---
title: Can a student have both an IEP and a 504 plan?
description: An expert explains whether a child can have both an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and a 504 plan.
slug: can-a-student-have-both-an-iep-and-a-504-plan
author: Lindsay Jones, JD
published: '2019-10-16T11:44:54.882Z'
thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/7jr2T0CJVvwrI6ssz8xNyQ/34f087c847a8bf776a0de44ac4b72d2a/G2073118129.png
source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/can-a-student-have-both-an-iep-and-a-504-plan
lang: en
---

# Can a student have both an IEP and a 504 plan?

**Q. Is it possible for your child to have both an IEP and a 504 plan?**

**A.** Though it’s possible to have both an [Individualized Education Program](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understanding-individualized-education-programs) (IEP) and a [504 plan](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-a-504-plan), it would be unlikely for your child to *need* both.

Here’s why: Everything that’s in a 504 plan can be included in an IEP. The IEP can also provide [services and supports](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-difference-between-services-and-supports-for-kids-with-learning-and-thinking-differences) that would not be available in a 504 plan. So if your child qualifies for an IEP, typically there is no reason to also have a 504 plan.

That said, there are two situations in which some schools might offer both to a student.

First, a school might want to create a separate 504 plan if a student who has an IEP has a temporary injury, like a broken hand. The student might need some writing accommodations for a few weeks. If so, the school might decide to put those temporary accommodations in a 504 plan rather than adding them to the IEP.

Second, even if a child has an IEP, some schools create a separate 504 plan for any medical conditions that don’t directly impact academics. One possible example is a peanut allergy.

But generally a child would not have two plans. It can take a lot of time and energy to manage even just one plan.

The big question is this: Does your child meet [the eligibility requirements for an IEP](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/finding-out-if-your-child-is-eligible-for-special-education)? If your child does, then everything your child needs should be covered by the IEP.

Explore more IEP basics in [this comprehensive guide](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-an-iep). See a [chart that compares IEPs and 504 plans](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-difference-between-ieps-and-504-plans). And if your child already has an IEP, find out what to do [if you’re concerned the IEP isn’t working](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/my-child-iep-doesnt-seem-to-be-working-now-what).

---

<!-- structured-data -->
```json
[{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/can-a-student-have-both-an-iep-and-a-504-plan#webpage","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/can-a-student-have-both-an-iep-and-a-504-plan","description":"An expert explains whether a child can have both an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and a 504 plan."},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/can-a-student-have-both-an-iep-and-a-504-plan","name":"Can a student have both an IEP and a 504 plan?"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","datePublished":"2019-10-16T11:44:54.882Z","description":"An expert explains whether a child can have both an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and a 504 plan.","headline":"Can a student have both an IEP and a 504 plan?","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/can-a-student-have-both-an-iep-and-a-504-plan","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.understood.org/#organization","name":"Understood for All Inc","logo":"https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/307jFAYQevghG8nQMCjh89/ccdbbec895765824db43f6d30b496e83/logo_lockup_navy.jpg"}}]
```