STATUS: Open

SERVICE AREA: Michigan

CLIENTS SERVED: Michigan children under age 21 with qualifying special health care needs who are enrolled in, or medically eligible for, Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS). Citizenship or qualifying immigration requirements apply. Children enrolled in the Children’s Waiver Program are not eligible.

DESCRIPTION: The Children with Special Needs Fund (CSN Fund) is a privately funded program administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). It provides partial or full financial assistance to help families purchase specialized equipment that improves a child’s health, mobility, independence, and quality of life. Families must first explore insurance, government programs, and other available funding sources before applying to the CSN Fund.

PROGRAMS/SERVICES:

• Wheelchair Ramps: Financial assistance for residential wheelchair ramps
• Vehicle Accessibility Equipment: Van lifts, wheelchair ramps, restraint systems, tie-downs, and other equipment needed for accessible transportation. Vehicle purchases and repairs are excluded.
• Platform Lifts: Funding for wheelchair platform lifts when an ADA-compliant ramp cannot be constructed.
• Ceiling and Stair Lifts: Assistance with specialized lifting equipment when designated grant funding is available.
• Adaptive Recreational Equipment: Specialized recreational equipment that accommodates a child’s disability or medical condition.
• Therapeutic Bicycles and Tricycles: Adaptive bicycles, tricycles, and therapeutic riding equipment.
• Air Conditioning: Window units or central air conditioning for qualifying medical conditions aggravated by heat or humidity, subject to program restrictions.
• Electrical Service Upgrades: Electrical modifications necessary to safely operate specialized medical equipment.
• Turney Seats: Specialized rotating vehicle seats that assist with transferring individuals with mobility limitations into and out of vehicles.

RAMPS:

• Types: Custom-built, ADA-compliant residential wheelchair ramps for safe entry and exit from the home. Wheelchair platform lifts may be funded as an alternative when an ADA-compliant ramp cannot be constructed. The program does not specify whether ramps must be wooden, aluminum, modular, or permanent.
• Availability: Based on medical necessity, program eligibility, available funding, and whether other funding sources can assist.
• Cost: Partial or full financial assistance. The family’s contribution depends on approved funding and equipment costs.
• Limitations: Funding is specifically available for wheelchair ramps, not general home repairs or unrelated structural modifications. Rental properties require a signed landlord agreement.

HOW TO APPLY:
Contact the CSHCS office at your local health department or call 800-359-3722 for help with eligibility and applications. Download the CSN Fund Application and Guidelines, or call 517-241-7420 to request an application and further instructions. Mail the completed application and any supporting documents to Children with Special Needs Fund, PO Box 30734, Lansing, MI 48909, or fax to 517-335-8055, or email encrypted documents to csnfund@michigan.gov. Decisions generally take 4–6 weeks.