Request Funding

First Hand accepts applications from all over the world. If you or someone you know would like to apply for assistance on behalf of a child, please review the financial guidelines and the criteria listed below. If your child’s case meets all criteria, we are happy to consider your application.

Application

Determine where the child is receiving care and download the appropriate application for assistance.

• If the child is receiving care in the United States download the US Application.
• If the child is receiving care outside of the United States download the Non-US Application.

Application process

• Upload the completed application and supporting documents.
• Once completed and submitted, a case manager will review the application.
• A Clinical Decision Committee meets the first Wednesday of every month to review applications.
• A case manager will follow up with the applicant within two weeks of the case review meeting.
• If approved, funding will be sent to the provider (not the family) within three weeks of approval. Funds must be used within 12 months of the date granted.

Funding criteria

• The child must be 18 years of age or younger (a person 19–21 may be considered if they are in a child-like mental state)
• The child must be under the care of a pediatrician
• The case must involve a child with a specific health care need
• The request must be clinically relevant to the health of the child
• There must be no existing insurance coverage for the requested expenses
• One request per year, per child for a maximum of three times in a child’s lifetime

Expenses covered:

• Treatment: Clinical procedures, medicine, therapy, prosthesis, etc.
• Equipment: Wheelchairs, assistive technology equipment, care devices, hearing aids, etc.
• Displacement: Lodging (only if charitable housing is unavailable), gas ($0.33 per mile), parking and transportation related to a child’s care
• Vehicle modifications: Lifts, ramps and transfer boards

Expenses not covered:

• Home modification projects
• Alternative or experimental drugs, treatment or therapy where there is controversy in the medical community
• Wheelchair-accessible van purchases
• Requests for research funding, mass population grants or other not-for-profit organizational grants
• Requests for debt reduction/past medical bills
• Copays or deductibles
• Therapy dogs

Financial guidelines

Clinical and Equipment Guidelines

Take your adjusted gross income (found on the first page of your federal income tax return) and subtract out-of-pocket medical expenses for the child in the past year. Compare the final outcome to the table below.

Travel and Lodging Guidelines

Vehicle Modification Guidelines

Disclaimer: First Hand Foundation reserves the right to distribute funding at its sole discretion.