Once you’ve applied for Social Security disability benefits, there is still a significant waiting period you have to endure until you actually find out if you’re approved. It takes at least three months, and that’s not including the time you have to wait to receive your benefits once you’ve actually been approved. If you don’t get approved right away, you have to wait even longer to appeal. That’s why, if you need money now to take care of your family, and you can’t wait, we urge you to take a look at a few alternative assistance options we’ve listed below to hold you over until you receive the disability benefits you deserve.
The Department of Social Services (DDS) / Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
The Department of Social Services (DDS), or in Michigan it’s the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, is always the first place anyone should pay a visit to when financial assistance is your only hope. There is an entire department of Adult Service Social Workers who are trained to help those in need find the resources they are looking for, and you can find personalized information on various government and non-profit programs you may be eligible for.
Public Assistance
Public assistance programs like Relief, General Assistance, and Welfare are designed to offer monetary assistance to individuals based on financial need, living situation, and other related circumstances. The actual amount a person receives, and the length of time they are eligible to receive benefits for, varies from place to place and person to person.
Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a program run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and grants funds to states directly to be allocated to families in need. TANF benefits are temporary, and may also include subsidiary benefits like childcare, work assistance, and job prep resources in addition to direct financial assistance.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Also known as “food stamps,” the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) offers those who have disabilities to collect reserves to help buy groceries. In this case, however, eligibility is based on financial need, and the asset limits are very low. If you qualify for standard SSI, of course, you will likely be eligible for SNAP. You can visit your local Social Security office, or go online, to learn more.
Charities
In some cases, injured and disabled individuals need more than just food while they’re waiting for benefits to kick in – sometimes more than other programs can give. Some might need help with rent, some with utilities, and some just need help getting the basic essentials for survival. If this is the case for you, a local charitable organization might be a worthwhile place to look.
Churches/Religious Organizations
If you’re in dire need of help and you can’t wait for approval from a program, or acceptance from a charity, churches and religious organizations are great places to go. In addition to having plenty of resources and connections to other entities that might be able to help you long-term, many have programs already set up to offer immediate relief to people most in need. If you don’t attend or know of any local churches to reach out to, try to find a Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, or similar establishment in your area.
Get Your Benefits Faster With Aiello Law Group
One of the main reasons so many people need external assistance is the fact that the SSA often doesn’t consider such emergency funds as part of the person’s income, which means there’s no risk to your approval. However, they’re certainly not permanent solutions. Eventually you will need your benefits to kick in so you can focus on living life, which is why you should do everything you can to get your benefits as quickly as possible – including getting professional legal help.
Our Social Security disability attorneys at Aiello Law Group can help speed up the acquisition of your disability benefits exponentially, and will never charge you upfront for the support you deserve. It’s the law.
No Upfront Fees
The fees that attorneys charge for representing you, whether you have a new application, or need an attorney for the appeal process, are regulated by federal law. This means that the attorney fee will be the same for every attorney across the United States. The attorney will be paid only if you win and if the Social Security Administration (SSA) approves your claim. If the SSA approves your claim, it will send you a check for retroactive benefits, and a check covering the months your case was pending in the Administration. Upon your claim’s approval, the SSA withholds the smaller of 25% or $6,000.00 from your (and your family member’s, if applicable) retroactive check, and sends the money directly to your attorney as your fee.
Intrigued? Feel free to get in touch with our outstanding Social Security disability attorneys at Aiello Law Group anytime to learn more. Call us, today, at 313.964.4900 or fill out the form in the sidebar or on our contact page, and learn more about how we can help you.
