Can You Get Cash Assistance While On Disability

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The Bottom Line: Incidence Of Ssi Awards Before And After The Advent Of Tanf

Can you work if you receive SSI disability payments?

The last step in our analysis is to compare flows from AFDC to SSI before TANF with the results we have developed for calendar years 20012003. The SSR extract allows us to replicate our procedure for identifying SSI awards to recipients of public assistance for pre-TANF years and to compare the incidence of awards with adjusted rates for 20012003. We choose 19911993 and 19941996 for this purpose these intervals cover the rapid caseload increase and decrease before implementation of the 1996 reforms under PRWORA .

Our analysis indicates that the incidence of SSI awards among TANF recipients has been much greater in recent years than it was during the early 1990s . Award rates for children rose from an average of 0.92 per month per 1,000 child TANF recipients in 19911993 to 1.28 per 1,000 in 20012003. The change was even more dramatic for adults. On average in each month of 19911993, 1.55 TANF-linked SSI awards were made per 1,000 recipients. By 20012003, the average rate was slightly over 4 per 1,000 per month. Although the number of SSI awards associated with welfare went down between 19911993 and 20012003 by 42 percent for children and 25 percent for adults, the caseload fell substantially more, so incidence rose.

Temporary Assistance To Needy Families

The Temporary Assistance to Needy Families replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program in 1997 as the American governments program charged with providing financial aid to families with children. While the funding is provided by the federal government through the Department of Health and Human Services, the actual relief programs are run directly by the individual states.

The particulars of how the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families funds are used and who is qualified to receive assistance is left to state programs. This allows a great deal of flexibility compared to federally run programs such as Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income .

In many states, you can receive Temporary Assistance to Needy Families while you are waiting for a decision to be rendered in your Social Security Disability case. It can take over a year for the SSA to determine whether to grant you Social Security Disability benefits, and Temporary Assistance to Needy Families can help you bridge that gap between when you stop collecting a paycheck and when you start collecting disability benefits.

If your family has a significant financial need due to disability and you have not yet been approved for Social Security Disability benefits, consider applying with your state welfare agency for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families funds.

Incidence Of Ssi Awards Without Adjustment For Separate State Programs

Given that the data on case characteristics from the Office of Family Assistance are for the 4-year period fiscal years 20002003 and that reliable data on SSP recipiency are available only for this period, for comparability we concentrate here on awards made within this interval. Our incidence estimates are based on the 10 percent SSI applicants and awards sample commonly used within the Social Security Administration’s Office of Policy for program analysis. The general tabulation of our extract, converted to an estimate of all TANF-related cases for each of the 4 years and compared with aggregate SSI applications for persons who, at the time of application, were aged 64 or younger, is shown in Table 3.

Table 3. SSI awards and those associated with TANF, by age at award, calendar years 20002003

9.2 8.4
a. Recorded as having federally funded “income based on need.” See text.

Adult TANF recipients are predominantly women . Less than 10 percent of adult TANF recipients in fiscal year 2003 were men . The connection between TANF and SSI is more clearly revealed if we consider awards to women by age. Over the 4-year period 20002003, more than a quarter of awards to women aged 2239 were linked to TANF . Here, too, we see a downward trend: in each age category as well as overall, the proportion of awards going to women in families apparently receiving TANF generally declined.

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Home Improvements & Modifications

Looking for money to improve or modify your existing housing? There are several government and nonprofit grants available that are designed to improve the safety of homes for people with disabilities. These are available at the local, state, and federal levels and can be put towards repairs, improvements, and removing safety hazards.

Apply For A Service Animal

Can You Earn Income While On Social Security Disability

If you are thinking about getting a service animal, first contact your medical provider. Find out if your disability is covered under the ADA and whether you need a service animal. Your doctor can help provide medical documentation and find a training program. You can also explore a list of service animal programs online. Before deciding on a program, make sure you research each organization carefully.

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When Will I Know If I Can Get Ga Cash Assistance

You will be notified by letter within 95 days as to whether or not your GA cash assistance was approved. If you do not agree with the decision, you can ask for a Fair Hearing. Remember, our job is to serve you. It is our policy to ensure that everyone who applies for and qualifies for cash assistance receives those benefits in a timely manner and in accordance with the law.

Start A Small Side Business

Becoming your own boss is good for so many rreasons

  • You determine your schedule
  • You can do things you enjoy doing
  • Youll work with people you actually want to work with
  • You can do it all from home if you start the right business!

Youre, of course, going to need to think of a business that you can start where you wont be limited by your disability.

