Income in the form of government benefits for individuals with
severe mental illness who are unable to work can greatly assist
in efforts to find housing and get them out of homelessness and
highly undesirable living arrangements.
It may be helpful to ask individuals with mental illness if they
are receiving monthly checks in order to help them find housing.
If they are not receiving benefits, then you might be able to encourage,
or even assist them in applying for disability benefits.
Many men and women with a severe, persistent mental illness may
be eligible to receive SSI disability or regular Social Security
disability insurance benefits (SSDI), or they might already be
receiving these benefits. Virtually every homeless person is eligible
for food stamps.
Here is a brief rundown on what government benefits the homeless
mentally ill may be eligible for:
SSI and SSDI
SSI, SSDI, and Medicare are federal programs. There are two disability
programs administered by the Social Security Offices. One is
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security
Disability Insurance). Both are designed to provide monthly income
to people with severe, long-lasting disabilities that would preclude
self-supporting work or who are 65 or older for SSI and 62 or
older for Social Security retirement benefits.
To be eligible for SSDI disability checks, a person must meet
two primary requirements: 1. Must have worked at least 5 years
in the last 10 years before becoming disabled. 2. Must be totally
and permanently disabled. This means a person must be unable to
work and the disability must last at least 12 months or longer.
SSI, unlike SSDI, is not based on a person's work history. SSI
is based on need and is intended for individuals with little or
no income who have resources valued under $2000. Those who have
not worked long enough under Social Security may be eligible but
they must meet the same disability requirements as those under
SSDI--be totally and permanently disabled as defined above.
People who are eligible for SSDI but their amount is less than
the SSI maximum amount ($564 in 2004) will receive SSI disability
if their income and the things they own are within the limits allowed.
Many people receive SSI and SSDI disability benefits.
Most men and women with a serious mental illness will probably
meet all medical and non-medical eligibility requirements.
Often their biggest hurdle is not meeting the medical requirements
but finding someone willing to help guide them through the lengthy
process that it takes (up to four months or longer). They might
not have any friends or relatives who are able or willing to help
them.
People interested in applying for SSI or SSDI benefits can do
so (1) by telephone, (1-800) 772-1213, 7am-7pm Mon-Fri except holidays,
or (2) by mail or (3) in person at your local Social Security office.
In fact, just about any kind of Social Security business can be
done by calling the 1-800 telephone number (which is a national
number)such as changing an address, reporting working or stopping
work. Social Security welcomes the assistance of people who want
to help individuals with mental illness apply for benefits.
Addresses for all metro Atlanta offices are as follows:
55 Marietta St., Atlanta, GA 30303 404-331-4155
6425 S. Lee St., Morrow, GA 30260 678/422-1144
1395 S. Marietta Pkwy., Bldg. 100, Ste. 130, Marietta, GA 30067
770/424-4871
2630 Martin Luther King Dr., SW, Ste. A, Atlanta, GA 30311 404/691-3419
2853 Candler Rd. Ste. 8, Decatur, GA 30034 404/244-4018
100 Crescent Center Pkwy., Ste. 800, Tucker, GA 30084 770/934-1320
If Social Security office tells a person is required to go to
the office nearest where they live, they should be reminded that
social security policy allows anyone at any time to be served by
any office of their choosing.
Individuals who apply for SSI or SSDI and are turned down should
appeal the unfavorable decision by requesting reconsideration.
Reconsideration must be filed within 60 days of the date of the
denial of the initial application. If reconsideration request is
denied, the individual should ask for a hearing. A request for
a hearing must be filed within 60 days of the reconsideration decision.
Since the hearing level takes many months, consider getting a lawyer
at the reconsideration stage rather than waiting until the hearing
state. There are a number of good lawyers who do not charge unless
benefits are awarded. It is suggested that individuals who are
turned down should get a lawyer who specializes in handling Social
Security cases since he or she is more likely to know the social
security law and regulations, and how best to win the appeal.
