DSAMT’s Crisis Grant can assist in providing some assistance with critical living expenses for families in desperate need who live with an individual with Down syndrome. The amount available will depend on DSAMT’s available funds and severity of need but will not exceed $1,000. Families who receive the Crisis Grant will not be able to reapply for subsequent needs. The application must be completed in its entirety, and funds will only be paid directly to the vendor.
Applicants must meet the following basic criteria to apply:
1)An individual with Down syndrome (any age) must live in the household
2) Family must reside in the DSAMT TN service area: Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, Davidson, Dekalb, Dickson, Fentress, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Moore, Overton, Perry, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, Wayne, White, Williamson, and Wilson counties.
Annual Maximum:
The maximum grant per individual family per year is $1,000. The program is based on application submission followed by voting of the DSAMT Board of Directors.
Application Process:
1) Requestor must complete the DSAMT Crisis Grant application on this page.
2) Requestor must submit their specific needs, amount needed for each item, why it is needed, and how nonpayment impacts the individual with Down syndrome.
3) If a bill is needing paid, you must send a copy of the actual bill that is needing paid to Tanya Chavez at Tanya@somethingextra.org.
4) If the application is submitted without all necessary information and documentation, the application will be considered incomplete and will not be considered.
5) Payments will be made to the provider or vendor only.
Awarding funds:
After an application is approved by the DSAMT Board of Directors, payment will be processed as quickly as possible. Once you have received notification, you may contact your service provider to notify them of pending payment from DSAMT, if necessary. If the application is denied, a brief explanation will be included in the written notification.
Requests may be denied for the following reasons:
1) Requestor has already been awarded the maximum of $1,000
2) Service is not classified as an approved expense
3) Applicant resides outside the DSAMT service area
4) Crisis Grant funds have been exhausted for the current fiscal year