If physical activity is difficult for you, youll need to take that into consideration.

Plenty of people make a living working on their computers , so that could be an option for you if so.

Many businesses take little to no money to start and these are the ones you should focus on.

Here are a few ideas to inspire you:

  • Planning or organization services

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What Happens Once I Return My Application

You will be asked to come in for an interview in about ten days. Your assigned worker will give you a list of things you need to provide. This information will tell your worker about you and your household so he or she can determine if you qualify for GA cash assistance. Bring as much of the requested information as you can to the interview. This will help us to help you faster.

If, after your interview, you need to provide more information, your worker will make a list of things you need to do. Your worker will explain how much time you have to gather the information. If you need more time, or you cant get the information required, tell your worker as soon as possible.

Have More Questions About Disability Benefits

Can You Work While Getting Social Security Disability Insurance?

To get help with applying for Social Security Disability programs, appealing a decision, or just to talk about all your SSDI legal options, contact Social Security Disability Advocates USA.

Well schedule a free consultation to review your case and help you navigate locating financial aid while waiting for disability. Call us today at , chat with us via LiveChat, or send us a message using our secure contact form.

For more information about disability benefits, check out the ultimate disability secrets the SSA doesnt want you to know and be sure to follow us on .

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How Does A Loan Affect Disability Benefits

According to the Social Security Administration, loans arent considered income for benefits eligibility purposes. However, depending on how you handle the loan process, getting a disability loan may affect your Supplemental Security Income eligibility.

Essentially, taking out a loan doesnt disqualify you from SSI at least at first. But if you dont spend your loan money the month you receive it, the money will count toward your resource limit in the next month. As a result, you may find your benefits reduced or disqualified going forward.

In the reverse, if you lend money to someone else, receiving loan repayments may count as a resource under SSI rules.

Is There A Limit On How Long I Can Get Tanf

There is a 60-month limit on the receipt of Family Assistance benefits funded under the federal TANF program, some Safety Net Assistance , or the Child Assistance Program . Additionally, payments made under Emergency Assistance to Families with Children after December 1, 1996 are included in the 60-month count. Participants in CAP are also restricted to the 60-month lifetime limit.

Additionally, cash Temporary Assistance in New York State is limited to a cumulative period of 60 months for any adult. No cash assistance benefit is granted to a family that contains an adult who has received a combined total of 60-month benefits under FA or cash SNA.

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Plan For The Long Haul

The wait for disability benefits is typically very longâgenerally lasting from several months to a few years. To ensure you can survive while waiting for disability approval, you should analyze your personal finances and plan for the long haul.

You might need to cut back on expenses, get some kind of public assistance, or take out a loan to make sure you can keep your bills paid while you wait for the SSDI and/or SSI determination processes to be completed. Learning about the financial assistance programs that could be available to you can help you decide what to do for income while you’re waiting for disability.

Transitional Aid To Families With Dependent Children

" Can I Get Disability While I

You may be able to get TAFDC if you have a child or you are at least 5 months pregnant. TAFDC, or “welfare”, can give you:

  • Cash every month
  • $350 clothing allowance for each child in September
  • Crib and layette allowance for newborn babies on the grant
  • Access to education and training programs
  • Child care and transportation payments if you are working or going to certain kinds of school or training programs and
  • “Relocation money” if you are moving out of a shelter. This can help with first month’s rent and deposit.
  • Money for a transportation allowance if you are in an Employment Services Program.
  • Monthly money for rent or your mortgage if you live in private unsubsidized housing.
  • Help even after you stop getting benefits. If you lose your TAFDC because your income increases, your MassHealth coverage continues for another 12 months, and you are still eligible for childcare.
  • Discounted utility rates, if the utility is regulated.
  • Burial costs if a loved one passes.

You can apply for TAFDC at your local Department of Transitional Assistance office. You can read more about TAFDC for survivors of Domestic Violence. See Applying to DTA for information about applying for TAFDC. See Appealing denials for information about what to do if you apply and DTA tells you that you cannot get benefits.

Learn more about the $350 clothing allowance in the Income and Benefits section of MassLegalHelp.

Learn more about school or training programs in the Income and Benefits section of MassLegalHelp.

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How Do I Apply For Calworks

If you meet the basic requirements, someone from the county will schedule an appointment with you, give you more forms to fill out, and ask you to submit other documents, like identification and birth certificates.

If you have a disability that makes it hard for you to do the usual application process, ask the agency staff for help , like helping you fill out the forms or reading the forms to you.

Note: Due to COVID-19, there may be limits on in-person services. Contact your agency by phone to ask about this.

