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In Pain, Out of Work and Agonizing Over
the Bills
A Resource Directory for People
with CRPS
Living Expenses
US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing
Choice Vouchers
These vouchers allow very low-income families to lease
or purchase safe, decent, and affordable privately-owned rental
housing. Check the complete
list of types of vouchers.
There are three special types of vouchers available to people
with disabilities:
• Mainstream vouchers for elderly and non-elderly families
that have a person with disabilities.
• Designated housing vouchers for non-elderly families
who would be eligible for public housing if occupancy were
not restricted to elderly households. These vouchers also
help families affected by a PHA decision to designate their
buildings as "mixed elderly and disabled building"
but demonstrate a need for alternative resources for families
with a disabled member.
• Certain development vouchers for non-elderly families
with a disabled person who don't receive housing assistance
in certain developments where owners establish preferences
for, or restrict occupancy to, elderly families.
For information on HUD housing available to you, please contact
the Director's Office in your state. Search for your state
offices or contact
US Department of Housing and Urban
Development
451 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20410
Tel: 202.708.1112
The National Accessible Apartment Clearinghouse
This database
has more than 46,000 accessible units, representing more
than 43 states and 155 major metropolitan areas nationwide.
Some are subsidized.
201 N. Union St., #200, Alexandria, VA 22314, Toll-free (800)421-1221;
Fax (703)518-6191
Habitat for Humanity
This nonprofit, nondenominational Christian housing organization
builds simple, decent, and affordable houses in partnership
with those who need shelter. Habitat houses are sold at no
profit, with no interest charged on the mortgage. Homeowners
and volunteers build the houses under trained supervision.
Financial support comes from individuals, corporations, faith
groups, and others.
Habitat for Humanity International,
121 Habitat St., Americus, GA 31709-3498; (229)924-6935, ext.
2551 or 2552
Ability House
Created by Ability
Magazine in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity International,
the Ability House program provides affordable, accessible
housing for low-income families where one or more members
have a disability. Ability Magazine, 1001 West 17th St., Costa
Mesa, California. 92627 Tel: (949)854-8700;
Telephone
FCC's
Universal Service Program for Low-Income Consumers
Because telephone service is considered a necessity, the Federal
Communication Commission's (FCC) Federal Universal Service
Fund includes the following low-income programs.
Link-Up
America offers a 50% discount (up to $30) to install
one phone. You can also delay payment for the rest of the
service for up to one year without paying interest.
Lifeline
Assistance provides a monthly discount for local phone
charges to qualified, low-income consumers.. If your state
provides matching funds, you may be able to get as much as
$12 a month discount. Lifeline does not cover the cost of
extra features, such as call waiting or caller ID.
Both of these services are available in every state, commonwealth,
and territory. You must meet the income rules set by your
state. If you live in a state that relies solely on the Federal
Low Income Program, you must either have an income that is
at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or participate
in one of the following assistance programs: Medicaid, Supplemental
Security Income (SSI), food stamps, or energy assistance programs
such as LIHEAP, which helps with home heating costs Federal
Public Housing assistance (Section 8).
You can apply for Link-Up and Lifeline through your local
phone company. If the representative does not recognize the
program, ask to apply for the savings programs for low-income
customers. If that fails, ask to speak with a supervisor.
Local phone companies
They will generally extend your service for 30 days if you
are not eligible for federal or state programs and you are
unable to pay your phone bill. Your physician must call the
service representative and follow up with written verification
of your illness within seven days. If the illness continues,
you must repeat this process.
Generally, you will be responsible for all overdue charges
once you are no longer ill. Check the phone book for the number
of your local representative.
Heat and Electricity
Federal Programs
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and
the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) are the primary
federal sources of energy for low-income households. They
are administered through the Department of Health and Human
Services. The maximum income allowed is the greater of 150%
of the federal poverty guidelines or 60% of the state median
income.
LIHEAP is a federally-funded program to help eligible low-income
homeowners and renters meet their home heating and/or cooling
needs program may be able to offer one or more of the following
types of assistance:
• Bill payment assistance
• Energy crisis assistance
• Weatherization and energy-related home repairs
To inquire about LIHEAP assistance, please use the public
inquiry telephone number for your state listed below or visit the website.
National Fuel Funds Network (NFFN)
This network consists of 250 members, non profit agencies,
utilities and government representatives that provide utility
bill assistance raised as charitable donations.
Contact NFFN at 1010 Vermont Ave., NW, Suite 718, Washington,
DC, 20005.
Tel: (202) 824-0660.
Local Programs
Your gas and/or electric company cannot shut off your power
if you or a member of your household has a serious illness
and financial hardship. Each state has different requirements,
but your physician must certify the illness in writing.
If the utility company refuses to protect your accounts
from shut off, contact your Department of Telecommunications
and Energy Consumer Division immediately.
Food Stamps
The Food Stamp Program provides low-income households with
coupons or electronic benefits to be used like cash at most
grocery stores. To qualify, your household must have no more
than $2,000 in countable resources, such as a bank account,
but excludes the value of your home or lot. The gross monthly
income of your household must be 130% or less of the federal
poverty guidelines ($1,744 per month for a family of three
in most places). Gross income includes all cash payments to
the household.
Apply at your local food stamp office. It may be listed in
the State or local government pages of your phone book under
Food Stamps, Social Services, Human Services, Public Assistance,
or something similar. You can also call your Food Stamp Hotline.
Women, Infant & Children (WIC) Program
The WIC provides
nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy
eating, and referrals to health care. WIC foods include iron-fortified
infant formula and cereal, iron-fortified adult cereal, vitamin-C
rich fruit, and/or vegetable juice, eggs, milk, cheese, peanut
butter, dried beans or peas, tuna fish, and carrots.
Many states have also chosen to participate in the WIC Farmer's
Market Nutrition Programs, which provide coupons to WIC participants
to be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at participating
farmers' markets.
Check your government listing programs under supplemental
food programs division,
USDA
Food and Nutrition Services
3101 Park Center Drive, Room 926
Alexandria, VA 22302
Tel:
703.305.2062
Introduction
Assistive Devices
Caregiver Resources
Clinical Trials
Disability Resources
Government Assistance
Programs
Health Services/Insurance
Independent Living
Centers
Legal Aid
Living Expenses
Patient Assistance
Programs
Service, Faith-based,
and Private Organizations
Transportation
Veterans
Workers Compensation
Appendices:
Federal
Poverty Guidelines
Finding Free Clinics
Updated
March 5, 2008
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