Financial Assistance
If you need it, financial assistance is available for meeting direct expenses of daily living, mobility training, rehabilitation, special aids that may be helpful to you, and medical evaluation. The Social Security Administration operates two programs offering financial assistance to people who are visually impaired as defined by legal blindness. Eligibility for the first of these programs, authorized by Title 2 of the Social Security Act, is based on contributions to the Social Security System and not on financial need. Eligibility for the second program, authorized by Title 16, is based on need. This program is called Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and some years ago replaced the old Aid to the Blind (AB) and other assistance programs. The amount that you may receive will depend on your income and resources. No attempt is made here to state requirements which change periodically. You should inquire at the Social Security office nearest you (see below). You may be eligible for financial aid under one of these two programs. Application may be made in person or over the phone by the visually impaired (legally blind) individual. If you apply over the telephone, a social security representative will complete the application during the interview and mail it to you for your signature. If you want to apply in person, you may call the number listed below for an appointment. Also, friends or relatives may bring papers to you for your signature.
AARP Retired Persons' Services
601 E Street NW, Washington DC 20049,
Telephone: (800) 456-2277
Website: http://www.aarp.org
Can tell you how to get price information. Offers help getting prescription drugs at reduced prices.
Blind San Franciscans, Inc.
1591 Jackson Street, Suite 8, San Francisco CA 94109,
Telephone: (415) 563-4896
Free / Low Income
Produces large print and braille maps of San Francisco. Offers signature and writing guides and offers no-interest loans for the purchase of assistive devices related to employment. Also offers peer counseling, information and referral services.
California Telephone Access Program
P.O. Box 30310, Stockton CA 95213,
Telephone: (800) 806-1191
TTY/TDD: (800) 806-4474
Website: http://www.ddtp.org
Free / Low Income
The California Telephone Access Program (CTAP) distributes telecommunications equipment and services to individuals certified as having difficulty using the telephone. CTAP is a California State mandated program, under governance of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). Equipment and some network services are available at no charge to eligible consumers. Californians who are deaf, hard of hearing, speech disabled, blind, or who have low vision, cognitive impairments, or restricted mobility, are eligible to receive equipment with certification by a medical doctor, a licensed audiologist, a qualified state agency, or a hearing aid dispenser. Hmong Voice: (866) 880-3394 Cantonese Voice: (866) 324-8754 Mandarin Voice: (866) 324-8747
California Vision Project
2415 K Street, Sacremento CA 95816,
Telephone: (800) 877-5738 Fax: (916) 448-1423
Website: http://www.californiavision.org
Email: michellewcoavision.org or Jasonv@coavision.org
Free / Low Income
If you are without public or priate insurance coverage for eye exams, you may be eligible. Free eye exams and low cost eyeglasses for eligible applicants. Call or email for an application.
Eldercare Locator
US Administration on Ageing
1730 Rhode Island Ave NW, Suite 1200, Washington DC 220036,
Telephone: (800)667-1116 Fax: (202) 872-0057
Website: http://www.eldercare.gov
Email: eldercare_locator@AoA.gov
Free / Low Income
This program refers older adults and their caregivers to Area Agencies on Aging in different parts of the US. The Eldercare Locator can put you in touch with state and local information for services that enables older persons to remain indendent in their homes for as long as possible. Call to speak to a trained proffessional for refferal servies on things like: meals, home care, transportation, housing, home repair, recreation, legal and other community services.
Eyecare America
Eyecare America, Glaucoma Project
P.O. Box 429098, San Francisco CA 94142-9098,
Telephone: (415) 447-0381
Website: http://www.eyecareamerica.org
Email: pubserv@aao.org
Free / Low Income
Free brochures, Interactive videos, Help finding fssistance with medications. Glaucoma Project: Individuals calling the line who are at risk for glaucoma, and who have not had an eye exam within the previous two years, will receive a referral to a volunteer ophthalmologist in their area; uninsured individuals at risk for glaucoma are provided a free examination and treatment, when necessary, for glaucoma.
