|
|
Benefits and Entitlements
Financial benefits and entitlements are important elements of the support available to
persons with mental illnesses. Most of the procedures associated with these benefits and
entitlements are complicated; they often involve local, county, state and/or federal offices.
Applying for these benefits and entitlements can be stressful and time-consuming.
- Consider bringing someone with you to assist in the application process.
- Be prepared to assert yourself to obtain that to which you are entitled.
- If you’re having trouble getting the benefits to which are you entitled, contact one or
more of the organizations listed at the bottom of this page.
- And you may wish to visit another web site with information
about public entitlements for persons with disabilities.
To help you access appropriate benefits and entitlements, we have prepared outlines of the
programs found most useful to persons in Westchester County with mental illnesses.
Although the outlines focus on their use by persons with mental illnesses, much of the
information is valuable to anyone interested in the program. Most of the outlines have
links to other Internet sites that contain valuable information about the program.
The programs outlined are:
ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act)
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
Social Security
SSI (Supplementary Security Income)
SSD (Social Security Disability Insurance)
Medicaid
Medicare
Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan
Food Stamps and Other Food Programs
Section 8 Rental Housing Vouchers
Assistance with Moving Expenses
Medication Grant Program
The ADA summary explains this civil rights law that ensures equal opportunity for
persons with disabilities. It outlines your rights, how you can know if you are being
discriminated against, where you go to make a complaint and what happens if you prove discrimination.
The other outlines answer these important questions:
- Is this program for me?
- What are the benefits/entitlements?
- When do the benefits/entitlements apply?
- How do I apply?
- Is there a cost to me?
- Who provides the benefit/entitlement?
For some programs, other related benefits and entitlements are outlined.
Advocates to Help You Obtain Your Benefits
Persons in these organizations may be able to help you get the benefits to which you are entitled.
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley
90 Maple Avenue
White Plains, NY 10601
914-949-1305
Intake Phone: 877-574-8529
http://www.lshv.org
Disability Advocates, Inc.
5 Clinton Square, Third Floor
Albany, NY 12207
Voice and TTY: 518-432-7861
Toll Free Voice and TTY: 800-993-8982
Fax: 518-427-6561
http://www.disabilityadvocates.info
The National Alliance on Mental Illness - New York State (NAMI-NYS)
260 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210
518-462-2000
Helpline: 800-950-3228
http://www.naminys.org
Other Helpful Web Sites
Neighborhood Legal Services (NLS)
http://www.nls.org
Neighborhood Legal Services, Inc. (NLS) is a not-for-profit agency in Buffalo, NY.
While the majority of its services are provided in Erie County, NY, NLS also has an online benefits
management manual and information about public entitlements for people with disabilities.
National Council on the Aging Benefits CheckUp
http://www.benefitscheckup.org
The National Council on the Aging is a non-profit association of organizations and professionals
dedicated to promotoing the dignity, self-determination, well being and contributions of older persons.
With the help of generous sponsors, the Benefits CheckUp provides free information about benefit programs for which seniors
are eligible and how to apply for them. The site is confidential, requiring no information that can
be traced to you. Plan to spend 10 to 15 minutes completing the questionnaire on behalf of yourself
and/or those you love and serve.
Return to the top of the page.
|
