What you Need to Know About the TEFA Disability Form
Understanding the TEFA Disability Certification Form: A Step-by-Step Guide for Texas Families
At Milestones Matter Therapy, we believe that every individual’s voice is valuable. Part of honoring those voices is ensuring families have the resources they need to access the best educational fit for their children.
If you are navigating educational options for a child with communication or learning needs, the Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program offers a new level of flexibility. We know that requirements like the Disability Certification Form can feel overwhelming amidst a busy family schedule.
This guide is designed to replace paperwork panic with confidence. We will walk you through:
The Purpose: Why this form is a priority key for your application.
The Partnership: How to work with your SLP or physician to get it completed.
The Deadline: Why March 17th is the date to keep on your radar.
Scroll down to read our full 6-step checklist and ensure your child’s application is ready for the 2026-2027 school year!
TEFA Disability Form
If you are a parent navigating educational options for a child with communication or learning needs, you may have heard about the TEFA program and the requirement to complete a Disability Certification Form to support your child’s eligibility. While this form may seem intimidating at first, understanding what it is, why it matters, and how to complete it can help you feel more prepared throughout the application process.
What Is the TEFA Disability Certification Form?
The TEFA Disability Certification Form is a document used in the application process to verify that your child has a qualifying disability. It is used for prioritizing your child’s application within the TEFA program rather than for creating an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or determining funding amounts. This program is based on a lottery system if demand exceeds funding. In simple terms, it helps state administrators understand your child’s needs so they know your family is applying under the "child with a disability" category.
Who Can Complete the Form?
A licensed professional must complete and sign the disability certification. This can include:
Physicians or nurse practitioners.
Licensed psychologists or school psychologists.
Speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, or other licensed therapists.
Other qualified medical or educational professionals.
The professional must be able to certify the specific disability listed on the form. They may only sign if the disability is within their professional scope of practice.
Step-by-Step: How to Complete the TEFA Disability Form
Here is how to approach this process calmly and systematically:
Get to Know the TEFA Program Before filling out any paperwork, it helps to understand what TEFA is and how it could benefit your child. It is an education savings account program in Texas designed to give families flexibility and more choices in how they meet their child’s educational needs.
Gather Important Documentation Before sitting down with your clinician, gather supportive documents like medical or psychological evaluations, educational assessments, and records showing how your child’s disability affects learning and communication. This ensures the professional has the information they need to confidently certify the disability.
Work With Your Licensed Professional You will want to provide the professional with the official TEFA Disability Certification Form and any instructional pages. They will indicate the disability category being certified and provide their professional information and signature.
Check Everything Carefully Before submitting, double-check your child’s name and details. Ensure that all required sections are complete and that supporting documents are ready to upload. Small oversights can slow down the review process.
Submit by the Deadline TEFA applications are only open for a set period. Make sure your completed form and supporting documents are submitted before the deadline so your child is included in the priority review process. The application window for the 2026-2027 school year will close on March 17th.
Follow Up and Stay Informed After submission, it is perfectly fine to check the status of your application. Proactive communication can prevent delays if there are questions or missing information.
Completing the TEFA Disability Certification Form does not have to be overwhelming. With the right preparation and support, it is just one step in advocating for your child’s educational needs.
Questions about how your child’s speech and language evaluations fit into this?
Schedule a consult for more information on how we can help:
https://milestonesmattertx.com/free-speech-therapy-consultation-with-an-slp