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finance
NEUROTRAUMA
Social
Security-Retirement | Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Supplemental Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
General Assistance (GA) | Aid
to Aged, Blind & Disabled (AABD)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Temporary Aid of Other Needy Families (TAONF)
Employment Subsidy Program (ESP) | Listing
of DHS Offices
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Financial Assistance - Smaller Programs by Island
Income
and Financial Programs
Financial assistance and
entitlement programs are vitally important to the well-being of those in need.
Various programs are administered by federal, state or even county governments.
Many have similar names, but different purposes, benefits and eligibility
criteria. Key federal programs include: Social Security; Social Security Disability
Insurance benefits (SSDI) ; Supplemental Security Income (SSI); Temporary
Assistance to Needy Families; Medicare and Medicaid; Food Stamps; and Veterans'
Benefits. As valuable and critical as these programs are, it may be difficult
to contact and obtain them. Phone lines may be constantly busy when you call.
The person you speak to may not be as responsive or as sensitive to your situation
as you feel you deserve. It is your right to be firm and persistent in pursuing
answers to your questions.
Social Security Administration
All of us are familiar
with the Social Security Administration (SSA) because we make contributions
to it from our earnings. In every paycheck, there is a deduction called "FICA"
(Federal Insurance Contribution Act) which refers to the amount a worker contributes
to the Social Security system. Congress passed the Social Security Act in
1935 to provide financial protection to Americans.
Note: the following contains
links to government websites.
Social Security
- Retirement
Eligibility determination:
Preparing for and Scheduling
your Interview with SSA Representative:
- If you plan to fill
out an application for retirement benefits with your Social Security office,
there is important information
you should prepare.
- Make an appointment
for an interview with your local Social Security Representative. If you
don’t know where your closest local office is, click on http://s3abaca.ssa.gov/pro/fol/fol-home.html
and enter your zip code. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to request assistance.
Using a representative
payee:
Those who are not able
to handle their own financial affairs can have a relative, friend or another
interested party appointed. Link to http://www.ssa.gov/thirdparties.htm
or contact SSA for more information at 1-800-772-1213.
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Supplemental
Security Income (SSI)
SSI is a federal cash
assistance program for the aged, blind and disabled people who have limited
income and resources. SSI is not welfare.
Eligibility determination:
Preparing for and Scheduling
your Disability Interview:
- If you plan to fill
out an application for SSI benefits with your Social Security office, there
is important information you should prepare from the Disability
Starter Kit. Bring this information with you to the Interview.
- Make an appointment
for a Disability Interview with your local Social Security Representative.
If you don’t know where your closest local office is, click on http://s3abaca.ssa.gov/pro/fol/fol-home.html
and enter your zip code. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to request assistance.
Understanding the SSI
program:
Using a Representative
Payee:
- For those who are not
able to handle their own financial affairs can have a relative, friend or
another interested party appointed. For information on representaive payees,
link to http://www.ssa.gov/thirdparties.htm
or call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 for more information.
Continuing Your Eligibility
SS program and SSI program:
The Social Security
Administration runs the Social Security program and the SSI program, but
the programs are not the same and there are different rules for each. People
can get benefits under both programs at the same time, but remember that
Social Security benefits are counted as income which is deducted from SSI
benefits. The checks do not come in the mail on the same day. SSI comes
on the first day of the month; Social Security checks on the 3rd day of
the month. SSI funds come from the general treasury of the United States
and are derived from general tax revenues.
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Supplemental
Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
SSDI is a federal cash
benefit program for people with disabilities who have lost their income or
have low incomes. SSDI is not welfare. People under age 65, who are blind
or disabled may be eligible for SSDI. SSDI provides monthly cash benefits
to disabled people who are "insured" by workers' contributions to the Social
Security trust fund.
Eligibility determination:
Preparing for and Scheduling
your Disability Interview:
- If you plan to fill
out an application for SSDI benefits with your Social Security office, there
is important information you should prepare from the Disability
Starter Kit. Bring this information with you to the Interview.
- Make an appointment
for a Disability Interview with your local Social Security Representative.
If you don’t know where your closest local office is, click on http://s3abaca.ssa.gov/pro/fol/fol-home.html
and enter your zip code. You can also call 1-800-772-1213 to request assistance.
- Also if you are able,
contact your doctor and other treatment sources to let them know that SSA
will be asking for information from them such as:
- When your medical
condition began.
- How your condition
limits your activities.
- What your medical
tests have shown.
- What treatment or
tests have been provided, and what your doctor has prescribed for you.
- Names, addresses,
and telephone numbers of doctors, hospitals, clinics and institutions
that have treated you and the dates of treatment.
