Helping Hands: A Social Security Disability Attorney Blog

If you or a loved one has a physical or mental impairment that makes it difficult to find or keep a job, Tennessee'sVocational Rehabilitation program may be able to provide you with assistance. Vocational Rehabilitation is a program that is state and federally funded which provides services to individuals with disabilities to help them return or enter into employment. The program was designed to assist individuals with disabilities in competing successfully with others who are currently in the work force to earn a living.

To be eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation, individuals must meet specific guidelines related to a physical or mental disability that results in a substantial difficulty to obtain employment. Individuals will meet with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor who determines eligibility with the help of medical examinations, psychological examinations, vocational evaluations, and other diagnostic information secured by the agency to determine the nature and extent of the disability. Applicants who receive SSI (Supplemental Security Income) or SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) benefits based on disability or blindness are presumed to be eligible if they intend to go to work.

For more information about Vocational Rehabilitation Services please call (615) 313-4891 or click here to visit their website.

For more information on receiving SSI or SSDI please contact The Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers.

There are several Cuyahoga County food pantries available for those who need assistance. Some have restrictions however most will severe anyone in need at least once. None of the pantries listed below require a referral but some require proof of income. You can find a more extensive list of area food pantries at http://cleveland.about.com. If you are interested in pantries that require a referral, call the Empowerment Center at 216-432-4770. You may receive a referral every 60 days.

All Faiths Pantry
• Offers a large selection of non-perishable food, fresh produce, meat and bread when available.
• Open 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

3209 Saratoga Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44109
(216) 496-4329

Brother Hubbard Cupboard
• Open on the last two Tuesdays and Thursdays of the month from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
• Food is given based on family size.

4120 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44103
216-391-7231

Manna House Recovery and Resource Center
• Open on the third Saturday of the month at 1:00 PM.
• Home delivery is available if you are sick or shut-in
• Provides generous four to five day supply of non-perishable foods, produce, meat and bread
• Only residents of the Fairfax area are eligible to receive aid from this pantry
• Also provides support services for personal growth, recovery and renewal

8019 Cedar Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44103
216-432-2598

Parma Heights Food Pantry
• Open Mondays 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Wednesdays 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM and Thursdays 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
• Household supplies are also distributed

6285 Pearl Road
Cleveland, OH 44103
440-842-6491

United Hearts Life Mission Center
• Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
• Those living in the following zip codes are eligible for assistance once month: 44102, 44109, 44111, 44113, 44114, 44115, 44127 and 44144.
• Three to five days worth of non-perishable food will be distributed per family.
• Individuals with disabilities may send someone on their behalf to pick up food.
• Other free services at this organization include pregnancy tests, clothing support (including maternity) and referrals for pre-natal medical care and social services

3339 Broadview Road
Cleveland, OH 44109
216-459-9839

United Labor Agency
• Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM by appointment.
• Those needing assistance will be referred to a hunger center in the client's neighborhood

3328 Carnegie Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44115
216-391-0900

Do you need assistance with paying your utility bills? Entergy New Orleans has a special assistance program for customers experiencing financial distress.

The Power to Care program is a special fund that provides emergency utility assistance for elderly and disabled customers. To be eligible for the program, participants must be 65 years of age or older, fall below the poverty income level, and/or receive Social Security or Disability benefits. The Power to Care program is a joint effort between Entergy New Orleans, Inc. and the New Orleans Council on Aging (NOCOA) to ensure that customers continue to receive quality service at an affordable cost.

For more information on the Power to Care program please call -800-368-3749 (1-800-ENTERGY) or visit your local Entergy office.

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

Do you or a family member have a disability that prevents you from adequately using basic telephone service? If so, I found a great program that may be of assistance to you.

The Tennessee Regulatory Authority (TRA) has implemented the TDAP program. TDAP (Telecommunications Devices Access Program) is designed to provide individuals with the appropriate telecommunications devices that will successfully enable them to use basic telephone services despite their disability.

To be eligible for TDAP individuals must:

•Be permanent residents of the State of Tennessee;
•Have a disability that prevents the use of the telephone without the help of an assistive device (condition must be verified by a Tennessee licensed physician) and
•Be able to use the device or accept appropriate training prior to issue of a device.

Devices are issued on a first-come, first-served basis. However, if individuals meet the eligibility requirements they may be able to receive devices on a priority basis. TDAP will only award one assistive device per household. However, if more than one individual within a household is in need of an assistive device the program coordinator may make the determination of whether two or more devices are needed.

