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.

Over 20,000 businesses statewide are offering Ohio senior citizens discounts which have provided approximately two billion dollars in savings since 1976. Individuals who are over the ago of 60 as well as those ages 18-59 that have a disability (as defined by the Social Security Administration) are eligible to receive a Golden Buckeye card.

To prove eligibility due to a disability, one of the following documents is required:

• Medicare (not Medicaid) card
• SSDI acceptance documentation
• A copy of a document certifying permanent and total disability issued by any state department, Ohio public employee retirement system (STRS, PERS, etc.), or any federal retirement system

Most participating merchants display the Golden Buckeye logo on their door, window or at checkout. If you don't see it at your place of choice, ask if the business offers a discount for older customers. The purpose of the card is to thank older Ohioans for their patronage. The participating businesses do not receive compensation from the state.

The Golden Buckeye card also includes Ohio's Best Rx prescription drug discount program. Savings on prescriptions average 30 to 40 percent on prescriptions at more than 2,300 participating pharmacies are available to qualified individuals.

Ohio residents who have a current state driver license or State ID cards automatically receive a Golden Buckeye card during the month of their 60th birthday. Those who have a disability and are under the age of 60 are able to apply for a card at most public libraries and senior centers.

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

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.

I found a great program that provides assistance to Columbus, OH residents who are hearing-impaired! The Deaf Modification Program provides home modifications for persons with hearing impairments to increase the independent living opportunities within their homes. The program offers specialized equipment which allows those who are hearing-impaired to continue living in their home or apartment. These modifications create a sense of dignity and self-respect for each individual and it also gives them the ability to make decisions and manage their own life.

To be eligible for this program the applicant must reside within the city of Columbus, OH and be hearing-impaired or have a family member within their household whose hearing-impaired. Eligible households include families/households earning 80% or less than the area median income (AMI) adjusted for family size, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

To determine your eligibility contact the Deaf Services Center:

Deaf Services Center
Tel:(614) 841-9991 TTY/Voice
Program Contact: T.J. Veppert or Cherilyn Bloodworth
5858 North High Street
Worthington, Ohio 43085

If you or a loved one are hearing-impaired and need assistance in receiving your Social Security benefits contact The Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers.

The Community Kitchen Inc. provides more than food. They believe that all people deserve the basic necessities of life, food, clothing, shelter medical attention and warmth. Their goal is to provide those who are at risk with the services they need the most. Below is a list of programs offered by Community Kitchen Inc. The services are free of charge and provided without regard to age, race, sex, nationality or gender.

Meal Program: Lunch is served six days a week Monday - Saturday from 11:30 AM until 12:30 PM.

Clothing Room: Provides clothing, household items and toiletries. The Clothing Room is open Tuesday - Friday from 10AM until 2PM.

Bus Passes: Free bus passes are available to clients Tuesday - Friday from 10AM until 2PM. Pass can be used for medical or social services appointment and new employment.

Mt. Carmel Station: Mt. Carmel Hospital offers free health services through their mobile van/bus. Families or individuals can get needed prescriptions filled and receive any other medical attention that may be needed.

Prevent Blindness program: Clients in need of eyeglasses are taken to the eye doctor and to Fort Hayes Career Center to pick out glasses.

For more information on the services offered by Community Kitchen call 614-252-6428 or visit their office:

Community Kitchen Inc.
640 South Ohio Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43205

The state of Ohio has developed several government funded programs to help those who may be disabled, elderly or have a low income. Assistance is available for both gas and electric bills in the programs that I'm about to mention. These programs range from reducing heating bills and/or a set amount based on income which is to be paid each month. Usually eligibility for these programs is based on household income. Here's some quick information that can help you or a loved one warm up or cool down during the appropriate seasons.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
This program is designed to help eligible Ohioans with low income meet the high costs of home heating. It pays for one bill for most PUCO regulated utility customers. Individuals who wish to apply must be at or below 175 percent of the 2009-2010 federal poverty guidelines.

Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)
PIPP allows eligible individuals to make affordable energy payments. There are several programs within PIPP, which include:
• Standard PIPP Program
• PIPP Balanced Payment Plan
• Three Percent PIPP
• Arrearage Crediting Program

To learn more about these programs you can visit the Ohio Utility Bill Assistance website.

Winter and Summer Crisis Programs
These programs are special components of HEAP that provides heating and/or cooling assistance once or twice a season. Those wanting to apply for the Winter Program must not have heat, are threatened with disconnection or have less than a ten day supply of bulk fuel. The summer crisis program is low-income elderly households and for Ohioans with qualifying medical conditions or disabilities. For more information about these programs, please contact your local community action agency.

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.

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.