In recent years great advances have been made in protecting the rights and serving the needs of people with disabilities. But in 1996, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act (PRA), also known as "Welfare Reform" was enacted by Congress. This law has made sweeping changes in many entitlement programs. Many children who are currently receiving benefits under Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will no longer be eligible under the new, more restrictive eligibility requirements. Legal immigrants were also hard hit by the changes in the new law. They will lose their entitlement to SSI and Food Stamps. The law also radically changed the welfare program, Aid to Families With Dependent Children (AFDC), the cash assistance program for poor families, and issued guidelines to the states on the use of federal funds.

Because New York State has yet to pass its own laws that have to comply with the new federal law, there will be additional changes that will occur in the near future. The description below of the benefits available is up-to-date as of June 1,1997. Watch for new changes.

The importance of keeping records:

Because all entitlement programs require extensive documentation, it is important to keep careful records about FD and its treatment. Very often the difference between a successful application for benefits and one that is denied is the type of documentation that is provided.

This very important government assistance health program for low income people which pays for a range of medical services is described in detail in the Health Section,

(see p. 33). This is an income-based program, and for children under the age of 18, the income of the parents is considered in making an eligibility determination. But once a child turns 18, the parent's income does not have to be considered.

Supplemental Security Income is a federal program providing monthly cash benefits for people who are aged, blind or disabled and who have limited income and resources. New York State is one of the few states that provides an additional state subsidy to SSI recipients. The amount of the monthly payment varies according to the individual's living arrangements and other resources. In order to qualify for SSI, a person has to first meet the income eligibility requirements. For children under the age of 18, parental income and resources are considered, and the severity of the child's disability alone will not qualify that child or family. However, at the age of 18, the young person's income alone will be considered. Some types of income and resources are not applied.

SSI is particularly important because all SSI recipients automatically are enrolled in Medicaid. And, as mentioned above, SSI and Medicaid enrollment is required for many of the adult programs for people with developmental disabilities. Legal immigrants will no longer be eligible for SSI benefits.

· Child with a disability: A child under the age of 18 must have a medically determinable impairment which results in marked and severe functional limitations and which can be expected to last for a certain period time. This new definition of disability is much stricter than it used to be, so that fewer children will be enrolled than there were in the past. Many children who are currently receiving SSI will be reevaluated under this new standard.

· Adult with a disability: The adult definition of disability is work related. An adult disability is any physical or mental impairment which prevents a person from being able to work or "engage in substantial gainful activity." There are some ways of SSI recipients to work if their monthly income is at the level necessary to meet the income eligibility requirements.

The process of applying:

This process can take up to 6 months. Extensive medical documentation is required, and very often the application is denied at the first request. Fortunately, there is an appeals process, first through the reconsideration of the application in the Social Security Office, then through a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. More than half of the initial denials are reversed by the Administrative Law Judge, so it is worth going on to a hearing. It is suggested that a lawyer be present at this point. The next step is an appeal to a national Appeals Council and then in a Federal Court. Legal representation and/ or consultation with an agency familiar with the process is highly recommended.

Access:

Application is made at local Social Security Offices.

In New York City, call 800-772-1213. An automated attendant refers to the nearest office by zip code.

NYS Department of Social Services

Temporary Assistance Information Center

1-800-342-3009

Nassau County Department of Social Services

101 County C Dr.

Mineola, NY 10501

516-571-4817

Rockland County Department of Social Services

Bldg. L, Sanatorium Rd.

Pomona, NY 10970

914-364-3100

914-362-1155 - Information and referral for all social service information

Suffolk County

516-854-9700

Westchester County Department of Social Services

112 E. Post Rd.

White Plains, NY 10601

914-285-5000

Advocacy:

For questions about the benefits or the process, contact:

F.I.S.T.

Professional Service Centers for the Handicapped

22-44 119th Street

College Point 11356

718-445-4700

Public Benefits Resource Center

Community Service Society

105 East 22nd Street

New York, NY 10010

212-614-5552

Independent Living Centers, see p. 98.

Help with the process is also available at local Legal Aid and Legal Services offices, (see p. 58). Barbara Samuels of Legal Services of New York, 212-431-7200 is highly knowledgeable about SSI.

