Boston Area Peer Supporters

Work Related Benefits

Short Term Disability – Check with your employer’s human resources department to see if you have any short term disability benefits. This may cover part of your salary for a few months, depending on the benefit. Some employers have a benefits sharing program in which your fellow employees contribute a day of their paid time off into a pool to help those who cannot work due to an illness or disability. It is worth asking about any and all options.

Long Term Disability – Check with your employer’s human resources department to see if you have any long term disability insurance. This may cover part of your salary after a few months up to a few years, depending on your company’s specific plan.

Social Security Programs

There are three benefits programs managed by social security. They are SSDI, SSI, and Social Security Retirement Benefits. To see if you might benefit from any of the social security programs, you can visit this website and use this confidential screening tool. http://www.benefits.gov/ssa/home

SSDI – Social Security Disability Insurance

People who have contributed to social security through past work can apply for this disability payment which starts no earlier than 5 months after they became disabled and continues for as long as they are disabled. Apply on line at www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability/ or over the phone at 1-800-772-1213. After two years of receiving SSDI, you will become eligible for Medicare health insurance. After you start receiving SSDI, you can return to work part time and still collect SSDI with some restrictions. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10095.pdf

SSI – Supplemental Security Income

SSI makes monthly payments to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. Some people receive both SSDI and SSI. To apply for SSI benefits, you can fill out the online disability report at https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/radr/radr-fe to get the process started and schedule an appointment with a Social Security representative to complete the process at 1-800-772-1213 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you do not wish to fill out the disability report online, you can schedule an appointment at your local social security office by calling 1-800-772-1213.

State Assistance

Emergency Assistance for Elderly, Disabled, and Children

Emergency Aid to Elders, Disabled and Children (EAEDC) is a Massachusetts state-funded program that provides cash and medical assistance to needy families and individuals who are not receiving TAFDC, SSI, or other similar benefits. You can go to your local Department of Transitional Assistance to apply in person. http://webapps.ehs.state.ma.us/DTAOffices/default.aspx

The Food and Nutrition Service agency under the US Department of Agriculture administers assistance programs to increase access to healthy food as well as promote healthy eating. Such programs include SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children). Other resources include the National Hunger Hotline which provides free, live support to find food near where you live.

SNAP

• Previously called the Food Stamp Program
• For individuals and families with low income
  • Eligibility depends on income, expenses, and family size
• Website: https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/apply

WIC

• For mothers with low income, recently had a child, are pregnant, are breastfeeding, or have children under the age of 5
• Website: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/women-infants-and-children-wic

National Hunger Hotline

• Provides free, live support to find food where you live
• 1-866-3-HUNGRY(English) or 1-877-8-HAMBRE(Spanish)
  • Monday-Friday: 8am-8pm EST
• Website: https://www.hungerfreeamerica.org/about/our-work/usda-national-hunger-hotline

Crime victim compensation assists victims and their families for many out of pocket expenses in the aftermath of crime impact. This government program reimburses victims of violent crimes including, assault, homicide, and rape. Each state also has its own state specific crime victim compensation with varying benefits. Such benefits may range from covering the costs of financial counseling, travel for medical treatment, relocation expenses, funeral expenses, etc.

• National Website: https://victimsofcrime.org/help-for-crime-victims/get-help-bulletins-for-crime-victims/crime-victim-compensation
• National Help Line: 1-855-4VICTIM
• MA Victims Rights and Resources Website: http://www.mass.gov/mova/advocacy-assistance/resources/
  • Search based on location, crime that has impacted you, and need you are looking for

State vocational rehabilitation agencies overseen by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) provide comprehensive rehabilitation services that help individuals with disabilities find and maintain employment. Services may include identifying jobs suitable for the individual, educating the employer about the American with Disabilities Act, job counseling services, identifying necessary work accommodations, etc. These services aim to help individuals with disabilities reintegrate into the workforce.

• Rehabilitation Services Administration: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa/index.html
• MA Vocational Rehabilitation Services: http://www.mass.gov/eohhs/consumer/disability-services/vocational-rehab/
• Vocational Rehabilitation by State: https://www2.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html

Medical insurance assistance programs, Medicare and Medicaid, provide coverage and benefits for those who may be otherwise unable to afford care. Medicaid, with CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) is jointly funded by the federal government and states and provides coverage to low income individuals, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with disabilities. Medicare, on the other hand, is a federally funded program that covers those who are over age 65, younger individuals with disabilities, and those with end stage renal disease.

• Medicare: http://www.medicare.gov
• Medicaid: http://www.medicaid.gov

Independent living centers are agencies run within local communities that offer a variety of living services for those with disabilities. These centers are run by those with disabilities and provide an alternative to institution living, allowing those with disabilities to gain independence prior to full reintegration back into society. In addition to promoting autonomy, independent living centers also operate as centers for advocacy, support, and empowerment for those with disabilities.

• Independent Living Research Utilization: http://www.ilru.org/projects/cil-net/cil-center-and-association-directory