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When starting on your recovery journey, the last thing you need to worry about is how to pay for treatment. The good news is that there are programs available that help to provide financial assistance for drug rehab and grants for rehab, addiction or mental health services.
Check out the free Funding Your Recovery Toolkit that can help you navigate the process and take the stress out of asking, “How will I pay for Treatment?”
Can Individuals Get “Grants” for Rehab or Therapy?
As a general rule, grants are specifically limited to organizations and individuals can not get direct grants for rehab or therapy. Most grants are given to nonprofit organizations or qualifying publicly funded addiction treatment programs.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or SAMHSA,distributes grant money to fund programs across the country that provide free or reduced fee services.
While grant money does not typically go directly to individuals seeking treatment, there are other avenues to help you get the assistance you need to pay for your treatment including:
- Scholarship programs
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- State funded programs
- Nonprofit organizations
Stop guessing, start moving. Grab your funding toolkit that helps you check eligibility, organize your documents and offers guidance to submit 3-5 applications in 48 hours.
Quick Check: Which Funding Paths Fit Your Situation?
Getting the help you need should not depend on your ability to pay. There are programs designed to make treatment free or low cost so you can focus on recovery, not how you will pay for treatment.
Eligibility Snapshot: Pick Your Path
Everyone’s financial situation is different, but that shouldn’t stand in the way of getting treatment. This quick overview can help you identify which funding paths may fit your needs based on your personal circumstances.
Whether you’re uninsured, underinsured, employed, or facing financial hardship, consider the following options that could make rehab or therapy more affordable:
- Medicaid
- Medicare
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
- Affordable Care Act Plans and Subsidies
- Scholarships
- Individual Awards
- Sliding Scale Fees
- Charity Care
- Community Clinics
Real Ways Individuals Pay for Treatment
Paying for rehab or therapy can feel overwhelming, but there are many real and practical ways to make treatment affordable. You may combine several funding sources, such as insurance benefits, state-funded programs, scholarships, or sliding-scale options.
This can reduce your out-of-pocket costs. The following are proven strategies people use every day to pay for addiction and mental health treatment without delaying recovery.
Medicaid and State Funded Programs
Uninsured or low income individuals can get help paying for treatment. One way to do this is through Medicaid. Qualifications for this program include income levels, the number of people in your home or disability status.
Enrolling is easy. You can apply online through your state’s government website or in person through a local Division of Family Resources office.
Sometimes the process can be expedited in emergency situations. In this case, hospitals or facilities can help in the application process and get immediate coverage.
Medicaid typically covers detox, medication-assisted treatment (MAT and inpatient/outpatient treatment. It is important to verify coverage and benefits to ensure you won’t have any surprise out of pocket expenses.
Medicare for Addiction and Mental Health
If you are covered under Medicare, treatment for alcohol or substance use disorder is a covered service. Under Part A, necessary inpatient treatment is covered in a hospital setting as long as the facility is Medicare approved.
There may be out of pocket expenses, including deductibles or coinsurance payments.
Part B covers many outpatient treatment services, including screenings, outpatient individual and group therapy, opioid treatment programs, medication assisted treatment and intensive outpatient (IOP).
You must meet your annual Part B deductible before you can expect 100% coverage. If you have a Medigap plan, this may help to pay for these out-of-pocket costs.
Part D covers prescription drugs for treatment, including buprenorphine, naltrexone and any medications prescribed for co-occurring disorders such as depression or anxiety.
There may be a copayment or deductible, depending on your policy. Additionally, there may be a prior authorization (PA) process before being able to get your medications.
ACA Plans and Subsidies
If your employer does not offer health insurance as a benefit, you may use the ACA marketplace to get the coverage you need. You can enroll through the government’s website at Healthcare.gov. There, you can compare and buy private insurance coverage.
In some cases, you may qualify for tax credits that will help you reduce the monthly cost of your premiums. Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), these policies must cover 10 essential health benefits, including mental health services, preventative care and prescription medications.
Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) & Short-Term Disability
Some employers offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides confidential services, including counseling, crisis intervention services and wellness programs to help their employees in need. Most of these programs are free of charge and the services vary.
EAPs can also serve as a starting point for getting help with addiction or mental health concerns before they escalate. In some cases, EAPs may provide short-term therapy sessions or referrals to specialized treatment centers covered by your insurance.
