Helping Hands: A Social Security Disability Attorney Blog

If you're in need of help and not sure where to go, turn to your local Salvation Army!

The Greater Birmingham Area Command Center provides more than just disaster relief and Christmas assistance. Through the Salvation Army's Social Services Center, which is located in downtown Birmingham, homeless shelters for men, women and children are provided. The Social Services Center also administers food, financial assistance and emergency help to those in need. Along with the services that are provided by the Social Services Center, the Salvation Army also provides youth services, adult rehabilitation centers and thrift stores. All of the programs and services provided by the Salvation Army are designed to help people get back on their feet and rejoin the community. The Salvation Army accepts all persons in need who come within its sphere of influence regardless of race, color, creed, sex or age.

If you would like more information about The Greater Birmingham Area Command Center call (205) 328-2420.

The Salvation Army
Greater Birmingham Command
2100 11th Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35234

I found a great program for low-income, uninsured, or under-insured cancer patients!

At the request of physicians the state of Georgia established the Cancer State Aid Program (CSA) in 1937. Still in effect today, the CSA provides cancer treatment to uninsured and under-insured, low-income Georgians who have cancer and would benefit most from the treatment. Patients enrolled in the program receive treatment through agreements with hospitals, free standing radiation centers and a chemotherapy center. The cost of each patient's treatment is paid through state funding while local physicians donate their services.

In order to participate in this program, patients must:
• Be receiving, or be in need of "active" cancer treatment or have a condition that has been medically evaluated as highly suspicious of cancer;
• Have cancer that will benefit from treatment;
• Have an income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG);
• Be uninsured or under-insured, lacking sufficient coverage for cancer treatment;
• Be a Georgia resident as well as a U.S citizen or resident alien;
• Be accepted for cancer treatment by a physician affiliated with a participating facility

Treatment services available to enrolled patients may include cancer treatments, services and prescriptions provided through inpatient and outpatient services at participating hospitals; approved freestanding chemotherapy and radiation centers; approved private or retail pharmacies, home health agencies and medical suppliers.
To apply patients must complete an application through the participating CSA facility from which their treatment is being received. The designated staff at participating facilities will assist each patient with the application and submit it on their behalf.

For more information on CSA call (404) 463-5111.

Cahaba Valley Health Care will be conducting vision, dental and blood pressure screenings on Sunday, July 11 starting at 2 pm at Riverchase United Methodist Church. Space is limited to the first 50 people on a first come, first serve basis including a designated number of spots reserved for the Hispanic outreach ministry of the church.

Patients attending a screening may receive the following:

1. Non-invasive dental exam by a dentist to assess overall dental health and needs
2. Vision services provided by a vision professional
3. Instructions on how to receive glasses
4. Vision Safety Education including information about protecting your eyes, as well as free safety glasses
5. Dental Hygiene Education including instruction on how to properly care for your teeth and nutrition tips for healthy teeth. Also, we distribute free toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and egg timers
6. Nutrition Education including instruction on how to read the food pyramid and food labels
7. High Blood Pressure Screening with referral for follow up care as needed

Riverchase Methodist Church
1953 Old Highway 31
Hoover, AL 35244
739-0885

For more information, call Lynn at 991-7762.

If you, a friend, or family member ever find yourselves in a situation where you have nowhere to stay and you are in need of help, contact the Back Bay Mission. They have created the Home At Last (HAL) program which provides permanent housing and supportive services to homeless people who are also disabled. Through the HAL program Back Bay Mission goes above and beyond to provide those in need with an apartment that is leased and furnished by Back Bay Mission. For more information on the HAL program contact a HAL caseworker at (228)432-0301.

Along with HAL, Back Bay Mission also has a community resource facility that includes a day center, showers, laundry services, mailboxes, computer and telephone access amongst other services. However, it is NOT an overnight shelter.

The facility is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.

For more information you may contact them or stop by at 1012 Division Street • Biloxi, MS 39530 • Phone: (228)432-0301.

I found a great healthcare program for homeless individuals within the city of New Orleans. It's the only program in Louisiana that is aimed at providing adequate healthcare to the homeless.

The Health Care for the Homeless Program (HCHP) offers primary medical care, case management, mental health and substance abuse services for homeless individuals in the greater New Orleans area. HCHP patients also benefit from the joint affiliation with the Multi-Service Center for the Homeless (MSCH). Through this affiliation patients are provided with basic needs such as food, clothing, showers, laundry, storage, mail and telephone access. The MSCH also provides supportive services such as transitional and permanent housing, job search, remedial education, and individual and group counseling.

Not sure if you're considered homeless? According to the program any individual without a permanent or satisfactory nighttime residence such as shelters, streets and abandoned buildings are considered to be homeless. However, individuals who "double/triple up" with relatives or friends in a temporary arrangement or those who are discharged from institutions without a place to live are also considered to be homeless and can benefit from this program.

