Do you live in North Dakota? Do you have a disability, a chronic health condition, or autism? You may not know that one nonprofit can help with expenses that insurance and other programs sometimes leave out.
The North Dakota Association for the Disabled (NDAD) offers financial assistance for certain disability-related and medical needs. It also has a special program for children and adults with autism.
Here is what NDAD may help with, who can apply, and how the application works.
What Is the Autism Spectrum Assistance Program?
The Autism Spectrum Assistance Program, called ASAP, helps children and adults with autism.
According to NDAD, the program covers three main types of assistance:
- Medical travel: Mileage for out-of-town medical appointments, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, behavioral therapy, and psychiatric appointments.
- Respite care: Up to 8 hours per week of respite services, which can give caregivers a temporary break from their responsibilities.
- Equipment: Items that may help people with autism, such as weighted blankets, protective helmets, and door safety latches.
There is one important rule.
ASAP only provides assistance when no other payment option is available through local, state, or federal programs.
That means you may need to explore other sources of coverage before NDAD can help.
The program does not guarantee that every requested expense will be approved.
What Else Does NDAD Pay For?
ASAP is only one part of NDAD’s services.
The organization’s financial assistance program also helps eligible people with disabilities or chronic health conditions cover certain expenses.
Depending on eligibility and the type of request, assistance may include:
- Prescription medications: Free or reduced-cost prescriptions, subject to program restrictions.
- Medical equipment and supplies: Doctor-prescribed items such as walkers, shower chairs, and wheelchairs.
- Home accessibility modifications: Changes such as ramps, grab bars, or other modifications that make a home more accessible.
- Medical travel: Gas or lodging for qualifying out-of-town medical appointments, including trips involving referrals from local doctors.
- Personal attendant care: Help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating.
- Accessible transportation: Certain paratransit expenses for people who cannot use regular transportation or drive because of a disability.
- Adaptive recreation: Activities such as swimming lessons or bowling that support participation and independence.
Restrictions apply to individual services. For example, NDAD does not include gym memberships or personal exercise equipment in its adaptive recreation assistance.
NDAD also has specialized assistance related to organ transplants.
The broader financial assistance program is not limited to autistic people or seniors. It serves eligible people with disabilities and chronic health conditions.
Like ASAP, NDAD’s general financial assistance is intended to help when other available funding sources cannot cover the expense.
Can You Borrow Medical Equipment for Free?
Yes. NDAD offers another option called the Healthcare Equipment Loan Program (HELP).
Through HELP, people may be able to borrow durable medical equipment, such as wheelchairs, walkers, and shower chairs, for up to 90 days at no charge.
Unlike NDAD’s financial assistance program, HELP does not require financial qualification or the same assistance application.
However, you still need to check equipment availability and complete the required loan paperwork.
NDAD also has an Accessible Van Loan Program for eligible wheelchair users and their drivers.
As of October 2026, NDAD has expanded accessible van loans to all six of its North Dakota regional locations. Loans are subject to availability, approval, and program requirements.
These loan programs are separate from financial assistance, so ask NDAD which option best fits your needs.
Who Qualifies?
NDAD encourages North Dakota residents and people living in certain directly bordering communities to apply.
According to its financial assistance guidelines, applicants generally must:
- Have a disability or chronic medical condition that meets NDAD’s requirements.
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
- Live in North Dakota or an eligible bordering community.
- Complete the required application and provide supporting documentation.
- Explore other available payment sources before requesting NDAD financial assistance.
NDAD considers assistance a last-resort funding source. This means you may need to show that insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or other assistance programs cannot pay for the requested expense.
The organization does not publish one general income limit or age requirement that applies to every service on its main financial assistance pages.
However, NDAD may review your household finances and medical expenses when deciding whether you qualify.
Some applicants may also have a client contribution requirement. This can mean showing that you have already paid a certain amount toward household medical expenses before NDAD provides assistance.
It does not necessarily mean paying a fee directly to NDAD.
If you are unsure whether you qualify, ask your regional office which rules apply to the service you need.
You do not need to live with family members to request assistance.
