Helping Hands: A Social Security Disability Attorney Blog

MAINTAIN is an assistance program through Pfizer for individuals who are currently unemployed, uninsured and in need of medications. Eligible applicants will be able to receive free Pfizer medicines delivered directly to their door for a year or until they become insured again, whichever occurs first.

To eligible for the MAINTAIN program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Became unemployed on or after January 1, 2009


• Has been prescribed and taken a Pfizer medicine for at least 3 months prior to becoming unemployed and enrolling in the program


• Have no prescription coverage


• Can confirm that you are experiencing a financial hardship


• Live within the United States

If you believe that you are eligible for the program please act quickly!!! Applications for enrollment in MAINTAIN will only be accepted through December 31, 2010. To apply for Maintain, call 1-866-706-2400 to request an application or click here to download an application from their website. Once the application is completed, mail it to MAINTAIN along with proof of your unemployment.

Travelers Aid International has launched a new website that will assist individuals with disabilities in obtaining information and access resources to help them prepare and enjoy a better travel experience. The website is www.USTRavAbility.org and according to Travelers Aid, consists of five sections: Transportation Resources; Airports; Tourism Resources; Disability Organizations and State Resources. There is also a section for visitors to share their various travel experiences.

The objective of the website is to provide a substantive resource to travelers with disabilities that will help take the worry out of their journeys and provide a better travel experience. The website's goal is to also help promote travel by persons who are elderly as well as those with disabilities and to improve the understanding of the travel industry related to persons with disabilities and thus ensure greater ease of travel in the future.

Travelers Aid International is the national association for Travelers Aid agencies across the country. The mission of Travelers Aid is to advance and support a network of human service provider organizations committed to assisting individuals and families who are in transition or crisis and are disconnected from their support systems.

For more information about Travelers Aid call 202-546-1127 or click here to visit their website.

Here's a great program for those who reside in the Atlanta area and are in need of assistance:

The Midtown Assistance Center (MAC) provides families and individuals with rent and utility assistance, groceries, work clothes, transportation to employment and interviews as well as counseling and referrals to other services. These services are available by appointment only. Prior to setting an appointment individuals must undergo a pre-screening process which helps MAC to determine eligibility and the adequate services each family needs. In order to receive assistance individuals maybe instructed to bring certain forms of documentation, these forms include but are not limited to:

• Identification
• Proof of Lease
• Eviction notice (if applicable)
• Pay Stubs (if applicable)
• Proof of amount owed

MAC services are only available to residents who reside within the following zip codes: 30303; 30308; 30309; 30313; 30312; 30314; however special funding sometimes allows services to be provided for residents who reside in Fulton and DeKalb Counties.

To make an appointment contact MAC at 404-681-5777 during client hours (M, Th,F: 9:30-12:30; Tue & Wed: 1:00-4:00; Wed Evening 5:00-7:00)

To receive more information on the services that are provided by MAC, call 404-681-0470 during the hours of 9am-5pm on Monday-Friday.

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 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.

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

Here is another service that may be useful while on your social security disability benefits to process:

This assistance is available for residents of the Metro Atlanta area that need assistance with paying their natural gas bill. Atlanta Gas Light Company is also currently offering energy assistance to Senior Citizens. In addition to this, if you are a low income patron you may qualify for a low rate of natural gas.

To find out more information about the Energy Assistance program that are being offered through Atlanta Gas Light Company please visit AGL. To find more information regarding other assistance programs please click here for contact information.

Also, if you are currently or thinking about filing a disability claim and are in need of assistance please contact Cochran Firm Disability Lawyer's.

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.

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.

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.

On April 4, 2010 Hosea Feed The Hungry and Homeless will host its annual Easter Sunday dinner at Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with providing a full course meal, HFTH also provides services such as hot showers, barbers and beauticians, a children's corner, clothing distribution, inspirational speakers and Christian teaching and gospel singing.

Hosea Feed The Hungry and Homeless mission is to "rescue, restore, and re-stabilize at risk and homeless individuals and families so they can thrive and become self-efficient". To accomplish this mission they provide several housing programs, long distance telephone service, national free transportation, medical care, case management, employment services, children and youth programs and educational services.

For more information:

Hosea Feed The Homeless
1035 Donnelly Avenue SW
Atlanta, GA 30310
Phone (404) 755-3353

Are you in need of a home phone but worried about the cost of a monthly phone bill? CenturyLink Telephone Company offers their customers two discounted services to help those on a limited income. You can save money on the Lifeline and Link-Up services. Both federal programs can financially help you get a home phone while saving about $6 to $10 monthly.

Lifeline + Link-Up Services include:

• Lifeline provides certain discounts on monthly service for qualified subscribers
• Link-Up helps customers pay the initial cost of obtaining phone service.

How to Qualify?

• To get the discounted benefit, you must participate in one of the following federal programs:
• Federal Public Housing Assistance
• Food Stamps
• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Income below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines
• Medicaid
• National School Lunch's Free Lunch Program
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)

You may also qualify if you are a resident on American Indian tribal lands and receive support from:

• Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance


• Tribally Administered Temporary Assistance to Needy Families


• Head Start or National School Lunch Program

The Enhanced Tribal Lifeline Assistance program allows participants to obtain basic monthly telephone service, at their primary residence for as little as one dollar a month. Rates depend on current rate plan.

To take advantage of these two programs, please contact CenturyLink at 1-800-201-4099 to inquire about eligibility.

Alright ladies, spring is around the corner and many are working hard to work it out just in time for skirts, sleeveless shirts and bathing suits. But it's also time to work on your inner body too! The Center for Black Women's Wellness in Atlanta, GA has been working hard year round to help local women take care of themselves inside and out.

The center offers many services and programs that women can take advantage of for healthier living. One of the main goals of this organization is to provide affordable, high quality medical care. You don't even have to have insurance to participate!

The Center for Black Women's Wellness offers a program called the Safety Net Clinic. It provides individuals with chronic illnesses free health care. More information about chronic illnesses such as diabetes can be found on the Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers' website. The center's Wellness Clinic allows women to receive low cost comprehensive health care such as mammograms, pap smears and HIV testing.

This caring organization also provides assistance to women who are pregnant or postpartum. A family support worker from the center visits with different households at least once a month. Tips and ideas are passed on to new moms during these visits. Workers also make sure the families have the resources they need to live healthier lives.

Another great program that the center offers is the Sister's Circle. It's a place where ladies can fellowship and support each other on a monthly basis. For more information you may visit The Center for Black Women's Wellness website.

If you are a low income family and/or an individual with disabilities and you are in need of affordable housing Atlanta Housing Authority can help.

Atlanta Housing Authority offers qualifying individuals the opportunity to receive reduced rent for housing needs. To apply for this service AHA must be taking applications at that time. Please contact your local housing authority to determine when they will be accepting applications. As of today, AHA is not currently accepting applications.

Nevertheless, visit AHA for a list of affordable housing. This list is very comprehensive including multiple counties and cities in Georgia. Just visit the site, pick your city, and search based on the criteria you select. Be sure to view the prime communities.

For additional information regarding HUD programs, contact AHA at 404-892-4700 or www.atlantahousing.org.