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For those persons who are DISABLED by their mental
illness, financial supports are available. The two most common
sources of monetary assistance are the Department of Public
Welfare (the public assistance or welfare office) and the Social
Security Administration.
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WELFARE
You can apply at your County’s Department of Public Welfare
office for cash assistance, food stamps, and medical assistance.
Welfare programs and regulations change a lot so you need to
check with the office in your area for the most recent
requirements. Generally, welfare cash benefits may provide a
small amount of monthly income to people whom a doctor considers
to be unable to work and who do not have other financial
resources, like a savings account or stocks and bonds. The
Department of Public Assistance also has special workers, called
Disability Advocates, designed to help persons with disabilities
to secure Social Security benefits.
Medical assistance benefits (usually an ACCESS card) will cover
most medical services, although there may be limits on how often
you can see a doctor or how many prescriptions you can get
filled each month. Food stamps are coupons you can use to
purchase certain kinds of groceries without money. You may be
eligible for food stamps even if you cannot get other benefits.
The County Department of Public Welfare office also can connect
you with Low-Income Home Energy Assistance programs (fuel
assistance) and with Emergency Shelter Assistance. Energy
Assistance programs may have cash available to help you pay for
heating costs. The Emergency Shelter Assistance program may be
able to help you to get temporary shelter, keep you from being
evicted, or help you secure permanent housing. Further
information on these programs can be found at the Department of
Public Welfare office in the County where you live. The local
offices are listed below.
Dept. of Public Welfare
SOCIAL SECURITY
The Social Security Administration provides two possible sources
of income for persons considered medically disabled by their
mental illness, SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI
(Social Security Disability Income). SSI is a cash assistance
program that helps disabled persons who have few financial
resources (like savings accounts or stocks and bonds) and
limited income. SSI benefits are based on income and other
factors that affect financial need. If you are eligible for this
benefit you usually receive medical assistance (ACCESS)
automatically.
SSDI eligibility is based on your work history or your parents’
work history depending on when you became disabled. Eligibility
is not based on your income or assets. The amount of your SSDI
check varies with how long you worked and how much you earned
before you became disabled. When you have been on SSDI for two
years, you will eligible for Medicare coverage.
The application process for both entitlements is sometimes long
and confusing. Your caseworker can give you additional
information and support. If you already receive cash assistance
through the Welfare office, remember to ask for help applying
for SSI from the Disability Advocate. The Social Security
Offices in the Lehigh Valley are listed below.
You have the option of filing Internet applications on-line for
several types of Social Security benefits, effective on February
5, 2004. For information on eligibility or filing for benefits:
Call the national toll-free number 1-800-722-1213, or TTY
1-800-325-0778 or visit the Internet Web site, Social Security
Online at
http://www.socialsecurity.gov.
The electronic file of this document is available on the date of
publication in the Federal Register at
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. It is also available
on the Internet site for SSA (i.e., Social Security Online):
http://www.ssa.gov/regulations
Social Security
PROPERTY TAX/RENT REBATE
If you are disabled with a low income, you may be eligible for
the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program, funded through the State
Lottery Fund. You can find applications at many social service
agencies, the state Department of Revenue offices, or the local
office of you state Senator or Representative. You can also
request a form by phone at 1-800-362-2050. Once you file for a
rebate, you will automatically receive forms in the future.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate
FOOD RESOURCES
If you are in
need of food and do not know where to go, you can contact Second
Harvest, the distribution center for the
Lehigh
Valley,
at the number below. They can provide you with a list of
neighborhood food banks in your area.
Food Resources
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