Helping Hands: A Social Security Disability Attorney Blog

The Commissioner of Social Security, Michael J. Astrue, announced in March 2010 that the Social Security Administration is providing helpful health care information and website links to more than three million individuals who apply each year for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits. Disability applicants will find information and tools to help them better understand and cope with their conditions at www.healthfinder.gov. If they need help paying for prescription drugs, they can visit www.healthfinder.gov/rxdrug and obtain information on reduced cost or free prescription drugs offered by drug companies, state and local governments, and local governments, and local organizations.

As the economy struggles to gain stability, you may need help supplying your child with basic essentials for school. If you or someone you know has a disability, being able to provide for your child may be even harder. Operation School Bell is available to help.

Operation School Bell is provided by the Assistance League of Greater Cincinnati. The program provides clothing, school supplies, shoes and hygienic items to under-privileged children in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area. The purpose of the program is to promote greater self-esteem, normal school attendance and an eagerness to learn.

Operation School Bell is financially supported by grants and individual donors. The Charles H. Dater Foundation has given this program over $280,000 since 2000. In 2008 approximately 1500 Cincinnati Public School students received clothing and supplies from the program.

For over the past decade school buses have picked up under-privileged students one or two days out of the year to benefit from the program. Contact someone at the Assistance League of Greater Cincinnati today for more information!

The County of Los Angeles is offering financial assistance for eligible renters through the federal Recovery Act's Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP). If you've lost your job, your income has been cut back, your family has hit a financial hardship or you're waiting on your Social Security disability benefits to process you may be considered eligible for this program.

Through the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program you could receive monetary support for:
back rent
rental subsidy
past due gas and electric bills
security deposits
utility turn-on fees

The areas serviced by LA County HPRP are the unincorporated areas within the county, the city of Alhambra and the City of Huntington Park along with 47 cities with a population of less than 50,000. To find out what cities are included in the list, click here.

For more information on LA County's HPRP program call 2-1-1 or contact the LA County Housing Resource Center.

Are you in need of childcare assistance?

The DHS Office of Children and Youth has a child care assistance program for Mississippi residents. To be eligible for child care assistance your child must be under the age of 13 or under the age of 19 if they have a physical or mental disability and are unable to care for themselves. Parents applying for child care assistance must fall within one of the eligibility guidelines of the priority groups listed below:

To apply for a child care assistance certificate an application must be filed with the Office of Children and Youth at one of their locations across the state. To find out more about the child care assistance program and the offices nearest you call 1-800-877-7882 (statewide only) or (601) 359-4555.

You can also contact the Department of Human Services for more information on the child care assistance program as well as other services and programs that can assist you while you wait to receive the social security disability benefits you deserve.

Department of Human Services (DHS)
750 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39202
601-359-4500

Are you struggling with your mortgage? The Center for Fair Housing, Inc., and Urban Financial Services Coalition of Mobile will commemorate the 42nd anniversary of the Fair Housing Act by holding a workshop, "A Homeowners Survival Kit," sponsored by Regions Bank, Whitney Bank and the Prichard Housing Authority, April 29 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bill Clark Community Center, 2501 West Main Street, Prichard, Alabama. The workshop is free and lunch is included with registration. To register, call: 251-479-1532.

Many people are currently unemployed due to disabilities, loss of job, medical crisis and many more reasons. But, many do not seek the help they need. In the Metro Atlanta area there are programs available to assist people facing crisis due to unemployment. These programs help provide food, rent and job assistance.

I found a program in Atlanta that offers rental assistance to individuals on the verge of losing their homes or becoming evicted. To find out more information about this assistance please contact The Metro Atlanta Salvation Army. To gain food and medical assistance you can contact Grady Health Systems and the Atlanta Urban Ministries. Atlanta Urban Ministries provides educational programs to children, food assistance, and financial aid.

Please contact the appropriate place above if you are seeking assistance for food, rent, financial aid, or job empowerment. If you are seeking assistance in gaining disability benefits, contact the Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers.

Here's another program to assist you while you while you wait on your Social Security benefits to process:

I heard of a really great program that helps save money on prescriptions.

FamilyWize, a program aimed at reducing the cost of medicine for children, families and individuals, have created a free prescription discount card. The program does not discriminate against anyone and can be used by everyone in your family. The card can be used as often as needed for any prescription. You can save up to 30% or more on up to 8 prescriptions. Simply present your card and prescription to a participating pharmacy to obtain the discounted price.