For more information about HCHP call 504-565-7283.

Healthcare for the Homeless Program
2222 Simon Bolivar Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70113
504-565-7283
Hours: Monday-Friday
8:00 am-4:00 pm

Multi-Service Center for the Homeless (MSCH)
(504) 558-0222

Finding it difficult to meet your doctor's appointments? Having a hard time getting into a car because of your wheelchair?

If so, call Provide-A-Ride!!!

Provide-a-Ride offers transportation services to medical appointments, school or workplace and community events for senior citizens, individuals with disabilities and/or parents and children with special needs. Their vehicles provide various seating capacity and are wheelchair accessible. Each wheelchair accessible van meets the ADA Act requirements and are custom-designed for easy access, comfort and safety. Each van is also driven by professional drivers who not only drop and pick passengers up but also offers "door through door" services.

Service areas include the greater Cleveland and Akron Ohio areas, Lorain, Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark, Trumbull and Mahoning counties.
For more information please contact them at:

Are you in need of food, shelter, clothing or other essential items?

If so, contact the Cincinnati Eastern Area YWCA and ask about the emergency assistance program. For over 35 years the Eastern Area YWCA has assisted clients in obtaining basic essential needs. The Emergency Assistance Program provides assistance with food, resources, referrals and information to Clermont County families. To apply and receive access to these services, clients are required to bring a picture ID. and complete any necessary paperwork.

The YWCA Food Pantry/Emergency Assistance Program operates on the following schedule:
Monday 8:30AM - 4:30PM

Tuesday 9:00AM - 2:45PM

Wednesday - CLOSED

Thursday 8:30AM - 4:30PM

Friday 8:30AM - 4:30PM

The Food Pantry is located at YWCA Eastern Area in Batavia, Ohio. For more information, call 513-732-0450

California Children's Services (CCS) is a state program for children, up to 21 years of age, diagnosed with certain diseases or health problems. Through this program participants are connected with doctors and trained health care professionals skilled in caring for children with special health care needs. The program provides diagnostic and treatment services, medical case management and physical and occupational therapy services. If authorized, CCS also arranges, directs and pays for medical care, equipment and rehabilitation services.

To be eligible for CCS participants must be under 21 years of age, a California resident and have a CCS-eligible medical condition. Participants must also have one of the following:

A family income of $40,000 or less
Out-of-pocket medical expenses expected to be more than 20% of families AGI
A need for an evaluation to find out if there is a health problem covered by CCS
Adopted a child with a known health problem covered by CCS
Show a need for the Medical Therapy Program
Have Medi-Cal with full benefits
Have Healthy Families Insurance

For a list of CCS-eligible medical conditions and to learn more about the program call 916-445-4171.

Last year my grandparents found themselves in a sticky situation. Their power was running too high and no matter what they did their electricity bill would continue to rise. While trying to find every resource possible that would assist in lowering their electricity bill, I came across the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) in Meridian, MS. As it turns out, we learned that this program assists the elderly, disabled, and low-income families, like my grandparents. WAP crews will come to your home and install the most cost-effective, energy efficient measures, and improve comfort and air quality. WAP is designed to lower home cooling and heating costs by saving energy, improving energy efficiency, and also ensuring safety and health.

For more information regarding the program or how to apply please call: 601.483.4838 or 1.800.898.0659.

Weatherization Assistance Program
Multi-County Community Service Agency
2900 St. Paul Street
P.O. Box 905
Meridian, MS 39302

Do you need assistance with paying your utility bills? Entergy New Orleans has a special assistance program for customers experiencing financial distress.

The Power to Care program is a special fund that provides emergency utility assistance for elderly and disabled customers. To be eligible for the program, participants must be 65 years of age or older, fall below the poverty income level, and/or receive Social Security or Disability benefits. The Power to Care program is a joint effort between Entergy New Orleans, Inc. and the New Orleans Council on Aging (NOCOA) to ensure that customers continue to receive quality service at an affordable cost.

For more information on the Power to Care program please call -800-368-3749 (1-800-ENTERGY) or visit your local Entergy office.

The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program is federally funded to provide food supplement and nutrition education. It serves pregnant and breast feeding women and children from zero to five years old who are at risk of receiving inadequate nutrition. This Cuyahoga County program operates at 22 sites. Over 35,000 individuals participate in the program.

WIC has been known to improve pregnancy outcomes by providing or referring to support services during pregnancies. It also reduces infant mortality by reducing the occurrence of low birth weight infants. This program is important because babies born below 5.2 pounds are at a greater risk to have breathing problems, brain injuries and physical abnormalities.

In addition to being pregnant, recently pregnant or a child under the age of five, individuals must be at 185% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines and reside in or receive medical care in Cuyahoga County to be eligible for WIC. The WIC Program Administrative Offices are located at:

For more information about WIC, you can visit its website.

The Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta works to improve the lives of people within the community by distributing essential home furnishings to displaced individuals and families. Through the furniture distribution program, Furniture Bank guarantees a bed for each member of the household along with a sofa for the family. They also provide lamps, dressers, dinette sets, bookshelves, coffee tables and dressers. On average each household receives at least 14 pieces of furniture from Furniture Bank.

Furniture Bank also has an eviction protection program (EPP). Through EPP, Furniture Bank offers families who are being evicted from their homes storage space for their household furnishings. The locked storage space is available for a 90-day period and allows the family to retrieve their furnishings upon moving into a permanent household.

For more information contact Furniture Bank at 404.355.8530.

Furniture Bank
538 Permalume Place
Atlanta, GA 30318
Monday-Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

I found this really great program called the Mississippi Partners for Informed Choice (M-PIC), which provides Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) services that are funded by the Social Security Administration (SSA) under the Ticket to Work program. These two programs enable all SSA beneficiaries with disabilities (including transition-to-work aged youth) to work. I know that some of you who are already receiving SSI or SSDI are worried that working may cause a loss of benefits; M-PIC is staffed with experienced and dedicated professionals who are available to answer all questions and assist with your personal preferences.

For more information you may contact them at 1.800.443.1000 or click here to visit their website.

Location:
1281 Highway 51
Madison, MS 39110

Do you or a family member have a disability that prevents you from adequately using basic telephone service? If so, I found a great program that may be of assistance to you.

The Tennessee Regulatory Authority (TRA) has implemented the TDAP program. TDAP (Telecommunications Devices Access Program) is designed to provide individuals with the appropriate telecommunications devices that will successfully enable them to use basic telephone services despite their disability.

To be eligible for TDAP individuals must:

•Be permanent residents of the State of Tennessee;
•Have a disability that prevents the use of the telephone without the help of an assistive device (condition must be verified by a Tennessee licensed physician) and
•Be able to use the device or accept appropriate training prior to issue of a device.

Devices are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. However, if individuals meet the eligibility requirements they may be able to receive devices on a priority basis. TDAP will only award one assistive device per household. However, if more than one individual within a household is in need of an assistive device the program coordinator may make the determination of whether two or more devices are needed.

For more information or to receive an application call the TDAP at (615) 741-3939 or 1-800-342-8359, ext. 179 or 206

Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE) is a center for independent living that is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with significant disabilities throughout the state of Mississippi. LIFE provides four core services of independent living:

Peer support
Information and referral,
Skills training and
Advocacy

LIFE also provides other independent living services to consumers with disabilities as needed. These services include, but are not limited to, home and vehicle modifications, durable medical equipment and supplies, adaptive technology, rehabilitation engineering and much more. All LIFE offices are directed by people with severe disabilities and are not limited to any one or more disability groups. LIFE is focused on providing services in the community and on noninstitutional settings.

For more information about LIFE and the services they provide, please contact the office nearest you:

State Office - Jackson
1304 Vine Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39202
Phone (601) 969-4009 or
1-800-748-9398 (V/TDD)

Tupelo Office
1051 Cliff Gookin Blvd
Tupelo, MS 38801
(662) 844-6633

Hattiesburg Office
710 Katie Avenue
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 583-2108

If you live in the Mobile, Alabama, area and are looking for affordable health care, visit any of the ten health centers owned and operated by Franklin Primary Health Center, Inc. Franklin is a private, non-profit primary healthcare delivery system open to all. Services include:

• Internal Medicine
• Geriatrics
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Optometry
• Dentistry
• Pedriatrics
• Family Practice
• Pharmacy
• Medical Social Work

For more information call (251) 434-8177 or visit www.Franklinprimary.org

The Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps (BCMH) is a program developed by the Ohio Department of Health. It links those who have children with disabilities to a network of health care providers. BCMH also helps families pay for the services their children need. A child (21 years old or younger) can be enrolled in the program by their BCMH-approved doctor. The doctor will send a medical application form to the organization for approval. Families can find BCMH providers on the Ohio Department of Health website.

A child may be eligible for this program if he or she has the following ailments. Other disabilities not listed may be eligible are as well.

• AIDS


• Cancer


• Cerebral palsy


• Chronic lung disease


• Congenital Heart Disease


• Cystic Fibrosis


• Diabetes


• Hearing loss


• Juvenile arthritis


• Scoliosis


• Severe vision problems

Those who need financial assistance for their child's health care are eligible on a case-by-case basis. Families must be evaluated on the medical care the child needs, the maximum ability to pay for health care, amount spent on private insurance and the amount spend on weekly child care. They also must meet a certain percentage of federal poverty guidelines.

BCMH counts neither personal assets when determining financial eligibility, income from child support, nor social security income. A child receiving benefits through Medicaid, SSI or WIC is automatically financially eligible for BCMH treatment services, regardless of the parent's income. Find the closest BCMH to you today!