Social Security Disability Insurance is a cash assistance program for people who have worked for a qualifying number of quarters and who are now disabled. SSDI is important to people with FD if they have worked for awhile and can no longer continue. It is also important to know about since the family members of people who qualify can also collect benefits.

Eligibility:

In order to qualify a person has to have earned a sufficient number of Social Security quarters or credits. People who work qualify by paying FICA taxes. Because SSDI is an insurance program, there are no financial eligibility criteria and no other assets are taken into account. The disability has to be severe enough so that it is expected to prevent a person from working or being engaged in "substantial gainful activity" for a year or more.

Relatives of an insured worker are also eligible for benefits even if they don't qualify through their own work record. These include an unmarried son or daughter who is under 18 or 19, if in high school full time, an unmarried son or daughter who became disabled before the age of 22, and a spouse who is caring for the worker's child who is under 16 or a child who is disabled and the child is receiving benefits.

SSDI benefits:

The amount of the monthly payment is directly related to the amount of income a person has earned. Although income and resources are not taken into account to determine eligibility, they will affect the benefit amount. SSDI and other Social Security benefits will not be paid together. If a person qualifies for both, they will receive the benefit with the higher amount.

Access:

Application can be made at local Social Security Offices.

In New York City, call 1-800-772-1213 for local offices.

NYS Department of Social Services

Temporary Assistance Information Center

1-800-342-3009

Nassau County

Nassau County Department of Social Services

101 County C Dr.

Mineola, NY 10501

516-571-4817

Rockland County

Rockland County Department of Social Services

Bldg. L, Sanatorium Rd.

Pomona, NY 10970

914-364-3100

914-362-1155 - Information and referral for all social service information

Suffolk County

516-854-9700

Westchester County

Westchester County Department of Social Services

112 E. Post Rd.

White Plains, NY 10601

914-285-5000

Advocacy:

The appeal process if an application is denied is similar to that of Supplemental Security Income. (see p. 48).

For help with the application and appeals process, contact:

Public Benefits Resource Center

Community Service Society

105 East 22nd Street

New York, NY 10010

212-614-5552

F.I.S.T.

Professional Service Centers for the Handicapped

22-44 119th Street

College Point 11356

718-445-4700

With the passage of the Federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act, welfare as we have known it in this country has ended. The former programs -- Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), Emergency Assistance to Families (EAF) and Job Opportunity and Basic Skills (JOBS) -- guaranteed poor families cash assistance as long as they met financial criteria. The new family assistance program, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), has built-in time limitations and work requirements for poor families.

The shape of this program In New York State has yet to be determined. Proposals have been submitted to the state legislature (at the time of the writing of this guide) and are part of the welfare reform debate. Though nothing has been enacted yet, it is clear that the program will undergo radical changes.

Access in New York City:

Applications for Public Assistance are made at one of the Income Support (IS) centers throughout the city. Families can call the HRA Infoline 718-291-1900.

It is always easier to contact one of the local offices listed below.

Bronx

Bergen (48)

414 E. 147th St.

Bronx, NY 10455

718-579-8435

Boulevard (39)

1716 Southern Blvd.

Bronx, NY 10460

718-617-8830

Concourse (45)

1790 Grand Concourse

Bronx, NY 10457

718-716-2064

Crotona (46)

1910 Monterey Ave.

Bronx, NY 10457

718-901-0380, 0381

Fordham (44)

2551 Bainbridge Ave.

Bronx, NY 10458

718-220-6673

Kingsbridge (43)

248 E. 161 St.

Bronx, NY 10451

718-960-7396

Melrose (40)

847 Concourse Village East

Bronx, NY 10451

718-960-1900

Rider (38)

305 Rider Ave.

Bronx, NY 10451

718-579-8800, 8803

Soundview (47)

1365 Jerome Ave.

Bronx, NY 10452

718-590-7226

Tremont (41)

1916 Monterey Ave.

Bronx, NY 10457

718-901-0220

Willis (49)

434 E. 147th St.

Bronx, NY 10455

718-579-8500

Brooklyn

Bay Ridge (70)

6740 Fourth Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11220

718-921-2000

Brownsville (73)

17 Hinsdale St.

Brooklyn, NY 11207

718-495-7616

Bushwick (66)

30 Thornton St.

Brooklyn, NY 11206

718-963-5117

Clinton (62)

103 Clinton St.

Brooklyn, NY 11201

718-237-6945, 6946

DeKalb (64)

