Government & Financial Assistance
Navigating disability benefits and financial support programs can be complex. This section provides resources on Medicaid, Social Security Disability (SSI & SSDI), food assistance, and state and federal grants that help individuals with autism and their families secure financial stability.
Social Security Administration (SSA) – Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
1-800-772-1213
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Information
1-800-232-4636
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html
National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Autism Research
301-496-4000
https://www.nih.gov/research-training/autism-research
U.S. Department of Education – Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP)
1-800-872-5327
https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/index.html
Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD)
1-866-273-2273
Hope Florida
833-438-4673
https://hopeflorida.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration
(239) 335-1315
Florida Department of Health – Children's Medical Services (CMS)
http://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/childrens-health/cms-plan/
Information Clearinghouse on Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council
https://www.floridahealth.gov/provider-and-partner-resources/icddac/index.html
Bright Expectations
Florida Department of Financial Services, Division of Consumer Services
https://www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/Consumers/ConsumerProtections/Autism-Spectrum-Disorder/
Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD)
Florida Department of Education – Bureau of Exceptional Student Education (BESE)
http://www.fldoe.org/academics/exceptional-student-edu/
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) – Florida Department of Education
Department of Children & Families Fort Myers Service Center
(850) 487-1111
https://myflfamiliesappt.cxmflow.com/
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council (FDDC)
1-800-580-7801
Autism Society of Florida
1-407-207-3388
Collier County Public Schools – Exceptional Student Education (ESE)
(239) 377-0001
https://www.collierschools.com/Page/4673
Collier County Sheriff's Office – Autism Support Project
https://www.colliersheriff.org/community-resources/behavioral-health-unit/autism-support
Financial Assistance
Autism Speaks – Financial Assistance Resources
1-888-288-4762
https://www.autismspeaks.org/financial-autism-support
Family Network on Disabilities (FND)
(727) 523-1130
https://fndusa.org/program-detail-page-jan-la-belle/
Legal Aid Service of Collier County
(239) 775-4555
https://www.collierlegalaid.org/
Autism Care Today
877) 922-8863
https://www.act-today.org/apply-for-grant/
Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism
https://www.flutiefoundation.org/
Anchor of Hope Foundation
https://www.anchorofhopefoundation.com
National Autism Association's Give A Voice Program
https://nationalautismassociation.org/
Care Family Grant Program
https://www.careautismfoundation.com/
Escher Fund for Autism
The FAR Fund
Organization for Autism Research (OAR)
Nancy Lurie Marks Family Foundation
https://www.nlmfoundation.org/
Autism Science Foundation
https://autismsciencefoundation.org/
United Healthcare Children's Foundation
My Gym Foundation
https://www.mygymfoundation.org/
Special Angels Foundation
https://www.specialangelsfoundation.org/
Avenues for Autism
https://www.avenuesforautism.org/
iTaalk Autism Foundation
The Maggie Welby Foundation
Dan Marino Foundation