|
 By
Monica S. Moshenko
Power Advocates, Inc.
For those of you who have a child with a disability,
or are an adult with a disability, finances play
an integral role in the services and supports
that are needed. There were times in the last
few years, when I made choices to pay for a therapy
my son needed, instead of paying the phone bill
or car payment because the health insurance company
often limits the frequency or doesn't even cover
it.
I have known far too many families who had to
sacrifice so much to ensure that their child receives
the interventions and attention they so desperately
require. Some parents have had to refinance their
homes and often go without the many "extras"
that many others seem to have- the second car,
vacations, and even going out to restaurants,
to pay for ongoing medical costs which usually
aren't covered by typical HMO's. For the parent
or adult who doesn't have any health insurance,
there are increased challenges and stresses accompanied
by this problem, making life extremely difficult.
There are resources that parents of disabled children
and disabled adults can apply for in New York
State, as well as national resources I want to
provide for you.
One program called the "Medicaid HCB Waiver
Program" which allows States to take Medicaid
funds that were previously only available to institutions,
and apply them to community and home-based programs.
According to the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human
Services, "Medicaid's home and community-based
services waiver program affords States the flexibility
to develop and implement creative alternatives
to institutionalizing Medicaid-eligible individuals."
Many individuals 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. When these
programs are provided, the individual also becomes
a contributing member of the community, thereby
enriching all of our lives.
Some of the services that maybe provided without
prior approval of the Federal government through
this program include: Case Management Services,
Homemaker Services, Home Health Aide Services,
Personal Care Services, Adult Day Health Habilitation
and Respite Care Services.
Other services which maybe provided with prior
approval include: Transportation, In-Home Support,
Meal Services, Special Communication, Minor Home
Modifications, and Adult Day Care.
To apply for the HCB Medicaid Waiver, you need
to have documented information about the disability,
along with information of how the disability affects
the person's daily living. Your income is not
a factor when applying for the HCB waiver.
Waiver services may be provided to the elderly
and disabled, the physically disabled, the developmentally
disabled and mentally ill. Waivers may also be
targeted to individuals with a specific illness
or condition, such as technology-dependent children
or individuals with AIDS.
Under the waiver program, States can make home
and community based services available to individuals
who would otherwise qualify for Medicaid only
if they were in an out of home setting.
Contact a Caseworker from an agency such as People
Inc. or Heritage Centers (see the list of resources
which follow) to begin the application process,
which can take several months. Once the application
is completed, it is submitted to a review committee
at the WNY DDSO. When a decision is made, a letter
is then sent to the applicant and the agency that
you are working with. If you are denied, you can
always apply again, perhaps submitting more specific
information or you can request a Fair Hearing
for further review of the application.
If you have an adult child with a disability,
they may be eligible for either SSI (Supplemental
Security Income), or SSDI (Social Security Disability
Insurance) regardless of your income or assets.
Both of these programs provide money to people
with disabilities who aren't capable of "substantial
gainful activity" or SGA. If a physical or
mental impairment prevents your adult child from
doing any job that will enable him or her to independently
earn $500 or more per month, he or she may be
eligible for either SSI or SSDI if other requirements
of the program are also met.
§ SSI requires that in addition to being
disabled and incapable of SGA a person must also
be poor. SSI sets limits on the amount of money
one can earn in a month (countable income) and
on the value of money or property owned (countable
resources). It is important to note that once
a child reaches 18 years of age, his or her parents'
income and resources are not counted for SSI eligibility.
SSDI is only available to people (including their
dependents) who have paid into the Social Security
system by working a required amount of time. Dependent
adult children are eligible for benefits under
their parents' work record. Dependent adult children
are defined as becoming disabled prior to the
age of 22, single, and incapable of substantial
gainful activity. If the parent fulfilled the
required SSDI work time and then dies, retires,
or becomes disabled, a dependent adult child will
receive cash benefits based on that parent's earnings.
It is important to note that the child does not
need to be poor to receive the cash benefits,
nor does the child have to live at home. (Excerpted
from "Adult Child Benefits: Social Security
101," by Theresa Varnet, Exceptional Parent,
September 1997)
There are a variety of work incentive programs
for individuals with disabilities who wish to
work without immediately jeopardizing their SSI/SSDI
benefits. The Work Incentives Improvement Act
(WIIA), introduced in Congress on January 28,
1999, would allow beneficiaries of SSI and SSDI
to work without losing their Medicaid or Medicare
benefits. More information about the details of
these programs, eligibility requirements and work
incentives can be obtained from a variety of sources
including the Social Security Administration at
1-800-772-1213 (TDD: 1-800-325-0778) and the NYS
Dept. of Labor at (518) 485-6176 or email usacjv@labor.state.ny.us
(New York Works: Self-Sufficiency through Employment
Initiatives). This program is being offered in
Buffalo.
