Traumatic Brain Injury Trust funds are available in many states. We are trying to get legislative approval to start one here in Idaho. I am hoping to work with the Brain Injury Advisory Council when this reaches the Idaho Legislature. The key to these funds is the funding mechanism. As mhr4 said, they are usually funded by surcharges on traffic tickets, such a DUI, reckless driving, sometimes speeding, as determined by the legislative authority.

Since they are by application and not entitlement and limited to available funds, the PCS community will likely be last in line to receive any funds. The needs of those with TBI's that result in loss of motor function are the primary targets of these funds. The struggle PCS subjects have trying to get doctors to even recognize our struggles as real and caused by PCS will also make the application process problematic.

The benefits are control by the Trust Fund Charter and limited by available funds.

Here are some of the criteria of existing funds.

The Colorado fund is limited to those who have "Medical documentation of a traumatic brain injury that produces a partial or total disability as a result of impaired cognitive ability and/or physical function."

Kentucky's fund criteria for Medical Eligibility *is: People with a partial or total disability caused by injury to the brain are eligible to receive support from TBI's Benefit Management Program. Injuries to the brain may be a result of physical trauma, damage resulting from a lack of oxygen, allergic conditions, toxic substances and other medical incidents, including damage caused by drug overdoses or alcohol poisoning. Eligible individuals have impaired cognitive abilities or impaired brain function.

Georgia has a fund that is limited to those who have a letter from a physician, medical practitioner, hospital clinic or other medical or medically related facility, or insurance company verifying the nature (type) and cause of your injury. The letter must include both the nature (type) of injury and the cause of the injury. The cause of the injury must be one of the following. Conditions resulting from stokes and/or diseases do not qualify.

1. Accidental Fall
2. Accidently struck by or against an object/person
3. Assault
4. Self-inflicted Injury
5. Sports/Recreation injury
6. Transportation/Motor Vehicle accident

Who have Have Exhausted All Other Sources of Funds

The Commission intends for the Trust Fund to be a payer of last resort. Please review the following possible sources of funds and make sure you have applied for and exhausted all of those for which you qualify before submitting your application to the BSITF.
Medicaid
Medicare
SSI
SSDI
Private Insurance
Short Term Disability
Long Term Disability
Vocational Rehabilitation
Veteran's Administration
Victims Compenstation Fund

Person Support Services
Community Care Services (CCSP)
Independent Care Waiver Program (ICWP)
Mental Retardation Waiver Program (MRWP)
SOURCE

You can do an online search for Brain Injury Trust Fund Idaho or your state to see if there is one in your state. Good luck.