Independent Living Services

Who is eligible for Independent Living Services?

What Independent Living Services are available?

Where to get Services?

Who is eligible?

To be eligible for services, an individual must have a significant disability, which means:

1) An individual with a significant physical, mental, cognitive or sensory impairment;
2) Whose ability to function independently in the family or community or whose ability to obtain, maintain, or advance in employment is substantially limited; and
3) For whom the delivery of independent living services will improve the ability to function, continue functioning, or move towards functioning independently in the family or community or to continue employment.

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What services are available?

Information and Referral Services - These services are provided to anyone in relation to their rights, resources and responsibilities. These services can be provided individually or in a group, in person or phone contact. The service includes situations when an individual contacts a program for services, information or they are referred to other more appropriate resources. These services are not based upon economic need.

Independent Living Skills Training - These services involve teaching independent living skills, either on an individual or group basis. Basic survival skills training is provided in areas such as food preparation, shopping, personal grooming. Training should encompass a broad view of life skills and is not limited to basic survival skills. These services are not based upon economic need.

Peer Counseling Services - Peer counseling services are differentiated from counseling services in that these services are provided to consumers by an individual with a similar disability. The peer counselor and consumer meet on a one-to-one basis, or a consumer may meet with a group of peers, in order to discuss issues related to their disability. These services are not based upon economic need.

Individual and Systems Advocacy - These services assist an individual in developing the skills needed to advocate on their own behalf within the independent living services process and all activities of daily life. These services also address needed community-wide systems change, which will result in leadership, independence, productivity and full inclusion in society of individuals with significant disabilities. These services are not based upon economic need.

Housing Related Services - These services are related to securing housing or shelter, including services related to community group living and supportive of purposes and title of the Act, and adaptive housing services These services may include: a) assisting consumers in finding affordable and accessible housing; b) providing technical assistance concerning modifying existing housing to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities;

Home Modifications and Adaptive Devices- These services that are limited to the special adaptation to the home such as exit ramp, widening bathroom/bedroom doorways and purchasing assistive devices such as a flexible hand-held-shower hose, shower bench, reacher, adaptive eating utensil, doorbell indicators for the deaf. These services are based upon economic need. These services do not include any medical, prosthetic or orthotic services.

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How does the process work?

During the application process the independent living specialist will meet with you to begin to assessing your disability and independent living needs. When the assessment is completed, you and your independent living specialist will set goals for you to achieve. There is no charge for services but some services are based upon your economic need.

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How long does the process take?

Usually eligibility for services is determined on the same day of application. You can speed up the eligibility process by coming to the center for independent living with medical information concerning your disability or evidence that you receive an SSI or SSDI check. The time it takes to reach your independent living goal depends upon your individual needs.