Get ready

Prepare once. Apply with less friction.

Almost every grant, benefit and study asks for some mix of the same documents. Collect them once, keep copies in one folder on your phone or in a binder, and applications take minutes instead of days. Tick items off as you find them; your progress shows in My plan.

This website never collects your documents. Use each program's official secure portal, mail address or instructions. Avoid sending health, financial or identity documents through ordinary email unless the organization provides a secure method.

A simple six-step process

  1. 1
    Define the request.

    Name the item or service, why it's needed, the estimated cost, and when it's needed.

  2. 2
    Check eligibility before spending.

    Confirm diagnosis, service area, income or insurance rules, deadlines, and whether approval must come before an order or expense.

  3. 3
    Ask what must be tried first.

    An ALS clinic social worker or care coordinator can explain whether insurance, public benefits or another funding source must be used first.

  4. 4
    Gather only the requested documents.

    Use the checklist below as a master folder. A tax return, bank statement, denial letter or vendor W-9 is not required for every program.

  5. 5
    Submit the current form.

    Sign where required and save the complete application, attachments, date and confirmation number.

  6. 6
    Track the decision and payment rules.

    Record follow-up requests, the approved amount, expiration date, and whether payment goes to you, a caregiver or a vendor.

Your reusable application folder

Three items unlock the most programs: a signed diagnosis letter, receipts, and registration with your local ALS chapter. Documents collected: 0/0

0/4

Identity & contact

0/6

Medical

0/3

Insurance

0/3

Income & household

0/5

Receipts & quotes

0/2

Caregiving

0/3

Veterans

0/4

Scholarships

Printable & fillable

Trackers you can type into or print

Keep every application and study contact in one place. Save the PDF after filling it in.

9 pages · fillable

Application tracker

Contacts page, this document checklist, one card per grant application, one card per study you contact, and a deadlines list.

2 pages

Document checklist

A short printable version of the folder checklist above, grouped by identity, medical need, insurance, costs, permissions and records.

1 page

Simple tracker sheet

A one-page table for people who prefer pen and paper: program, deadline, submitted, status, notes.

Keep account numbers out of email

Programs that need your Social Security number (HealthWell, Social Security, the VA) have secure online forms for it. If a form asks for bank details before approval, call the organization to confirm it's real. Payment usually goes to a vendor or arrives after a decision, never as a condition of applying.