Find Out If Youre Eligible For An Able Account

  • To be the designated beneficiary of the account, you must be blind or have a medical disability that occurred before the age of 26.
  • You may open only one ABLE account.
  • You dont have to open an account in the state where you live. ABLE accounts are not currently available in every state. However, you can open one in any state with an active ABLE program. Find out which state has the best program for you.

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How The Interim Disability Assistance Program Works

The SSA says that Georgia participates in the Interim Disability Assistance program. However, the SSA notes that South Carolina does not participate in the Interim Disability Assistance program.

If your state hosts this program, you must meet your states financial qualification criteria. It is important to note that the Interim Disability Assistance program is, in essence, a loan to help you meet your basic needs. If you are approved for this program, your state will provide you with cash payments to meet your needs until you receive disability benefits. At that point, your state will require repayment.

Your state may have other programs that offer various forms of financial assistance, including food programs and other forms of temporary aid. A Social Security Disability lawyer may be able to help you find out more information about the benefits these programs provide.

General Assistance Has Eroded Severely

4 Things Social Security Disability Recipients Should Not Do

General Assistance has become a much weaker safety net over the years. Many states have eliminated their programs or scaled them back by reducing funding, imposing tighter eligibility restrictions and/or time limits, and/or reducing benefits. These cutbacks continued during and after the Great Recession, despite high unemployment and a rise in the number of jobless workers who have exhausted their unemployment insurance benefits.

“Because General Assistance benefits are funded with state or local dollars, they are particularly vulnerable during state fiscal crises.”

Because General Assistance benefits are funded with state or local dollars , they are particularly vulnerable during state fiscal crises. For example, states may cut these programs further in light of the current health and economic crisis, which has caused a steep drop in state and local revenues. The likelihood of such cuts depends in part on the extent to which the federal government provides ample fiscal relief to states and localities to help them cope with the current crisis.

This erosion continued over the last decade. In 2011 and 2012, Illinois, Kansas, and Pennsylvania eliminated their state GA programs. Most recently, Ohio phased out its Disability Financial Assistance program at the end of 2017.

Since 2011, eight states have raised benefits in nominal terms , while four states have cut them .

Health Coverage for General Assistance Recipients

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Social Security Disability Insurance And Supplemental Security Income

If you are disabled , blind or over 65, you can apply for Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income benefits. Some people can apply for both programs. Both programs pay cash every month, and they pay more than TAFDC or EAEDC.

SSDI is for people who are:

  • over 65 or who have” disabilities, and
  • have enough work history to qualify for the program. The amount of your payment depends on how much you have worked .

SSI is also for people who are

  • over 65, or who have disabilities, but
  • do not have enough work history to qualify for SSDI and
  • who have very little savings or income.

If you get SSI you will also get MassHealth at the same time.

If your child is disabled and your family is low-income, your child may be able to get SSI benefits.

You or your child also may be able to get “dependent Social Security benefits”. These are monthly cash payments. You may be able to get this money if your spouse or your parent earned enough wages and is now retired, disabled or has died. Your child may be able to get this money if your child”s other parent earned enough wages and is now retired, disabled or has died.

There is a chart in the Income and Benefits section of MassLegalHelp with SSI payment amounts.

Hawaii Financial And Snap Benefits Rights And Responsibilities

Who May Receive Financial Aid

  • You must be a resident of Hawaii. You do not live in a public institution.
  • You are a U.S. citizen. If you are from a foreign country, then you must be a permanent resident.
  • Your income is less than the Departments standard of assistance.
  • Your total assets such as cash, stocks, bonds, or real property not lived on, does not exceed the Departments standards.
  • To receive financial aid, you must meet the requirements for at least one of the following programs:

    Temporary Assistance to Needy Families with Dependent Children

    The child must be:

    • under the age of 18. If he is 18, he may be eligible until age 19 if he is a full-time student in high school or a vocational or technical training program or an equivalent level.
    • living with a relative or foster parent.

    The parent or relative must:

    • give the department any child support money that the household receives.
    • cooperate in locating and obtaining support from the absent parent.
    • register each person in the household for Social Security Numbers.
    • participate in a work program if required.

    Program For the Aged, Blind or Disabled

    To be eligible, you must apply for Supplemental Security Income at a Social Security Office. If you are receiving SSI and need more financial help, you may also apply for assistance from the Department.

    To be eligible for the Aged, Blind or Disabled Program, you must be:

    • 65 years old or older or
    • legally blind or
    • totally and permanently disabled.

    General Assistance Program

    FRAUD

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