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.

The Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity (JCCEO), in collaboration with partner agencies, functions as a provider of homelessness prevention assistance and assistance to rapidly re-house people who are or are at risk of becoming homeless. Assistance is provided through their Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) and includes rental assistance, credit repair, security deposit, utility payments (not phone or cable), moving and storage costs assistance and temporary housing. In addition to homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing assistance, the JCCEO HPRP seeks to achieve long-term housing stabilization for program clients after the subsidy ends through intensive case management.

To be eligible for HPRP assistance, you must:

• Be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless;


• Live in Jefferson County; and


• Meet the low-income requirement for your family size

For more information on the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program, call 205-933-8293.

In addition to the HPRP program JCCEO offers a housing counseling program, energy assistance program, home weatherization and child development services. To learn more about these programs and services please call 205-327-7500.

The Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) wants to help you find a more affordable place to live. CMHA rental properties are located in neighborhoods throughout areas of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. CMHA is the 17th largest housing authority in the United States and consistently receives recognition as a high performing agency from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible individuals such as persons with disabilities or the elderly. CMHA offers Housing Vouchers which covers the gap between what a low-income family can afford and what the private rental market demands. The vouchers allow low income families more housing options throughout the area and pays for 30 percent of a household's income towards the rent. CMHA makes a housing assistance payment to the property owner or management company to cover the balance of the monthly rent.

CMHA operates 12 high-rise buildings, three large family communities, numerous small family communities and many single-family housing. Social workers are available to help any CMHA resident. They can refer residents to local social service agencies for various types of support if needed. Housekeeping classes and assistance are also available.

If you would like to apply to live at a CMHA facility, you can download its application and deliver it to its leasing center located at 1635 Western Avenue, Cincinnati, OH between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM.

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.

WWISCAA is a community action agency that provides quality services to individuals/families in need by mobilizing all available resources to enhance the economic and social conditions that encourages family values and promotes self-sufficiency and stability. They provide emergency assistance in a crisis situation, home delivered meals, transportation to health care facilities for the elderly and handicapped, and a variety of educational classes for children and adults of basic education and job readiness.

Services are available at the following locations:

Washington County
Programmatic Office / Case Management
1165 S. Raceway Rd, Greenville, MS 38701,
662.378.8663
Administrative Office, 662.378.5857

Sharkey / Issaquena County
Programmatic Office / Case Management
132 Court Street, Mayersville, MS
662.873.2595

Warren County
Programmatic Office / Case Management
2022 Cherry Street, Vicksburg, MS
601.638.2474

For more information call (662)378-5857 or visit www.wwiscaa.org.

At one time or another we find ourselves experiencing hardships and feel that there is nowhere else to turn, especially when it comes to providing for our families. TANF is a program that is offered by the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) that provides temporary assistance to needy families with children under the age of 18. For more information or to receive an application for TANF, please click here to visit the MDHS TANF website. Applications can also be retrieved from your local DHS office.

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

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is reaching out to families who have been economically impacted by the recent BP oil spill. DCFS are encouraging residents to apply for the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. Families can use regular SNAP benefits to purchase foods such as breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables, meats, fish and poultry as well as dairy products. Eligible families can also purchase seeds and plants which produce food for the household to eat. In some areas, families can even use their SNAP benefits at restaurants authorized to accept regular SNAP benefits in exchange for low-cost meals.

To apply for SNAP benefits, you must contact your local DCFS office or apply online by clicking here. DCFS has currently set up 12 active SNAP Outreach sites in seven coastal parishes assisting impacted families with applying for and receiving the assistance they need. Once an application is received, DCFS has a maximum of 30 days to provide benefits. However, DCFS is working hard to expedite the cases of impacted families as fast and as legally possible in order for families to receive the much needed benefits.

For more information about SNAP benefits please call (225) 342-0286 or 1-888-LA-HELP-U

I came across a website that can be beneficial for those who may not be able to afford their prescriptions needed to aid a possible illness or disability. Hamilton County, OH is offering a discount prescription card in which citizens can receive an average of 20 percent in savings or 30 percent on generic medicines. There isn't an enrollment fee and you don't have to fill out any forms, however, there are income and medical condition restrictions.

Although the card is not an insurance card, it provides a way for people to receive prescriptions that aren't covered under their insurance. Therefore, insured and uninsured individuals are encouraged to apply.

9 out of 10 pharmacies nationwide accept the discount card. If you aren't able to make it to the pharmacy due to an illness or disability, you can ask to receive your prescriptions in the mail. Call 1-877-321-2652 to receive the FastStart℠ service. You can also print a mail service form from online and follow a few easy instructions.

Once you received approval for the card, you may pick it up at the county's Job and Services Department, branches of the Public Library of Cincinnati, YMCA branches, the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio and many social service agencies in the area. You can call 513-946-1010 for more information. As soon as you receive your card, it'll be ready to use!

