Assistance Programs For Disabled Americans

Are you or a family member faced with a disability and needs help? Find assistance for housing, financial benefits and more with this comprehensive breakdown of potential options.

Three black silhouettes of disabled individuals with clouds and a rainbow behind them

If you’re searching for assistance programs for disabled Americans, these resources will be at the top of your search. Some of the programs are geared specifically towards the unique disability, while others are focused on a particular demographic, such as seniors.

iCanConnect

This non-profit organization is located in all 50 states and provides training and free equipment for seniors with significant hearing and vision loss. The program helps cover the costs of Braille displays, computers, smartphones, and tablets. Information is available in English and Spanish and is designed to increase independence and overcome extreme isolation.

ADRC Aging and Disability Resource Centers

The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging can help you find aging and disability resources. The ADRC (Aging and Disability Resource Centers) are a single point of contact for people with disabilities, seniors, caregivers, veterans, and families.

These are trusted points of contact for information, services, and resources within your community. In these centers, you can find unbiased and reliable information and counseling, available to people with all levels of income. You may be able to get the help you need to use your resources wisely.

In addition to this website, check your local area ADRC online for local information.

Government Financial Assistance and Support Services

Government programs can be useful as many assistance programs exist for disabled Americans. These can help with daily life, providing assistance with housing, service/emotional support animals; help with medical bills, and banking.

Click on the link above to explore what’s available in housing, service animals, emotional support animals, medical bills, banking, and more.

Here’s a quick overview of some of the most popular programs and services.

Housing Resources

A wide variety of federal, state, and local housing programs can help with finding and affording a place to live. You may find programs that help you modify an existing home for disabilities. Additionally, you may find training and support to help develop skills to live independently.

Every program has unique eligibility rules and a process for applying.

ServiceAnimals and Emotional Support Animals

Service animals are trained to complete work and tasks for specific, individual needs of people with disabilities. Emotional support animals do not typically perform specific tasks but serve as companions to people with disabilities.

If you’re thinking about getting a service animal, talk with your medical provider. Your doctor can help provide insight into options, medical documentation, and training programs.

Some of the common tasks service animals do include: guiding a person who is blind, alerting someone who is deaf, and assisting someone in a wheelchair. They may also do tasks such as calming a person with PTSD during an anxiety attack or aiding and protecting a person who is having a seizure.

Help with Medical Bills

The local Social Security Administration (SSA) offices help people on Social Security and Medicare find help. You may qualify for Medicaid, a program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited income.

ABLE Savings Accounts

If you have a significant disability, these special savings accounts can help pay for housing, education, health, and other qualified disability expenses. Only some states offer these accounts. The owner of the account must be blind or have a medical disability that occurred before age 26. Find out the details to see if this is a program that could be good for you.

With these resources, you and your caregivers can get valuable information. You may find programs that offer monetary assistance, training, and support for you and your family.

Benefits.Gov

Are you looking for assistance for people with disabilities? Check for disability assistance at Benefits.gov and you’ll find programs that may be useful to you. You can filter your search by benefit categories such as financial assistance, loans, housing, and public utilities, and more.

On this site, you can also find Coronavirus resources, programs regarding healthcare, loans, and unemployment resources. Simply fill out a short set of questions in the interactive screening tool. You’ll discover programs in your area that you may be eligible for, and you will be directed to the appropriate agency.

BenefitsCheckUp.org

This non-profit site is specifically developed for seniors. Check this site for additional resources and programs. Check out the requirements to find programs that best match your situation.

There are over 2,500 benefit programs available nationwide. You’ll find programs to help you with medications, health care, income assistance, food, housing and utilities, tax relief, and more.

Be sure to check out this site for specific programs that may help with services if you have hearing or vision loss. This site offers information in English and Spanish.

Need Help Paying Bills

If you become disabled, check with your social worker to get help filing for disability. You may qualify for programs that can help pay utility bills, qualify for supplemental income, or be eligible for low-interest loans. As there are numerous programs, be sure to check what you may qualify for.

Help For Seniors with Disabilities

Eldercare Locator

The Eldercare Locator website offers a comprehensive listing of services for the disabled elderly. The Administration on Aging updates the website with current news and valuable information to keep you informed of services in your area.

This is the first stop for searching for programs that can be of assistance.

PACE: Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly

Are you curious about Medicare-Medicaid benefits for disabled elderly individuals? PACE offers a team approach to helping seniors manage their health care needs.

Check out the website to find out eligibility requirements, programs, and assistance. The PACE program is only available in some states. It is for individuals who are 55 or older, live in a service area of a PACE organization, and need nursing home-level care.

This program helps people meet health care needs in the community, with the help of a team of health care professionals.

Transportation Services

The Elder Locator from the Agency on Aging is a great place to look for assistance with free or affordable transportation.

Do you need help with shopping, doctor appointments, and other transportation? If you have mobility issues or a disability, there are transportation services that can help you get in and out of the vehicle.

Check your local community and city for more information about transportation services for seniors. Call 1-800-677-1116 to find a local agency that may offer transport in your area.

Eldercare Directory

State resources may be useful to continue living in your own home. You’ll find a wide range of assistance programs geared to help seniors, caregivers, and family caregivers. Please check to see if some of the programs may be useful for you and your family.

The programs may offer support in ways that help add ease, comfort, and peace of mind. Some of the kinds of help include home health aides, nursing care, home-delivered meals, help with household chores, and transportation. Additional programs may be available to assist with counseling, advocacy, and legal aid.

Wrapping It Up

Many organizations are focused on the needs of Americans with disabilities, and seeking to offer support for healthy living. It’s good to explore the resources and see what may be useful for your specific circumstances. If someone you know needs assistance, please feel free to share this list of resources.