Helping Hands: A Social Security Disability Attorney Blog

In the art community of California, the talents of artists with disabilities are often overlooked or not taken seriously. This can be a hurdle for both the artist and their audiences. The National Arts & Disability Center (NADC) recognizes this problem and has taken measures to create an opportunity for adults and kids with disabilities to portray their work and further their career. They believe in promoting the full inclusion of artists and audiences with disabilities into all of the areas within the arts community.

Along with assisting artist in jumpstarting their career, NADC also provides technical, financial, and resource assistance. To begin taking charge of your career or interests in art regardless of individual characteristics please visit National Arts & Disability Center to discover further information.
If you would like more information or assistance in regards to receiving disability benefits, contact The Cochran Firm.

At one time or another we find ourselves experiencing hardships and feel that there is nowhere else to turn, especially when it comes to providing for our families. TANF is a program that is offered by the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) that provides temporary assistance to needy families with children under the age of 18. For more information or to receive an application for TANF, please click here to visit the MDHS TANF website. Applications can also be retrieved from your local DHS office.

I found a great program in southwestern Ohio that helps senior citizens each day. It's called the Council on Aging (COA) which is part of the national aging services network. It has been operating for over 40 years and specializes in providing services that help older adults remain independent at home, plan for needs in their future and promote health, security and well-being.

Taking a closer look at the different programs the council has, I learned that they offer assisted living, which is a long-term care option for low-income adults who prefer to live independently but who need care giving. COA offers access to affordable and reliable transportation for seniors. Financial assistance for low-income older persons with disabilities that allows them to live in a community based group home environment is also available.

Another great aspect of COA is that they provide more than 2 million meals to 10,000 homebound older adults in southwestern Ohio. The organization's website provides "Aging Topics A-Z" . Some highlights are:

• Clinics
• Food Stamps
• Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
• Homeless Shelters
• Home-care Services
• Medicaid
• Prescription Discount Cards
• Tax Credits
• Utility Payment Assistance

Many people with learning disabilities feel as if their world has come to an end. They feel lost, alone and not in control of their lives. The Learning Disabilities Association of Mississippi (LDAMS) knows and understands how individuals with learning disabilities feel. They know that learning disabilities are real and that they cannot be cured or "fixed". However, LDAMS feels that with the right support and intervention, individuals with learning disabilities can succeed in both school and life. LDAMS provides a wide variety of services and information for children and parents including public awareness, support groups, state conferences and seminars. They also encourage parents to be responsible for the education of their children as well as supporting them in identifying their child's learning disability.

LDAMS is a state affiliate of the Learning Disabilities Association of America, a national volunteer organization of parents and professionals. It is devoted to defining and finding solutions for the broad spectrum of learning problems.

If you would like more information on LDAMS and the services they provide, call 601-362-1667 or visit: www.ldams.org

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is reaching out to families who have been economically impacted by the recent BP oil spill. DCFS are encouraging residents to apply for the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. Families can use regular SNAP benefits to purchase foods such as breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables, meats, fish and poultry as well as dairy products. Eligible families can also purchase seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat. In some areas, families can even use their SNAP benefits at restaurants authorized to accept regular SNAP benefits in exchange for low-cost meals.

To apply for SNAP benefits, you must contact your local DCFS office or apply online by clicking here. DCFS has currently set up 12 active SNAP Outreach sites in seven coastal parishes assisting impacted families with applying for and receiving the assistance they need. Once an application is received, DCFS has a maximum of 30 days to provide benefits. However, DCFS is working hard to expedite the cases of impacted families as fast and as legally possible in order for families to receive the much needed benefits.

For more information about SNAP benefits please call (225) 342-0286 or 1-888-LA-HELP-U

Parents have a very important and vital role in their children's lives. However, this role is not always an easy task to manage, especially for parents of children with disabilities. Trying to find the assistance and resources needed to fully understand and provide proper and adequate parenting for their child can be stressful. However, there is help! This help is available through Parent to Parent of Georgia (P2P). P2P assists Georgia parents who seeking to find more resources, training and support to better provide for their child who has special needs. Parent to Parent of Georgia, also has a Family to Family Health Information Center (F2F). F2F is a free program that provides health information, training and support to families of children and youth with special health care needs. It also aids families in developing the skills necessary to cooperatively and effectively participate in planning and decision making in health-related issues for their child.

To receive further information regarding Parent to Parent services visit the P2P website or call 1-800-229-2038. If you are not a resident of Georgia and would like to find resources such as these in your area please visit Technical Assistance Alliance for Parents Center for further information.