500 DeKalb Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11205

718-636-2661

Euclid (78)

404 Pine St.

Brooklyn, NY 11208

718-827-3134

Ft. Greene (80)

45 Hoyt St.

Brooklyn, NY 11201

718-237-7319

Fulton (61)

215 Duffield St.

Brooklyn, NY 11201

718-237-8091

Linden (67)

210 Livingston St.

Brooklyn, NY 11201

718-237-7249

Livingston (72)

98 Flatbush Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11217

718-237-7544

Nevins (71)

94 Flatbush Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11217

718-237-6268

Prospect (68)

214 Livingston St.

Brooklyn, NY 11201

718-237-7097

Williamsburg (84)

320 Schermerhorn St.

Brooklyn, NY 11217

718-237-8123

Wyckoff (63)

213 Duffield St.

Brooklyn, NY 11201

718-237-7494

Manhattan

Amsterdam (24)

260 W. 30th St.

New York, NY 10001

212-971-2653

Begin (2)

225 E. 34th St. St.

New York, NY 10016

212-725-4113

Dyckman (35)

4660 Broadway

New York, NY 10040

212-569-9626, 9627

East End (23)

309 E. 94th St.

New York, NY 10028

212-360-5406

East Harlem (32)

165 E. 126th St.

New York, NY 10035

212-860-5164

Hamilton (28)

530 W. 135th St.

New York, NY 10031

212-690-9704

St. Nicholas

132 W. 125th St.

New York, NY 10027

212-666-4970, 4971

Waverly (13)

12 W. 14th St.

New York, NY 10011

212-620-9421

Queens

Jamaica (54)

90-75 Sutphin Blvd.

Jamaica, NY 11435

718-523-3066

Queens (53)

32-20 Northern Blvd.

LIC, NY 11101

718-784-6766

Queensboro (51)

33-28 Northern Blvd.

LIC, NY 11101

718-626-8400, 8401

Rockaway (79)

219 Beach 59th St.

Far Rockaway, NY 11692

718-318-4110, 4111

Staten Island

Richmond (99)

201 Bay St.

Staten Island, NY 10301

718-390-6851, 6852

NYS Department of Social Services

Temporary Assistance Information Center

1-800-342-3009

Nassau County Department of Social Services

101 County C Dr.

Mineola, NY 10501

516-571-4817

Rockland County Department of Social Services

Bldg. L, Sanatorium Rd.

Pomona, NY 10970

914-364-3100

914-362-1155 - Information and referral for all social service information

Suffolk County

516-854-9700

Westchester County Department of Social Services

112 E. Post Rd.

White Plains, NY 10601

914-285-5000

Advocacy:

Because there are built-in procedures for appeal, including conferences and Fair Hearings under the current system, there will certainly be similar methods available once the new system is enacted. Questions about the process and changes in the system can be addressed to:

Public Benefits Resource Center

Community Service Society

105 East 22nd Street

New York, NY 10010

212-614-5552

F.I.S.T.

Professional Service Centers for the Handicapped

22-44 119th Street

College Point 11356

718-445-4700

Help is also available at the Independent Living Centers, (see p. 98).

In addition, there are Borough Welfare Advocacy Networks:

Forest Hills Community House

108-24 62nd Drive

Forest Hills, NY 11375

718-592-5757

Queensboro Council for Social Welfare

221-10 Jamaica Avenue

Queens Village, NY 11428

718-468-8025

Citizens' Advice Bureau

2050 Grand Concourse

Bronx, NY 10457

718-293-0727

Food Stamps are coupons that are issued monthly to qualifying families. The stamps can be used to buy food at participating stores and supermarkets. The stamps cannot be used to buy items that are not food. This is another program that is undergoing change as a result of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act. The program is in flux at the time of this writing. Eligibility criteria have become more stringent and a time limitation for the program has been instituted.

Eligibility:

There are five tests of eligibility which will be in effect until at least August 1997:

income, resources, work rules, residency and citizenship. There are two tests used to determine income eligibility, gross income and net income. There is no maximum gross monthly income for households with a disabled member, that is if that person receives SSI, SSD or are in a Medicaid-disabled category. The applicant must pass the net income test.

The monthly amount of food stamps an eligible household receives is determined by

the household size and the monthly net income after allowable deductions.

