Eligibility
Eligibility Verification Form Required
Gateway Down Syndrome Association is able to provide many of our programs and services at low or no cost thanks, in part, to funding from several county agencies in Missouri. We are also working to secure similar funding opportunities in Illinois.
Effective July 1, 2025, all GDSA members are required to complete the Gateway DSA – Eligibility Verification Form. Our county funding agencies require this information to verify identity and eligibility for the services they support.
These county agencies receive funding through taxpayer dollars, and a portion of those funds is allocated to Gateway Down Syndrome Association to help provide programs and services to individuals with Down syndrome and their families. It’s likely your family has paid into these funds through your taxes!
If you have questions or are unsure whether you have already submitted this information, please contact Linda Kamphorst, Director of Programs and Services, at linda@gatewaydsa.org.
Eligibility Verification Options
OPTION 1 :
DMH (Department of Mental Health) Number for Missouri OR IDHS (Illinois Department of Human Services) Number for Illinois
Provide your child’s DMH or IDHS number. This number is assigned when you connect with the Division of Developmental Disabilities in your state. You can apply for this at any time in your child’s life, but we recommend doing this by the time your child turns 3.
OPTION 2:
Proof of Identity AND Proof of Eligibility
Proof of Identity: provide the Social Security Number of the individual with Down syndrome
Proof of Eligibility for a child 0-2 Years Old: Provide a copy of (IFSP) Individualized Family Service Plan (from First Steps in MO or Child and Family Connections in IL). This document provides eligibility for a child up to 3 years old.
Proof of Eligibility for all any age: Provide Confirmation of Developmental Disability Form. This document provides eligibility for life.
Why Your Eligibility Verification Matters
SB40 Boards play an important role in making services for individuals with developmental disabilities possible in communities across Missouri. Established under Missouri law, these county-level boards are funded in part through local property tax revenues and use those funds to provide or support services for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Depending on the county, SB40 funding may support employment services, community-based programs, family resources, service coordination, residential supports, and other services that promote independence, inclusion, and quality of life.
Gateway Down Syndrome Association receives funding from several of these county agencies to help provide programs and services to eligible individuals and families at little or no cost. This funding is an important part of what allows GDSA to serve our community, and maintaining this funding depends on being able to document who we serve and verify their eligibility. Our county funding partners require GDSA to collect eligibility information so they can ensure taxpayer-supported funds are being used appropriately and reaching the individuals and families they are intended to support.
That is why completing the Gateway DSA – Eligibility Verification Form is so important. When you provide this information, you are helping GDSA demonstrate the impact of our services, remain eligible for vital county funding, and continue offering programs and support to individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Taking a few minutes to complete the form can help protect the resources that make our programs possible for years to come.
Learn more about the county agencies supporting the Gateway Down Syndrome Association, click on the county you are most interested in learning more about.