Applying for Medical Assistance/ACCESS:

An ACCESS card is necessary for you to receive wraparound services through the State of Pennsylvania's Department of Public Welfare for your child. The State provides Medical Assistance to children with Autism regardless of income level. Anyone with an official diagnosis is eligible for an ACCESS card. Once you have your card, you can call any wraparound service provider and ask for wraparound to start. Many agencies can take you right away, but the quality agencies usually have waiting lists. (If you want information on other parent experiences with local wrap agencies, join our online support group and ask!

Forms and FAQs:

You can also get the necessary forms to apply for an ACCESS Card. You'll need the general benefits application 600 C

You can also apply for benefits online at COMPASS (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Application for Social Services)If your child has an MR (Mental Retardation) diagnosis in addition to the autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, you are eligible for more services under the MR Dept. of the State of Pennsylvania, such as community based waivers. Confused?? Join our online support group to ask other parents. You'll find that others are more than willing to help you, and they are the best source of information out there!

How To Get an ACCESS Card Quickly:

* First, you'll need to apply for social security income {SSI}. You will probably be rejected -- which is fine. You need to hang on to the rejection letter to prove to the people at MA that you are eligible. To apply for SSI over the phone, call 1-800-772-1213. Tell the caseworker that you have a child with a disability and you'll need the rejection letter sent to you.

* Fill out the Medical Assistance form COMPLETELY (form 600C listed above). It should be completed as if the only person in your household who is applying is the child. YOU NEED TO LIST YOUR INCOME ON THE FORM. Under a new regulation, parental income must be listed, even though it is NOT considered when making a determination of the eligibility of the child (provided the child meets the disability requirements). If your child receives income, such as Social Security Income, that information needs to be listed.

* For questions on filling out the forms, etc., you can contact your County Assistance Office. Here is a list of all County Assistance Offices in the State of Pennsylvania, or you can check with the Dept. of Public Welfare website on How to Apply for Medical Assistance in Pennsylvania

* Write the following on the top of the form and highlight it in yellow marker: "MA FOR DISABLED CHILD HANDBOOK SECTION 355.4"

* Have the following information and take it to the Dept. of Public Welfare in your local area: completed form, your child's social security card, an ORIGINAL birth certificate, and written documentation of the diagnosis from your doctor.

* You will be issued a temporary medical card. The card may be used immediately, but is only temporary, pending authorization. If your child be turned down for the permanent card (which is unlikely as long as you have a diagnosis), you will not have to pay back any monies used.

* Make sure you ask for a temporary card -- sometimes you need to ask.

* You should receive your permanent card within a month or two.