- Names of all prescription
drugs you are taking and the prescribed dosage.
How much will the SSDI
Payments be?
- The amount is based
on the worker's lifetime average earnings covered by Social Security (http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dapproval2.htm).
The payment amount may change each year due to cost-of-living increases.
It may reduce due to: workers' compensation payments or public disability
benefits (state, civil service), etc.
When SSDI Benefits begin?
- View: (http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dapproval.htm).
- It is important to
apply soon after the disability starts because back payments are limited
to the 12 months preceding the month you apply.
- If your disability
benefits end but you later refile with the same or related condition within
5 years, SSA does not require a new waiting period.
- SSA does not require
a waiting period for disabled adult children filing for
disability benefits based on their parent's earning record.
Using a Representative
Payee:
- For those who are not
able to handle their own financial affairs can have a relative, friend or
another interested party appointed. Link on http://www.ssa.gov/thirdparties.htm
or contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213 for more information.
Continuing Your Eligibility:
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General
Assistance (GA) - State of Hawaii
General Assistance provides
financial assistance to those who are:
- between the ages of
18-65-years old; and
- physically or mentally
disabled for at least 60 days (unable to work more than 30 hours/week);
- financially needy as
defined by the eligibility rules; and
- not able to meet the
requirements of the federal Supplementary Security Income (SSI) program
How much financial assistance
is offered to you:
- Ranges from $217 to
$418 each month.
Application Process:
- Contact a DHS
office and ask for application forms for financial assistance. Upon
completion and return of your application, you will receive an interview
date and time.
- Appear at the Interview
and bring verification of your identity (picture I.D), age (birth certificate
of any and all household members), proof of your disabililty, your income
(pay stubs, child support checks, checking and savings books, etc.), assets
(stocks, bonds, car registration, etc. ) and your place of residence (leases/rental
agreement).
- Complete disability
forms, which includes (DHS
1127), (DHS 1270) and/or (DHS
1271).
- You are scheduled
for a disability determination by DHS doctors. You should bring any
copies of current medical records you can get from your treating doctors
regarding your claimed disability; have your doctor submit any and all
copies of medical records as well as request your doctor to write a
letter on your behalf outlining you condition and relevant test results.
- If you are homeless,
being evicted, surviving on limited income/assets, or living in a shelter,
write a letter informing the Department of Human Services (DHS) of this
situation and submit it with your application. This can expedite the
process.
- Submit it to the DHS..
- Then the Med-Quest
Division will evaluate your application and determine your eligibility for
GA or AABD.
Your Responsibilities:
- Should you receive
retroactive SSI benefits after being accepted into the GA program, then
DHS is entitled to repayment for benefits that you received.
- After being accepted
into the GA program, some people will have to work or look for work.
- You should apply for
all other benefits for which you are eligible.
- You are to report changes
in your financial needs (changes in income, changes in household composition,
living expenses, changes in address, changes in phone number, etc.).
- Recipients with "Outside
Income" report monthly on a Monthly Eligibility Report Form.
- Recipients without
"Outside Income" report all changes within 10 calendar days of becoming
aware of the change.
- Failure to Cooperate
may result in sanctions by DHS.
Denied, Reduced or Terminated
Benefits from the GA program:
- If you are denied benefits,
consider applying for other aid or reapplying after reading your notice
about why DHS denied you.
- Request an Administrative
Hearing to appeal your case (within 90 calendar days of your denial notice)
if you disagree with the DHS decision . You can contact an advocacy agency
to assist you.
- For a listing of
advoacy agencies on this website:
- Click on "Back
to Top"
- Click on this webpage's
jump menu and look for "Neurotrauma Local Resources"
- Click on "Neurotrauma
Local Resources"
- Select and click
on the island you are on
- Click on "Legal
Assistance and Advocacy"
- If you lose the administrative
hearing, you have the right to appeal the decision to the Circuit Court.
You can contact an advocacy agency to assist you.
Note: Governor Signs
The General Assistance Bill - The Governor signed the General Assistance;
Good Cause for Failure to Pursue Treatment bill on June 3, 2003. General
Assistance recipients who have good cause for not pursuing medical treatment
for their disability now have a defense against benefit disqualification.
The new law is effective as of May 30, 2003. (Reported by the Legal Aid
Society of Hawaii)
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Aid to Aged,
Blind, and Disabled (AABD) - State of Hawaii
AABD provides financial
assistance to those who:
- are 65 years of age
or older; or
- are blind; or
- are physically or mentally
disabled for at least 12 months and unable to work; or
- have a condition that
will lead to death and unable to work or on Social Security or SSI but getting
too little money; or
- are living with and
caring for an individual receiving AABD; and is financially needy, as defined
by the eligibility rules.
