HEARING LOSS

If you are a person with a disability, there are many agencies that can assist you with services such as, special needs housing, job training, small business assistance, and assistive devices that you may benefit from. New technology has been developed to allow people with disabilities to be included in many areas such as college, the work place, and places of worship, etc. I am going to use this particular blog to tell you a little about myself, and the help I have been given to make my life more richer.

I know first hand how much a disability can change your life. I have been wearing hearing aids in both of my ears for the past five years, and it has been quite an adjustment. I will probably have several posts on disabilities; especially hearing loss for this is something close to my heart. If you are in need of hearing aids, there are agencies that can assist you with the cost, and those that will buy them for you. Please note that you will have to be registered for their services in order to benefit.

The first organization that I will praise is Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation. My wonderful Counselor, Cheryl (won’t post her last name until I get permission), not only received authorization to purchase my hearing aids, but she also sent me to Business Now for small business training. If you priced hearing aids, you know that they aren’t cheap. I could not afford them, and I thank God that Vocational Rehab exists to help people in need.

Working with Goodwill Industries, I obtained a certificate from Business Now, a micro business organization that assists you with writing your business plan. They keep you up to date on opportunities for small business loans, and opportunities to promote your business, etc. In addition, once I graduated from the Business Now class, that qualified me to receive a Happy Embroidery machine. Writing my business plan wasn’t hard for me, because I love research and writing. It was a long process, but well worth it. I have embroidered items for bike clubs, co-workers, and established a clientele that became repeat customers. I took a break from embroidery to give something back, this blog.

I can’t tell you how much I am grateful for the assistive listening devices that I also received. They also purchased for me, a TTY Text Telephone, vibrating and tone alarm clock, and other devices that use blinking lights to alert me of a ringing phone, or doorbell. If you need help, there are a wealth of resources to assist you with job training, job placement, and how to pursue a meaningful career.

The following link will bring you to “SOAR,” (Searchable Online Accommodation Resource), which will list Vocational Rehabilitation agencies by state, http://www.jan.wvu.edu/cgi-win/TypeQuery.exe?902. Find your state, click on the link, and contact your local Vocational Rehab office today. You will be so very happy that you did. I am! May God bless those who have helped me along the way.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE/HOMELESSNESS

Domestic violence is a huge contribution to women and homelessness. Often times, when a woman leaves an abusive relationship, she has no one to turn to, and nowhere to go. This is especially the case with women who have so little resources. It is a known fact that there are more shelters for animals than for abused women and their children. I am not against protecting animals, for I have a Cock-a-Poo that I love dearly. It is just my opinion, that more emphasis should be placed on providing for those who need desperately to escape the violence at home.

Many women are sadly turned away, for the shelters they seek are often filled to capacity. If you are homeless, you may find the help that you need on the HUD website at the following link, http://www.hud.gov/homeless/hmlsagen.cfm. This link will bring you to a page where you can choose the state that you live in, and locate the resources that are offered there. When I clicked on the link for Georgia for instance, (http://www.hud.gov/local/index.cfm?state=ga&topic=homeless), it brought me to a page that lists services such as, United Way, Atlanta Homeless Services, Emergency Rental Help, and a host of other services.

In the event that you need legal assistance, when you click on the link for Legal Assistance, you will come to this page, http://www.galawcenter.org/. This is the link for The Georgia Law Center for the Homeless. They will provide you with representation for civil matters, and they even visit “homeless shelters, transitional housing, and community kitchens on a regular basis.” And the best news is, their services are “free.” The link for your state will list the names of different organizations, but their services should be similar. Help is available, and HUD partners with other federal agencies that are assisting the homeless. Local organizations in your area will also assist you with food, counseling, and jobs skills programs.

It is true that with all the lay-offs and plant closings that it may be difficult to find a job. But it doesn’t hurt to at least try. I firmly believe in the power of prayer, and God always make a way when there seems to be no way. Your life, and the lives of your children deserve to be much better, and you won’t know if things will turn around for you if you don’t try.

TELEPHONE SERVICE ASSISTANCE

Did you know that there is help for paying your telephone bill if your financial status is documented as low-income? You would have to do without long distance of course, but you can always purchase a calling card if you really needed to do so. But the most important thing is, you would at least have a phone in your home in case of emergencies. This is extremely important if you are elderly, have dependent children, or need a phone for emergency purposes. When you are going through life changes, just having the ability to call a close friend is comforting.

