Autism NOW Webinar April 24, 2012

Overview of Disability

Services

with Co-Director, Amy Goodman

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

• Amy Goodman, MA

• Co-Director Autism NOW

• The Arc

• 1825 K St, NW

• Washington DC 20006

• 1-202-600-3489 Ex. 3734

• E-mail: [email protected]

• Website: www.autismnow.org

• Other social media: Facebook and Twitter

Amy’s Profile

Disability Services

• Medicare Program • Medicaid Program • Medicaid’s Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) • Medicaid Dental • Medicaid Prescription Drug Plans • The Developmental Disability Wavier Program (DD Wavier) • Social Security Income (SSI) • Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) • Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) • Respite Care • Benefits Counselors • Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab) • VetSuccess • Personal Care Attendant (PCA) • Food Stamps • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infant’s and Children

(WIC)

Medicare Program

• Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for individuals 65 and older. It has four parts

• Part A: Hospital Insurance for inpatient care in a hospital.

• Part B: Medical Insurance: helps pay for doctors’ services and many other medical services and supplies not covered by hospital insurance.

• Part C: Medicare Advantage: one can choose to receive all health care services under one provider organization

• Part D: Prescription Drug Coverage: helps pay for medications

Medicaid Program

• Medicaid is a state-run program that provides hospital and medical coverage for individuals with low income, disabilities, or little to no resources.

• The Medicaid application process is easy and varies by state. One can apply on-line or in person at the local Department of Social Services Office.

• If qualified, one can also get Supplemental Security Income (SSI), as well as Medicaid.

Medicaid’s Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP) This is a low cost health insurance coverage as

part of Medicaid. Individuals who qualify pay no more than $50 a year for health care coverage for their child or children.

It is state run, just like Medicaid, and it has different rules for each state.

The program covers doctors office visits, prescription drugs, dental care, eye exams, glasses, and much more.

Medicaid Dental

• Dental services for children (up to age 21) are a mandatory service provided by Medicaid as part of Medicaid’s comprehensive child health program.

• A direct referral is required for all children to see a dentist, if using Medicaid coverage.

• Dental services are very limited for adults who have Medicaid coverage. It depends on the state, if they provide the service or not, but most states usually have at least emergency dental services for adults.

Medicaid Prescription Plans

• Medicaid pays for medical assistance which covers most prescription drugs at a low or reduced cost.

• Some drugs such as birth control pills are covered at no charge to the patient.

The Developmental Disability

Wavier Program (DD Wavier)

• The Developmental Disability Wavier Program (DD Wavier) is a Medicaid funded program. • Eligibility criteria are based on medical diagnosis,

mental or physical disorder, level of care normally provided by an intermediate Care Facility, and financial criteria.

• Services: In Home, Family Living services, In the community, therapies, vocational services, private duty nursing for adults and environmental modifications.

• Many individuals wait many years before they actually receive DD Services. There is a waiting list of several years.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a

Federal assistance program designed to provide income to aged, blind, or individuals with disabilities who have limited assets with which to support themselves.

• It is based on income and resources • One does not have to have a job to be eligible

for this service. • Assets may not total $2000 if single $3000 if

married.

Social Security Disability

Income (SSDI) • Social Security Disability Income is a federal assistance

program, it has the same requirements as SSI , but to qualify for this an individual must have worked and have work credits.

• An application can be submitted on-line, over the phone, or in person at a local Social Security office.

• If denied benefits, there are four levels of appeal: – Reconsideration Stage – Hearing Stage – Social security Appeals Court – Federal District Court – These are the same for Social Security Income as well.

Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) • Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) is a benefit under

Supplemental Security income. • It is a written plan that allows an individual to purchase

items or set aside money in order to pay for items one may need in order to work (i.e. car, wheelchair ,computer etc.).

• Individuals seeking help may contact the following: – Vocational rehabilitation counselor – An organization that helps individuals with disabilities – Benefits Specialists or Protection and Advocacy Organizations

who have contracts with Social Security Administration (SSA) – Employment Networks involved in the Ticket to Work Program – The local Social Security Office

Respite Care

Respite Care provides a temporary break in care giving responsibilities.

There are many types of respite such as:

a) In-home respite

b) Adult Respite care

c) Residential Respite Care

d) Home Health Agency

Benefits Counselors

• The term benefits counselor can be applied to either a paid staff person for an agency or a trained volunteer.

• A benefits counselor is someone who reviews existing information about your financial situation and makes suggestions about benefits for which you may be eligible or helps makes changes to existing benefits you may already be receiving.