I found a great program for those who cannot afford the cost of adequate healthcare!

Located in Los Angeles, The Saban Free Clinic provides free high-quality and compassionate medical and dental care, social services and education and outreach to men, women and children in need. The Clinic has four locations throughout the Los Angeles area. Although each site has its own name, they are still operated by the Saban Free Clinic and provide adequate healthcare to those in need. Services offered by the Clinic include, but is not limited to:

Comprehensive Medical Care
• Primary, preventive and specialty care for adults and children
• Prenatal care/ Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Optometry
• Physical Therapy
• Pharmacy/Medications

Mental Health and Case Management
• Crisis intervention counseling
• Short-term therapy
• Shower facilities for homeless clients

Education and Outreach
• Health education, including chronic disease management and weight loss
• Sexual reproductive health education and counseling
• HIV counseling and testing

Dental Care
• Primary dental care for children and adults
• X-rays
• Cleanings and fillings
• Dentures
• Extractions

For more information on The Saban Free Clinic, please call 323.653.8622 or 323.653.1990.

Cuyahoga County is offering children ages zero to 19 a program that provides free health insurance for low to moderate income families. Eligibility is determined by the number of people living in one household and its total income. Children with mental and/or physical disabilities are eligible for the service. Healthy Start can be used by those who are insured, uninsured or underinsured. If you have medical bills, Healthy Start will pay for them for three months after you were initially billed.

Health care under this program is provided at some of the area's top hospitals and doctor office's. Those who qualify will be able to receive a number of heath care services including:

• Regular checkups


• Immunizations


• Dental care


• Eye care


• Prescriptions


• Hospitalization


• Emergency care


• Prenatal and/or postnatal services

If you don't live in Cuyahoga County, don't worry! Healthy Start is part of the State Insurance Children Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). You can call your local county Human Services agency and ask about the free health insurance program.

As the summer heat increases, the Tennessee Department of Human Services '(DHS) is also increasing its efforts to ensure the safety of Tennessee residents. During summer months many residents are hesitant to turn on their air conditioners in an attempt to keep their energy bills low. In a recent General Assembly, legislatures have come to the rescue by expanding the eligibility of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The change has expanded the eligibility guidelines from 125% to 200% of the federal poverty line. With the recent change, a family of four can now earn up to $44,100 a year and be eligible for LIHEAP benefits. LIHEAP is a government program that is designed to assist low income households with their home energy bills. Assistance does not directly go to eligible clients or applicants; however payments are directly made to the local utility company on the client's behalf. Although eligibility is determined by income guidelines, assistance is additionally determined on a priority point system to households with members who are elderly, disabled and/or under the age of six.

For a list of local LIHEAP agencies and to receive more information, visit: http://state.tn.us/humanserv/adfam/liheap/liheap-agencies.pdf

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) offers a residential Low Income Discount Program (LIDP) rate for customers within qualifying income levels. This rate reduces the cost of electricity, water and sewer services for the participant's permanent primary residence.

To determine your eligibility you must complete an application and return it to the LADWP. The individual applying must be an LADWP customer and cannot be claimed on another person's Income Tax Return as a dependent. Proof of income for EACH member of the household must be included with the completed application. "Income" is defined as the combined gross income, whether taxable or non-taxable, of ALL persons who live in the household. The discount can and will only be received after LADWP verifies the application.

Proof of income can be provided by having a copy of one of the following:
• Last year's State or Federal Income Tax Return;
• Last year's Social Security Benefit Statement;
• Copy of last year's Social Security Check or SSI check;
• Last year's SSI Disability Award Letter;
• Paycheck stubs;
• Unemployment Benefits;
• A NOTARIZED LETTER from your employer stating income

For more information on the Low Income Discount Rate, call the LADWP customer contact center at:
Metropolitan Los Angeles: (213) 481-5411
Other Areas: (800) 342-5397
Hearing/Speech Impaired Customers: (800) 735-2922

I found a great program for those waiting on their Social Security benefits to process:

Hope House New Orleans is a non-profit organization with a mission to assist those within the community who are in need of food, shelter and hope. Hope House New Orleans has several programs to provide assistance to those in need. If you would like more information on the following programs please call Hope House New Orleans at (504) 525-2561:

Hope House Programs:

Emergency Assistance: (Food; Rent and Utility assistance; Clothes, Bus Tokens; Shelter Vouchers; Advice and Referrals)

Common Grounds Resource and Coffeehouse: (Free coffee and pastries; newspapers, magazines and books; computers and internet access)

Adult Learning Center: (Literacy, GED, Computer Training; ACT & SAT preparation)

Family Transitional Housing

After-school youth program: (Recreation, field trips & homework help)

Hope House 916 St. Andrew St. New Orleans, LA 70130

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