Funding Toolkit
Here are some resources for finding funding assistance for children in Nebraska who are deaf or hard of hearing to have access to medical care, technology, and resources. Several organizations have made their applications downloadable and/or available in Spanish. Those are listed below.
Please contact the organization before applying as qualifications may have changed. If you have additions or changes, please contact Sara Peterson.
Links to Applications:
AG Bell Parent and Infant Financial Aid Program: The Parent-Infant Financial Aid Program provides financial aid to families of infants and toddlers ages birth through 3 who have been diagnosed with a moderately-severe to profound hearing loss and who are in pursuit of a spoken language outcome for their child. Grants are awarded to assist with expenses associated with obtaining services such as auditory support services, speech-language therapy, technology, pre-school fees/tuition, etc. Families should be committed to a listening and spoken language approach for their child’s listening, speech, oral communication and cognitive skills. These awards are made one time for the year, generally in the month of December. Award recipients may apply for this program again in future years. Award amounts vary; over the past three years, awards have ranged from $300 to $2,000. Application: English
AUDIENT: Reduced cost hearing aids available to those who qualify financially. Audient is presently updating the income qualification charts. Please call our toll-free number for more information: 1-866-956-5400. Application:
BAHA Assistance Program – Colorado Neurological Institute: Applicants must to be evaluated and determined to be a candidate for a Baha device prior to applying to this Assistance Program. No age requirement, must be legal US resident whose health insurance excludes all aspects of the BAHA process and device. Application: English
Cochlear Implant Assistance Program – Colorado Neurological Institute: Applicants must be evaluated and determined to be a candidate for a Cochlear Implant prior to applying to this Assistance Progam. No age requirement, must be a legal US resident whose health insurance excludes all aspects of the cochlear implant process. Application: English
First Hand: The child must 18 years of age or younger (19-21 may be considered if they are in a child-like mental state) with a specific health care need that is clinically relevant to the health of the child. Must be no existing insurance coverage for the requested expenses and family must meet financial guidelines. Expenses covered include treatment (medicine, therapy, clinical procedures), equipment (assistive technology, hearing aids, etc), and displacement (some lodging, parking, and transportation fees). Application: English
Friends of Man: No age requirement. Application must be submitted by a referring professional. Funds may be used for: Mobility Equipment (prostheses, wheelchairs, van lifts, ramps, home modifications) and/or Medical Equipment and Procedures (Hearing Aids, Dentures, Glasses). Application: English
HearU: HearU Nebraska, formerly the Nebraska Children’s Hearing Aid Bank, provides hearing aids to children ages 0-18 with priority to newly identified children ages 0-3 years of age. Website: http://cehs.unl.edu/secd/nebraska-hearing-aid-banks/
HIKE: Children under the age of twenty who are U.S. Citizens and have not received a previous HIKE Award within the last four (4) years and who have been identified as 1) having a need for a hearing aid(s) or an assistive listening device and 2) having a financial need can benefit from HIKE. Considerations include family income, size of household, burdensome medical expenses for the applicant, and the cost of the hearing technology requested. Application: English
Kids Connection (CHIP): CHIP is an expansion of Medicaid as health care coverage for qualified children who are without other health insurance and who do not qualify for Medicaid. Federally called the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), it provides the same services covered under Medicaid. Application: English & Spanish
Miracle Ear Children’s Foundation: Applicants must have a hearing loss that requires amplification (hearing aids), children who have a mild or greater hearing loss, adults who have a moderate or greater hearing loss and must not have funding available including but not limited to: insurance, state Medicaid program, VA or vocational rehab, state or local programs, and other charity sources. Families must meet financial guidelines included on application. Application: English & Spanish
NSTEP (NCDHH): Nebraska residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind, and speech disabled of any age can apply for financial assistance to aid in the purchasing of specialized telephone equipment such as amplifiers, cell phones, signaling devices, TTY/TTs and video phones. Application: English
Small Steps in Speech: US Citizens age birth – 22 can apply for funds for future speech therapy sessions, materials workshops, and/or assistive technology devices. SSIS does not provides funds to purchase iPads, however funds may be granted for iPad software applications and an AAC Evaluation is required for software application requests. Application: English
Starkey Hear Now: Provides hearing aids to those permanently residing in the U.S. who meet financial criteria. The program is designed to assist those who have no other resource available to them. Hear Now is a program of last resort for funds. Application: English … Spanish
TPA: For all ages of persons who have deafness or hearing impairment; who will benefit from medical, mechanical, specialized treatment or specialized education and who are unable to provide the funds therefore themselves. Funds may be used to purchase materials, equipment, hearing aid/CI batteries, and other supplies related to hearing loss. New Information – – – – – –English Application
United Health Care Children’s Foundation: For children age 16 and under who are covered by a commercial health insurance plan and benefit limits are either exceeded, no coverage is available and/or the costs are a serious financial burden on the family. types of medical services covered by UHCCF medical grants include but are not limited to speech therapy, physical therapy, wheelchairs, hearing aids, etc. Application: English