What If You Live Near the North Dakota Border?
NDAD also serves certain communities immediately outside North Dakota.
Its regional service information includes:
- Moorhead and Breckenridge, Minnesota, through the Fargo region.
- East Grand Forks, Minnesota, through the Grand Forks region.
- Lemmon, South Dakota, through the appropriate regional office.
This does not mean everyone living in Minnesota or South Dakota qualifies.
If you live near the border, confirm that your community is covered before completing an application.
How Do You Apply?
NDAD has six regional offices serving different parts of North Dakota:
- Grand Forks
- Bismarck
- Dickinson
- Fargo
- Minot
- Williston
The official request assistance page includes a regional map and application packets.
Here is how to get started:
- Find your regional office. Use the map on NDAD’s request page to identify the office serving your county or community.
- Get the correct application packet. Download the packet for your region or ask the office to send you one.
- Complete the application. Provide the requested personal, household, financial, and medical information.
- Gather supporting documents. The packet explains which records you need for your situation.
- Sign the required forms. Review the application and any authorization forms before submitting them.
- Send everything to your regional office. NDAD accepts applications by mail, email, fax, or in-person delivery.
NDAD asks applicants to include “Attn: Client Services” on the envelope, in the email subject line, or on the fax.
What Documents Will You Need?
NDAD’s application materials identify several documents that may be required.
Depending on your situation, these can include:
- Proof of household income.
- Health insurance information, if applicable.
- Signed authorization forms.
- Medical documentation or information about your disability.
- Quotes or estimates for requested equipment or services.
- Appointment details for medical travel assistance.
- Immigration documentation if you are applying as a lawful permanent resident.
The exact requirements depend on what you are requesting.
Before submitting your application, review the checklist in your regional packet or ask a client services representative what documents are necessary.
Can You Apply Without Visiting an Office?
Yes. NDAD offers several options that may make the process easier.
You can submit your application by email, mail, or fax instead of traveling to an office.
NDAD also offers virtual appointments through Microsoft Teams, allowing you to speak with your regional office remotely.
If reading small print is difficult, you can request a larger-font version of the application from a client services representative.
A virtual appointment does not replace the application or required documents, but it may help you get answers without leaving home.
If you prefer written communication, email may be a useful way to ask questions and keep a record of the information you receive.
What Should You Know Before You Apply?
There are a few important things to understand about NDAD’s assistance.
Financial assistance is not guaranteed. NDAD reviews applications according to its guidelines, available resources, and the type of expense requested.
Other payment options generally come first. You may need to explore insurance coverage or other assistance programs before NDAD considers your request.
Some applicants have a client contribution requirement. NDAD may consider your household income and medical expenses when determining whether this applies.
Approved expenses are generally paid directly to providers. NDAD’s financial assistance program is not an unrestricted cash payment.
Do not buy items before applying. NDAD generally does not cover purchases made before the assistance request.
The organization also does not publish one general award amount or decision timeline for all types of assistance.
Before applying, consider asking your regional office:
- How much assistance may be available for your particular need?
- What documents will you need?
- Which other payment sources must you try first?
- Will a client contribution apply?
- How long does the review process usually take?
- How will an approved item or service be paid for?
These questions can help you understand the process before making purchases or financial commitments.
Relief Recap
Medical travel, disability equipment, and caregiving expenses can add up quickly, especially when insurance does not cover everything.
The North Dakota Association for the Disabled may help eligible residents with medical travel, equipment, prescriptions, home accessibility modifications, and other disability-related expenses.
Its Autism Spectrum Assistance Program also offers specific support for children and adults with autism, including medical travel mileage, respite care of up to 8 hours per week, and certain equipment.
NDAD generally serves North Dakota residents and people in designated bordering communities. Financial assistance is intended as a last resort, and eligibility, documentation, and possible client contribution requirements apply.
If you need temporary medical equipment, NDAD’s separate HELP loan program may offer another option without financial qualification.
To get started, visit NDAD’s official request assistance page and find your regional office.
For additional resources, explore our North Dakota assistance page or browse our guide to 45+ Autism Resources.
