place on the list depends on "any selection preferences you may have indicated on your application such as 'veteran' or 'disabled.'" For adults, HUD says "The Section 811 program supports the creation of multifamily housing for very low-income persons with disabilities."
Are there vacation grants for autism?
Very few, and none for autism at every support level. The Sunshine Foundation grants one dream trip per family for Level 3 autism. Its criteria: "Child must be between the ages of 3-18," "Children must be diagnosed with SEVERE or PROFOUND physical, developmental, or intellectual challenges," and "Family's household annual income may not exceed $100,000." Mild to moderate autism does not qualify. Make-A-Wish requires a critical illness, so autism alone does not qualify. Summer money comes from camp funding: Small Steps in Speech funds speech camps, Variety of Texas funds camps, and Easterseals calls itself "the largest provider of recreation and camping services for children and adults with disabilities in the United States."
Are there holiday grants for autism families?
Yes, one national program for the 2026 holidays. The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation gives holiday e-gift cards to families with an autistic child, chosen at random from the applicants. ASDF says: "Applications open on November 2, 2026. Applications close on November 16, 2026." If you mean a holiday trip, the Sunshine Foundation grants one dream trip per family for children with Level 3 autism, and state Medicaid waivers fund respite care.
Does Autism Speaks give grants to families?
No. Autism Speaks publishes a list of grants from other organizations and states that it does not administer or monitor them. Its Autism Response Team connects families to resources. Check every program on that list against the program's own website, because at least one listed foundation announced in June 2026 that it is shutting down at the end of the year.
Does autism qualify for Make-A-Wish?
Not on its own. Make-A-Wish lists these criteria at referral: "Older than 2½ years and younger than 18" and "Diagnosed with a critical illness, i.e., a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that is placing the child's life in jeopardy." It also requires that the child "Has not received a wish from another wish-granting organization." An autistic child with a qualifying co-occurring illness is eligible on the basis of that illness. For children with Level 3 autism, the Sunshine Foundation is the wish-style program that does accept autism.
How do I get a free iPad or communication device for my autistic child?
Apply to the National Autism Association's Give A Voice program, which serves people with autism "who are nonspeaking or unreliably speaking, and whose communication challenges put them at increased risk of injury or harm." The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation's iPad For Kids program takes applications year round from children and adults; "Applications must be submitted online." UCP's Elsie S. Bellows Fund pays for iPads and AAC devices, and "Applicants do not need to have cerebral palsy to qualify." Small Steps in Speech says "our awards will not exceed $1200" for communication devices, requires a formal AAC evaluation, and "is no longer awarding grants for iPads." Your state assistive technology program lends devices so your child can try one before you buy. UHCCF does not fund iPads or tablets.
Are there grants for autism safety items like GPS trackers and door alarms?
Yes, but supply is thin. The Flutie Foundation says it is "able to provide tracking bracelets to caregivers of people with autism with underlying conditions with a history of wandering who could not otherwise afford them"; request one through the foundation's contact page. The National Autism Association's free Big Red Safety Box (door alarms, ID bracelet, stop signs) is out of stock as of October 2026. UHCCF excludes GPS trackers, alert bracelets, and fencing. Ask your sheriff whether your county runs Project Lifesaver, which local public-safety agencies operate.
Is an ABLE account a grant?
No. An ABLE account is a tax-advantaged savings account for a person with a disability, and it holds only the money that you or others put in. The ABLE National Resource Center explains the 2026 change: "The age of eligibility expands to allow individuals who have a disability that began before age 46 (instead of before the age of 26) to be ABLE-eligible." It adds: "Up to $100,000 of savings in an ABLE account is not counted toward the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) resource limit," and "ABLE accounts can be used for a broad range of expenses including housing, education, transportation, healthcare, employment support and more."
What pays more than any private autism grant?
State education savings accounts, scholarships, and Medicaid. North Carolina's ESA+ pays $17,000 a year in 2026-27 for a student whose eligibility lists autism, Texas TEFA pays up to $30,000 a year for students with an IEP at an approved private school, and Arizona's 2025-26 ESA estimates run from $34,121 to $47,725 for students with autism. Medicaid waivers fund ongoing services, and Medicaid reviews ABA requests for enrolled children under 21. The largest private grant on this page is $17,000 per request, and Oracle Health caps a child at three requests in a lifetime.