The Attorney Grant Program is available to families whose household income falls between 125% and 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Please review the income chart below to determine whether you may be eligible for the program. If your household income exceeds the maximum income limit for your family size, you are not eligible to apply for an Attorney Grant. If your household income falls below the minimum income threshold, you are not eligible to apply for the Attorney Grant Program; however, you may qualify for the S.E.L.F. Legal Aid Program. Applicants are required to provide documentation verifying household income as part of the application process.
In addition to meeting the income guidelines, applicants must meet residency and special education eligibility requirements. If you are a resident of Connecticut or Westchester County, New York, and your child has a current Individualized Education Program (IEP), you may be eligible to apply for the Attorney Grant Program. Proof of residency and a copy of your child’s current IEP are required during the application process.
Families sometimes seek legal support when they reach an impasse with their school district regarding their child’s educational needs and services.
The Attorney Grant Program provides a one-time grant of $6000 for a qualified special education attorney. Families must:
1. Live in Connecticut or Westchester County, New York
2. Student must have a current IEP
3. Family income meets guidelines
To determine your eligibility, please complete the prescreen by clicking the button below. Please do not submit a prescreen unless you satisfy all three eligibility requirements, as applications that do not meet these criteria cannot be considered.
If you are eligible to apply, you will receive a link to the application immediately upon completing the prescreen. To be considered, you must complete the application and upload all required documentation, including proof of income, Student’s current IEP, and a recent educational evaluation. Applications submitted without the required documentation will not be reviewed. Any incomplete application submitted without prior approval from S.E.L.F. administration will be deleted. Completed applications and all supporting documentation must be submitted no later than the 15th of each month to be considered during that review cycle.
If your completed application and supporting documentation are accepted for review, you will be required to participate in an interview. S.E.L.F. will contact you to schedule the interview. Applications will not be considered without a completed interview, and all interviews must be completed by the 22nd of each month to be included in that review cycle.
Please note that participation in an interview does not guarantee approval of your application.
S.E.L.F. reviews applications on a monthly basis through the academic year.
All applicants will be notified of the status of their application by the end of the month in which they apply.
Watch How to Apply for a Grant
Attorneys must meet the following qualifications:
1. Have at least seven years of experience practicing special education or disability rights law
2. Devote a majority of their legal practice to special education law
3. Be a member in good standing of the Connecticut Bar Association or New York State Bar Association
4. Be licensed to practice law in Connecticut or New York
This list represents active attorneys in New York and Connecticut who have previously accepted grants from S.E.L.F. on behalf of clients and should not be construed as an endorsement by Special Education Legal Fund or any of its representatives of any of the attorneys whose names are included on this list.
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