For more information you can contact United Way by dialing 2-1-1 or simply visit the FamilyWize website at www.familywize.com.

If you need assistance in applying for Social Security disability benefits, call the Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers at 1-800-THE-FIRM.

Here's another service that may be useful while waiting on your Social Security disability benefits to be processed:

Are you in need of health care services but don't have access to adequate health care services? If so, there is a homeless health care van waiting to care for you!

The Baptist Operation Outreach van is a mobile healthcare unit that provides acute and primary care, information on disease prevention and guidance to Memphis citizens without permanent housing. All services are free and provided with respect and confidentiality. Operation Outreach patients have direct and immediate access to medical examinations, health information, illness prevention, medications and referral services. Services are provided by a certified nurse practitioner and include:

* Screenings for common health problems
* Health and developmental assessments for children
* Immunizations and other preventive care
* Diagnosis of medical problems and health needs
* Treatment and management of specific disease problems
* Treatment of minor injuries

The Operation Outreach van operates two days a week:
- Mondays: Memphis Union Mission (901.526.8403)
- Tuesdays: Catholic Charities' Dozier House (901.728.6171)

For more information on the Operation Outreach van contact Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation:
350 N. Humphreys Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38120
1-800-4-BAPTIST

For more information on disability benefits contact the Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers.

I came across a health care insurance plan that covers children from birth to 19 years of age. This program may assist individuals, along with their family, whose waiting for their Social Security benefits to process.

The Children's Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) is designed to provide health care insurance for children in families without health insurance or with inadequate health insurance. Eligibility for CHIP is based on household income and the age of each child. There are no premiums or deductibles; however there may be a small co-payment for some services for higher-income families on CHIP. The application process is simple. All you have to do is fill out the application, take it to the Medicaid Regional Office nearest you and let one of the trained staff members assist you in completing the process. Remember to take proof of your family's income, original birth certificates for each child and the social security numbers of each person applying.

For more information about CHIP call 1-877-KIDS-NOW (1-877-543-7669) or contact Mississippi Division of Medicaid:

550 High Street Suite 1000
Jackson, MS 39201-1399
Tel: 601-359-6050
Web:www.medicaid.ms.gov/chip

For more information on Social Security benefits contact the Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers.

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Housing and Ubran Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced Wednesday, April 7, 2010, that "Thousands of Americans with disabilities will have housing assistance specifically targeted to meet their needs."

Approximately 5,300 Housing Choice Vouchers will be made available to non-elderly persons with dsiabilities allowing them to live independently. The vouchers are being funded by $40 million given by HUD to public housing authorities across the country. Some eligible individuals will be indentified by HHS through its network of state Medicaid agencies and local human sesrvice organizations.

One of the goals is to transition individuals with disabilities currently living in institutions into the community.

According to HUD, funding awards should be ready late fall 2010.

Visit HUD's web site to read the full funding announcement.

Creating art and expressing yourself is a great way for you to get your mind off of things such as an illness or disability. VSA arts of Ohio is a non-profit organization that focuses on empowering individuals with disabilities through the arts. VSA arts of Ohio is located in Columbus, OH but residents of the entire state can take advantage of this program.

The staff at VSA arts of Ohio provides those with disabilities or chronic illnesses a chance to participate in various activities such as painting, sculpting, music sessions or performing arts. Here's a little more information about what VSA arts of Ohio represents:

"V" Vision of an inclusive community
"S" Strength in shared resources
"A" Artistic expression that unites us all

Each year VSA arts holds different competitions and events for its participants. The organization gives musically talented individuals a chance to win the Young Soloist Award which is later carried to a national level at a competition in Washington, D.C. VSA arts of Ohio also organizes Accessible Expressions in which participants are judged based on their visual art creations.

Recently I was able to intern for this national program. It was a great experience and I could tell that the staff really enjoyed working with individuals with disabilities or illness to help decrease the feeling of stress or depression that may come along with those conditions. Expression through the arts has been proven to be a type of therapy for almost everyone.

Please contact the Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers if you would like to apply for disability benefits. This may also help take your everyday stresses to a lower level. To learn more information about VSA arts of Ohio, please call 614-241-5325.