Access:

The application is the same one used for Public Assistance and Medicaid, however people may apply solely for Food Stamps. There are four categories under which applications can be made: Public Assistance, SSI Live Alone, Homebound and Non-public assistance (all others). Applications must be made at local Food Stamp offices. People will be notified no later than 30 days after filing an application.

In New York City, call 1-718-291-1900 or contact the Human Resources Administration at the local offices below.

Outside New York City, use Department of Social Service offices:

Nassau County Department of Social Services

516-571-4633

Rockland County Department of Social Services

914-364-3353

914-362-1155 - Information and referral for all social service information

Suffolk County Department of Social Services

516-854-9700

Westchester County Department of Social Services

914-285-5400 - Benefits Issuance

Advocacy:

If an application is denied, the applicant should appeal through a Fair Hearing. The local office needs significant documentation in order for the denial to be upheld at a fair hearing.

Information and help is available from:

Public Benefits Resource Center

Community Service Society

105 East 22nd Street

New York, NY 10010

F.I.S.T

22-44 119 Street

College Point, NY 11356

718-445-4700 Fax 718-358-6790

Food Stamp TEN Project

(Training, Education, Nutrition)

233 Schermerhorn Street

Brooklyn, NY 11201

718-722-4685 or 4652

Provides training and information Food Stamps and nutrition

HRA Complaint Unit

PO Box 3011

Jamaica Station, NY 11431

718-291-4141

Investigates problems in receiving Food Stamps, and complaints on unfair treatment.

Free legal services are available to people who meet the income eligibility criteria. These services all have catchment areas, and all have specific intake procedures. Call for information.

The Bronx Neighborhood Office Queens Neighborhood Office

953 Southern Blvd. 120-46 Queens Blvd.

Bronx, NY 10459 Kew Gardens, NY 11415

718-991-4758 Fax 718-842-2867 718-286-2450 Fax 718-263-4234

Area Served: Bronx Area Served: Queens

The Brooklyn Office for the Aging

1685 E. 15th St. Far Rockaway Neighborhood Office Brooklyn, NY 11229 20-11 Mott Ave.

718-645-3111 Fax 718-645-4151 Far Rockaway, NY 11691

Area Served: Brooklyn, for people 718-337-4900 Fax 718-327-3415

60 years of age and older. Zip Codes Served: 11691, 11692,

- By appointment only. 11693, 11694, 11695, 11697, 11414

11416, 11417, 11420, 11422.

Brooklyn Neighborhood Office

Family Law Staten Island Neighborhood Office

166 Montague St. 60 Bay St.

Brooklyn, NY 11201 Staten Island, NY 10301

718-722-3100 Fax 212-722-3093 718-273-6677 Fax 718-442-2679

- Social Security, Welfare, Area Served: Staten Island

Medicaid, Housing Issues. - Welfare, Social Security,

Housing and Family Court Issues. Chelsea Neighborhood Office

841 Broadway, 3rd Fl. Legal Services for New York City

New York, NY 10003 Legal Support Unit

212-477-0750 Fax 212-254-4372 350 Broadway, 6th Fl.

Area served: Lower Westside up to 34th St. New York, NY 10013

Benefits, Landlord-Tenant Issues; 212-431-7200 Fax 212-966-9571

Family Cases handled by B'klyn Office Area Served: All boroughs

Community Law Offices Homeless Family Rights Project

230 E. 106th St., 1st Fl. 841 Broadway

New York, NY 10029 New York, NY 10003

212-722-2000 Fax 212-876-5365 212-577-3300 Fax 212-477-2087

Area Served: East River to Area Served: All boroughs

Hudson River; East 96th St. to

Marblehill Area; West 110th.

Harlem Neighborhood Office

2090 Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Blvd., 8th Fl.

New York, NY 10027

212-663-3293 Fax 212-749-7038

Area Served: 110 to 169 St.,

Lexington Ave. to Riverside Dr.

Bronx

Bronx Legal Services

Walker Thompson, Project Director

Courtlandt Avenue Office

579 Courtlandt Ave.

Bronx, NY 10451

718-993-6250 Fax 718-665-1657 )

Area Served: Zip Codes: 10451, 10454, 10455, 10456, 10459, 10473, 10474.

- SSI issues for all above zip code areas.