How much financial assistance
is offered to you:
Application Process:
- Contact a DHS
office and ask for application forms for financial assistance. Upon
completion and return of your application, you will receive an interview
date and time.
- Appear at the Interview
and bring verification of your identity (picture I.D), age (birth certificate
of any and all household members), proof of your disabililty, your income
(pay stubs, child support checks, checking and savings books, etc.), assets
(stocks, bonds, car registration, etc. ) and your place of residence (leases/rental
agreement, etc.).
- Complete disability
forms, which includes (DHS
1127), (DHS 1270) and/or (DHS
1271).
- You are scheduled
for a disability determination by DHS doctors. You should bring any
copies of current medical records you can get from your treating doctors
regarding your claimed disability; have your doctor submit any and all
copies of medical records as well as request your doctor to write a
letter on your behalf outlining your medical condition and any relevant
test results compared to Social Security Disability standards.
- If you are homeless,
being evicted, surviving on limited income/assets, or living in a shelter,
write a letter informing the Department of Human Services (DHS) of this
situation and submit it with your application. This can expedite the
process.
- Submit it to the DHS.
- Then the Med-Quest
Division will evaluate your application and determine your eligibility for
GA or AABD.
Other benefits you, as
a AABD recipient, can inquire about:
- Eligibility to receive
Medicaid benefits
- Eligibility for Food
Stamps
- Eligibility for Free
No-Fault Car Insurance through the Welfare Office
- Eligibility for Low
Income Home Energy Assistance
- Eligibility for Personal
Care Services via home and community long-term care services
- Eligibility for funeral
payment program
- Eligibility for Nursing
Home Without Walls (outpatient nursing program) offering home and community
based long-term care services
- Eligibility for home
and community-based services for DD/MR, If you qualify as being developmental
disabled/mentally retarded
- Eligibility for home
and community-based services for the Elderly Foster Family Community Care
Program, if you qualify as being elderly with chronic illnesses or disabilities
Your Responsibilities:
- You must apply for
SSI.
- You are required to
obtain medical treatment for any correctable condition.
- You must cooperate
with DHS (verification, seeking help, filling in forms and keeping appointments)
or face being cut off or denied benefits.
Denied, Reduced or Terminated
Benefits from the GA program:
- If you are denied benefits,
consider applying for other aid or reapplying after reading your notice
about why DHS denied you.
- Request an Administrative
Hearing to appeal your case (within 90 calendar days of your denial notice)
if you disagree with the DHS decision. You can contact an advocacy agency
to assist you.
- For a listing of
advoacy agencies on this website:
- click on "Back
to Top"
- click on this webpage's
jump menu and look for "Neurotrauma Local Resources"
- click on "Neurotrauma
Local Resources"
- select and click
on the island you are on
- click on "Legal
Assistance and Advocacy"
- If you lose the administrative
hearing, you have the right to appeal the decision to the Circuit Court.
You can contact an advoacy agency to assist you.
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Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families:
This federal funding program
is administered locally through the Department of Human Services’ Benefit,
Employment Support Services Division as the Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families/Pursuit of New Opportunities Program (TANF/PONO): (http://www.state.hi.us/dhs/TANF%20State%20Plan%202002.pdf)
and its users can also receive supports to further their education through
the First to Work Education program (http://www.state.hi.us/dhs/Ed%20Policy6.PDF).
Households can apply by calling to have application forms (DHS 1240, etc.)
mailed to them or arrange to pick it up at the closest DHS
office. After filling in the application forms, an interview is scheduled
with you and certain information verified before you are accepted into the
program.
Eligibility requirements:
- Must be resident
of Hawaii, however there are no established time standard for residency.
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
- In order for a family
to be eligible, an application with respect to a dependent, minor child
must include the following individuals, if living in the same household
and otherwise eligible:
- A natural, adoptive
or hanai parent, except as noted below: and
- A blood-related
or adoptive brother or sister, except as noted below:
- In situations
where the state has obtained legal custody of a child and has placed
that child under the care and supervision of a person other than
the parent.
- In situations
where an adopted child is living with both the adoptive parent and
a natural or hanai parent the following shall apply:
- The natural
or hanai parent relationship shall not be recognized for the
purpose of determining the TANF household composition; and
- The sibling
relationship shall not be recognized if the natural or hanai
parent has other children or stepchildren living in the household
who have not been adopted.
- Pregnant women
with no other children may be eligible for TANF program from the 1st
month in which she begins her 9th month of pregnancy.