For more information about recieving Social Security Disability benefits contact The Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers for assistance.

I came across a website that can be beneficial for those who may not be able to afford their prescriptions needed to aid a possible illness or disability. Hamilton County, OH is offering a discount prescription card in which citizens can receive an average of 20 percent in savings or 30 percent on generic medicines. There isn't an enrollment fee and you don't have to fill out any forms, however, there are income and medical condition restrictions.

Although the card is not an insurance card, it provides a way for people to receive prescriptions that aren't covered under their insurance. Therefore, insured and uninsured individuals are encouraged to apply.

9 out of 10 pharmacies nationwide accept the discount card. If you aren't able to make it to the pharmacy due to an illness or disability, you can ask to receive your prescriptions in the mail. Call 1-877-321-2652 to receive the FastStart℠ service. You can also print a mail service form from online and follow a few easy instructions.

Once you received approval for the card, you may pick it up at the county's Job and Services Department, branches of the Public Library of Cincinnati, YMCA branches, the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio and many social service agencies in the area. You can call 513-946-1010 for more information. As soon as you receive your card, it'll be ready to use!

While trying to survive the tough economy, many of us live paycheck to paycheck and at times have to stretch our dollars as much as possible. There are bills that are left unpaid and at the end of the day we struggle to put food at the table. Well the struggle is now over! Through a friend I found out about the Mississippi Food Network organization. The Mississippi Food Network partners with local churches and non-profit organizations to distribute food and grocery products throughout the area. They also provide nutrition education and also assist clients with other needs. If you would like to get help, call 601-353-7286 and you will be directed to an Emergency Food Box site near you.

To find out more about the Mississippi Food Network call 601-353-7286 or visit www.msfoodnet.org.

I found a great program for those who cannot afford the cost of adequate healthcare!

Located in Los Angeles, The Saban Free Clinic provides free high-quality and compassionate medical and dental care, social services and education and outreach to men, women and children in need. The Clinic has four locations throughout the Los Angeles area. Although each site has its own name, they are still operated by the Saban Free Clinic and provide adequate healthcare to those in need. Services offered by the Clinic include, but is not limited to:

Comprehensive Medical Care
• Primary, preventive and specialty care for adults and children
• Prenatal care/ Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Optometry
• Physical Therapy
• Pharmacy/Medications

Mental Health and Case Management
• Crisis intervention counseling
• Short-term therapy
• Shower facilities for homeless clients

Education and Outreach
• Health education, including chronic disease management and weight loss
• Sexual reproductive health education and counseling
• HIV counseling and testing

Dental Care
• Primary dental care for children and adults
• X-rays
• Cleanings and fillings
• Dentures
• Extractions

For more information on The Saban Free Clinic, please call 323.653.8622 or 323.653.1990.

Cuyahoga County is offering children ages zero to 19 a program that provides free health insurance for low to moderate income families. Eligibility is determined by the number of people living in one household and its total income. Children with mental and/or physical disabilities are eligible for the service. Healthy Start can be used by those who are insured, uninsured or underinsured. If you have medical bills, Healthy Start will pay for them for three months after you were initially billed.

Health care under this program is provided at some of the area's top hospitals and doctor office's. Those who qualify will be able to receive a number of heath care services including:

• Regular checkups


• Immunizations


• Dental care


• Eye care


• Prescriptions


• Hospitalization


• Emergency care


• Prenatal and/or postnatal services

If you don't live in Cuyahoga County, don't worry! Healthy Start is part of the State Insurance Children Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). You can call your local county Human Services agency and ask about the free health insurance program.

As the summer heat increases, the Tennessee Department of Human Services '(DHS) is also increasing its efforts to ensure the safety of Tennessee residents. During summer months many residents are hesitant to turn on their air conditioners in an attempt to keep their energy bills low. In a recent General Assembly, legislatures have come to the rescue by expanding the eligibility of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The change has expanded the eligibility guidelines from 125% to 200% of the federal poverty line. With the recent change, a family of four can now earn up to $44,100 a year and be eligible for LIHEAP benefits. LIHEAP is a government program that is designed to assist low income households with their home energy bills. Assistance does not directly go to eligible clients or applicants; however payments are directly made to the local utility company on the client's behalf. Although eligibility is determined by income guidelines, assistance is additionally determined on a priority point system to households with members who are elderly, disabled and/or under the age of six.

For a list of local LIHEAP agencies and to receive more information, visit: http://state.tn.us/humanserv/adfam/liheap/liheap-agencies.pdf

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) offers a residential Low Income Discount Program (LIDP) rate for customers within qualifying income levels. This rate reduces the cost of electricity, water and sewer services for the participant's permanent primary residence.

