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In Pain, Out of Work and Agonizing Over the Bills
A Resource Directory for People with CRPS

Living Expenses

US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Housing Choice Vouchers

These vouchers allow very low-income families to lease or purchase safe, decent, and affordable privately-owned rental housing. Check the complete list of types of vouchers.

There are three special types of vouchers available to people with disabilities:
• Mainstream vouchers for elderly and non-elderly families that have a person with disabilities.
• Designated housing vouchers for non-elderly families who would be eligible for public housing if occupancy were not restricted to elderly households. These vouchers also help families affected by a PHA decision to designate their buildings as "mixed elderly and disabled building" but demonstrate a need for alternative resources for families with a disabled member.
• Certain development vouchers for non-elderly families with a disabled person who don't receive housing assistance in certain developments where owners establish preferences for, or restrict occupancy to, elderly families.

For information on HUD housing available to you, please contact the Director's Office in your state. Search for your state offices or contact
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
451 7th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20410
Tel: 202.708.1112

Houses and Mortgages for People with Disabilities
This guide is for persons living with a disability and in need of useful information and assistance in buying a home. The guide also turns to you who have a family-member, friend or other relation with a disability and want to learn more about homeownership. After reading this guide on housing and mortgages you will know more concerning:

The National Accessible Apartment Clearinghouse

This database has more than 46,000 accessible units, representing more than 43 states and 155 major metropolitan areas nationwide. Some are subsidized.
201 N. Union St., #200, Alexandria, VA 22314, Toll-free (800)421-1221;
Fax (703)518-6191

Habitat for Humanity

This not-for-profit, nondenominational Christian housing organization builds simple, decent, and affordable houses in partnership with those who need shelter. Habitat houses are sold at no profit, with no interest charged on the mortgage. Homeowners and volunteers build the houses under trained supervision. Financial support comes from individuals, corporations, faith groups, and others.
Contact: Habitat for Humanity International
121 Habitat St.
Americus, GA 31709-3498
Tel: 229.924.6935, ext. 2551 or 2552

Ability House

Created by Ability Magazine in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity International, the Ability House program provides affordable, accessible housing for low-income families where one or more members have a disability.
Contact: Ability Magazine
1001 West 17th St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Tel: 949.854.8700

Telephone

FCC's Universal Service Program for Low-Income Consumers
Because telephone service is considered a necessity, the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) Federal Universal Service Fund includes the following low-income programs.

Link-Up America offers a 50% discount (up to $30) to install one phone. You can also delay payment for the rest of the service for up to one year without paying interest.

Lifeline Assistance provides a monthly discount for local phone charges to qualified, low-income consumers. If your state provides matching funds, you may be able to get as much as $12 a month discount. Lifeline does not cover the cost of extra features, such as call waiting or caller ID.

Both of these services are available in every state, commonwealth, and territory. You must meet the income rules set by your state. If you live in a state that relies solely on the Federal Low Income Program, you must either have an income that is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or participate in one of the following assistance programs: Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), food stamps, or energy assistance programs such as LIHEAP, which helps with home heating costs Federal Public Housing assistance (Section 8).

You can apply for Link-Up and Lifeline through your local phone company. If the representative does not recognize the program, ask to apply for the savings programs for low-income customers. If that fails, ask to speak with a supervisor.

Local phone companies

They will generally extend your service for 30 days if you are not eligible for federal or state programs and you are unable to pay your phone bill. Your physician must call the service representative and follow up with written verification of your illness within seven days. If the illness continues, you must repeat this process.

Generally, you will be responsible for all overdue charges once you are no longer ill. Check the phone book for the number of your local representative.

Heat and Electricity

Federal Programs

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) are the primary federal sources of energy for low-income households. They are administered through the Department of Health and Human Services. The maximum income allowed is the greater of 150% of the federal poverty guidelines or 60% of the state median income.

LIHEAP is a federally-funded program to help eligible low-income homeowners and renters meet their home heating and/or cooling needs program may be able to offer one or more of the following types of assistance:

• Bill payment assistance
• Energy crisis assistance
• Weatherization and energy-related home repairs

To inquire about LIHEAP assistance, please visit the website.

National Fuel Funds Network (NFFN) consists of 250 members, not-for-profit agencies, utilities and government representatives that provide utility bill assistance raised as charitable donations.
Contact: NFFN
1010 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 718
Washington, DC, 20005.
Tel: 202.824.0660

Local Programs

Your gas and/or electric company cannot shut off your power if you or a member of your household has a serious illness and financial hardship. Each state has different requirements, but your physician must certify the illness in writing.

If the utility company refuses to protect your accounts from shut off, contact your Department of Telecommunications and Energy Consumer Division immediately.

Food Stamps

The Food Stamp Program provides low-income households with coupons or electronic benefits to be used like cash at most grocery stores. To qualify, your household must have no more than $2,000 in countable resources, such as a bank account, but excludes the value of your home or lot. The gross monthly income of your household must be 130% or less of the federal poverty guidelines ($1,744 per month for a family of three in most places). Gross income includes all cash payments to the household.

Apply at your local food stamp office. It may be listed in the State or local government pages of your phone book under Food Stamps, Social Services, Human Services, Public Assistance, or something similar. You can also call your Food Stamp Hotline.

Women, Infant, & Children (WIC) Program

The WIC provides nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care. WIC foods include iron-fortified infant formula and cereal, iron-fortified adult cereal, vitamin-C rich fruit, and/or vegetable juice, eggs, milk, cheese, peanut butter, dried beans or peas, tuna fish, and carrots.
Many states have also chosen to participate in the WIC Farmer's Market Nutrition Programs, which provide coupons to WIC participants to be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers' markets.
Contact: USDA, Food and Nutrition Services
3101 Park Center Drive, Room 926
Alexandria, VA 22302
Tel: 703.305.2062

Introduction
Assistive Devices
Caregiver Resources
Clinical Trials
Disability Resources
Government Assistance Programs
Health Services/Insurance
Independent Living Centers
Legal Aid
Living Expenses
Patient Assistance Programs
Service, Faith-based, and Private Organizations
Transportation
Veterans
Workers Compensation

Appendices:
Federal Poverty Guidelines
Finding Free Clinics

Updated September 25, 2008