$1,500 Special Education Grant in Texas (PDSES, formerly SSES)
Last updated: October 2026
Texas offers a one-time $1,500 grant to families of students who receive special education services in a Texas public school. The program is called Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES). It used to be called Supplemental Special Education Services (SSES). If you read about the SSES grant elsewhere, it is the same program.
The grant pays for extra educational goods and services for your child. It does not replace what your child’s school is required to provide.
What is the PDSES grant?
PDSES is a one-time $1,500 online account for each eligible student. The program is run by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Parents use the account to buy approved items and services through an online marketplace called ClassWallet.
The program started during COVID-19, but it is no longer limited to students affected by school closures. The old COVID-era rules (enrollment in 2019–2021, certain grades, disability categories, or classroom settings) no longer apply.
Is my child eligible?
Your child may be eligible if your child:
- Is currently enrolled in a Texas public school or charter school (pre-K through 12th grade, or an 18+ program if they have not graduated)
- Receives special education services through an IEP
- Has never received an SSES or PDSES grant before
Your child is not eligible if your child:
- Has a Section 504 plan but no IEP
- Attends a private school, homeschool, or microschool
- Receives special education through “proportionate share” services
Each eligible child gets a separate $1,500 account. If you have more than one eligible child, apply for each one.
Who can apply?
The person applying must live in Texas and be the child’s parent, adoptive parent, legal guardian, managing or possessory conservator, or another person with legal authority to act for the child.
How do I apply?
You apply online through the PDSES Parent Portal. You will need a My SPEDTex account. There is no paper application.
Applications are accepted once a year. The most recent window was April 1–30, 2026. The application is closed right now, and TEA has not yet announced dates for the 2026–2027 window. To get an email when it opens, sign up for updates on the SPEDTex PDSES page.
Who gets funded first?
If there is not enough money for every eligible student, some families are placed on a waitlist. TEA generally funds students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch first. After that, applications are funded in the order they were received, so it helps to apply early in the window.
What can the $1,500 pay for?
The grant can pay for goods and services that give your child a direct educational benefit, such as:
- Educational technology, like computers, tablets, and headphones
- Curriculum, school supplies, books, educational games, and sensory items
- Tutoring, therapy, and other specialized services from PDSES-approved providers
The grant cannot pay for daycare, legal advocacy fees, or evaluation or assessment fees.
All purchases go through ClassWallet, and vendors are paid directly. You will not get a gift card or debit card, and you cannot be paid back for things you buy with your own money. PDSES staff review every order, and approval can take up to 30 business days.
Are there deadlines after I am approved?
Yes. After you get your award email, you have 30 days to log in to ClassWallet and sign the PDSES Parental Agreement. If you miss this step, your account may be closed and the funds lost. Each account also has an expiration date for spending the money. TEA sends that date by email.
Does the grant change what my child’s school must do?
No. PDSES goods and services are extra. Your child’s school must still provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE) and follow your child’s IEP, including deciding whether your child needs compensatory services. The grant is not a substitute for services the school owes your child.
Who do I contact with questions about the grant?
Contact the PDSES team at PDSEShelp@region10.org or 1-855-773-3839.
Is your child’s school not providing the services in the IEP?
The grant can help with extras, but it cannot fix a school that is not following your child’s IEP. If your child is being denied services, our intake team can talk with you on a free 15-minute discovery call to see how we can help.
Sources: TEA PDSES Frequently Asked Questions; SPEDTex PDSES page. Program details can change. Check with TEA for the latest information.
