NSC provides financial assistance to families with a neurodivergent child (ages 1-17). Financial assistance is offered to families for therapy, services, & support that is not covered by their insurance plan.

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​Grant amounts:

• $100 to $5,000 (following receipt of services or purchase of goods)

Who is eligible: 

• Neurodivergent children who have a developmental, neurological, social, learning, &/or psychological disability

• Massachusetts resident

• Parents/guardians should be able to clearly outline their need for financial assistance and plans of usage of grant funds. 

• Parents may apply once every calendar year; there is a limit of 3 awards per family.

• Families whose annual income is $55,000 or less for a family of two; $85,000 or less for a family of three; $115,000 or less for a family of four; or $145,000 or less for a family of five or more. Priority will be given to families with multiple children with disabilities & those with an annual income under $100,000.

Expenses covered include: 

• Services or support not covered by your health insurance plan due to plan limitations on providers (e.g., out-of-network), diagnoses (e.g., ABA for children with ADHD), treatment frequency (e.g., multiple times/week), &/or type of services (e.g., academic evaluations).

• Such services, may include: 

  • Neuropsychological Evaluations

  • Empirically supported therapy, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, & Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 

  • Advocacy services (e.g., advocate or lawyer fees specific to accessing special education services through your school district)

  • Assistive technologies (e.g., AAC devices & computer software programs)

  • Safety equipment (e.g., safety fencing, GPS tracking devices, & service dogs)

  • Social skills groups

  • Summer camps designed for neurodivergent children

Expenses NOT covered include:

• Services & providers covered fully by your health insurance plan 

• Travel expenses

• Transportation requests (e.g., cars, car repair, transportation passes, & air travel)

• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

• Nutritional supplements

• Personal needs (e.g., rent, utilities, & family vacations)

APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:​

• Proof of diagnosis or need for a diagnostic evaluation (documentation must be within the last 5 years):

  • Summary page from a neuropsychological report (or, if unavailable, substitute psycho-educational testing by a school psychologist) and/or

  • Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that lists a current diagnosis and/or

  • A 504 Plan that lists a current diagnosis and/or

  • A signed letter stating diagnosis (or referral for a diagnostic evaluation) from the child's pediatrician, therapist, psychologist, psychiatrist, and/or other licensed health provider, including the provider’s name, credentials, & license number.

• "Good Faith Estimate" from the provider who will be providing the services 

APPLICATION DEADLINE:

• NSC provides funding to families throughout Massachusetts every September. Applications are due July 1st.

Application Review Process:

• Applications will be reviewed by NSC board members.

• If an application is approved, a NSC board member will notify the applicant.

• NSC will disburse the funds directly to the family following the submission of a paid receipt for the agreed upon services or purchase of goods. The approved applicant will receive a reimbursement check (i.e., funding will be provided to family AFTER services have been paid for).  

Proof of Service or Purchase of Goods:

• Grant recipients MUST send a receipt or other proof of purchase for the agreed upon services to NSC, in order to receive their grant funding. 

• We request that grant recipients share a short letter of gratitude or some photos from the experience, so that NSC board members may know how the funds had a positive impact on your family.