What Are Six Major Government Disability Programs

Chapter 16 Department Of Education Programs

The U.S. Department of Education offers educational and vocational rehabilitation programs for individuals with disabilities through the DOE Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. The educational program supports State efforts in providing special education and related services to handicapped children from birth to age twenty-one. The vocational rehabilitation programs, administered by the Rehabilitative Services Administration, is focused on post-educational opportunities for handicapped individuals. There are no age requirements for the vocational rehabilitation program, unlike the special education programs, but over 90% of the participants are age eighteen or older. In this chapter, four Federally-funded special education programs will be profiled, followed by a profile of the vocational rehabilitation program.

The largest special education grant program is authorized under Part B of the Education of the Handicapped Act . The goal of this program is to provide a free public education to all handicapped children ages three to twenty-one. A second program, the Program for Handicapped Children in State-Operated Programs targets children from birth to age 20 who are currently enrolled in State-operated or State-supported schools and institutions and who are not served under EHA-B.

How To File An Employment Discrimination Complaint

To file a complaint, contact your state, local or tribal employment rights office.

Many state and local governments have their own anti-discrimination laws. These laws may offer extra protections beyond federal laws.

Some state laws:

• Apply to businesses with only five or six employees

• Prohibit discrimination based on whether you’re married or have children

• Have different deadlines for filing a charge

• Have different standards for deciding whether youre covered by them

Many state laws have more protections for nursing mothers than federal law requires. State labor offices enforce these laws.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

SNAP helps needy families supplement their food budget in order to move toward self-sufficiency. Eligibility is determined by individual states that administer the program. You apply in the state where you live by contacting your state agency.

Some states allow online applications, while others require your physical presence. See further information in the special COVID-19 Food Program Waivers section below.

In 2021, the USDA increased the average SNAP benefit nationwide by an average of $36 per person per month.

Also Check: How To Calculate Disability Retirement Pay

Work Incentive Initiatives From The 1980s Into The 1990s

When Congress enacted the disability program in 1956, it intended that an effort would be made to rehabilitate as many disabled beneficiaries as possible so that they could return to work. As part of that effort, Congress has enacted a number of work incentive provisions over the years. The first work incentive provision, the Trial Work Period, was enacted in 1960. It enabled a beneficiary to work for 9 months, during which entitlement to benefits and the amount of the benefit payment would not be affected, as long as his or her impairment remained severe under program standards. If the beneficiary continued to work above the substantial gainful activity level following completion of the Trial Work Period, benefits would be terminated.

Disability Benefits While Pregnant

Private disability insurance carriers often cover employees who cannot work because of pregnancy. Some employers offer short term disability insurance as a benefit to employees and some people purchase this disability insurance coverage privately. While there are laws that protect employees who are pregnant, there is no government-based short term disability benefit for people who cannot work because of pregnancy.

The Department of Transitional Assistance administers Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children , a state and federally funded program that provides cash assistance to families with children and pregnant women in the last 120 days of pregnancy who have little or no assets or income.

Recommended Reading: What Does Disability Pay In California

The Medical Improvement Standard: The Social Security Amendments Of 1984

Congressional Representative Jake Pickle, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Social Security of the Committee on Ways and Means, had been one of the primary architects of the 1980 Amendments. However, in the face of the problems that emerged by the fall of 1983, Pickle presented another bill that addressed the most important issue: the medical improvement standard. Under this bill, benefits would not be discontinued if there were no medical improvement, provided the beneficiary did not return to work above the substantial gainful activity level .

Members of the Senate Finance Committee were divided on this matter because of the potential cost and the effect it would have on disability beneficiaries. After much debate, the issue was resolved in a conference committee in favor of the medical improvement standard .

The main provisions of the 1984 Amendments were as follows :

In Addition To Eligibility Arent There Going To Be Program Cuts Or Eliminations

Yes. Several Medicaid services also may end. These include:

• Pediatric Day Health Care program that serves medically fragile children from birth up to age 21 may be eliminated.
• Community Psychiatric Support and Treatment and Psychosocial Rehabilitation may be eliminated for people age 21 and older with serious mental illness.
• Outpatient drug and alcohol treatment services may be reduced for people with a Substance Use Disorder.
• Ambulatory, or same day surgery services may be eliminated.

Also Check: Generalized Anxiety Disorder Va Rating

Learn About The Different Types Of Social Security Benefits And How They Are Paid Including Retirement Disability Dependents And Survivors Benefits

Updated By Bethany K. Laurence, Attorney

Four basic categories of Social Security benefits are paid based upon the record of your earnings: retirement, disability, dependents, and survivors benefits. These benefits all fall under the Old Age, Survivors And Disability Insurance Program , which is the official name of Social Security.