To determine your eligibility you must complete an application and return it to the LADWP. The individual applying must be an LADWP customer and cannot be claimed on another person's Income Tax Return as a dependent. Proof of income for EACH member of the household must be included with the completed application. "Income" is defined as the combined gross income, whether taxable or non-taxable, of ALL persons who live in the household. The discount can and will only be received after LADWP verifies the application.

Proof of income can be provided by having a copy of one of the following:
• Last year's State or Federal Income Tax Return;
• Last year's Social Security Benefit Statement;
• Copy of last year's Social Security Check or SSI check;
• Last year's SSI Disability Award Letter;
• Paycheck stubs;
• Unemployment Benefits;
• A NOTARIZED LETTER from your employer stating income

For more information on the Low Income Discount Rate, call the LADWP customer contact center at:
Metropolitan Los Angeles: (213) 481-5411
Other Areas: (800) 342-5397
Hearing/Speech Impaired Customers: (800) 735-2922

Safe At Home is a program that is designed to improve the homes and lives of individuals within the community. The program provides emergency home repairs and home safety modifications for low income senior citizens and/or disabled homeowners. The program focuses on the areas of heating, plumbing, electrical, fall prevention, fire prevention, indoor air quality and energy efficiency. All repairs are performed free of charge, however, homeowners and family members are asked to welcome the volunteers with open arms and work alongside to the extent possible. All services are provided by volunteers and professional contactors who are dedicated to improving the lives of those within the community who are in need.

To qualify for the Safe at Home program, applicants must:
• Must meet income guidelines
• Be 60 years of age and/or disabled
• Be the owner & have occupied the house for three or more years
• Not be rental property, a double structure or mobile home
• Single family structure must be in sound condition

General Repairs include:
• Adding handrails to stairways
• Repairing and replacing dangerous steps
• Fixing dangerous electrical wiring or conditions
• Repairing plumbing fixtures
• Installing grab bars
• Interior and exterior painting

Applications for service are accepted year round. For more information on the Safe at Home Program call 614.258.6392.

There are several Cuyahoga County food pantries available for those who need assistance. Some have restrictions however most will severe anyone in need at least once. None of the pantries listed below require a referral but some require proof of income. You can find a more extensive list of area food pantries at http://cleveland.about.com. If you are interested in pantries that require a referral, call the Empowerment Center at 216-432-4770. You may receive a referral every 60 days.

All Faiths Pantry
• Offers a large selection of non-perishable food, fresh produce, meat and bread when available.
• Open 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Brother Hubbard Cupboard
• Open on the last two Tuesdays and Thursdays of the month from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
• Food is given based on family size.

Manna House Recovery and Resource Center
• Open on the third Saturday of the month at 1:00 PM.
• Home delivery is available if you are sick or shut-in
• Provides generous four to five day supply of non-perishable foods, produce, meat and bread
• Only residents of the Fairfax area are eligible to receive aid from this pantry
• Also provides support services for personal growth, recovery and renewal

Parma Heights Food Pantry
• Open Mondays 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Wednesdays 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and Thursdays 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
• Household supplies are also distributed

United Hearts Life Mission Center
• Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Those living in the following zip codes are eligible for assistance once month: 44102, 44109, 44111, 44113, 44114, 44115, 44127 and 44144.
• Three to five days worth of non-perishable food will be distributed per family.
• Individuals with disabilities may send someone on their behalf to pick up food.
• Other free services at this organization include pregnancy tests, clothing support (including maternity) and referrals for pre-natal medical care and social services

United Labor Agency
• Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM by appointment.
• Those needing assistance will be referred to a hunger center in the client's neighborhood

I found a great program for those waiting on their Social Security benefits to process:

Hope House New Orleans is a non-profit organization with a mission to assist those within the community who are in need of food, shelter and hope. Hope House New Orleans has several programs to provide assistance to those in need. If you would like more information on the following programs please call Hope House New Orleans at (504) 525-2561:

Hope House Programs:

Emergency Assistance: (Food; Rent and Utility assistance; Clothes, Bus Tokens; Shelter Vouchers; Advice and Referrals)

Common Grounds Resource and Coffeehouse: (Free coffee and pastries; newspapers, magazines and books; computers and internet access)

Adult Learning Center: (Literacy, GED, Computer Training; ACT & SAT preparation)

Family Transitional Housing

After-school youth program: (Recreation, field trips & homework help)