BENEFITS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND CARETAKERS
Types of Disability Benefits
There are both Federal and State programs for people with disabilities, as well as caregivers, to receive financial assistance. Below is a breakdown of the Federal programs available, as well as on disability programs in California, where VisAble Individuals is located. Feel free to reach out to us for information on disability programs in your state.
Federal Disability Benefit Programs
1) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
2) Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
3) Veterans Disability Compensation
4) Medicaid, Medicare, and CHIP
5) Public Housing, Rental Assistance, Subsidized Housing, and Homeownership Vouchers (through Section 8)
6) Utility Assistance
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security's Disability Insurance (SSDI) Benefits are federally funded and administered by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). As the word "Insurance" in the name implies, this type of benefit is funded by insurance payments to the SSA, which employers fund by withholding a set amount from employee paychecks.
In order to be eligible for SSDI benefits, the individual must have been able to work in the past, worked for the minimum amount of time required, and have a medical condition that prevents them from working for at least 12 months, or is expected to end in death. SSDI benefits are available to both the individual with the disability and certain family members.
VisAble Individuals can help with applying for SSDI and appealing SSDI denials.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is for people with disabilities, or who are 65 or older with little to no income or financial resources. SSI is not Social Security, and although the Social Security Administration runs both programs, SSI is not funded by Social Security taxes. SSI is a separate benefits program funded by general tax revenue, for which eligibility is based on either having a qualifying disability or being a senior citizen + being in financial need of assistance.
SSI provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.
VisAble Individuals can help with applying for SSI and appealing SSI denials.
Veterans Disability Benefits
The Veterans Administration (VA) administers several types of benefit programs for Veterans, including Disability Compensation, Education & Training, Employment, Home Loans, Pensions, Life Insurance, and many more. All Veterans with honorable discharges are entitled to take advantage of the benefits offered by all of these programs, however only Disability Compensation requires that the Veteran have a disability or disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service.
VA Disability Compensation offers a monthly tax-free payment to Veterans who either 1) got sick or injured while serving in the military, or 2) whose service made an existing condition worse. A Veteran may qualify for Disability Compensation for both physical conditions (like a chronic illness or injury) and mental health conditions (like PTSD), that developed before, during, or after service.
VisAble Individuals can help with applying for VA Disability Compensation, appealing denials, and management of approved benefits you've earned.
MEDICARE, MEDICAID, & CHIP
MEDICARE
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people who fall into one of the following categories: 1) Age 65 or older, 2) Under 65 with certain disabilities, or 3) Any age with end-stage renal disease (this is permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant). Medicare has four parts; Parts A, B, C, and D. Part A pertains to hospital insurance, Part B pertains to medical insurance, Part C is a set of low-cost private insurance plans, and Part D pertains to prescription medication coverage.
In addition to end-stage renal failure, Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) is also a qualifying disability, as are disabilities for which an individual is already receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
MEDICAID & CHIP
Medicaid is a federal and state health insurance program for people with a low income. Medicaid provides free or low-cost medical benefits to eligible individuals in the following categories:
1) Adults with a low income, 2) Children, 3) Pregnant women, 4) People who are age 65 or over, and 5) People with disabilities.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) offers health coverage to children. To be eligible, the child's family must have an income that is both 1) Too high to qualify for Medicaid, and 2) Too low to afford private coverage.
At VisAble Individuals, our mission is to help individuals with disabilities obtain the accommodations and benefits to which they are legally entitled. We will assist with Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP applications and/or claims for people with eligible disabilities and their children or caretakers. We do not do applications or claims for the other eligibility categories, but can refer you to an agency or organization in your area.
Housing Benefits
Public Housing, Rental Assistance, Subsidized Housing, and Homeownership Vouchers (Section 8)
PUBLIC HOUSING
Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Public housing comes in all sizes and types, from scattered single-family houses to high rise apartments for elderly families.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers Federal aid to local housing agencies (HAs) that manage the housing for low-income residents at rents they can afford. HUD furnishes technical and professional assistance in planning, developing, and managing these developments.
HAs use income limits developed by HUD. HUD sets the lower income limits at 80% and very low-income limits at 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which you choose to live. Income limits vary from area to area so you may be eligible at one HA but not at another.
SUBSIDIZED HOUSING AND HOUSING CHOICE (FORMERLY SECTION 8)
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly known as Section 8) is a program from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It helps families with a low income, seniors, and people with disabilities pay for rental housing. You can find your own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. Housing Choice vouchers can pay for all or part of the rent.
