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
Housing choice vouchers allow very low-income families to choose and lease or purchase safe, decent, and affordable privately-owned rental housing. Check the complete list of types of vouchers.

Vouchers available to people with disabilities:

Mainstream vouchers
Elderly and non-elderly families that have a person with disabilities.

Designated housing vouchers
Non-elderly families, who would be eligible for public housing if occupancy were not restricted to elderly households. These vouchers also assist families affected by a PHA decision to designate their buildings as "mixed elderly and disabled buildings" but demonstrate a need for alternative resources for families with a disabled person.

Certain development vouchers
Non-elderly families with a disabled person, who do not currently receive housing assistance in certain developments where owners establish preferences for, or restrict occupancy to, elderly families.

Contact:
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20410
Tel: 202.708.1112
Or, search for your state offices

Houses and Mortgages for People with Disabilities
This guide has been created to help individuals living with disabilities, and their family members, in the process of buying a home of their own. After reading this guide to home ownership for people living with disabilities, you will know more about:

• The advantages and disadvantages of buying a home
• The most important steps in the home-buying process
• Common terms related to home-buying
• How to get started in your quest to purchase a home
• Financial assistance geared toward enabling you living with disabilities to buy your own homes

National Accessible Apartment Clearinghouse (NAAC)
This database has more than 46,000 accessible units, representing more than 43 states and 155 major metropolitan areas nationwide. All NAAC services are free thanks to sponsorships and in-kind contributions from the National Apartment Association.
Contact:
National Accessible Apartment Clearinghouse
4300 Wilson Blvd,#400
Arlington, VA 22203
Toll-free: 800.421.1221
Fax: 703.518.6191
E-mail: clearinghouse@naahq.org

Habitat for Humanity
This not-for-profit, 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. Read more about how to apply for a Habitat for Humanity House.
Contact:
Habitat for Humanity International
121 Habitat St.
Americus, GA 31709-3498
Tel: 229.924.6935, ext. 2551 or 2552

ABILITY Awareness
ABILITY Awareness is building a world of inclusion for people with health conditions or disabilities through housing, employment, education, media, and volunteer opportunities.
Contact:
ABILITY Awareness
1440 E. 1st St., Suite 107
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Tel: 714.277.4330
Fax: 714.277.3743
E-mail: Info@ABILITYawareness.org

Telephone Services

FCC Universal Service Program for Low-Income Consumers
The Low-Income program provides discounts on telephone installation and monthly telephone service to qualifying consumers. The Low-Income program is one of the components of the FCC's Universal Service Fund, which is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), is designed to ensure that quality telecommunications services are available to low-income customers at just, reasonable, and affordable rates. There are two programs available to qualified low-income consumers:

• Link-Up America helps consumers with telephone installation costs.
• Lifeline provides discounts on monthly telephone service.

Additional discounts are available to qualified subscribers living on tribal lands. You can read more about the Low-Income program eligibility criteria in the FCC's Universal Service Program for Low-Income Consumers

Link Up Support reduces the one-time cost associated with initiating telephone service and line extension to the consumer's residence. Eligible consumers also qualify for a deferred payment schedule for any remaining costs of up to $200. Link Up discounts reduce the cost of either wireline or wireless service, but do not offset the cost of purchasing a wireless phone. Link Up does not cover the cost of wiring inside a home. A consumer may only receive the Link Up discount once, unless that consumer moves to a new residence-consecutive discounts at the same address are not allowed.

Lifeline Support lowers the cost of basic, monthly local telephone service. An eligible customer may receive the Lifeline discount on either a wireline or wireless connection, but the discount is available for only one telephone connection per household.

Contact:
General Inquiries
Universal Service Administrative Company
2000 L Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: 202.776.0200
Fax: 202.776.0080

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 telephone 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 telephone 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, and are administered through the US Department of Health and Human Services.

LIHEAP is a federally-funded program to assist low income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy, primarily in meeting their immediate home energy needs.

To inquire about LIHEAP assistance, the general public should use the public inquiry telephone number if available for their State. That number may provide the public with information about the State's program much quicker than the LIHEAP agency number. Further information about a State's LIHEAP program can be obtained from State LIHEAP web sites where available. Click here for the State List.

The WAP was created in 1976 to assist low-income families who lacked resources to invest in energy efficiency. WAP is operated in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Native American tribes, and anticipates beginning service to U.S. Territories in PY 2009. Funds are used to improve the energy efficiency of low-income homes using the most advanced technologies and testing protocols available in the housing industry. Click here to learn more about applying for weatherization.

National Fuel Funds Network (NFFN) consists of over 300 organizational members, from small energy banks to large utility programs, to increase energy assistance available, particularly charity energy assistance.
Click here to view the NFFN membership directory.

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 State Department of Energy Consumer Division immediately.

Food and Nutrition

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
As of October 1, 2008, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the new name for the federal Food Stamp Program. SNAP helps low-income people and families buy the food they need for good health. You apply for benefits by completing a State application form. Benefits are provided on an electronic card that is used like an ATM card and accepted at most grocery stores.

Call your local state SNAP Hotline for more information.

Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Program
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.

To apply to be a WIC participant, you will need to contact your State or local agency to set up an appointment.  Check out your State's website or call the toll-free number. When you call to set up an appointment, someone will tell you the location nearest your home and what you need to bring with you.

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 December 14, 2009