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Job and Financial Assistance

• Additional Resources

People with disabilities are eligible for a wide variety of assistance programs, such as:

• Financial aid
• Help paying medical bills
• Job training and job referral services
• Help starting a business

To find out about benefits that you might be able to receive, a good place to start is GovBenefits.gov. By filling out a short questionnaire, you can obtain the most accurate list of benefit programs for which you may be eligible.

To find out about programs to help you get a job or start your own business, a good place to start is the Employment section of Disability.gov. And be sure to check out the Ticket to Work Program. This program allows you to keep getting financial aid and help in paying medical bills as you learn new job skills and look for a job.

If you look for a job, you will also want to know about the questions that your potential employer can ask you during the job interview. In general, the interview should focus on your job skills and how well you will be able to perform the main tasks involved in the job. An interviewer is not allowed to ask you questions about your disability that are not relevant to your ability to do the job. But you should tell your potential employer about any reasonable accommodations that you may need to perform the job. These could include installing a ramp or modifying your workspace if you have a wheelchair. To learn more, see Your Rights.

Additional Resources

Job Assistance

Publications

1.   Business Resources for Disabled People — This Web site features links to information about starting a business, financing, and tax issues for individuals with disabilities.

   http://www.business.gov/start/disabled-people/

2.   Social Security: Disability Benefits — This publication offers information on disability benefits including who is eligible, how to apply, and how disability is determined.

   http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10029.html

3.   What You Need to Know When You Get Social Security Disability Benefits — This online booklet explains some of your rights and responsibilities when you receive disability benefits from Social Security. It provides information on reporting changes that could affect your benefits, reviewing your medical condition, and returning to work.

   http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10153.html

4.   Your Ticket To Work — This publication explains how the Ticket to Work program can help you find employment and use an employment network. It also provides toll-free numbers to help you find more information.

   http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10061.html

5. CDR Guide to Disability Rights (and Dealing With the System) (Copyright © Council for Disability Rights) — This Web site offers advice and referrals on the following subjects: employment, free medication, Social Security benefits, special education, tax benefits for families, and finding other helpful Web sites, books, and Internet resources.

   http://www.disabilityrights.org/faq.htm

6. Guide to Disability Income Insurance (Copyright © America's Health Insurance Plans) — This booklet explains the various sources of disability income, what disability income insurance is, and what it covers. It includes a worksheet you can use to evaluate personal sources of disability income, as well as a checklist of policy features you can use to compare disability income-insurance policies.

   http://www.ahip.org/content/default.aspx?bc=41|329|352

Organizations

1.   ABLEDATA, NIDDR, ED
2.   Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, HHS
3.   Disability.gov
4.   Social Security Online
5.   U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
6. Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
7. National Foundation of Transplants
8. National Patient Travel Center
9. National Transplant Assistance Fund & Catastrophic Injury Program
10. Partnership for Prescription Assistance
11. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
12. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

= Indicates Federal Resources

Financial Assistance and Benefits Programs

Publications

1.   Benefits for Children With Disabilities — This booklet is written primarily for the parents and caregivers of children with disabilities and adults that have been disabled since childhood. It explains the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits a child with a disability might be eligible for and how the Social Security Administration evaluates disability claims for children.

   http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10026.html

2.   Disability Starter Kits — The Disability Starter Kit will help you get ready for your disability interview or online application. Kits are available for adults and for children under age 18. The kit includes a fact sheet, checklist, and worksheet.

   http://www.ssa.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits.htm

3.   Financial Assistance and Other Resources for People With Cancer — This publication provides information on federal and non-federal sources of financial assistance for cancer care. Included are telephone numbers of the contact organizations.

   http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/support/financial-assistance

4.   Financial Assistance Information — This document provides resources that may help in finding information on financial aid for medical treatment.

   http://www.genome.gov/11008842

5.   Financial Help for Diabetes Care — This publication reviews the two government-funded health insurance programs, Medicare and Medicaid, as well as other health care services available for people with diabetes. It lists organizations that address financial concerns about prescription drugs and medical supplies, prosthetic care, and dialysis and kidney transplantation. It also provides suggestions for finding local resources.

