Financial Assistance for People with Disabilities
Social Security
Social Security offers two types of financial assistance for people with disabilities. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides assistance for people that cannot work due to a disability and that worked a certain number of years in the past. Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) provides assistance for some people that do not qualify for SSDI. Contact your local Social Security office to apply. Be aware that it usually takes several months for Social Security to make a decision on an application and sometimes they deny applications and people must appeal the decision.
Disability Assistance
Many states offer Disability Assistance, cash assistance for people that have disabilities but do not qualify for assistance from Social Security. Rules vary from state to state. To learn more about Disability Assistance in your state or to apply, contact the welfare agency in your state. The name of agency varies from state to state but it's usually something like Department of Social Services or Department of Family Services. It's the same place where you apply for food stamps.
Medicare
After people have qualified for disability assistance from Social Security for two years, they receive Medicare. Medicare helps pay for a variety of health care services. Recipients must pay a monthly premium but people with low incomes may qualify for assistance paying those premiums.
Other Sources
Other sources of financial help due to disabilities include food stamps, Medicaid, housing assistance and utility assistance. Available forms of assistance vary from area to area. Apply for food stamps and Medicaid at your local welfare agency. Contact social services like the United Way and Salvation Army to ask about other forms of assistance you might qualify for.
Sources:
Social Security Administration. http://www.ssa.gov/d&s1.htm. Disability and SSI.
Social Security Administration. http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10043.html. Medicare.
Ohio Dept. of Job and Family Services. http://jfs.ohio.gov/factsheets/disabilityFA.pdf. Disability Financial Assistance.
Published by Kelly Morris
I am a former social worker and in that capacity, worked with teens and their families to address issues like domestic violence and school violence. I now make my living as a freelance writer. My work has... View profile
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