Alternative Funding Sources to Help Cover Costs Of Private Therapy

I understand that private pay can be a stretch for some families. Thankfully, there are several grant programs that can help cover therapy and related medical expenses for children. Here are five excellent resources:

1. Small Steps in Speech

  • What they fund: Speech and language therapy for children with speech/language disorders.

  • Eligibility:

    • Ages 3 to 22

    • U.S. citizen or permanent resident

    • Not currently receiving funding from other organizations for the same services

    • Recent evaluation report

  • Income: Less than $125,000 joint family income

  • Website: smallstepsinspeech.org

2. UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF)

  • What they fund: Medical-related services and therapy, including speech, OT, and behavioral therapy

  • Eligibility:

    • Ages 16 and younger

    • Must have commercial health insurance (not Medicaid/CHIP)

    • U.S. citizen or legal resident

  • Income: Household income limits vary by family size (e.g., under $135,000 for a family of 4)

  • Website: uhccf.org

3. Oracle Health Foundation (formerly Cerner Charitable Foundation)

  • What they fund: Healthcare expenses including therapy, assistive devices, and medical equipment

  • Eligibility:

    • Ages 0 to 18

    • Qualifying income is based on the number of dependent children in the home

    • Services must not be covered (or sufficiently covered) by insurance

  • Income: Sliding scale based on federal poverty guidelines

  • Website: oraclehealthfoundation.org

4. Missouri Assistive Technology (MOAT)

  • What they fund: Assistive technology devices and services for individuals with disabilities in Missouri

  • Eligibility:

    • Missouri resident

    • Has a disability requiring assistive technology for communication, mobility, etc.

  • Income: Considered but not always disqualifying—funding available for a range of situations

  • Website: at.mo.gov

5. Friends of Man

  • What they fund: Therapy expenses, including AAC equipment

  • Eligibility:

    • All ages considered

    • Application must be submitted by a referring professional (e.g., doctor, therapist, social worker)

    • Available to residents of the U.S.

  • Income: Household income of 300% or less of Federal Poverty Guidelines

  • Website: friendsofman.org

6. Variety STL (TherHappy Kids)

  • What they fund: Therapy expenses, including medical equpiment

  • Eligibility:

    • 21 years and under

    • Has a disability that requires medical equipment or therapy services

    • Available to residents in the Greater St. Louis area

  • Income: Household income of 300% or less of Federal Poverty Guidelines

  • Website:  varietystl.org