Helping Hands: A Social Security Disability Attorney Blog

Over 8,300 people are homeless in Cincinnati. Out of those 8,300, approximately 2,750 individuals find refuge at The Drop-Inn Center. It is Greater Cincinnati's largest homeless shelter that offers care and assistance to destitute men and women. Its goal is to reach out to those in need to achieve shelter and stability.

About ten years ago, a free medical clinic was opened at the center. According to the clinic, 40 percent of those who seek Drop-Inn's help are also in need of medical assistance. It offers primary care so that it can reduce the number of outgoing emergency calls. The clinic treats about 70 people per week.

The doors to Drop-Inn are open 24/7 and they are ready to assist those in need. They are located at 217 West 12th Street. You can reach someone there by calling 513-721-0643. If you or a loved one would like to learn more information about different medical conditions while searching for a clinic, visit our website.

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.

I found a list of shelters that might be of comfort to you or someone you may know who is in need of a warm place to stay. These shelters will provide you and your family with food and a place to sleep. For more information please call the shelter nearest you.

Homeless Shelters:

City of Biloxi
Back Bay Mission
Tel: (228) 432-0301
Offers: Supportive Housing

City of Meridian
Multi-County Community Service Agency, Inc
Transitional Housing
2900 St. Paul Street
Meridian, MS 39301
Tel: (601) 483-4838
Offers: Transitional Housing

City of Cleveland
Bolivar County Community Action Agency, Inc.
Cleveland, MS 38732
Tel: (662) 846-1491
Offers: Transitional Shelter

City of Columbus
Mississippi Regional Housing Authority IV
Tel: (662) 327-0136
Offers: Tenant-based rental assistance for disabled individuals

City Of Hattiesburg
Institute for Disability Studies
USM Campus
Tel: (601) 266-5163
Offers: Supportive services for homeless persons with disabilities

Forrest General Hospital
(Pine Grove Center)
2255 Broadway Drive
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
Tel: (601) 288-4720
Offers: Housing and supportive services for the disabled

City of Jackson
Gateway Rescue Mission
328 S. Gallatin Street
Jackson, MS 39207-9987
Tel: (601)353-5864

Hinds County Human Resource Agency
258 Maddox Rd
Jackson, MS 39225-2657
Tel: (601) 923-3925
Offers: Case management, housing support services

Stewpot Community Services
1100 W. Capitol Street
Jackson, MS 39203
(601) 353-2759
Offers: Food programs, elderly and children's programs and shelters

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 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)

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

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.

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

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 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.

I found a free clinic in the Greater Cleveland area that someone might be able to benefit from. When applying for Social Security Benefits, receiving health care while you wait for approval can be hard. That's why I wanted to point out what a Cleveland area clinic might be able to do for you.

The Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland offers programs to help meet the chronic and even smaller health care needs of individuals. At the facility there is an Acute Care Clinic, Dental Clinic, Teen Clinic, Adult Primary Clinic and Women's Clinic. All tests and medications at the clinic are free of charge.

There are also specialty clinics such as adolescent, cardiology, HIV early prevention, dermatology, neurology, podiatry, nephrology (treatment for kidney issues), physical therapy, pulmonology (treatment for the lungs), rheumatology (treatment for joints and tissue), specialty GYN and ophthalmology.

The Free Clinic also offers numerous treatment options including counseling and psychiatrics services for mild to moderate conditions. More severe conditions are addressed on a case by case basis and referrals are offered when treatment cannot be offered to an individual. All adult and adolescent services are assessed through its intake department and appointments can be scheduled by calling 216-721-4010 and requesting the mental health intake line.

One of the last things that this organization offers is case management for those who are in need in the community. Case managers are available to give referrals in the areas of housing, transportation, emergency food assistance and many more to those in need.
The Free Clinic is located at 12201 Euclid Avenue. It opens its doors at different hours during the week to help benefit interested individuals.

The Free Clinic is one of the oldest free clinics in the United States and the largest in Ohio so don't hesitate to contact them!

I found two discount programs that were established by the Tennessee Regulatory Authority to ensure that telephone services remain available and affordable to consumers.

The Link-up program offers to pay half of the installation fees that are required for new telephone services. The maximum amount of financial assistance for this program is $30. You will not be required to pay a deposit if you request a "Local Service Only" and "Long distance block" when connecting telephone services through Link-up.

Through the Lifeline program you can save up to $13.50/per month on the local service portion of your telephone bill. However, this program will not assist with long distance charges or special features such as Caller ID or Call Waiting.

To qualify for this program you must be enrolled in at least one of the following public assistance programs:

• Supplemental Security Income
• SNAP (Food Stamps)
• TANF
• LIHEAP
• National School Lunch
• Live in Section 8 Housing

To apply for the Link-up or Lifeline program contact your local telephone service provider and they will provide you with a Link-up and Lifeline application.

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.