Types

• Types of assistance include financial assistance, health coverage, vocational assistance and housing assistance. Local, state and federal programs are available to address each of these needs.
  
  

Financial Assistance

• The federal government offers Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) for disabled individuals who have paid enough in Social Security taxes while they were working, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for individuals who do not meet the work history requirements.
  
  

Health Coverage

• The federal government offers Medicare for disabled individuals. Each state offers Medicaid, a health insurance program that is partially funded by the state and partially funded by the federal government.
  
  

Vocational Assistance

• Each state offers Vocational Rehabilitation offices to help individuals return to the workforce, provides funds to buy medical supplies to help them do their work, and helps individuals with services they need to stay employed.
  
  

Housing

• The federal government's Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers housing assistance for low-income and disabled individuals through Section 8, a program that pays for a portion of the rent each month. Community agencies, such as the Area IV Council on Aging, help with heating and cooling costs for low-income and disabled individuals.