Moderate Support • Ages 14-16 • Goal:
Identify Funding and Housing Options
Action step 1.
Think about housing options.
Where and how do you think you’ll want to live as an adult? You may have several housing options, like:
- Living at home with your family
- Living on your own in a house, apartment or shared living
- College housing
- A group home
Resources
Words to know
Action step 2.
Apply for Home and Community-based Services.
All states provide home and community-based services (HCBS) to help children and adults with disabilities live at home. Eligibility varies within and across states. Services can include:
- Day or overnight services
- Employment services
- Residential services, including shared living and group homes
- Transportation services
HCBS may have long waiting lists. It’s a good idea to apply for services as soon as your child is diagnosed with autism.
Resources
Words to know
Action step 3.
Find low-income housing supports.
Contact the local housing authority to make sure you’re on the waiting list for rental assistance for:
- Low-income housing
- Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
If you’re not already on the list for these programs, ask when you can be added. Even if your family isn’t low-income, when you turn 18 you are eligible for services is based on your own income.
Resources
Words to know
Action step 4.
Start saving for adult housing.
Contact a special needs planner to explore saving options, like:
- Special needs trust
- Pooled trust
- Life insurance-funded annuity
Open an Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) account. You want to save in accounts that won’t be used later to determine your child’s eligibility for support programs, like Social Security.
Resources
Words to know
You’ve reached the end of the action steps for this support level and age group.
- To find services and providers in your area, visit our Resource Guide.
- For direct contact with a member of our Autism Response Team, call 1-888-AUTISM2 (1-888-288-4762).
- Send an email to: help@autismspeaks.org.