I have listed local and national agencies that
provide information, support and assistance. Local
churches should be providing some assistance to
the disabled as well (i.e. food, clothing, counseling,
financial)
LOCAL RESOURCES:
ACE Employment Services, 66 Englewood Ave., offers
supported employment services to individuals with
severe and persistent mental illness. Services
include exploration of job interest, resume writing
and interview preparation, job development and
placement assistance. For information, call 832-2141.
Agape Parents Fellowship, 3280 South Park Ave.,
Lackawanna, provides service coordination, education
advocacy and other supports for families with
disabling conditions. For more information about
services for regularly scheduled parent support
group and Bible study meetings call 827-5407,
Fax: 827-5913 E-mail: agape1@quik.com
Autistic Services Inc offers a full-year school,
and provides residential, adult, therapeutic recreational,
and vocational job services, as well as family
support services. The agency provides a continuum
of services, from birth to senior citizen years.
Autistic Services is located at 200 Bryant &
Stratton Way, Williamsville NY 14221 (716) 631-5777
www.autisticservices.com
Central Referral Services has completed its DD
Info Link. DD Info Link is a searchable directory
of programs, available online, to people with
developmental disabilities and their families.
The directory can be accessed, free of charge,
at www.ddinfolink.org. For more information, call
851-5420.
Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled
offers Project COACH (Community Outreach and Crisis
Hotline) for individuals with a developmental
disability or their family members. Project COACH
offers telephone support to individuals needing
information, crisis intervention, counseling or
advocacy. For information, call 877-1111.
Deaf Adult Services Inc., 665 Hertel Avenue, is
open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday for
deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in need of
assistance. Walk-in clients will be assisted or
referred to appropriate agencies based on their
needs. For information call 874-6011 (v) or 874-6390
(tty). Fax: 874-6173 E-Mail: deafserv@buffnet.net
Epilepsy Association of Western New York, 339
Elmwood Ave., Supportive Employment Services,
is offering comprehensive job search assistance:
including assessment, resume and cover letter
writing, interview skills, job coaching, transportation
for interviews and other job search activities.
For information, call 883-5936.
Guild Care is an adult day health program helping
adults, 18 and older, with medical and vision
needs maintain independence. Located at 1170 Main
St., its services include nursing supervision
and medication assistance and teaching; personal
care; dietary consultation; physical, occupational
and speech therapy; assisted transportation; vision
rehabilitation, social work; activities and outings,
with snack and hot lunch daily. Medicaid or private
pay is accepted; new referrals welcomed. For more
information, call 885-8041.
Heritage Centers offers a wide variety of services
to developmentally disabled individuals of all
ages and their families. OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH, INDEPENDENCE, PRODUCTIVITY,
CHOICE, AND SATISFACTION FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS
WITH DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES BY PROVIDING
COMPREHENSIVE QUALITY SERVICES. Heritage Centers
are located at 2643 Main Street, Buffalo NY 14214
(716) 833-8601 for information. Online
information .
Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS) is a not-for-profit
agency located in Buffalo, New York. NLS provides
free legal services to persons with low-income
and persons with disabilities. It also provides
a wide range of technical assistance and support
services. While the majority of its services are
provided within Erie County, New York, NLS also
provides disability-related services for all of
Western New York and operates both a Statewide
and National Assistive Technology Advocacy Project
to assist persons with disabilities and the advocates
and agencies that serve them.) For people living
in Erie County, contact Neighborhood Legal Services,
Inc. by calling (716) 847-0650.
People Inc., a leading non-profit human services
agency in Western New York. Through a variety
of services including residential, employment,
community outreach, health care and recreation
programs, we help seniors; families and people
with disabilities live more healthy, independent
and productive lives. They are located at 1219
N. Forest Rd., Williamsville, NY 14221 (716) 634-8132
Online information http://www.people-inc.org/
Southeast Community Work Center provides services
to help people with developmental disabilities
lead productive, independent and fulfilling lives.
They are located at 181 Lincoln Street, Depew
NY 14043 (716) 683-7100 Fax: 683-7086 E-mail:
secwc@pce.net
The Community Employment Office is an alliance
of public and voluntary agencies, with United
Cerebral Palsy of Western New York serving as
lead agency, working together to promote integrated
employment opportunities for people with disabilities
in Erie County and Western New York region. Persons
with disabilities and who are looking to enter
the job market, call 684-3986.
