Helping Hands: A Social Security Disability Attorney Blog

Want a photo with Santa?? Santa will be in a sleigh outside of Belk at The Summit. Every child that has their photo taken with Santa will receive a bag of Bud's Best Cookies. Santa will be available for pictures:

Nov. 27 from 9 am to 11 am; noon to 4 pm and 5 to 9 pm.
Nov. 28 from 10 am to 11 am; noon to 4 pm
Nov. 29 from noon to 4 pm
Dec. 5 to 20 - Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 pm

Every year, the YWCA hosts Santa's Workshop to help families living in area homeless shelters and transitional housing programs. Children can make gifts for moms, dad, family, teachers, and friends. Moms can "shop" for gifts to give their children. Everything is free. Santa will even be present for photos. The workshop will be December 12, 2009, from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm in the Chapel Gallery, Gymnasium, Meeting Room 3, Sloss Room and McDonald Room.

If you want to help, you can donate new items from the Santa's Workshop Wish List,. Items are needed for infants to teenagers. Please, no toy guns, violent toys or used. Items may be dropped off at the YWCA located at 309 North 23rd Street, Birmingham, Alabama, by Thursday, December 10th.

For more information contact Kari Nesbit by calling 205-322-9922 Ext. 340.

The holidays can often bring on depression and other mental disorders. This happens for many different reasons, especially if you aren't able to be with loved ones during the holiday season. I recently read a study which showed depression could take as many years off of your life as smoking. This is truly shocking news! Read more at Cochran Disability Depression At The Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers we truly care about your well being. If you think you or anyone you know is suffering from a mental illness you can get help. I found that Saint Francis Hospital offers mental assessments free 24 hours a day. Visit Depression for more information. Saint Francis offers a full range of mental treatment services, check them out and get the most from the Holiday Season!

Happy Holidays

Free Thanksgiving meals will be available at the following on Thursday, November 26, 2009:

American Legion Hall 701 Green Meadows Blvd. Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 Restaurant-style dinner being served from 11 am to 2 pm Open to all communities Take-out meals available. For more information, call 228-326-7560

Gulf Coast Rescue Mission 2750 Mission Lane Biloxi, MS 39531 Roast turkey and all the trimmings will be served from noon to 4 pm. Take-out meals available. For more information, call 228-388-3884 or 228-388-6364.

New Birth Full Gospel Baptist Church 1805 Pass Road Gulfport, MS Dinner will be served from 1 pm to 3 pm. For more information, call 228-343-5780 or 228-669-1688

Last year Northeast Ohio entered its "Holiday Spirit" campaign. Every year the area focuses on helping the homeless. Two organizations that were highlighted last year were the women's shelter, Transitional Housing, Inc., and a men's shelter, Y-Haven Transitional Housing. Both locations offer those without homes food, shelter, counseling and hope before individuals are able to get back on their feet. .

Transitional Housing, Inc has been serving the community for over 20 years. It was transformed from a motel to a place where homeless women can stay up to two years. Its location holds approximately 63 individuals and provides different services that lead to self-sufficiency.

Y-Haven is a division of Cleveland's YMCA which serves over 130 men. It also provides mental illness treatment, vocational services and educational training. Either one of these organizations can motivate many who are in need. For example, I found out that a young man who was a resident of Y-Haven is now pursuing his degree in social work!

For more information about housing assistance, please visit the following links

With the holiday's ahead, so is the time to travel. Having a disability doesn't have to stop you from traveling during this time. I found a great web site and toll free number that can assist you with your traveling needs. According to the Department of Transportation web site, "The hotline provides general information to consumers about the rights of air travelers with disabilities and responds to requests for printed consumer information. It also assists air travelers with time-sensitive disability-related issues that need to be addressed in real time."

For more information, please call or visit:

1-800-778-4838 (voice) or 1-800-455-9880 (TTY) to obtain assistance
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday except federal holidays

Or

You can fill out the application online at:

Personal Note:
I hope this information be useful for you. Here at CFDL we're always thinking of those with disabilities and seeking information out that may help assist with day to day needs. Also wanted to wish you and your family a safe and HAPPY HOLIDAY.

An organization that helps the needy during disasters is in need of help itself because of a disaster. 11Alive News reports about the impact of the recent Atlanta floods on the Atlanta Union Mission. Part of their facility was destroyed by the floods, and they need Atlantans to dig a little deeper to help rebuild an important Atlanta institution. The Atlanta Union Mission provides emergency shelter, food, and clothing to hundreds of families every day. For more information about their programs, contact them at 404-367-2244.

No monthly payments! Someone giving out FREE minutes every month! What? Is this for real?

It sure is!! I heard over the radio that this newly created program by the US government provides discounted or free monthly cellular services to income-eligible consumers.

Here's the details: Lifeline Assistance program offers a free cell phone, 68 free monthly minutes and no contracts, commitment or monthly bills. The provided TracFone cell phone comes with all the added features such as caller ID, call waiting and voicemail. If you need more additional minutes, you can buy TracFone Airtime Cards at any retail store.

To participate in this program, you must be receiving the following assistance:

• Federal Housing Assistance
• Families Assistance (Food Stamps, Cash Aid, Medicaid or General Aid)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• National School Lunch (free program only)

• Your total household income is at or below 135% of the poverty guidelines set by your State and/or the Federal Government.

To apply for SafeLink wireless please visit https://www.safelinkwireless.com/EnrollmentPublic/state_benefits.aspx

you may apply by calling the toll free number: (800) 977-3768 Monday through Saturday, 8:00 A.M to 10:00 PM, EST Sunday, 8:00 AM to 7 PM, EST

Every year for the last 24 years those in need have been provided the "Memphis Thanksgiving Day Dinner". This year's no different. Similar to years past flu shots and health screenings will also be available to those in attendance. Hundreds of volunteers are needed to feed an expected 1,500 people.

There's still time to donate gloves, hats, socks, blankets, and warm boots.

To Donate: Drop off new socks, gloves, knit caps, blankets and toys at any Ashley Furniture Homestore, 7200 Winchester, 2385 N. Germantown Rd, 5228 Summer and 6129 Airways in Southaven.

When: Thursday November 26th 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Memphis Cook Convention Center, 255 N. Main

To Volunteer: Contact the Office of Youth Services at 901-576-6528

For more information Click

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has awarded grants to nonprofit agencies that plan to offer free tax preparation services next year. The Birmingham Business Journal reports that the United Way of Central Alabama received $41,200 in grants. Almost $8 million in the matching grants were warded nationwide by the governmental agency as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.

The Salvation Army Northside Food Pantry located at 31 Highway 43 South in Saraland is open from 1 - 3 pm every Thursday. To access the food pantry:

• you may visit once every 90 days;
• you must be a resident of North Mobile county;
• you must have a current valid drivers license and a signed Social Security card for each person.

For more information, call 251-675-1952.

The Atlanta Children's Shelter, and a number of other great organizations around Atlanta, arrange for gift donations for the holidays. If you are looking for a place to give, or you are in need, contact them today about their holiday gift program for children. Creative Loafing has an article listing details of some excellent programs. The Atlanta Children's Shelter provides shelter and support for homeless children and their families with a goal of self sufficiency. They are located at 607 Peachtree Street NE and can be reached at 404-892-3713.