Disabilities In The Tanf Population

There is no national standard or requirement for administrative tabulation of disabilities among TANF recipients. As a result, the available information on disability prevalence is mostly derived from national household surveys. When possible, general survey information may be supplemented with information collected idiosyncratically for particular jurisdictions. The accumulation of evidence suggests that by the late 1990s between 35 percent and 44 percent of TANF families had disabilities or health-related limitations, even though most may not meet the SSI program definition of disability. These reports and others also find that, while both physical and mental impairments have been found prevalent in the TANF caseloads, mental impairments are more common . Lennon, Blome, and English have summarized many such studies.

Additionally, it is important to note that these studies report disability prevalence at different times. Because of the substantial turnover in TANF recipients and the dramatic decline in the caseload from 1994 through 2001, studies at different times cover different populations.

Recommended Reading: Va Rating For Bulging Disc

Hearing Before An Administrative Law Judge

The second mandatory step of the administrative appeals process is to request a hearing before an administrative law judge .279 An ALJ is an impartial hearing examiner who issues a de novo decision with respect to the individual’s claim for benefits.280 The hearing level is often the first time that a claimant has the opportunity to appeal his or her case face-to-face . During a hearing, an ALJ investigates the merits of an appeal by informally questioning the claimant, as well as any scheduled witnesses such as medical or vocational experts. A claimant or his or her appointed representative may also present additional evidence, examine evidence used in making the determination under review, introduce witnesses, question witnesses, and present oral or written arguments in support of a favorable decision. In general, all evidence, objections, or written statements must be submitted to SSA at least five business days before the date of the hearing.281 Because SSA is not represented at the hearing, the proceeding is considered inquisitorial . An ALJ issues a decision based on the preponderance of the evidence in the hearing record. In certain situations, the ALJ may dismiss a case without making a decision of its merits, such as when a claimant fails to appear for the hearing. The claimant is later notified in writing of the decision or dismissal.

Social Security Administration: 1995present

Throughout the years, arguments had been heard in the halls of Congress that SSA should be returned to independent agency status. In 1994, such legislation passed both houses of Congress, returning SSA to its original status as an independent agency in 1995.

SOURCE: Adapted from Social Security Online, .

Important Information:

You May Like: How To Change Va Disability Direct Deposit

Easier Service System Navigation And Access

We are making it easier for people and families to get the information they need to work toward personal goals, needs and dreams.

• A $12.5 million investment aimed at improving access to services, including:
• additional Adult Protective Service Workers , who support adults with developmental disabilities living on their own by providing help with their everyday living needs, accessing community resources, and setting and achieving personal goals
• funding for Family Support Networks, to connect families and caregivers to one another and to appropriate supports and services as well as assist in providing training, education, mentoring and future planning
• expanding service navigation, which will help people and their families to find services and supports available within their community

All of the initiatives in this investment are aimed at better connecting people with developmental disabilities and their families to local supports, programs and resources.

• Ministry of Community and Social Services funding for MyCommunityHub – an online registration space for people and their families to browse various community activities including, employment readiness training, recreational classes and programming, workshops, respite and camps offered by developmental service agencies.

If You Do Not Qualify For Health Care Assistance And Cannot Afford Insurance

Perhaps you are unable to meet the eligibility requirements for government health care assistance programs. You find the monthly cost of private insurance too expensive, but you want it and need it. A possible solution is to consider ways to create financial capacity to pay the insurance premiums.

As an option, speak with a financial professional or counselor to find out how you might modify your life style or increase your income to afford monthly insurance payments. Also, take a look at the money management tools presented in Managing Your Finances, such as creating a spending plan and tracking how you spend your money.

Don’t Miss: What Does Pending Processing Mean For Disability

Disability Welfare Reform And Supplemental Security Income

• Save/Print

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program serves as both a safety net and a way station for families with disabilities. According to most studies, at least a third of all households receiving these benefits include an adult or child with a disability. Surveys have found that persons with disabilities receiving these benefits were less likely to be working. Sanctioning rates of these families exceed those for families without disabilities, and continuing poverty is more common among cases that close. There is overlap between this welfare program and Supplemental Security Income more than one out of every six of these families included a recipient of Supplemental Security Income in 2002.

The findings and conclusions presented in the Bulletin are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Social Security Administration.

Handicapped Infants And Toddlers Program

16.4.1 Overview and Purpose

The purpose of this program is to expand and improve the provision of early intervention programs for infants and young children with handicaps. The intervention programs are designed to minimize the child’s potential for developmental delay so that the child will be less likely to need special education services in school and/or be institutionalized later in life.

16.4.2 Authorization, History and Funding

This program is authorized under Part H of the 1986 Amendments of the Education for all Handicapped Children Act of 1975. In FY 1987, $50 million was awarded to the 50 States, D.C. and 7 territories with state grants ranging from $244,000 to Alaska to $5.7 million to California and in FY 1988, $75 million was awarded.

16.4.3 Definition of Disability

This program focuses on children with developmental delays or children who are at risk for developmental delays in one or more of the following areas: cognitive development, physical development, language and speech development, psychosocial development, or self-help skills. Each State develops its own working definition of developmental delay.