I found an organization that offers free dental services. So if you've had persistent pain, experienced tooth loss or have gum disease causing "non-stop suffering" the Union Rescue Mission (URM) Dental Clinic may be able to help you. Coordinated by faculty, students and interns from the USC School of Dentistry, the URM Dental Clinic is open to neighboring homeless shelters and programs in the downtown Los Angeles area. The URM Dental Clinic is also the only dental clinic on Skid Row that offers its comprehensive services to children.

URM's Dental Clinic comprehensive patient care includes:

• Cleanings
• Fillings
• Tooth extractions
• Root canals
• Dentures

Other services and programs offered by URM include emergency services, a health clinic, a mental health clinic, learning center and a men, women and children ministry program.

If you've been denied your Social Security benefits and are in need of assistance, contact URM for more information about the programs and services they offer to determine your eligibility.

Union Rescue Mission
545 S. San Pedro St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 347-6300

For more information on Social Security benefits and the process of appealing your claim, contact the Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers.

Having trouble paying your utility bills?

Mississippi Power offers each eligible SSI/TANF recipient a discount on his or her monthly electric bills. To apply for discount program you must visit your local office to receive an eligibility form. This form must be certified by either the Social Security Administration or the Mississippi Department of Human Services in order to qualify and receive the discount.

Mississippi Power has a bill extender program. This program is a payment plan available to customers whose main source of income is Social Security or a single monthly check.
For more information on the SSI Discount and Bill Extender programs call 800-532-1502 or visit your local office.

For information on how to receive SS benefits contact the Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers.

Are you in need of housing, shelter, food, clothing, family assistance, emergency assistance and other everyday living necessities?

The Metro Atlanta Area Salvation Army offers many programs and assistance to families, single individuals, homeless individuals, and disabled individuals.

Services provided by Metro Atlanta Area Salvation Army include:

• Corps Community and Worship Centers
• Boys and Girls Club of Greater Atlanta
• Emergency Shelter
• Holiday Assistance
• Project Share
• Project Hope
• Senior Citizen Housing
• Emergency Shelter
• Family Emergency
• Disaster Assistance

If you've been denied your Social Security benefits the Metro Atlanta Salvation Army may be able to provide assistance while you appeal your claim.

To find out more information about the programs and services that are offered, visit www.uss.salvationarmy.org.

For more information about Social Security benefits contact the Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers.

No, not the crime scene television show but the Christian Services Inc. (CSI).

I was looking for a place to volunteer at and I came across this website in which everyone comes together from different organizations to show their love for the people of this world. CSI offers assistance for utilities such as rent, provides medicines, a Meals on Wheels program or a soup kitchen for those who cannot provide for themselves.

While waiting for your social security to process, take advantage of some or all of these services.

Contact CSI for an appointment:

601-582-5683

Christian Services
301 East Second Street
Hattiesburg, MS. 39401

Or visit the website:
http://www.christianserve.org

Are you in need of emergency housing or emergency financial assistance for housing?

The City of Memphis and Shelby County Emergency Housing has established a partnership that is designed for individuals who are experiencing or facing homelessness due to financial hardships. Services offered are:

o 24 hour hotline for families seeking emergency shelter

o Central assessment and intake to connect families to the most appropriate house resource

o Financial assistance and access to housing stabilization service to prevent eviction or rapidly re-house families

o And mediation services and access to mainstream benefits

Those applying for shelter or financial assistance need to call the Hotline at 901-260-HOME (4663). The Hotline is operated Monday -Friday, excluding holidays, from 7:00AM - 7:00PM. After speaking with the Hotline and being determined homeless or imminently homeless, a face-to-face interview will be conducted. Applicants should be prepared to provide proof of identity, proof of pending eviction within Shelby County or verification of homelessness and proof of income/resources (i.e. - Food Stamps letter, Child Support, Bank Statement, Pay Stubs, and Social Security Benefit Statement).
For more information, contact the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association.

Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association
910 Vance Avenue, Memphis, TN 38126
(901) 527-0208 or (901) 527-0200
Email: hprpmemphis@bellsouth.net

Need assistance with your water or light bill?

Tupelo Water & Light (TWL) assists individuals who are disabled, elderly or facing financial stress due to job layoffs or illness. Through the water and light assistance program, TWL provides individuals with up to $150 dollars in assistance on electrical bills during the year. TWL also assist in troubleshooting problems at customer's residences at no charge, offer affordable financing with low interest rates, and educate you on ways to help make your home more energy efficient.

