How to Get Cash Assistance For People with Disabilities

Art: Robin Mead

Seven ways to apply for cash assistance if you are disabled. For more smart ideas on where to find help: How to Be Poor in America

#1 – Emergency Assistance Programs

Some areas offer emergency assistance to cover the cost of rent and utilities for people in emergency situations.

• Ask at your department of social service
• Google the words “emergency assistance” and the name of your city or county
• Google the words “emergency assistance” and the name of your state

#2 – Temporary State Disability

Available in five states. This is a program you can apply for when you first stop working. California, New Jersey, Hawaii and Rhode Island offer short term disability benefits through the state. There is also a program in New York. You do not have to be low-income to apply for this. Many people get on this type of disability while waiting for the Social Security Decision. If you get on temporary disability, please also apply for Social Security right away. Do not wait.

#3 – General Relief and Cash Assistance Programs

Some areas offer a small amount of cash assistance to low-income people. This program is usually for very low income people (people not yet approved for disability). It is often a few hundred dollars per month, or sometimes they will arrange to pay your rent. It is not available everywhere.

• Inquire at your local social services department and your local town hall.
• You can also try googling “cash assistance” “general assistance” and/or “general relief” and the name of your town, city or state.
• After your disability application is approved, you may need to pay the money back
• Some (but not all) cash assistance programs are listed on benefits.gov.

#4 – TANF

If you have children and you are very low income, you may be eligible for Temporary Aid for Needy Families. This program provides small amounts of cash assistance to families. The program may be called something different in your state. If you are a single parent, they may require that you pursue child support.

• Contact your local department of Social Services
• Check benefits.gov

#5 – Other Kinds of Help

You do not need to be approved for disability to receive assistance in most disability programs. There are all kinds of programs you may be able to apply for: Affordable housing, transportation, medical care, home aides, discharges on student loans, tax relief, home modifications, and more. “I’m Applying for Disability. What Other Help Can I Get?”

#6 – Quicker Disability

If you are applying for Social Security disability, certain situations can cause quicker or immediate disability payments. Take a look here: How to Get a Quicker Disability Decision

#7 – Local Agencies

Sometimes local nonprofit agencies offer cash assistance or other forms of assistance, or can point you in the right direction for finding help in your area. Where to look:

• Community Action Agencies
• United Way
• Centers for Independent Living
• 2-1-1
• Area Agency on Aging (If you are disabled, call them even if you are young!)
• Eldercare Locator (Again, any age)
• Minnesota Disability Hub (in Minnesota)

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TIPS & WARNINGS

Programs With Work Requirements

Some cash assistance programs listed above require that the person works or joins a work training program. Ask them for a copy of their policy or form your doctor can sign to verify that you cannot work. You can still qualify for the program.

Warning # 1

For some cash assistance programs, after you are approved for disability, you will need to pay back this assistance out of your disability backpay. If you recover and go back to work, you may be asked to pay it back from your work income.

Warning # 2

Some people who collect cash assistance or temporary disability decide to wait before they apply for Social Security Disability. They think they might recover, or they think they can apply for Social Security when the assistance runs out. Do not do this. We repeat: Do not do this. You will regret if you do this. Trust us.

Feeling Confused?

The programs listed above are different programs and may be run out of different agencies. Some are statewide and some are run by cities or counties. Some are available everywhere and some are only in limited locations. Examples:

🌷For example, this is the New York City state temporary disability program program and this is the cash assistance program and this is the extra cash assistance program and this is the emergency one-shot assistance program.

🌷 Here’s another example: this is the Pennsylvania Emergency Shelter Allowance and this is General Assistance and this is One Time Assistance.

🌷 Here is an example of cash assistance in Maryland

🌷 Here are examples of emergency assistance in Kentucky and New Jersey.

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Learn More

🌷 This page is part of the free online guide: The Sleepy Girl Guide to Social Security Disability 

🌷 Learn more about this topic here: What Other Kinds of Disability Can I Apply For?

🌷 And here: How to Survive Financially While Applying for Disability

🌷 Art on this page by Robin Mead and Elizabeth D’Angelo.

🌷 Page Updated: 7/1/19

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