If your condition requires extended care, your employer’s short-term disability benefits may offer partial income replacement while you focus on recovery.
Each plan has its own eligibility criteria and duration limits, so it’s important to review your company’s policy or speak confidentially with your human resources representative to understand what support you can access.
Scholarships and Other Legal Remedies
Scholarship programs may also be available when you are uninsured or underinsured. These programs can be supported by private donations or foundations and cover the cost of treatment for inpatient, outpatient, medications assisted treated or sober living residences.
In cases where there is a waitlist or coverage is delayed, you may be able to start medication assisted treatment under the Drug Addiction Treatment Act of 2000.
This law allows emergency room providers to administer buprenorphine to a patient for up to 3 days to help relieve acute withdrawal symptoms while waiting to get into a program.
The Consolidated Appropriation Act of 2023 offers another resource to help you get care while you are waiting to get into a treatment program. The Act expands the prescribing authority for Schedule III medications, including buprenorphine, to any medical provider with a standard DEA registration.
The Family Medical Leave Act or FMLA is a law that ensures employers offer up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to their employees for family and medical reasons. This law requires that your job is protected, your insurance benefits continue and when you return to work, your wage remains the same as before taking leave.
Sliding Scale, Charity Care and Community Clinics
If you don’t have insurance or can’t afford standard therapy rates, many providers and clinics offer flexible payment options. Sliding scale programs adjust the cost of treatment based on your income, ensuring that your care remains accessible regardless of your financial status.
Charity care programs may be available at nonprofit hospitals or behavioral health centers. They can fully or partially cover the cost of therapy for those who qualify.
Additionally, community mental health clinics provide low-cost or free counseling, medication management, and group therapy supported by state or local funding. These programs are designed to remove financial barriers so you can focus on recovery and emotional well-being instead of worrying about how to pay for care.
Special Populations
Veterans of the United States Armed Services can receive no cost alcohol or substance use disorder treatment through the Veterans Administration health care service. You must be enrolled in the program to receive benefits.
They provide comprehensive care, including:
- Inpatient and outpatient substance abuse treatment
- Detox
- Medication assisted treatment
- Counseling for individuals and family
- Co-occurring disorder treatment
- Relapse prevention services
Without VA benefits, veterans who have served in a combat zone can get free drug and alcohol assessment, counseling and other services through a community Vet Center. According to the Veterans Administration, there are over 300 of these centers across the country.
Teens or students may receive support through their school social workers or student counseling centers.
These programs often receive grants that fund free services at their school or university. Scholarships can be another avenue to help you pay for mental health or substance abuse treatment.
State Spotlight: Mental Health Grants in Texas
Texas funds a variety of programs that make mental health care more accessible for individuals and families.
Through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), state and federal grant money supports:
- Initiatives that expand treatment access in rural areas
- Provide specialized services for justice-involved individuals
- Fund veterans’ and family mental health programs
Many of these initiatives partner with local community centers to offer counseling, crisis response, and rehabilitation services at little or no cost. To explore these options, visit your state’s behavioral health authority website.
In Texas, that’s the Texas HHSC Mental Health and Substance Use Services page. You can also call (512) 424-6500 or dial 211 in Texas to connect with mental health and substance use treatment programs in your area.
Step by Step: Secure Funding in the Next 48 Hours
It can be overwhelming to think about how you are going to pay for treatment, especially while battling addiction at the same time.
Here is a breakdown of the steps you can take to make it easier:
Day 1 (1-4 hours)
- Gather important documents
- Identification, including a driver’s license, a social security card or a passport
- Call or check your state’s Medicaid portal and start your application
- Contact 3 facilities and ask them about scholarships, sliding scale fees or waitlist priority
Day 2
- Submit scholarship forms
- Get an intake appointment through your EAP
- Do a marketplace screening
- Schedule a clinical assessment
How to Win Rehab Scholarships and Avoid Scams
Scholarships require an application process that can include several steps. Consider the following information you should include and factors that create red flags in your application.
What Funders Want to See
Scholarships & mental health grants are commonly funded through private donations or grant programs.
Organizations commonly consider the following positive factors in your application:
- Proof that you are in need and qualify for the funds
- Prove you can be away from family or work commitments programs for a 30-day commitment to treatment
- Prove a clinical need for services
- Proof of a stable support system to help during and after treatment
Your Application Packet
You can expect that your application packet will require a personal statement from you.