- Ask DHS
office for more details.
Initial Assessment:
- Sign DHS 1242: Memorandum
of Understanding that explains program requirements and expectation to
work.
- Show proof you are
a U.S. citizen.
- Need to inform the
DHS employee of the employment status of each household member 16 years
of age and older. So bring in information about each family member’s income
(earned, unearned or in-kind).
- Specify information
for domestic violence exemption.
- A decision on your
application is made within 45 days from the date of your application submission.
You are referred to First-to-Work
Program:
- Within 3 months
of being accepted into the TANF program, you are called in for Intake
and Orientation to the First-to-Work Program.
- As a result of an
in-depth assessment of you, an Employment Plan and a Support Service Plan
are designed. However, for those with disabilities, they will likely be
referred for rehabilitation services; those with substance abuse are referred
for substance abuse treatment; those who are victims of domestic violence
are referred to a domestic violence agency. These services include case
management, employability plans, supportive services and employment and
training activities.
Once in the TANF program,
continuing financial assistance at the time of redetermination is dependent
on TANF recipient:
- Completing redetermination
form.
- Provide information
supported by documents to establish eligibility
- Be determined to
be in need (according to DHS’s appropriate standard of assistance).
- Meet the categorical
and eligibility requirements of the TANF program.
- Eligibility redeterminations
are required monthly. A face-to-face review of all eligibility requirements
is done every 12 months. Receipt of TANF assistance is limited to 60 months
for a lifetime of all applicant and recipient households, unless the household
meets the definition of an exempt household (e.g. needed in the home to
care for another household member who is ill, incapacitated or disabled,
as determined by a licensed physician or psychologist).
At the conclusion of
the 60-month time limit, all non-exempt assistance units will be assessed
for continued eligibility in the following programs:
- Medical assistance;
- Food stamps
- Child care; and
- Employment Subsidy
Program.
Your Responsibilities:
- You are prohibited
from striking
- You are prohibited
from committing fraud
- You must apply for
a Social Security Number
- You are to participate
in work programs, though there are exceptions such as teens and students,
parents with infants, domestic violence exceptions, illness, old age,
disability, etc.
- You are to cooperate
with child support collection activities
- You are to complete
and return monthly reporting forms (MERFs) in timely manner
- You are to participate
in periodic Eligibility Redetermination Interviews
- There are sanctions
for not cooperating without good cause.
- Federal statue does
not allow SSI recipients from simultaneously receving TANF.
Denied, Reduced, Suspended
or Terminated Benefits from the TANF/PONO Program:
- If your benefits
are denied, reduced, suspended or terminated, consider requesting a Fair
Hearing to appeal your case if you disagree with the DHS decision. You
can contact an advocacy agency to assist you.
- For a listing
of advoacy agencies on this website:
- Click on "Back
to Top"
- Click on this
webpage's jump menu and look for "Neurotrauma Local Resources"
- Click on "Neurotrauma
Local Resources"
- Select and click
on the island you are on
- Click on "Legal
Assistance and Advocacy"
Note: Hawaii imposed
program participation requirements for individuals who are exempt from work
requirements due to a disability. Individuals who claim an exemption due
to a physical or mental impairment must be engaged in treatment services
or vocational rehabilitation activities or both, which may reasonably be
expected to lead to employment and self-sufficiency. The entire household
is sanctioned if the disabled individual refuses or fails to comply. (Reported
by Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, November 1, 2001)
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Temporary
Aid to Other Needy Families (TAONF)
TAONF is state funded
cash assistance for financially needy two-parent families and non-citizens
with dependent children. All adult members are required to participate in
"work component" within 24 months of benefits, unless the adult is exempt.
Disability would be one of the considerations for exemption. Contact your
DHS office for further information.
Work component:
- Paid employment for
at least one hour,
- Unpaid volunteer work
in a private, public or non-proft business or organization of at least four
hours,
- Satisfactory participation
in an organized job training program,
- Actively participating
with the First-to-Work program,
- Receiving unemployment
insurance,
- Attending a school
of secondary education at least half-time,
- OR attending post-secondary
school at least half time.
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Employment
Subsidy Program
The Employment Subsidy
Program provides a monthly stipend to households that have exhausted the 60-month
time limit for TANF. It is a non-assistance program for familes where at least
one able-bodied or non-exempt adult is gainfully employed at least 20 hours
per week or 86 hours per month and falls under 185% of the TANF standard of
need.
