Government-Provided Assistance
Goverement Benefits Finder
This tool helps you find federal benefits fast if you have a disability or qualifying illness
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget
Financial Empowerment Centers
The Financial Empowerment Center offers free advice for financial problems and helps plan for the future
Social Secrurity
Most individuals return to their previous jobs or find a new one. These resources are often temporary solutions to financial problems. Red Book helps individuals to move from SSI and SSDI toward working.
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)
If you become disabled and can no longer work, the IRS allows you to take money from your IRA without paying 10% penalty. You need to show proof of disability. If you don’t have health insurance or have medical payment that isn’t covered by insurance, you can take money from your IRA without penalty. Your medical bills must be more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. You must pay them in the same year you take the money from your IRA to qualify.
Other Assistance
Unpaid Leave
Private Long-term Disability Insurance
If your company is under Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), you can leave for 12 weeks without being paid for your or your loved ones’ medical situations. You are under FMLA if you have worked for the company with at least 50 employees within 75 miles for at least 12 months with at least 1,250 hours.
Health insurance influences the care after spinal cord injury. It is important to understand your insurance benefits. Read the insurance booklet or call the company to learn more about your insurance.
Long-term Care Insurance
Partnership Program with Long-term Care Insurance
If you have long-term care insurance, contact the insurance company for support. The insurance company will need your medical document, plan of care, and professional evaluation before approval.
Spinal Cord Injury Grants and Loans
You may have partnership coverage for long-term care insurance. Some states, such as Ohio, have established partnership programs with long-term care insurance companies. The Ohio Partnership for Long-Term Care Insurance (LTC4Me) covers long-term care needs while allowing people to get “Medicaid asset protection.” This prevents people from spending their money to try to gain Medicaid coverage. In state of Ohio, with “partnership qualified” policy, you will be covered for long-term care services. If you use that partnership qualified policy to pay for qualified long term care services you also will be allowed to keep more of your assets if you ever need to apply for Medicaid long-term care services.
Victim’s Assistance Program
There are a number of organizations and resources that can provide financial assistance to those living with SCI, including SCI SUPPORT & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - SCI Info Pages
If you were hurt by being the victim of a crime, you might be eligible for following financial aid. Ohio Attorney General - Victims Compensation