16.4.4 Administrative Structure

16.4.5 Eligibility

16.4.6 Services/Benefits Provided

Also Check: How Is Military Disability Retirement Pay Calculated

What Is The Long Term Care Special Income Level Program

The Long Term Care Special Income Level program covers individuals who are aged, blind or disabled and who qualify for institutional level of care because of their medical needs with monthly income over $750. These members are either in facilities such as nursing facilities or group homes or may be receiving home and community-based waiver services .

Legislative Debate 19551: Ssa Disability Cash Benefits For Workers Aged 50 And Older

The “piecemeal” implementation approach adopted after 1950 led Social Security administrators to focus on incremental implementation of disability provisions rather than advocate for a comprehensive disability insurance initiative. From this strategy emerged a 1955 plan that proposed cash benefits to disabled workers only when aged 50 years and older.

Even with this limiting age concession, however, disability cash benefits remained a highly controversial issue and there was strong opposition to providing them to workers of any age. DHEW Assistant Secretary Perkins, who had supported the 1954 disability freeze as a rehabilitation recruitment tool, was opposed to the enactment of cash benefits. She believed in rehabilitation and was not convinced of a link between cash benefits and rehabilitation.

Both sides lobbied hard. The Senate Finance Committee had deleted the disability provisions from the House-passed Social Security bill. During the debate in the Senate, however, these provisions were restored by the close vote of 47 in favor and 45 opposed. A few days later, on August 1, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law.

Also Check: Food Allergy Disability

Tanf To Ssi Case Progression

A different perspective on the connection between the TANF and SSI programs is provided by examining the history of new SSI recipients. When adults or children apply for SSI, information on current sources of income is recorded, including information on receipt of means-tested benefits such as TANF . Each year the Social Security Administration creates a 10 percent sample of cases from all SSI cases in “active-pay” status. For children, the administrative data extracted include information on whether or not the recipients were receiving TANF or AFDC at the time of the application that commenced the current spell or at the time of any prior application on their behalf. For adults, an association with TANF or AFDC is also established if they lived at any time with a spouse or child who was receiving TANF or AFDC at the point of application. Although ideally the data would be confined only to the recipient’s status at the point of the most recent application, it is unlikely that the difference between the ideal and what we have is important, especially for children.

Demonstrating The Capacity To Make Disability Determinations

The enactment of the disability freeze required SSA to develop procedures for processing freeze applications, which included disability determinations. SSA had previous experience in making disability determinations for the Civilian War Benefits program during World War II. Additionally, Social Security administrators had long anticipated the enactment of a Social Security disability program, and had appointed a Disability Work Team in the late 1940s to begin planning for the processing of large numbers of disability claims . This team issued a number of reports in 1949 and 1950, one of which recommended the formation of a Medical Advisory Committee to work with the medical profession in designing a disability evaluation process. However, no action was taken on that suggestion until the disability freeze legislation was passed.

The original Committee was appointed in February 1955. In forming the 15-member Committee, SSA considered a potential member’s type of medical practice and affiliation with groups that demonstrated an interest in the problems of the disabled. The group that was appointed included physicians representing various medical specialties and representatives of hospital administration, private insurance, labor unions and social welfare agencies. The MAC was charged with establishing effective relationships between SSA, medical professionals, and state agencies and with the developing medical guides and standards for evaluating disability.

You May Like: Tips For Increasing Va Disability Rating

Substantial Gainful Activity Earnings Limits

Under SSA’s regulations for SGA, work activity is considered substantial if it involves doing significant physical or mental activities, even if it is done on a part-time basis.217 Work activity is considered gainful if an individual does it for pay or profit, regardless of whether the profit is realized or legal.218

SSA uses a monetary threshold to determine whether an individual’s work activity constitutes SGA, which the agency adjusts annually to reflect changes in national earnings levels. For SSDI, the SGA earnings threshold in 2018 is $1,180 per month for most individuals and $1,970 per month for statutorily blind individuals.219 Under the SSI program, SGA rules do not apply to statutorily blind individuals. Because of certain SSI work incentives, the non-blind SGA earnings threshold applies to individuals with a condition other than blindness only at the time of application for SSI.220

Disability Benefits From State Government

From January 2021, the Department of Paid Family Medical leave offers a cash benefit to Massachusetts employees who need to take paid leave for medical or family reasons. Find out more at Paid Family and Medical Leave .

Some employers offer short- or long-term disability insurance as a benefit to their employees. You should check with your human resources department to find out whether your employer offers this benefit and if you have previously enrolled in it. If you have private disability insurance through your employer, or that you’ve bought individually, typically it will require you to apply for any public benefits available. In conversations about disability insurance, if people are referring to “disability,” they often mean PFML.

The Department of Transitional Assistance provides cash benefits to people with very low income and assets. If you are unable to work for at least 60 days due to a disabling condition, you may be eligible for one of their programs.

Read Also: How Much Does Ca Disability Pay