Helping Hands: A Social Security Disability Attorney Blog

Mississippi's Office for Children and Youth offers child care assistance and may be able to assist you with child care services. Their mission is to provide eligible, low-income parents with child care assistance to assist them in maintaining and becoming employed. Like many assistance programs there are requirements that have to be met; the child must be under the age of 13 or under age 19 if they are physically or mentally unable to care for themselves. There are also income eligibility guidelines that can be found on their website. The website also incldues a list of designated childcare programs. If you are interested or know of someone who needs assistance call (601) 359-4555 for more information.

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.

I came across the website: www.freemedicalcamps.com while searching for dental clinics. This website provides a variety of free clinics within the United States. Below is a list of a few clinics within your area. Contact the clinic nearest you for more information.

Hattiesburg Community Dental Center
66 Old Airport Rd.
Hattiesburg, MS 39403
Tel: 601-583-4800
They provide: Dental Care Services, Obstetrical and Gynecological Care, and Primary Medical Care

Coastal Family Health Center, Inc
1046 Division St.
Biloxi, MS 39533
Tel: 228-374-2494
They provide: Dental Care Services, Enabling Services, Mental Health/Substance Abuse Services, Other Professional Services, and Primary Medical Care

Central Mississippi Civic Improvement Association, Inc
3502 West Northside Dr.
Jackson, MS 39213
Tel: 601-364-5142
Dental Care Services, Enabling Services, Mental Health/Substance Abuse Services, Obstetrical and Gynecological Care, Other Professional Services, Primary Medical Care, Specialty Medical Care

Click here to visit the website to find more clinics in your area.

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

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.

I searched and searched for free clinics in Jackson, MS and finally found one. Jackson Free Clinic, which is a non-profit corporation, is operated by medical students from the University of Mississippi's Medical Center School of Medicine along with various students from other institutions. The clinic offers several inclusive services These services include, but are not limited to: physical exams, laboratory monitoring, medications and referrals. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 601-355-5161; they suggest that you leave your name and number and if possible call on Saturday between noon and 4 P.M.

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.

While trying to survive the tough economy, many of us live paycheck to paycheck and at times have to stretch our dollars as much as possible. There are bills that are left unpaid and at the end of the day we struggle to put food at the table. Well the struggle is now over! Through a friend I found out about the Mississippi Food Network organization. The Mississippi Food Network partners with local churches and non-profit organizations to distribute food and grocery products throughout the area. They also provide nutrition education and also assist clients with other needs. If you would like to get help, call 601-353-7286 and you will be directed to an Emergency Food Box site near you.

To find out more about the Mississippi Food Network call 601-353-7286 or visit www.msfoodnet.org.

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

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

Wow, I found this great program!

Partnership for Prescription Assistance-Mississippi (PPARxMS) is an awesome discount prescription program that provides low-income people with access to discounts straight from the pharmaceutical manufacturer. Their mission is to help assist those who have difficulty affording health care especially prescription drugs. PPARxMS offers access to public and private patient assistance programs including more than 150 programs offered by pharmaceutical companies. This program also provides different resources for people ages 55 and older in need of assistance whether it is with your utilities or healthcare they can help.

To see a complete list of their partners and to gain more information call 888-477-2669 or click here to visit their website.

Here's another program that may be helpful while you wait on your Social Security claim to proces:

Most of us have heard about WIC through word of mouth or TV Ads. What we usually don't hear is how great the program is and all that it provides. This unique supplemental food program is offered to pregnant, breastfeeding and post-partum women, infants and children under five years of age. WIC is available at no cost and provides food packages which include milk, eggs, beans, 100% juice, canned tuna, carrots and other various foods. To determine your eligibility and apply for the program visit the WIC office nearest you. For further information call the WIC hotline toll-free at 1-800-545-6747 or visit their website by clicking here.

Hinds County - WIC Office
3270 Lynch Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39209
Phone: 601-969-5726

Lauderdale County Health Department
5224 Valley Street
Meridian, MS 39304
Phone: 601-693-2451
Open: Monday - Friday

Lee County Health Department
532 South Church Street
Tupelo, MS 38802
Phone: 662-841-9096
Open: Monday - Friday

Forrest County Health Department
5008 Highway 42
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Phone: 601-583-0291
Open: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

I was looking for different resources throughout Mississippi and I came across The Children's Medical Program. This program provides medical and surgical care to children with chronic or disabling conditions. They also provide the equipment, the medications and arrange for physical, occupational and other therapies. Eligibility for the program is based on your family income, size and estimated cost of treatment. Only residents of Mississippi aging from birth to the age 20 are eligible for the Children's Medical Program.

To learn more about the program or to apply contact your local health department office or call 1-800-844-0898 toll-free.

For a list of eligible conditions and/or services provided please click here or visit the Mississippi State Deparment of Health's website.

I was doing some research on disability assistance programs in the Mississippi area and I came across an amazing website, the Wesley House Community Center . I found it to be very detailed and informative. They have six different agencies all with the same mission; to assist underprivileged, neglected, and abused persons offering them education, community welfare and social services. Basically helping people learn to help themselves. Listed below are the agencies and the programs that they offer:

Education: Computer Lab training, Elementary Tutoring, Public Awareness, Child Abuse Prevention

Health Care: Disability Assistance Program, Doctor Referrals, In-house Health and Fitness, Free Lab Work, Free Medicine, Eye Exams

Community: Food Bank, Storage Center, Parenting Courses, Christmas Ministry, Scouting Programs

Victim Services: Sexual Assault Crisis Center, Child Advocacy Center, Pediatric Sane Exam, Therapy Groups

Christian Relief: Emergency Assistance, Life Skills Courses

Connectional: Fine Arts, Volunteer Mentor Program, "Kids Manna (nutrition)

For more information on the agencies and services offered by the Wesley House visit www.wesleyhousemeridian.com or stop by and talk to someone in person.

The Wesley Center is open Monday thru Friday from 8 AM - 5 PM.

Wesley Center
1520 8th Ave
Meridian, MS 39302
Tel: 601-485-4736