The Georgia Law Center for the Homeless (404/681-0680) and Atlanta
Legal Aid (404/524-5811) will be glad to recommend the names of
lawyers who specialize in representing people who have applied
for SSI or SSDI disability and been turned down. These lawyers
do not charge unless they win the appeal.
Medicare and Medicaid
SSI payments begin the month that Social Security determines your
disability began and all other eligibility requirements are met.
SSI recipients in Georgia automatically receive full Medicaid
coverage, which pays for all doctors and hospital bills and for
medicines (except SSI recipients must pay $1.00 per prescription).
SSDI payments can start the sixth month after the month Social
Security says you became disabled and met all the requirements
for benefits. After two years on SSDI, the disabled person will
for the first time become eligible for Medicare and will at that
time automatically receive Medicare Part A (hospital) benefits.
Medicare Part B (doctor's) is not automatic. It costs $66.60 a
month (2004 amount) and is optional. SSDI beneficiaries can elect
to have it or not have it. (See section labeled "QMB" below
for important information for those whose total monthly income
is below $1100 or so.
Both the SSI and the SSDI disability programs allow its recipients
to work and earn limited amounts each month and there are a variety
of work incentives available for those attempting return or entry
to work. However, it is untrue that people getting SSI or SSDI
checks can earn as much as they want without their checks being
reduced. It is very important to tell Social Security about all
work so they can make any necessary adjustments in the amount of
the check.
Almost everyone 65 or older is guaranteed either SSI or Social
Security retirement benefits. If they are not receiving these benefits,
they should call or visit the nearest Social Security Office as
soon as possible.
General Assistance
A person can apply for general assistance (also called interim
assistance) while he or she is waiting for Social Security to
make a decision regarding their disability claim. The State of
Georgia through the Department of Family and Children’s
Services (DFCS) county offices administers general assistance.
To get general assistance, a person needs to show DFCS that (1)
he or she has applied for SSI and/or SSDI and (2) submit a doctor's
statement that he or she is disabled. If approved, general assistance
will continue until Social Security makes a decision on his or
her SSI/SSDI application. The amount of general assistance ranges
from $80 to $225 in Fulton County depending on an individual's
living arrangements. It takes about 8 weeks to process a general
assistance application. If Social Security denies the application
for disability, the applicant should always appeal since the
general assistance payments will continue (if still determined
by DFACS to be disabled) until all appeals have been exhausted
or until the application is approved. If the disability claim
is approved, DFACS will get the lump sum Social Security check
and deduct all general assistance payments before the remainder
goes to the disabled person. If not approved, the general assistance
payments do not have to be repaid.
Food Stamps
Individuals who have no income (including homeless individuals)
may be eligible for food stamps. Getting food stamps is fairly
easy and takes just a short time to be approved. Any Department
of Family and Children's Services office takes applications for
food stamps. The one nearest downtown Atlanta is at 84 Walton
St. It is best to arrive around 8:30am or earlier when applying.
VA Disability Benefits
Veterans can call 1-800-827-1000 for information about benefits
and claims assistance. Homeless veterans can call the "Homeless
Program" located at the Veterans Administration Medical
Center at 1670 Clairmont Rd. Decatur, GA 30033 404/321-6111 for
counseling and referral for benefit assistance.
QMB
QMB stands for “qualified Medicare Beneficiary”. Only
people who have received SSDI disability benefits for two years
or longer or who are 65 years or older and who receive Social Security
retirement benefits are eligible for Medicare. Part A (Hospital
coverage) is free. Many people with total monthly income of less
than $987 (2001 amount) and who have resources (things owned) of
less than $4000 (for a single person) may be eligible for QMB if
Social Security is taking $50 out of their monthly check for the
Part B premium.
This means the State of Georgia may pay the $50 Part B premium
for these individuals; and depending on how much below of the $987
the individual's income is, the state might pay some of their medical
bills.
Contact your DFCS (Dept. of Family and Children's Services) at
404/657-8000 if you think you are eligible. For more information
about QMB, you may call Fulton County Medicaid Office at 404/656-6060.