Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund: If you are in MA or NJ your child may be eligible

Special needs children and fundinggrants and supports for familiesResources for ParentsTips for Parents of Special Needs StudentsMaureen Brown Education ConsultantCatastrophic Illness

Mar 23

Written By Maureen Brown

Check eligibility for CICRF

If you are caring for a child or youth under 22 and need financial relief for large medical and related expenses, you may be eligible for the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund (CICRF). This may help defer some of the costs, and provide some relief for what you're already going through.

Who is eligible?

In order to be eligible for the Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund:

The family’s out-of-pocket expenses related to their child’s illness, accident, or disability must be more than 10% of the family’s yearly income from all sources up to $100,000, plus 15% of any portion of the family income that is above $100,000, in a given 12-month period
The applicant must be a resident of Massachusetts
The applicant must be 21 years old or younger at the time the expenses were incurred
The applicant must be under the care of a licensed health care provider with staff privileges at a hospital licensed or accredited to provide pediatric or neonatal care

The Fund is a reimbursement program for:

Expenses within 2 years of the date the application is received by the Fund
Expenses for which the family is directly responsible as a result of the child’s medical condition, accident or disability
Expenses not covered by health insurance or any other source, after the family makes all reasonable attempts to pursue other funding

Eligibility is based on the child’s medically related expenses compared to family income.

Applications cannot be processed without proof of income from all sources for the 12-month eligibility period.

Proof of payment by the family for all expenses is required for reimbursement. In some cases, proof of insurance denials and appeals may be needed.