• They typically work with individuals 60 years old or older.

• If you have a disability you are entitled to receive benefits counseling information.

• Individuals receive free help from a benefits counselor.

Benefits Counselors (continued)

Benefit Counselors can help you with the following : • Insurance Benefits • Social Security Benefits • Social Security Disability Benefits • Medicare, including the prescription benefit section(Part D) • Prescription Assistance programs • Income Tax benefits and credits • Retirement Benefits • Veterans Benefits • Community based benefits • State program benefits, including home care alternatives • Advocacy with agencies, and • Referrals to community based organizations or government agencies

Benefits Counselors (continued)

Where to find a Benefits Counselor:

• Local Human Services Offices

• County Welfare Offices

• Community Based Organizations

• Information and Referral helpline

Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab) • Vocational Rehabilitation refers to any

programs that helps individuals with disabilities to deal with physical, mental, social, vocational, and economic issues.

• Each state has it own joint federally and state funded vocational rehabilitation program with similar eligibility requirements, polices, and offerings.

Vocational Rehabilitation &

Employment Service (VetSucess)

• Assists Veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and keep jobs

• It offers services to improve an individuals ability to live independently

• Who’s Eligible:

– Veterans

– Active duty Service Members

VetSucess Continued

• Available Services: – Comprehensive Rehabilitation Evaluation

– Vocational Counseling

– Rehabilitation Planning

– Employment Services

– Assistance finding and keeping a job

– On the job training (OJT)

– Post Secondary Training

– Supportive Rehabilitative Services

– Independent Living Services

Personal Care Attendant

(PCA) • A Medicaid program where you as the

individual with the disability get to hire, fire, and train an individual to help you.

• One must be able to interview, hire, train, and pay your PCA. One must also be able to make decisions about their care or have someone who can make decisions for them.

PCA-Continued

• To be eligible one must have:

– a disability that interferes with your ability to function at work, school, society, taking care of yourself, etc.

– be Medicaid eligible

– need at least 14 hours of personal care assistance per week

– Require services that are medically necessary and ordered by a physician

PCA- Continued

• Activities a PCA can help one with: – Eating

– Toileting

– Grooming

– Dressing

– Bathing

– Transferring from wheel chair to bed or toilet

– Mobility and positioning

– Meal planning

– Managing finances

– Grocery shopping

– Household chores

– Driving-chauffeuring

Food Stamps

• This federal government program helps low-income individuals buy food

• It is run by state or local agencies

• Eligibility Requirements:

– must have a social security number

– be a U.S. citizen

– $2000 in resources, $3000 in resources if someone in the household is 60 years or older

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

• It is a federal assistance program of the Food and Nutrition Service(FNS) of the U.S.

• Eligibility Requirements:

– family must have an income below the U.S Poverty level.

– If you participate in Food Stamps, Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), you automatically meet the eligibility requirements.

WIC Continued

• To apply one must be a pregnant woman, breastfeeding for no more than six months, and have young infants (0-1years old) and children under (five years old) with specific nutritional needs

• Family Income: 45K or less for a family of four

WIC Continued

• WIC Services:

– Supplemental Food

– Nutrition Education

– Access to healthcare and other social services

– breastfeeding support

Resources

• http://www.medicaidprogram.net/ • http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10043.html • http://chipmedicaid.org/en/About • http://medicaidprogram.net/articles/137713/Medicaid-Dental-Coverage • http://www.medicaid.gov • http://www.excelcasemanagement.com/DDwaiver.html • http://www.socialsecurity-disability.org/print/content/about-ssi • http://www.socialsecurity-disability.org/print/content/about-ssdi • http://www.socialsecurity-disability.org/print/content/how-apply • http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityresearch/wi/pass.htm • http://dying.about.com/od/caregiving/a/respite_care.htm • http://www.caregiver.com/articles/print/benefits_counselors.htm • http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/encyclopedia/Val-Z/Vocational-Rehabilitation.html • http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/ • http://www.power2u.org/articles/selfhelp/pca.html • http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10101.html

Comments or Questions?

The National Resource & Information Center

Website: www.autismnow.org

Information & Referral Call Center: 1-855-828-8476

Next Webinar: Tuesday, May 1, 2012, 2:00-3:00 PM, EDT Autism and Neurodiversity: A Study of Views and Influence of a

Rising Movement

PowerPoint/Recording: These materials will be provided to all attendees. Email Phuong

([email protected] ) if you have additional questions.