Utilize Your Resources! What You Can Do While Waiting for Disability

When a person becomes too disabled to work, he still needs a place to live and food to eat. While waiting for the disability adjudication process, saved funds can run out fast. So, if you can’t work, how else can a person survive? When tough times get tougher, there are a many resources in your community you can utilize.

What Can I Do About Food?

The most obvious answer is to apply for food stamps through your county’s Department of Job & Family Services, now known as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). However, there are also other programs that ODJFS touts on their website that are just as helpful and less well-known, such as the EBT Farmer’s Market Demonstration Project. This allows SNAP recipients access to fresh, locally-grown foods.

Food banks are also in abundance in most metropolitan areas.  They are typically run by local non-profit organizations or churches that operate off of donations and volunteering. In our area is the well-known Cleveland Food Bank. Since 1979, this organization had fed millions of families, and recently won an award from the organization Feeding America for outstanding SNAP outreach efforts.

How Can I Keep My Home?

Most metropolitan areas are also home to organizations that can help you keep your home. If you can no longer make your mortgage payment, there are organizations that will work as liaisons between you and your mortgage company to make your payments affordable. ESOP is an organization in the Cleveland area that specializes in helping people that are victims of predatory lending and cannot afford their mortgages.

If you rent, don’t be afraid to approach your landlord about your situation. He or she may be able to work something out with you, but if not, you can also turn to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for assistance. A HUD counselor can help you find an apartment you can afford in subsidized or Section 8 Housing.

If your home has already been foreclosed or if you have been evicted from the residence you rented, there are organizations that will help you secure a new place to live. In Cleveland, Maximum Accessible Housing of Ohio (MAHO) specializes in helping disabled people find safe, affordable and clean housing.

What About Other Needs?

There are a countless number of charitable organizations who do various things. Perhaps you are unable to take your children on trips or participate in other fun activities with them. Non-profit organizations such as Open Doors Academy can provide fun, educational opportunities for your child as well as mentorship. 

Perhaps you need an outlet for your frustrations, but cannot afford to enjoy the hobbies that you love. Organizations such as Art Therapy Studio in Cleveland can give you that outlet as well as help you learn more about yourself.

Churches are wonderful places not only for food pantries, but other charitable drives as well. Don’t be shy about contacting your local church to see what programs they provide. They may run clothing drives, or toy drives at Christmastime so your children can still enjoy receiving gifts from Santa Claus.

Never Give Up!

While waiting for your disability claim to be processed, it is easy to become overwhelmed, frustrated, or depressed about your situation. Never give up! With a little bit of conviction and plenty of resources at your fingertips, you WILL get through this tough time.

At Paulette F. Balin & Associates, we will help put your mind at ease by dealing directing with SSA regarding your disability claim. We will make sure all of the pertinent medical evidence is received and that your claim flows as smoothly as possible for you. Call us today to see how we can help!

Written by Anna Westfall

Please note that Paulette F. Balin & Associates does not specifically endorse any of the organizations named in this blog. They are intended to be examples of the different types of help you may be able to receive.