{"id":"idea-special-education-fape","name":"IDEA Free Appropriate Public Education","provider":"U.S. Department of Education","entitlement_type":"government-benefit","entitlement_type_label":"Government benefit","entitlement_type_context":{"definition":"A government-funded or administered benefit, service, coverage program, assistance program, or public access route.","domain":"public-benefits","archetype":"direct-program","agent_instruction":"Identify the administering jurisdiction and disclose income, household, age, disability, immigration, residence, renewal, fee, and capacity rules that apply."},"summary":"Federal special-education law requires states and public agencies to identify, evaluate, and provide eligible children with disabilities special education and related services without charge.","benefit":{"description":"A no-cost evaluation when disability is suspected and, if eligible, an individualized program of special education and related services through the public education system.","estimated_value_usd":null},"discovery":{"focus":"public-service","has_estimated_dollar_value":false},"access":{"relationships":["Infant, toddler, child, or youth suspected of having a disability","Parent or guardian seeking an IDEA evaluation or services"],"requirements":"The child must meet IDEA disability and educational-need criteria under state implementation. Age coverage, referral procedures, timelines, early-intervention rules, and dispute processes vary by state and school system.","activation":"Submit a written referral to the local school district's Child Find or special-education office, or the state's early-intervention system for a child under three, and request the procedural safeguards.","cost_basis":"no-cost","cost_basis_label":"No-cost access","cost_basis_context":{"classification":"free","definition":"The core benefit has no required payment, purchase, deposit, paid membership, or pre-existing paid-product relationship under the captured terms.","agent_instruction":"Still disclose optional add-ons, transportation, parking, replacement charges, taxes, capacity, and eligibility conditions found in fees or requirements.","variation_patterns":null,"does_not_mean":null},"fees":"IDEA evaluation and eligible public special-education services are provided without charge; privately chosen services outside the process may not be covered.","personalized":false,"regions":["US","State and local education systems"],"expires":null},"status":"verified","last_checked":"2026-08-04","claim_url":"https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/individuals-disabilities-education-act-idea","source_url":"https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/individuals-disabilities-education-act-idea","source":{"primary_url":"https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/individuals-disabilities-education-act-idea","evidence":[{"source":"U.S. Department of Education","url":"https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/individuals-disabilities/individuals-disabilities-education-act-idea","kind":"provider","checked_at":"2026-08-04"}]},"parent":null,"coverage":{"level":"national","family":"children-and-education","jurisdiction":"United States","maturity":"direct"},"web_url":"/benefits/idea-special-education-fape","taxonomy":{"version":"1.0","url":"/api/v1/taxonomy"}}