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

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.

Last year my grandparents found themselves in a sticky situation. Their power was running too high and no matter what they did their electricity bill would continue to rise. While trying to find every resource possible that would assist in lowering their electricity bill, I came across the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) in Meridian, MS. As it turns out, we learned that this program assists the elderly, disabled, and low-income families, like my grandparents. WAP crews will come to your home and install the most cost-effective, energy efficient measures, and improve comfort and air quality. WAP is designed to lower home cooling and heating costs by saving energy, improving energy efficiency, and also ensuring safety and health.

For more information regarding the program or how to apply please call: 601.483.4838 or 1.800.898.0659.

Weatherization Assistance Program
Multi-County Community Service Agency
2900 St. Paul Street
P.O. Box 905
Meridian, MS 39302