To find out more information on Tupelo Water and Light call 662-841-6470 or visit their website.

Tupelo Water and Light Department
320 Court St
Tupelo, MS 38804
(662) 841-6470
http://www.ci.tupelo.ms.us/water-light/W&L_res-services.htm

Visit GovBenefits.gov and take about ten minutes to answer some questions. You will receive a list of programs that you may be eligible for based on your answers. GovBenefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. government. It contains information on over 1,000 benefit and assistance programs.

Visit GovBenefits.gov today and find out what resources are available to you.

The minds of individuals with disabilities and senior citizens can be at ease once they know that their transportation needs are taken care by the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. Qualified individuals will be able to receive discounted fares or bus passes once they register for the service. All bus routes run regularly and are wheelchair accessible.

Seniors must be 65 or older to ride at a discounted rate. All seniors or individuals with disabilities must provide valid RTA senior or disabled ID or a Medicaid card and driver's license or other official ID. If an individual decides to purchase a monthly bus pass, it will only cost him or her $38.00. Although $38.00 may seem expensive, that price is offered to qualified riders at almost a 70 percent discount when compared to other passes offered by Cleveland's RTA. This monthly pass includes unlimited rides too! If passes are bought on a daily basis, it will only cost the rider $1.00. All day passes are available for purchase on all RTA vehicles at fare boxes and retail agents.

There are several ways to plan a trip with Cleveland's RTA. A copy of a systems map to locate a route number closest to starting and ending points is offered online. Timetables or schedule specifics can also be viewed to find what time a bus will reach a pick-up point.

For more information about how to plan your trip with RTA, call the RTAnswerline at
216-621-9500 Monday through Friday between the hours of 6:30 AM and 6:30 PM. The line is also open on Saturday's 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM where a RTA representative can answer any questions you might have. To apply for your discount card, call
216-566-5285. You can visit our website to learn more about what services Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers can provide to either you or a loved one.

I found a program that assist families in maintaing permanent housing in the Los Angeles area. The Emergency Assistance to Prevent Eviction (EAPE) program works with Los Angeles families who are at risk of losing their housing due to a financial hardship. Eligible participants may receive funding to pay rent and/or utilities for up to two (2) months to assist the family in maintain permanent housing.

To be eligible for EAPE families must:
•Be CalWORKs eligible, receiving CalWORKs or Timed-out from CalWORKs;

•Demonstrate that they are experiencing a financial hardship that could result in homelessness if assistance is not given.

•Provide proof of the financial hardship.

In order to determine eligibility families must apply in person at a CalWORKS office.

CalWORKS locations:

Metro Family District Office
2615 S. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 744-3627

South Central District Office
10728 S. Central
Los Angeles, CA 90059
(323) 563-4403

Metro North District Office
2601 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90057
(213) 639-5455

Metro East District Office
2855 E. Olympic Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90023
(323) 260-3718

The Jackson Free Clinic provides quality medical services to the residents of Jackson, Mississippi who do not have access to adequate healthcare. The clinic is a non-profit corporation operated by the medical students of the University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine along with local physicians and community leaders.

The services offered include:
• Complete Medical History & Physical Examination
• Appropriate Laboratory Monitoring
• Medications Necessary to Treat Most Common Diseases
• Disease Education and Management
• Emergency Referral if Indicated
• Specialist Referral if Indicated
• Referral to Community Support Services
• Application to Medication Assistance Programs

For more information:
Jackson Free Clinic
925 Martin Luther King Drive
Jackson, MS 39203
Tel: (601) 355-5161

www.jacksonfreeclinic.org

The Clinic is open every Saturday from Noon until 4PM (except holidays).

Currently, many families are finding themselves having financial difficulties through the loss of employment, natural disasters, and other unforeseen circumstances. For these types of situations there are programs that can help.

Project Hope is a program through The Salvation Army which help families in need. This program is offered to individuals whom have not always needed help and probably never expected to be forced to not have the finances to take care of themselves or their family.

For more information about Project Hope, please contact The Salvation Army at 404-873-3101. If you believe that you or someone else may qualify for this service, do not hesitate--contact The Salvation Army immediately. The sooner you start the application process the closer you will be to receiving help during your time of need.