Free Postage
Free Matter for Blind and Visually Handicapped Persons
Office of the Consumer Advocate, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW Room 5821, Washington DC 20260-2200,
Telephone: 1800-ASK-USPS
Website: http://www.usps.com
Free / Low Income
The U.S. Postal service offers free mailing of letters, books, and other reading matter in Braille, large print, or recorded form to blind or visually handicapped persons who register at their local Post Office. For Complete details and eligibility requirements, call 1-800-ASK-USPS or requst Publication 347, Mailing Free Matter for Blind and Visually Handicapped Persons, available online at www.usps.com, from your local Post Office, or by mail from the above address.
Freed Center for Independent Living
Foundation of Resources for Equality and Employment for the Disabled
508 J Street, Marysville CA 95901,
Telephone: (530) 742-4474 Fax: (530) 742-4476
Website: http://www.freed.org
Email: claudiah@freed.org
Free / Low Income
Information and referral. Personal advocacy, systems advocacy, personal assistant referral, housing assistance, peer support, independent living skills, assistive technology, recycle program (includes walkers, wheelchairs, etc.)
Hill Burton Program, The
Health Resources and Services Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 10C-16, Rockville MD 20857,
Telephone: (800) 638-0742
Participating hospitals (be sure to check first; there are very few in northern California) provide free or reduced price in-patient medical care. Procedures covered vary from hospital to hospital.
Lions Eye Foundation of California/Nevada, Inc.
2340 Clay Street, San Francisco CA 94115,
Telephone: (415) 600-3950 Fax: (415) 600-3945
Email: PASKVAN@sutterhealth.org
Free / Low Income
Provides eye surgical care for patients with no insurance and limited incomes. The Foundation does not provide glasses, contacts or low vision devices.
Medi-Cal
Telephone: (800) 541-5555
Website: http://www.medi-cal.ca.gov
Free / Low Income
Medi-Cal is a medical assistance program that can pay medical services bills at fixed rates determined by the State, or can cover gaps in Medicare coverage. Medi-Cal eligibility is based on a person's need as determined by income and resources. People who qualify for automatically qualify for Medi-Cal. Others who are legally blind or visually impaired may qualify depending on their financial circumstances. In some cases, the eligible person may be asked to pay a share of the medical bills. Although Medi-Cal is federally funded (it is called Medicaid in other states), determination of whether you are eligible is made by county Social Service Departments or, in the case of SSI, by the Social Security Administration. If you qualify for Medi-Cal because you are already receiving SSI, you will receive a Medi-Cal card automatically. In any other case, you must make an application for Medi-Cal at your local county Social Services Department. To locate the phone number and address of your county Social Service Department, look in the white pages of the telephone directory, toward the front, for the listings under the heading County Government Offices. The subheading under this will vary from county to county. Depending on your county, the subheading will read Social Service(s), Health and Human Services, or simply Medi-Cal. If you are unable to leave your home, the county will send someone to you. You should also be aware that your county department of social services operates a program to provide in-home attendant care for which persons who are visually mpaired may be eligible. In some cases, it can also provide you with a social worker to help you find solutions to problems you face because of your disability. However, many counties provide social workers only to people who are also in need of protective services.
Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore MD 21244-1850,
Telephone: (800) MEDICARE
Website: http://www.medicare.gov
Free / Low Income
You can enroll for the Medicare program at your local Social Security offices. Part A helps with hospital bills; Part B with other medical bills. You are eligible for both Part A and Part B if you are 65 or older, and a citizen; Or if you are a legally admitted resident of the United States for five years with a resident alien card; Or if you are disabled and have been receiving Social Security disability benefits under Title 2 of the Social Security Act for a period of two years, as described below. Part A is free for those who have contributed to Social Security and have met the requirements (for the requirements for entitlement contact Social Security). If you have not contributed to Social Security, Part A can also be purchased if you are age 65 or over, although the price is very high. The premium for Part B is the same whether or not you have contributed to Social Security. People who have been disabled for twenty-four months are automatically established as recipients; a Medicare card will be mailed to them, and they will be given the opportunity to elect to receive or decline Part B coverage. It sounds, and is, complicated. If you have questions, they provide english and spanish-speaking cutstomer service. Administration offices can provide Medicare information or direct you to the Social Security office nearest to your home where you can apply for Medicare benefits. The Social Security people should contact you if you have already been receiving disability benefits from Social Security for two years. In any other case, you must contact them in order to get the ball rolling.