North Neighborhood Office

2605 Grand Concourse

Bronx, NY 10468

718-220-0030 Fax 718-933-5427

Area Served: Zip Codes: 10452, 10453, 10457, 10458, 10460, 10461, 10462, 10463,

10464, 10465, 10466, 10467, 10468, 10469, 10470, 10471, 10472, 10475

Office of the Elderly

2605 Grand Concourse

Bronx, NY 10468

718-220-0030 Fax 718-933-5427

Area Served: Bronx

Bedford-Stuyvesant Community Legal Services

1368-90 Fulton St.

Brooklyn, NY 11216

718-636-1155 Fax 18-398-6414

Area Served: Zip Codes: 11213, 11216, 11221, 11225, 11233

Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation "A"

Williamsburg Office

260 Broadway

Brooklyn, NY 11211

718-782-6195 Fax 718-782-6790

Area Served: Zip Codes: 11206, 11211, 11222, 11237

East Brooklyn Office

80 Jamaica Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11207

718-345-6200 Fax 718-342-1780

Area Served: Zip Codes: 11203, 11207, 11208, 11212, 11236, 11239

Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation "B"

105 Court St.

Brooklyn, NY 11201

718-237-5500 Fax 718-855-0733

Area Served: Zip Codes: 11201, 11203, 11205, 11209, 11210, 11214, 11215, 11217,

11218, 11220, 11223, 11224, 11226, 11228, 11229, 11230, 11231, 11232, 11234, 11238

Legal Services for New York City, Brooklyn Branches

186 Joralemon St.

Brooklyn, NY 11201

718-852-8888 Fax 718-858-1786

Area Served: Zip Codes: 11203, 11204, 11211, 11213, 11219, 11226, 11203

Brighton Office

3159 Coney Island Ave.

Brooklyn, NY 11235

718-934-2989 Fax 718-858-1786 - Call between 9 - 1 p.m.

Area Served: Zip Code: 11235

Harlem Legal Services, Inc.

144 W. 125th St.

New York, NY 10027

212-222-7800 Fax 212-663-3741

Area Served: Manhattan: North of 110th St. to the Bronx County line, bounded

on the East by Fifth Ave. and on the West by the Hudson River

MFY Legal Services

Wayne Hawley, Project Director

35 Avenue A

New York, NY 10009

212-475-8000 Fax 212-475-1043

Area Served: Manhattan: Eastside from Houston St. to 96th St.

31 Avenue A

New York, NY 10009

212-254-7240 Fax 212-475-1043

Area Served: Manhattan: From 34th St. to 110th St. on the Westside

170 East 116th Street

New York, NY 10029

212-427-0693 Fax 212-831-6460

Area Served: Manhattan: North of 96th St. and East of Fifth Ave.

Mental Health Law Project

250 East Houston Street

New York, NY 10002

212-387-8300 Fax 212-387-8483

Area Served: Manhattan: All boroughs

Mental health issues only.

Legal Services for the Elderly

130 W. 42nd St., 17th Fl.

New York, NY 10036

212-391-0120 Fax 212-719-1939

Area served: All boroughs

Referrals to appropriate agencies.

Queens Legal Services Corporation

South Jamaica Office

89-00 Sutphin Blvd.

Jamaica, NY 11435

718-657-8611 Fax 718-526-5051

Area Served in Queens: Jamaica

Long Island City Office

42-15 Crescent Street, 9th Fl.

Long Island City, NY 11101

718-392-5646 Fax 718-937-5350

Area Served in Queens: Long Island City, Corona, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst,

Woodside, Astoria, Rego Park, Flushing

Legal Services for the Elderly in Queens

97-45 Queens Blvd., Ste. 914

Rego Park, NY 11374

718-897-2515 Fax 718-897-4123

Area Served: Queens, but not including the Rockaway Peninsula

Nassau / Suffolk Law Services

1 Helen Keller Way, 5th Fl.

Hempstead, NY 11550

516-292-8100

Nassau / Suffolk Law Service

313 West Main St.

Riverhead, NY 11901

516-369-1112 (Serves Riverhead and the rest of Eastern Long Island.)

Nassau / Suffolk Law Services

1757 Veterans Highway

Ilandia, NY 11722

516-232-2400

Legal Aid Society

2 Congers Rd.

New City, NY 10956

914-634-3627

Westchester / Putnam Legal Services

4 Cromwell Pl.

White Plains, NY 10601