Noteboom The Law Firm

CA Agencies Help Homeless Apply for Disability

Many people with bona fide disabilities have trouble receiving financial assistance. Not only is the average wait for Social Security disability benefits over a year, but many people are turned down more than once, forcing them to appeal and wait even longer. Those who are homeless often need the money the most, yet they have a particularly high amount of trouble getting benefits.

One of the issues is that many do not know about the assistance available to them. Additionally, they have no regular doctor, so there is no way for them to know they have a problem. Even if they are aware of it, there is typically no way to obtain a letter from a doctor that they can send to the SSA to explain their condition. However, some services are attempting to change this.

According to the Press-Telegram, the Long Beach Police Department has been teaming up with other agencies, such as the nonprofit Long Beach Connections, to get homeless people into apartments and approved for disability checks if they have any eligible conditions. So far, they have gotten just shy of 15 homeless people off the streets, and intend to assist more. A few of the drug and alcohol-addicted victims that they have helped are even in treatment now.

Despite the fact that some of the homeless they have helped were recently turned down for disability benefits, the agencies involved have helped them appeal. Meanwhile, they are receiving food stamps and general relief. This means that they currently receive about $200 per month instead of the approximately $800 they would receive from the SSA. However, it is certainly a start, and much more than they would have fending for themselves on the street.

Officials at the agencies wish to help the homeless get back on their feet. Paying for their housing for at least a few months gives them a stable address, possibly helping them when it comes to qualifying for government programs or getting jobs.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida disability lawyers, LaVan & Neidenberg, represent over 5000 disability claimants. Our disability attorneys have experience with cross examining agency-appointed medical and vocational experts and take time when speaking with you about your disability claim. Call us today at 1-888-234-5758 for a FREE legal consultation. There is NO OBLIGATION to hire our firm and there are NO FEES unless one of our trained disability lawyers wins your case.