SSI provides monthly payments to adults and children with disabilities who have limited income and resources, as well as to adults 65 or older without disabilities who meet the financial requirements. Families can apply online through the Social Security Administration website or by calling 1-800-772-1213. Eligibility is determined by income, assets, and disability status.

TRIO Programs are federally funded programs that support students from low-income families and first-generation college students in their path to higher education. Programs include Upward Bound, Talent Search, and Student Support Services, available at educational institutions across the country. Families can contact their local college or high school to find out if TRIO programs are available in their area.

The Arc is the largest national organization advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, serving individuals across the entire lifespan from birth through aging. Local chapters provide direct services including housing, employment support, and family navigation, while the national office leads federal policy advocacy. Differentiator: broad I/DD focus, not disability-specific; strong chapter network for local service connection.

Think College is the leading national source of information on inclusive higher education for students with intellectual disabilities, maintaining a searchable database of college programs designed specifically for this population. Families can explore program options by state, cost, and residential status. Differentiator: the only national directory specific to inclusive postsecondary programs for intellectual disability, not general college search tools.

Federal guide to benefits, government services, and help with essential needs.