APPLICATION
What is Considered Special Needs?
Special needs is used to describe a life-long disability attributed to developmental and/or intellectual impairments. An individual who has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Individual Service Plan (ISP) is included. These disabilities affect daily functioning in the following areas: capacity for independent living, economic self-sufficiency, learning, mobility, social skills, receptive and expressive language, self-care, and self-direction.
When is this Funding Available?
A parent or legal guardian may apply for funding assistance for a child or adult once per calendar year. An Applicant's family may apply for up to two family members in one calendar year.
Who Will Benefit from this Organization?
Children and adults with special needs that live in NORTHEAST OHIO (Northeast Ohio includes the following counties: Ashtabula, Ashland, Carroll, Columbiana, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Holmes, Huron, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas, and Wayne).
Financial support may be designated for camps, various therapies, adult living expenses, medical expenses, respite, assistive or adaptive equipment, and/or communicative devices that are necessary to meet daily challenges.
Application Steps
Your information will be kept confidential. Once you click the “SEND MESSAGE” button, your completed application will automatically be forwarded to us. You only need to fill out the Application ONCE. You will receive an email confirmation explaining what you need to do next. (If you do not, please check your spam folder.)
If you are an adult and your own legal guardian, please fill out the Application for yourself. If someone is assisting you, you will need to fill out Zane's Release of Information form and send it along with your initial documents when you open your file.
If you would like for a representative of Zane's to be able to speak with your provider, caseworker, therapist, or anyone else who is assisting you with your file, please fill out Zane's Release of Information form and send it along with your initial documents when you open your file.
If you are applying for services (such as therapy), a “letter of service” must come from the service provider outlining the service that you will receive, the cost per session, and the length of treatment. This letter must come on letterhead, have an original signature on it, and be dated. For adaptive equipment, you must also give us a copy of the item, where the item may be purchased, and the item number. You may send us the letter from the provider, or the provider may send it directly to us.
If you are seeking respite, you must find an agency. The agency will provide up-to-date CPR classes, First Aid, and a background check for the respite care worker.
All applicants who are asking for Summer Camp funding must have an open file no later than February 1st of the calendar year. We are sorry, but there are no exceptions.
Please understand that Zane’s will not pay for current bills or past due bills or services. We will only pay for services going forward. Checks will not be given to you. Checks are only given to the providers of services or businesses.
We will ask for more documents as time continues. We will not return any of your documentation to you. Every family is required to attend a face-to-face interview with a Board Member; however, at the present time, all interviews are being done as Zoom meetings.
There are four quarters of disbursement of funds each year. Those dates are January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30 of each year. Applications are accepted throughout the year. Each Applicant's family will be notified of a letter, email, or phone call of any decisions regarding their file by the end of each quarter.
Zane’s Inc. may assist adults over the age of 18 years old with items or services that are considered essential to optimize living or living conditions that are not covered by another government agency or insurance. Requests need to be under $500 for an expedited process. Requests over $500 will fall into the regular funding quarter. Items or services may include mattress/box spring sets, club memberships, clothing, pest treatments, or another item or service that is not on this list.
Zane's Inc. is a last-resort funding organization. We want and expect you to use the funding resources available to you.
If you have any question that is not addressed here, please contact our office at office@zanesinc.org or by calling 330-677-ZANE (330-677-9263).
Zane’s Inc.
P.O. Box 1642
Stow, OH 44224
Application Process
Fill out the following Application if you want to be considered for funding from Zane's Family Support Fund initiative. Those eligible for financing are children and adults with special needs from Northeast Ohio. A parent or legal guardian may apply for assistance once per calendar year. If you are an adult and your legal guardian, you need to fill out the application for yourself.