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) homeownership program allows families that are assisted under the HCV program to use their voucher to buy a home and receive monthly assistance in meeting homeownership expenses. To participate in the HCV homeownership program, the HCV family must meet specific income and employment requirements (the employment requirement does not apply to elderly and disabled families), be a first-time homeowner as defined in the regulation, attend and satisfactorily complete the pre-assistance homeownership and housing counseling program required by the PHA, and meet any additional eligibility requirements set by the PHA.
As with Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP; VisAble Individuals will assist with applications for Public Housing benefits and/or claims for people with eligible disabilities and their children or caretakers. We do not do applications or claims for the other eligibility categories, but can refer you to an agency or organization in your area.
Utility Assistance
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists eligible low-income households with their heating and cooling energy costs, bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance, weatherization, and energy-related home repairs. Individuals with disabilities who already receive or are eligible to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are often automatically eligible for LIHEAP benefits. LIHEAP has programs for assisting eligible people with:
- Disaster-related expenses
- Food costs
- Health care or insurance costs
- High medical expenses in relation to my income
- Home energy costs
- Mortgage payments
- Owning your own business
- Rental housing costs
- Agricultural losses
VisAble Individuals can help you determine eligibility and apply for LIHEAP benefits. Caregivers of disabled adults can apply for this benefit on behalf of the person they are caregiving.
More Disability Benefit Programs Available in california
1) The Assisted Living Waiver (ALW)
2) The Genetically Handicapped Persons Program (GHPP)
3) Home and Community-Based Services for the Developmentally Disabled (HCBS-DD) Waiver
4) In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Waiver and IHSS Plus Program
The Assisted Living Waiver (ALW)
The Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) is a Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver that was created by legislation that directed the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to develop and implement the project to test the efficacy of assisted living as a Medi-Cal benefit.
The goal of the ALW is to: 1) facilitate a safe and timely transition of Medi-Cal eligible seniors and persons with disabilities from a nursing facility or institution to a community home-like setting in a Residential Care Facility (RCF), an Adult Residential Care Facility (ARF), or public subsidized housing, utilizing ALW services; and 2) offer eligible seniors and persons with disabilities, who already reside in the community but are at risk of being institutionalized, the option of utilizing ALW services to develop a program that will safely meet his/her care needs while continuing to reside in a RCF, ARF, or public subsidized housing.
Unfortunately the ALW has a limited number of slots and there is currently a waitlist.
However, VisAble Individuals will put you in touch with your local Care Coordination Agency at no cost, which monitors the waitlist and takes new applicants as slots are released.
The Genetically Handicapped Persons Program (GHPP)
The Genetically Handicapped Persons Program (GHPP) is a health care program for adults with specific genetic diseases. GHPP helps beneficiaries with their health care costs. GHPP works with doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other members of the health care team in providing many types of health services.
The 7 categories of genetic diseases covered are:
- Diseases of the Blood
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Diseases of the Brain and Nerves
- Diseases of the Protein Metabolism
- Diseases of Carbohydrates Metabolism
- Diseases of Copper Metabolism
- Von Hippel-Lindau Disease (VHL)
Many of the above categories encompass several qualifying conditions, please view the PDF titled "Genetically Handicapped Persons Program Genetic Diseases" on our Free Resources page for the full list.
VisAble Individuals can assist with applications for GHPP benefits for individuals with qualifying genetic diseases or their caregivers applying on their behalf.
HCBS-DD Waiver
The Home and Community-Based Services for the Developmentally Disabled (HCBS-DD) Waiver is administered by the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS), who authorizes home and community-based services for developmentally disabled persons throughout California through twenty-one regional centers.
The HCBS Waiver program recognizes that many individuals at risk of being placed in medical facilities can be cared for in their homes and communities, preserving their independence and ties to family and friends at a cost no higher than that of institutional care.
VisAble Individuals will assist with applications for the HCBS-DD Waiver for individuals that qualify due to disability.
In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS)
The IHSS Plus Waiver was converted to the IHSS Plus State Plan Option Program in September 2009.
The IHSS Plus Program pays parents or spouses to provide services to qualified Medi-Cal recipients. Eligibility for program participation includes persons who are 65 years or older, blind, or disabled who might be placed in an out-of-home care facility.
The program allows participants to receive services at home. Services provided through IHSS include: housecleaning, meal preparation, laundry, grocery shopping, personal care services (such as bowel and bladder care, bathing, grooming and paramedical services), accompaniment to medical appointments, and protective supervision for the mentally impaired. Services can be provided by a parent, a spouse or a caregiver. Recipients may qualify for the option of receiving advance pay and restaurant meal allowance.
VisAble Individuals will assist with applications to the IHSS Plus Program for individuals that qualify due to disability.