It is provided during
the “one-time only” period of 24 consecutive months beginning from the 61st
month after TANF. The household receives $200 per month for each adult household
member who is gainfully employed at least 20 hours per week or 86 hours per
month. The family also remains eligible for free car insurance. The 24 month
period begins as soon as the 5 years is up and keeps running. Contact your
DHS Office for more details.
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Listing of
DHS Offices
| Oahu
DHS Offices |
Locations |
Phone
# |
| Central
Honolulu Applications |
333
North King St. |
586-8047 |
| East
Honolulu Applications |
333
North King St. |
586-8047 |
| Ewa
Unit |
601
Kamokila Bl. # 106 |
692-7300 |
| Kailua
Unit |
45-513
Luluku Rd. |
235-8741 |
| Kalihi
Unit |
420
Waiakamilo Rd. #101 |
832-5558 |
| Kaneohe
Unit |
45-513
Luluku Rd. |
235-6602 |
| Kapalama
Unit |
420
Waiakamilo Rd. #101 |
832-5538 |
| Kinau
Unit |
420
Waiakamilo Rd.#101 |
832-4660 |
| Kuakini
Unit |
420
Waiakamilo Rd. #117C |
832-3800 |
| Leeward
Applications & Assist Unit |
86-088
Farrington Hwy. #106 |
697-7147 |
| Makiki
Unit |
677
Queen, #400B |
587-5276 |
| Nanakuli
Unit |
601
Kamokila Blvd. #117 |
692-7775 |
| Nuuanu
Unit |
888-3
North King St. |
832-5627 |
| Palama
Unit |
420
Waiakamilo Rd. #101 |
832-5558 |
| Pawaa
Unit |
677
Queen, #400B |
587-5290 |
| Punawai
Unit |
677
Queen, #400B |
587-5283 |
| Wahiawa
Unit |
929
Center |
622-6476 |
| Waianae
Unit |
86-088
Farrington Hwy. #101 |
697-7177 |
| Waikele
Unit |
94-275
Mokuola #303 |
675-0040 |
| Waipahu
Applications Unit |
601
Kamokila Blvd. #468 |
692-7171 |
| Waipahu
Unit |
601
Kamokila Blvd. #106 |
692-7310 |
| West
Honolulu Appications. Unit |
420
Waiakamilo Rd. #101 |
832-5500 |
| West
Oahu Unit |
94-275
Mokuola, #303A |
675-0050 |
| Windward
Applications Unit |
45-260
Waikalua Rd. |
233-3621 |
| Windward
Unit |
46-005
Kawa, #307 |
233-3655 |
| Oahu
First-To-Work Units |
Locations |
Phones |
| Downtown
First-To-Work Unit 1 |
677
Ala Moana, #720 |
587-3850 |
| Downtown
First-To-Work Unit 2 |
677
Queen, #400A |
587-5250 |
| Kailua
First-To-Work Unit |
354
Uluniu, #401 |
266-9620 |
| Wahiawa
First-To-Work Unit |
1008
California Ave., Bldg 8 |
622-6314 |
| Waianae
First-To-Work Unit |
601
Kamokila Blvd. #138 |
692-7760 |
| Waipahu
First-To-Work Unit |
94-275
Mokuola, #105 |
675-0081 |
| Kauai
DHS Offices |
Locations |
Phones |
| Kauai
DHS Office |
Benefit
Employment &
Support Services Division/
Information |
643-1643 |
| Kauai
First-To-Work Units |
First-To-Work/Child
Care Unit 4473 Pahee,
Suite G |
241-3660 |
| Maui
DHS Offices |
Locations |
Phones |
| Maui
DHS Office |
Benefit
Employment &
Support Services Division/
Information |
643-1643 |
Maui,
Molokai, Lanai
First-To-Work Units |
Locations |
Phones |
| First-To-Work/Child
Care Unit |
270
Waiehu Beach Rd.#107 |
243-5866 |
| Island
of Hawaii DHS Office |
Locations |
Phones |
| Benefit
Employment & Support
Services Division/Information
|
Hilo |
643-1643 |
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Low Income
Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
This is a federally funded
program to help eligible low income households meet their home heating or
cooling needs. People with disabilities may be especially at risk for life
threatening illness or death if their home is too cold in the winter or too
hot in the summer. Main website: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap/
and their brochure which has more details about the program is found at:
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/liheap/brochure.htm.
This program is operated out of the Department of Human Services. Call 586-5740
(Oahu), ENTERPRISE-5317 (Kauai, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Island of Hawaii).
Financial
Assistance - Smaller Programs by Islands
Maui
- Maui Economic Opportunity,
Inc. (MEO)................249-2970
Fax: 249-2971
Inquire about special funds
providing one time financial assistance
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