Helping Hands: A Social Security Disability Attorney Blog

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.

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)

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

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

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.

The state of Ohio has developed several government funded programs to help those who may be disabled, elderly or have a low income. Assistance is available for both gas and electric bills in the programs that I'm about to mention. These programs range from reducing heating bills and/or a set amount based on income which is to be paid each month. Usually eligibility for these programs is based on household income. Here's some quick information that can help you or a loved one warm up or cool down during the appropriate seasons.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
This program is designed to help eligible Ohioans with low income meet the high costs of home heating. It pays for one bill for most PUCO regulated utility customers. Individuals who wish to apply must be at or below 175 percent of the 2009-2010 federal poverty guidelines.

Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP)
PIPP allows eligible individuals to make affordable energy payments. There are several programs within PIPP, which include:
• Standard PIPP Program
• PIPP Balanced Payment Plan
• Three Percent PIPP
• Arrearage Crediting Program

To learn more about these programs you can visit the Ohio Utility Bill Assistance website.

Winter and Summer Crisis Programs
These programs are special components of HEAP that provides heating and/or cooling assistance once or twice a season. Those wanting to apply for the Winter Program must not have heat, are threatened with disconnection or have less than a ten day supply of bulk fuel. The summer crisis program is low-income elderly households and for Ohioans with qualifying medical conditions or disabilities. For more information about these programs, please contact your local community action agency.

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.

Having trouble paying your utility bills?

Mississippi Power offers each eligible SSI/TANF recipient a discount on his or her monthly electric bills. To apply for discount program you must visit your local office to receive an eligibility form. This form must be certified by either the Social Security Administration or the Mississippi Department of Human Services in order to qualify and receive the discount.

Mississippi Power has a bill extender program. This program is a payment plan available to customers whose main source of income is Social Security or a single monthly check.
For more information on the SSI Discount and Bill Extender programs call 800-532-1502 or visit your local office.

For information on how to receive SS benefits contact the Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers.

Are you in need of housing, shelter, food, clothing, family assistance, emergency assistance and other everyday living necessities?

The Metro Atlanta Area Salvation Army offers many programs and assistance to families, single individuals, homeless individuals, and disabled individuals.

Services provided by Metro Atlanta Area Salvation Army include:

• Corps Community and Worship Centers
• Boys and Girls Club of Greater Atlanta
• Emergency Shelter
• Holiday Assistance
• Project Share
• Project Hope
• Senior Citizen Housing
• Emergency Shelter
• Family Emergency
• Disaster Assistance

If you've been denied your Social Security benefits the Metro Atlanta Salvation Army may be able to provide assistance while you appeal your claim.

To find out more information about the programs and services that are offered, visit www.uss.salvationarmy.org.

For more information about Social Security benefits contact the Cochran Firm Disability Lawyers.

No, not the crime scene television show but the Christian Services Inc. (CSI).

I was looking for a place to volunteer at and I came across this website in which everyone comes together from different organizations to show their love for the people of this world. CSI offers assistance for utilities such as rent, provides medicines, a Meals on Wheels program or a soup kitchen for those who cannot provide for themselves.

While waiting for your social security to process, take advantage of some or all of these services.

Contact CSI for an appointment:

601-582-5683

Christian Services
301 East Second Street
Hattiesburg, MS. 39401

Or visit the website:
http://www.christianserve.org

Need assistance with your water or light bill?

Tupelo Water & Light (TWL) assists individuals who are disabled, elderly or facing financial stress due to job layoffs or illness. Through the water and light assistance program, TWL provides individuals with up to $150 dollars in assistance on electrical bills during the year. TWL also assist in troubleshooting problems at customer's residences at no charge, offer affordable financing with low interest rates, and educate you on ways to help make your home more energy efficient.

To find out more information on Tupelo Water and Light call 662-841-6470 or visit their website.

Tupelo Water and Light Department
320 Court St
Tupelo, MS 38804
(662) 841-6470
http://www.ci.tupelo.ms.us/water-light/W&L_res-services.htm

I found a program that assist families in maintaing permanent housing in the Los Angeles area. The Emergency Assistance to Prevent Eviction (EAPE) program works with Los Angeles families who are at risk of losing their housing due to a financial hardship. Eligible participants may receive funding to pay rent and/or utilities for up to two (2) months to assist the family in maintain permanent housing.

To be eligible for EAPE families must:
•Be CalWORKs eligible, receiving CalWORKs or Timed-out from CalWORKs;

•Demonstrate that they are experiencing a financial hardship that could result in homelessness if assistance is not given.

•Provide proof of the financial hardship.

In order to determine eligibility families must apply in person at a CalWORKS office.

CalWORKS locations:

Metro Family District Office
2615 S. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 744-3627

South Central District Office
10728 S. Central
Los Angeles, CA 90059
(323) 563-4403

Metro North District Office
2601 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90057
(213) 639-5455

Metro East District Office
2855 E. Olympic Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90023
(323) 260-3718