SHIP Special Needs Applicant Information

Priority review will be given to eligible households including members with developmental disabilities. 

* Florida Statute Citations:

Section 393.063, F.S.: “Developmental disability” means a disorder or syndrome that is attributable to intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, autism, spina bifida, Down syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, or Prader-Willi syndrome; that manifests before the age of 18; and that constitutes a substantial handicap that can reasonably be expected to continue indefinitely.

Section 420.0004(13), F.S.: “Person with special needs” means an adult person requiring independent living services in order to maintain housing or develop independent living skills and who has a disabling condition; a young adult formerly in foster care who is eligible for services under Section 409.1451(5), F.S.; a survivor of domestic violence as defined in Section 741.28, F.S.; or a person receiving benefits under the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program or the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program or from veterans’ disability benefits.

Section 420.0004(7), F.S.: “Disabling condition” means a diagnosable substance abuse disorder, serious mental illness, developmental disability, or chronic physical illness or disability, or a co-occurrence of two or more of these conditions and a determination that the condition is: a) expected to be of long-continued and indefinite duration; and b) not expected to impair the ability of the person with special needs to live independently with appropriate supports.

Documentation in the form of a letter from a physician or service provider is required.

  • Please note the letter does not need to explain or detail the type of special need(s) but does need to indicate the classification of special need(s) as one of those listed above and be signed by the issuer.
  • The information should be submitted on the physician or service provider’s letterhead, include the information listed on the draft letter and have all contact information (including name, address and phone number) of the physician or service provider included. Service providers includes, but is not limited to, a safety officer, case worker, treating physician, mental health care facility, law enforcement or similar professional service provider.