This could include your reason to seek treatment, a retelling of your addiction history or a description of your current situation that highlights the reason you should receive a scholarship for treatment.
Applications typically require a clinical note supporting your need for treatment. This can come from your primary care provider or from a medical professional who has assessed your need for treatment.
Finally, they require proof of income. In some cases, you must submit tax returns, proof of residence, insurance documents when applicable and personal references.
Application Red Flags
Here are some red flags to watch for when an aid-offering program might be a scam. Use these as warning signs, not definitive proof, and always verify before sharing sensitive information.
Upfront Fees or Application Payments
Legitimate scholarships and funding programs should not require you to pay to apply. If you’re asked to pay a “processing fee,” “registration fee,” or “administrative charge,” that’s a definite warning sign.
Guaranteed Awards or Promises
No legitimate program can guarantee you will be selected or awarded funds in advance. If the offer is presented as a “sure thing,” it likely is not real.
Vague or Missing Details
If the program doesn’t clearly explain criteria, eligibility, how awards are determined, or how much funding is available, it may be hiding something.
Overselling “Extras” or Perks
Be cautious if the program promises things like free flights, luxury accommodations, or other perks tied to the scholarship. Some scams use incentives to lure people in.
Unsolicited Offers or Aggressive Marketing
If you receive emails, texts, calls, or social media messages offering rehab scholarships that you never requested, that’s suspicious. Scam operations often use high-pressure tactics or urgency to push you into decisions without time to verify.
Lack of Accreditation or Licensing
A legitimate rehab or mental health provider behind a scholarship should be licensed, credentialed, or accredited. If you can’t verify credentials, or if they refuse to provide them, that’s a red flag.
Misrepresentation of Services or False Claims
Watch out for offers that misstate what the scholarship supports, exaggerating services, or falsely claiming affiliations with respected hospitals or agencies.
Requests for Highly Personal or Financial Info Too Soon
Be suspicious if a “scholarship” application asks for bank account numbers, credit card info, social security numbers beyond what is legitimately required, or other sensitive data before the legitimacy of the program is established.
Poor Online Presence or No Verifiable Contact
If the scholarship or the provider has no legitimate website, no address, or no verifiable phone number, or uses only a generic 800 number that doesn’t tie back to a known institution, this is concerning.
Can Nonprofits and Community Groups Help Pay?
Some community groups and nonprofits can help you pay for treatment. These can be through churches, mental health foundations or civil groups.
Some may help to pay for the entire cost of treatment. Others can help to supplement the cost of expenses by offering gas or childcare vouchers.
They will often require an application process similar to scholarship applications.
Mental Health Grants FAQs
No, there are typically no individual mental health grants in 2025. Grants are usually given to organizations that allocate the money for treatment for those in need.
If you come across a grant that states you can get money for treatment, especially if it has a fee for application, it is likely not a legitimate program.
You can not get a direct grant from Medicaid, SSI or SSDI. Coverage for alcohol or substance use disorder treatment is generally covered under these types of insurance programs.
Grants can cover both inpatient and outpatient treatment.
You will need to speak with a representative from the treatment program you’re considering. They can explain how their funding is allocated and what services are covered.
Yes. Because between 40% and 60% of people experiencing alcohol or substance use disorder will relapse at least one time during their recovery journey, most people will not be rejected if they have sought treatment before.
Many programs allow for walk in or same day evaluations.
If you are not able to get into treatment right away, you can still get help through the emergency room. They have programs to help you between assessment and admittance.
Free Download: Funding Your Recovery Toolkit Checklist + Tracker
This one-page Funding Your Recovery Toolkit helps you move from overwhelmed to in action in minutes.
It includes an eligibility checklist, a document checklist, a call script for facilities and a 7-row tracker for applications and follow ups.
Print it or save the fillable version, check off what you qualify for, and use the tracker to submit between 3 and 5 funding requests within 48 hours.
Find Affordable Treatment Near You
Paying for treatment should never be an obstacle to care. There are several ways to get help with paying for care, whether it is through Medicaid, Medicare, the VA, scholarship or sliding scale fee services.
Reach out to the resources we have discussed in this article today. You can also check out the Rehabs.org online directory. This database helps you to locate a program based on location, services, payment options or amenities.
You can also call
800-914-7089
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to speak with someone who can help, now. Reach out today, you won’t regret it!
