2020-2022 BIAK Resource Journal 39
Community Living Resources
There also are some informative books on the subject
including:
1996 Financial Aid for Students with Disabilities: Written by
Dan Gardner and Rhonda Hartman, this book was published
by the HEATH Resource Center of the American Council on
Education. This publication provides information on student aid
programs and other financial programs from the perspective of a
student with a disability and a list of 29 sponsors of scholarships
specifically designated for students with disabilities. This
publication is available for free on the World Wide Web. To locate
this publication, go to www.finaid.org and type “disability” in the
search block.
Foundation Grants to Individuals, 15th Edition: Edited by
Phyllis Edelson, this book was published by The Foundation
Center in 2006. This book contains a listing of grants available
to individuals according to different categories, including
everything from disability and ethnic group to race. This book
can be obtained through your local library.
Other Funding Sources for Education
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Plan for Achieving
Self Support (PASS)
SSI is a Federal income supplement program and is designed
to help persons with low incomes due to age, blindness and
disability. It provides cash for the basic needs of food, clothing
and shelter. Children can qualify if they meet Social Security’s
definition of disability for SSI children and if their income and
assets fall within the eligibility limits.
As its name implies, Supplemental Security Income supplements
a person’s income up to a certain level. The level varies from one
state to another and may increase each year to reflect changes in
cost-of-living. Your local Social Security office can tell you about
SSI benefit levels in your state.
Parent income and assets are considered when deciding if a child
under 18 qualifies for SSI. This applies to children who live at
home, or who are away at school but return home occasionally
and are subject to parental control.
When a child turns 18, parent income and assets are no longer
considered when determining eligibility for SSI. Therefore, a
child who was not eligible for SSI before his or her 18th birthday
may become eligible at age 18.
The Social Security Administration may also approve a Plan for
Achieving Self Support (PASS), in which a student is able to set
aside income and resources that are being used toward a specific
vocational goal (such as college tuition) and still receive SSI
payments. However, a student needs to be aware that earnings
from employment may affect SSI benefits.
For more information on SSI and PASS, contact your local
Social Security Administration office (see “Social Security and
Government Programs” in the Financial Services Section) or
consult http://www.ssa.gov/disability .
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs that
engage Americans in intensive service to meet critical needs in
education, public safety, health and the environment. It is open
to U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents aged
17 or older. Members can serve full- or part-time over a 10- to
12-month period. Full-time members receive an education
award to pay for college, graduate school, or to pay back student
loans. They also receive health insurance, training, and student
loan deferment. For more information on AmeriCorps, call
1-800-942-2677 or consult www.americorps.org/.
INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTERS
This program teaches independent living skills to anyone with
a disability. This services teaches skills and provides access to
affordable housing.
Advocacy. They are there to assist you in resolving any incident
of discrimination and denial of services that you may experience
due to your injury. They also work with you to teach you selfadvocacy
skills, too.
Information and Referral. They can provide you with
information about disabilities and your rights under the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and they can refer you to
people who can help you get the help you need.
Independent Living Skills. This includes the following: credit
counseling, assertiveness training, adaptive cooking, mobility
training, nutrition, homemaking, education opportunities and
communication skills.
Counseling. They offer one-on-one, group and peer counseling
to increase your skills and knowledge to help you with
interpersonal, family, social, financial, interagency and other
disability-related challenges.
Technical Assistance. They will help you make architectural
modifications for homes, business or public buildings.
Housing Assistance. Their Housing Coordinator maintains a list
to assist individuals with disabilities locate accessible rental units.
Other services. These include personal care attendants, ramp
building, employment and programs to help you understand how
work will affect any government benefit you may be receiving.
Benefit Counseling. This program assists persons who are
receiving SSI or SSDI benefits and who wish to return to work.
They also can make referrals to advocates should you experience
trouble with your benefits after you return to work; or if you need
help understanding the Medicaid/Medicare system.
/www.finaid.org
/disability
/