Department of Human Services (ODHS) - Disabilities

Group	Disabilities
Category	Disabilities
Name	Department of Human Services (ODHS)
Provider

Description

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS)’s General Assistance (GA) program provides short-term financial help for individuals with severe disabilities who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. GA is a state-run program that provides an “Interim Assistance” advance on SSI payments for people who are likely to be or are already involved in the lengthy SSI appeals process. They receive state cash funds in advance of the SSA awarding them benefits and sign an agreement

to repay ODHS for this advance once they are approved for SSI benefits and receive their back payments. Given that the majority of SSI claims take years to resolve, this can be a life altering benefit.

To be eligible for this program, people must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be homeless or at risk of homelessness
• Be an adult, age 18 to 64
• Have no minor children living with them
• Have a severe disability that meets Social Security disability criteria
• Be receiving Presumptive Medicaid medical assistance
• Meet all eligibility criteria for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Apply for SSI and appeal any denials received
• Sign an Interim Assistance Agreement (IAR) that allows ODHS to be repaid for program benefits after the person is approved for Social Security Disability benefits and gets their back payments

Program benefits include:

• Up to $615 per month in housing assistance
• $103 in utility assistance per month
• $69 in cash assistance per month
• Free help with the Social Security application and appeals process

Contacts

Contact: Disability Phone: (866) 535-8431 Email: dbl.referral@odhsoha.oregon.gov