Special Needs and Accommodation: Disability Benefits or Programs for a Disabled Child

Hello.

Just joined this forum and am at the very beginning of researching how to get some benefits for a step-granddaughter who lives in California.

In a recently blended family, I now have a 5-yo step-granddaughter who was born without a right thumb and who is about to start kindergarten. Are there any disability benefits programs (state or federal) for such a young child? Obviously she has never been employed and is too young to work so can't receive unemployment. We are hoping she can get some counseling, mentoring and medical assistance and that there might be some disability benefits available for this. She had a melt-down at the doctor's recently when given some choices, so clearly we need to find gentle ways to gain her trust and build her confidence.

Any leads for places to start would be appreciated.

I could not find a closer forum section than this one. However, I don't know if this is the right place, so apologies if it is not (and if this message needs to be moved to a better place, let me know or please move it to where it belongs).

Thanks.

Special Needs and Accommodation: Disability Benefits or Programs for a Disabled Child