New York State School for the Blind, located in
Batavia, provides education to legally blind persons,
ages 5-21, who have multiple disabilities. The
School provides a learning environment that puts
achievement and independence within the reach
of each student. Program options include day school,
five-day residential and seven-day Intermediate
Care Facility. For information, call 343-5384,
Ext. 276, e-mail nyssb@mail.nysed.gov or go online
at www.nysed.gov/vesid.nyssb.htm
The TRAID Project (Technology Related Assistance
for Individuals with Disabilities), from the New
York State Office of Advocate, has opened a satellite
office in Angelica, New York and will serve Allegany,
Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. The TRAID
Project provides statewide coordination of assistive
technology activities for people with disabilities,
fosters development of State and Federal policies,
provides information, referral, training's and
technical assistance, advocacy on how to access
and use assistive technology devices and services.
For information, call 446-3980 or by e-mail at:
mdaford@aol.com.
VA Regional Office - Department of Veterans Affairs,
111 West Huron Street, Buffalo NY14202 For Vocational
Rehabilitation for Service Disabled Veterans and
for Special Home Adaptation in Buffalo call, 846-5191
or 1-800-827-0619
Western New York Independent Living Center, 3108
Main St., assists developmentally disabled individuals
in securing appropriate services that can aid
a person's efforts to live independently. Services
include Medicaid service coordination; individual
support services; financial assistance, such as
rent subsidies and partial funding for home modifications;
and family support services, which can provide
free transportation. For information, call 836-0822,
Ext. 107.
Western New York DDSO (the western district of
the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental
Disabilites) provides services to individuals
who have developmental disabilities in a variety
of settings and locations within a geographic
area that includes Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua,
Erie, Genesee, Niagara and Orleans Counties. The
WNYDDSO operates a variety of residential services
including group homes, supervised apartments,
individual service environments, Individual Residential
Alternatives, family care and family support.
Services are also provided to families who have
a member with developmental disabilities living
at home. WNY DDSO offices are located at 1200
East & West Road West Seneca, NY 14224 Phone:
(716) 674-6300
NYS Department of Family Assistance, Western
New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance,
P.O. Box 5030 Buffalo, NY 14205. Its primary function
is to promote greater self-sufficiency of the
state's residents through the efficient delivery
of temporary assistance, disability assistance,
and the collection of child support. Phone (716)
847-3927
The Buffalo, New York Social Security Office is
located in the Dulski Federal Building in Downtown
Buffalo just two blocks north of the Buffalo City
Hall. We are at the corner of Delaware Ave and
West Huron St.. Our address is 111 West Huron
St., Room 1200, Buffalo, NY 14202. We administer
various Social Security programs including retirement,
survivors, disability,Medicare and family benefits.
We also administer Supplemental Security Income
(SSI), a program that provides basic income to
people 65 or older, disabled, or blind who have
limited income and resources. In addition to these
services, we also make referrals to other agencies
and organizations that can provide assistance.
Call (800) 772-1213 between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00
p.m. (or by TDD call (800) 325-0778). Most business
can be completed by phone and appointments can
be made for many visits to our office. For local
callers, the Buffalo office can also be reached
at (716) 551-3961, TDD (716) 551-3837, and FAX
(716) 551-4368, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
NATIONAL RESOURCES
The Brass Ring provides grants to fulfill the
dreams of children who suffer from a life threatening
or terminal illness. Phone 1-800-666-WISH Website:
www.worldramp.net/brassring/
Disability Funding News is a national newsletter
covering federal and private funding for people
with disabilities. Phone 1-800-666-6380 Website:
www.cdpublications.com/funding/dfn.htm
In His Name Ministries, an interfaith, non-profit
charitable organization that addresses the news
of the disabled, elderly and the struggling single.
Phone 1-405- 706-6295 Website: www.inhisname.org/
email dee@inhisname.org organization that addresses
the financial needs of the disabled, elderly,
and struggling single
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children
under the age of twelve with life threatening
illnesses. Phone 1-800-722-9474, Website: www.wish.org,
email MAWFA@wish.org
National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC)
provides referrals for persons with disabilities
to organizations that may financially assist them
in a variety of ways (i.e. education). Phone 1-800-346-2742
Website: www.naric.com
National Organization of Social Security Claimants
Representatives (NOSSCR) is an association of
attorneys and paralegals who represent Social
Security and Supplemental Security Income claimants.
Phone 1-800-431-2804, Website: www.nosscr.org.
and email nosscr@worlnet.att.net
Physician's Disability Services, Inc. is a publishing
company that helps people with disabilities prove
their Social Security disabililty claims. Phone
1-410-431-5279 Website: www.disabilityfacts.com
and email smith@disabilityfacts.com
The Sunshine Foundation grants wishes to chronically,
and terminally ill, disabled and physically abused
children ages 2 ½ to 22. Phone 1-941-424-4188
Website: www.sunshinefoundation.org, email sundv@gte.net
|