Lifeline, Link Up, and Toll Limitations Service (TLS) support provides discounts for basic, local telephone service for more than 7 million Americans. There are 1,700 telephone companies that are eligible for this program, and you can apply through your local phone company-(if they participate), by clicking on the following link, http://www.lifelinesupport.org/li/low-income/benefits/default.aspx. Once you click on the link, you will see tabs for Low Income, Low Income Households, a Spanish tab, and a tab for Telecommunications Carriers. You will find information about the Telecommunications Act of 1996, which made it possible for low-income consumers to "have access to telecommunications and information service.."

Personally, I haven't tried this program, but I know programs such as these do work. My son who is now 40-years old, had open heart surgery when he was five. I was on welfare, could not afford his hospital bills, and I was able to get a home phone through my caseworker. The monthly charge was very low, almost next to nothing. The phone was just a basic phone, nothing fancy, but who cares? It worked! So, if you are in need of a home phone, and your income is considered "low," check it out. By the way, with things the way they are in our country presently, you have plenty of company in the "low-income" range. Sadly many people have lost good paying jobs, and it hurts. I know, been laid-off twice, and it is very difficult to climb back up the ladder of success.

When you read the information on this site, please take special note of the "eligibility" requirements. When you click on the following link, this will bring you to the page that lists the requirements, http://www.lifelinesupport.org/li/low-income/eligibility/federal-criteria.aspx. Above the list of the "federal eligibility criteria for Low Income support," there are eight states listed that do not participate in this state-funded discount. For the sake of space, I am unable to list all of the benefits of the program, so take a look around and see if you qualify. You can use this link to find the telephone company in your area that participates in this program: http://www.lifelinesupport.org/li/low-income/lifelinesupport/browser/. You are even allowed to use a cell phone with this program, however, you would have to purchase the land line and the cell phone. It is worth a try if you are in need of home phone service. And you may be required to set up the initial service for both. And of course, if you don't pay your monthly statement, you will be back to square one, no phone. We live in a crazy world, you never know when you may to call for help, so give it a try today.

HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS

In spite of all the bad press, and rightly so, that our U.S. government is receiving these days; there are still agencies in place that are available to assist you with low-income housing and other needs. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is one source that you can check out and apply for assistance as soon as possible. The main link to this site is, http://www.hud.gov/. When you click on this link, choose the state that you live in from the drop down box under “Quick Links.” Also, to your left you will see a column that has links for more valuable information such as, homeless, renting, foreclosures, home improvements and much more. The direct link for “Renting” information is, http://www.hud.gov/renting/index.cfm.

If your desire is not to live in public housing, there is a program in place that allows you more flexibility in satisfying your present housing needs, as long as the owner of the home or apartment meets certain requirements. HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS are overseen by public housing agencies, (PHAs), who receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to participate in this program. Once the owner agrees to rent under this program, the rental unit itself must meet certain minimum standards such as, health and safety. The landlord is paid a certain amount, subsidized, under this program, and you the renter pay the rest of the monthly rent according to your income level. And the best news of all is, under certain circumstances, the PHA may authorize you to purchase a modest home. Of course, you would have to meet all of their requirements, and you will find out what they are when you contact them.

ELIGIBILITY FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE

The main criterion to determine your eligibility is your income and family size. Generally speaking, your total gross income must not exceed the median income level, “50%” for the metropolitan area, or county in which you and your family choose to live. In certain areas, and under certain situations, this percentage may be different. There are many factors involved in determining your eligibility, but don’t let that discourage you. The PHA will also collect information concerning the following: your employer, bank, family income, assets, local agencies, and how many people you alone may be responsible for.

For those who reside in Atlanta, Georgia for instance, here is the link for instructions on how to apply for a HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER, http://www.dca.state.ga.us/housing/RentalAssistance/programs/apply_hcvp.asp. Please note that there are phone numbers for callers inside of the Metro Atlanta area, and, an (888) number for those not in the Atlanta calling area. Clicking on the same link will provide more information such as, home ownership, homeless and special needs, and a PDF outlining the income limits. You will also find a link for the county newspapers that will publish in the legal section of the classified for your county the waiting list open for that county. All those that are interested are directed to call, (888) 858-6085 or (404) 327-7912. Again, the (888) number is for those not in the Atlanta calling area.