   http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/financialhelp/

6.   Financial Help for Treatment of Kidney Failure — This fact sheet briefly describes the federal government's insurance program that covers much of the cost of dialysis treatments and kidney transplantation expenses. It also lists additional sources of financial help and explains the role of the nephrology social worker.

   http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/financialhelp/index.htm

7.     Free Hospital Care and Nursing Home Care and Care Provided in Other Types of Health Facilities Under the Hill-Burton Program — This brochure outlines how to receive free or low-cost health care, who qualifies for the care, and services available. In addition, it has instructions on how to file a complaint and information on eligibility.

   ftp://ftp.hrsa.gov/freecare.pdf

8.   Hill-Burton Free and Reduced Cost Health Care — This resource tells about the Hill-Burton law and offers a list of health centers that are still required to provide free or reduced-cost health care.

   http://www.hrsa.gov/hillburton/default.htm

9.     Medicare & You 2010 — This publication provides information on Medicare benefits: who's eligible, how to enroll, what medical/hospital expenses are covered, and how much of the bill you are responsible for paying.

   http://www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/10050.pdf

10.   Medicare Basics for Caregivers — This Web site explains the basics of Medicare, including how to enroll, how to find out which prescription drugs are covered under your plan, and what is not covered by Medicare.

    http://nihseniorhealth.gov/medicare/toc.html

11.   SNAP Special Rules for the Elderly or Disabled — This fact sheet explains what the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is, how it works, and who is eligible for it.

    http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/rules/Elderly_Disabled.htm

12.   Social Security for People Living With HIV/AIDS — If you have HIV/AIDS and cannot work, you may qualify for disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. This publication provides information about how to qualify and file for the benefits.

    http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10019.html

13.   Social Security: If You Are Blind or Have Low Vision — How We Can Help — This booklet explains the services available to people who are legally blind or have low vision so they can get the most out of Social Security programs.

    http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10052.html

14.   Social Security: What Every Woman Should Know — This booklet offers important information about Social Security coverage and women. It explains what steps to take if there is a change in name, marital status, employment, and retirement.

    http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10127.html

15.   Title XVII — Health Insurance for the Aged and Disabled — This report is an online copy of the Social Security Act Title XVII. It includes information on hospital and medical insurance benefits, Medicare, prescription drug benefits, and more.

    http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/ssact/title18/1800.htm

16.   Your Right to Representation — This fact sheet explains how you can have a representative assist you in dealing with the Social Security Administration. It also provides contact information.

    http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10075.html

17. BenefitsCheckUp (Copyright © National Council on the Aging) — This Web site helps people find benefit programs for seniors that may pay for some of their daily living expenses, such as prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and meals. By filling out a simple questionnaire users can find programs that can assist them and their loved ones.

    http://www.benefitscheckup.org/

18. Financial Assistance for Prosthetic Services, Durable Medical Equipment, and Other Assistive Devices (Copyright © ACA/NLLIC) — This fact sheet discusses who is eligible for financial assistance and lists the organizations that can provide assistance.

    http://www.amputee-coalition.org/fact_sheets/assist_orgs.html

19. Financial Management During Crisis (Copyright © The Nemours Foundation) — A crisis, such as your child having a chronic illness or disability, can be the source of both emotional and financial strain. This publication provides parents with information on how to navigate the health care system and avoid financial trouble.

    http://www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=girlshealth&lic=175&cat_id=172&article_set=21736&a...

20. Financial Matters (Copyright © Alzheimer's Association) — This fact sheet from the Alzheimer's Association describes what documents to gather when searching for financial assistance, costs you may face, ways to cover the costs, and more.

    http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_financial_matters.asp

21. Services for Adults With Disabilities (Copyright © NICHCY) — This publication helps adults with disabilities find organizations and resources that can assist them with employment, postsecondary education, recreation, independent living, and assistive technology.

    http://www.nichcy.org/FamiliesAndCommunity/Pages/servicesadults.aspx

Organizations

1.   ABLEDATA, NIDDR, ED
2.   Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, HHS
3.   Disability.gov
4.   Social Security Online
5. Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center
6. National Patient Travel Center
7. National Transplant Assistance Fund & Catastrophic Injury Program
8. Partnership for Prescription Assistance
9. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

= Indicates Federal Resources

Content last updated September 22, 2009.