For more information or to receive an application call the TDAP at (615) 741-3939 or 1-800-342-8359, ext. 179 or 206

The Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps (BCMH) is a program developed by the Ohio Department of Health. It links those who have children with disabilities to a network of health care providers. BCMH also helps families pay for the services their children need. A child (21 years old or younger) can be enrolled in the program by their BCMH-approved doctor. The doctor will send a medical application form to the organization for approval. Families can find BCMH providers on the Ohio Department of Health website.

A child may be eligible for this program if he or she has the following ailments. Other disabilities not listed may be eligible are as well.

• AIDS


• Cancer


• Cerebral palsy


• Chronic lung disease


• Congenital Heart Disease


• Cystic Fibrosis


• Diabetes


• Hearing loss


• Juvenile arthritis


• Scoliosis


• Severe vision problems

Those who need financial assistance for their child's health care are eligible on a case-by-case basis. Families must be evaluated on the medical care the child needs, the maximum ability to pay for health care, amount spent on private insurance and the amount spend on weekly child care. They also must meet a certain percentage of federal poverty guidelines.

BCMH counts neither personal assets when determining financial eligibility, income from child support, nor social security income. A child receiving benefits through Medicaid, SSI or WIC is automatically financially eligible for BCMH treatment services, regardless of the parent's income. Find the closest BCMH to you today!

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.

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!

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.

St. Anna's Episcopal Church has a mobile medical unit that rotates through designated neighborhoods throughout New Orleans. St. Anna's Medical Mission (SAMM) services are performed by volunteer doctors, nurses, social workers and non-medical volunteers. The services provided by the mobile medical unit are free and patients are generally accepted on a first-come-first -serve basis. Services that are provided, along with conditions that are treated, include:

Hypertension (newly diagnosed or uncontrolled)
Diabetes
Medication refills
Depression/PTSD
Rashes
Colds/Flu
Cuts/Scrapes

Services that are provided when the voluntary doctors or nurse practitioners are not available include:

Blood pressure screenings
Diabetes screenings
Education
Referrals

Screenings and counseling for mental health are also available when psychiatrists or social workers are available.

To find out when SAMM is visiting your neighborhood or to learn more about St. Anna's Medical Mission call 504-947-2121.

St. Anna's
1313 Esplanade Ave
New Orleans, LA Map
(504) 947-2121
Office Hours:
M-F 9am-4pm

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.

Freestore Foodbank offers several programs to underprivileged Cincinnatians. The organization distributes over 10 million pounds of food a year. Not only is the Cincinnati area served but the program also in parts of Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio.

I found many programs that within Freestore Foodbank but here a couple that stood out:

• Kid's Café

Over 8,400 hot meals are served to impoverished children at the end of selected school days in anticipation that they may not have another meal until the next day at school due to lack of food at home.

• Power Pack

Power Pack is like an extended version of Kid's Café. This program sends nutritious,
non-perishable foods home with children on Friday afternoon's that will last them all weekend in the event that they don't have any food at home. Power Pack works with site coordinators at each school to determine which children have the most need and to ensure that they are sent home with the right food.

• SSI Jobs

This program provides clinical exams, job training and housing assistance for homeless individuals so that they can be better prepared to apply for Social Security Benefits. A Continuum of Care certificate is required for individuals to participate in this program.

• Food Room

This an emergency service provided by Freestore Foodbank that gives individuals food Monday through Friday 8 AM to 3 PM.

The main goal of Freestore Foodbank is to provide food and services, create stability and continue self-reliance for people in crisis.

Here is another service that may be useful while on your social security disability benefits to process:

This assistance is available for residents of the Metro Atlanta area that need assistance with paying their natural gas bill. Atlanta Gas Light Company is also currently offering energy assistance to Senior Citizens. In addition to this, if you are a low income patron you may qualify for a low rate of natural gas.

To find out more information about the Energy Assistance program that are being offered through Atlanta Gas Light Company please visit AGL. To find more information regarding other assistance programs please click here for contact information.

Also, if you are currently or thinking about filing a disability claim and are in need of assistance please contact Cochran Firm Disability Lawyer's.

The Commissioner of Social Security, Michael J. Astrue, announced in March 2010 that the Social Security Administration is providing helpful health care information and website links to more than three million individuals who apply each year for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits. Disability applicants will find information and tools to help them better understand and cope with their conditions at www.healthfinder.gov. If they need help paying for prescription drugs, they can visit www.healthfinder.gov/rxdrug and obtain information on reduced cost or free prescription drugs offered by drug companies, state and local governments, and local governments, and local organizations.

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.