Ok, now I have really made searching this web site easy for you. Just click on the following link, http://www.hud.gov/assist/siteindex.cfm, and you will have access to all of the programs and services that are related to this site. If you don’t have a personal computer, you can use one free of charge at any public library. There is usually a time limit, about an hour, so that other patrons may also have access. So, the best thing to do is write down a list of the items that you need to research and stick to your list.

As for me, I am like a kid in a candy store whenever I research new information online. I want to see it all, and end up running behind on my writing projects. So now, I have to force myself to focus on what I need to learn at any given moment. Perhaps a friend can let you use their computer for research. You won’t know if one is available if you don’t ask. And if you are not computer savvy, most people are sincerely willing to assist those who are trying to help themselves. Now is not the time for false pride. Humility goes a very long way. So have at it! And if you know someone who may benefit from this information, please share it.

We are our sister’s keepers.

LOW-INCOME HOUSING

The biggest obstacles for women who strike out on their own are money, and safe low-income housing. Without adequate income, many women who are in violent relationships tend to remain where they are until they can make a safe move. You may not be in a position to purchase a home of your own, however, there are other resources available until your situation stabilizes financially.

On a previous post, I gave you a very important link to a government web site where you could find assistance for various needs. This same government also provides information for low-income housing. To qualify, your current income level must be “low” or “very low.” In order to find out if a low paying job qualifies, you must contact this agency, and provide your information. There is an application process, just in case you need to know this. You would have to inquire as to how long the process takes for you to obtain housing.

Some people view low-income housing as a not so good alternative to living where and how they would really like to live. On the other hand, if you are in a situation where you need a place of your own, somewhere safe, give it a try. You won’t know what choices are available to you if you don’t try. After all, this doesn’t have to be a permanent situation. I do believe that God is still in the miracle business. Here is the contact information:

Program Contact Information
Director, Office of Multifamily Housing Management
Department of Housing and Urban Development
Washington, DC 20410

Telephone:
202-708-3730

Web Site Address:
http://www.hud.gov/renting/phprog.cfm

Managing Agency
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
http://www.hud.gov/

I wish you all the best.

GOVERNMENT GRANTS AND BENEFITS

The present state of our economy, is it in shambles, or in a state of reconstruction? There are those who say that we will bounce back, and others who fear that we are headed for the bread lines. Whichever view you tend to side with, just be comforted in the fact that not all is doom and gloom. You have made great strides in freeing yourself and your children from a violent lifestyle. For that, you are to be commended. No matter what shape our economy is in presently, there is still help for you, and I am here to assist you with finding it.

There are programs both public and private, whose main objective is to assist women who are caught in the cycle of domestic violence. You may have escaped the violence with just the clothes on your back, and you have no idea how you are going to make it. Or you may have been on your own for a while, and you are still struggling to put food on the table. In any case, there is help that you may not be aware of. There are many people who desire to profit from this information that I will share with you. However, I care about your plight, and from the heart, I am here to help.

In my research for government benefits, I came across this very amazing site chock full of information just for you. This is an official U.S. government website. And it lists over 1,000 government programs and benefits that may fit your present needs. When I Googled, http://www.govbenefits.gov/, it brought me to a screen where you could search for government benefits. On this page, you have the option of clicking on the "Start Here" button, or using the "Quick Search" option. This site also allows you to enter your email address for future updates. Ok, let's say that you are in need of childcare support. When you click on the "Quick Search" option and choose Child Care/Child Support-the next page will bring you to, http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits_en.portal. This page will list various benefits, and a button to click for determining eligibility. You will be able to select the state in which reside, and view the program names in alphabetical order.

One such benefit is the Head Start program for children ages 3-5 years of age. Head Start was developed to “assist low-income preschool children and their families with developmental services.” You will also find assistance for employment, and self-sufficiency goals that will outline a working plan for your success in securing employment. Please note the program requirements, as you will have to be a resident of that state, parent or primary caregiver, and your household income may not exceed a certain amount. The income requirements are based upon certain criteria such as how many people reside in your household. This link will also list items such as immunizations grants, preschool grants for children with disabilities, social services and tax benefits for adoptive parents, etc.