Medicine Program, The
Website: http://www.themedicineprogram.com
Assists people to enroll in one or more of programs providing prescription medicine free of charge to those in need.
New Eyes for the Needy, Inc.
549 Millburn Avenue, P.O. Box 332, Short Hills NJ 07078,
Telephone: (973) 376-4903
Website: http://neweyesfortheneedy.org
Pays for eyeglasses under certain conditions. You must obtain your own prescription. A social service department can request eyeglasses for you if proof in writing is provided that no other assistance is available. If the request is accepted, a voucher is issued.
Opportunities for the Blind
Equipment Grants, P.O. Box 98, Fairplay MD 21733,
Telephone: (240) 420-6500
Website: http://www.opportunitiesfortheblind.org
Free / Low Income
A Non-Profit, Tax-Exempt Organization Working to Help the Blind Become More Economically Self-Sufficient. When funds are available, employment-related grants are made to legally blind U.S. citizens in the four categories of: Scholarships and Training; Job-Related Services; Special Equipment; Self-Employment Projects. If you are interested in applying for a grant, you must call first for an eligibility screening interview. Application deadlines are Feb 15, May 15, Aug 15 and November 1. Decisions are usually available 30-45 days after application deadlines. Priority is given to people pursuing careers in fields where the blind are not typically found.
Reduced Bus and Rail Fares
Department of Motor Vehicles
Telephone: 1-800-777-0133, Fax: Link
Some Amtrak centers and many local transit authorities offer their own reduced fare card for disabled persons. Call first for details. Almost always, proof of vision loss and a picture identification card are required. Photo IDs can be obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Social Security Statewide Telephone Number
Office of Public Inquiries
Windsor Park Building, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore MD 21235,
Telephone: (800) 772-1213
TTY/TDD: 800-325-0778
Website: http://www.ssa.gov
This call is toll free, and the person answering can direct you to the office nearest to your home. Because it is also a nationwide directory, it can often be busy, so be prepared to re-dial. English and Spanish. Link for Screen readers: https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/msg024.jsp
Tax Benefits
Telephone: (800) 829-1040
Website: http://www.irs.gov/
People who are legally blind are eligible for a deduction on their income taxes in addition to other deductions. You need a statement affirming your legal blindness from your eye doctor and must attach it to your tax return. These fixed deductions differ depending on marital status. They also change from year to year. If you prepare your own taxes, the IRS should be able to tell you how much you can deduct.
Telephone Accessibility Resources
AT & T
AL
Telephone: (800) 772-3140 Fax: (800) 245-0882
TTY/TDD: (800) 651-5111
Website: http://www.consumer.att.com/relay
Manual Service: For those who are unable to dial the phone, SBC California operators place calls at no charge. If a disability makes it difficult for you to use a telephone directory, you may not have to pay for calls to Local Directory Assistance. To see if you qualify and to find out more details, contact Accessibility Resources at 1-800-772-3140
Telephone Products and Services
People who have a certification form signed by a doctor verifying that they have a vision impairment that makes it difficult to use the phone, receive speed dialing at home free of charge. Those who can read braille and who are deaf and blind are eligible for a free telebraille device. On self-identification, anyone with low vision can receive free 411 information and large-number overlays for telephones. Special cordless or big button phones are also available. For certification forms and information about these services, people should call either Pacific Bell or GTE, or their local telephone service provider (check your local telephone bill for the number to call). The California Telephone Access Program (under the CPUC) presently contracts with the local telephone companies.
Verizon Speech-to-Speech Relay Service
online
Telephone: (800) 854-7784
Website: http://globalrelay.mci.com
Free / Low Income
Provides live operators to voice for people who have difficulty being understood on the phone. Free service.
Visual Handicapped Parking
Telephone: (800) 777-0133
Website: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/
With a certifying letter from your doctor, the California Department of Motor Vehicles will issue a visually handicapped person a handicapped parking placardthat is transferable from vehicle to vehicle if the person with sight loss is passenger. It is usable in specially marked handicapped parking spaces will enable you to park free at parking meters. It must be renewed every two years, and there is a stiff penalty for misuse such as loaning to friends. Call your local DMV office for information, or go to the website. To the left is a link for special plates.