Louisiana disability benefit programs.
A wide range of services are offered for Louisiana residents with a disability. Government agencies focus on meeting their specific needs and these benefits are offered in addition to any other public or non-profit assistance programs. Some of the benefits provided can address their medical or nutritional needs, provide home care, medications, and other support. Not only can the disabled individual receive assistance, but support may also be offered to their family and caregivers.
The leading organization in Louisiana is the Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities, or OCDD. Among other services, they are the point of entry into the statewide programs and administer the private and public services for families and individuals. They provide assessments, intake, and more as part of that process. Call your local human services office for more details.
The New Opportunities Waiver provides help for residents over the age of 3. It can assist those that would otherwise require the level of care offered at an Intermediate Care Facility for the Developmentally Disabled (ICFs/DD) services. Grants or funds may be offered that can allow them to remain in their communities.
The Residential Options Waiver can help people move from a facility or nursing home to a private residence or more local community-based settings. It provides the disabled with an alternative to institutionalization.
Funds or cash assistance can be provided by Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities to qualified low income residents. This is for income qualified families with children that have severe developmental disabilities. This program is available until they hit the age of 18 and it can help pay for any extraordinary bills or expenses they are faced with. There are also other low income assistance programs in addition to SSI payments.
OCDD and the individual and family support benefit is a service of last resort. It may assist those with developmental disabilities and help them live in their current homes with family members. This can offer them respite care, personal assistance services, dental and medical services not covered by other sources, specialized clothing, equipment and supplies, crisis intervention, communication services, specialized nutrition, and family education.
Both the Medicaid home and community-based waiver programs provide flexibility to people and allow them to choose where they want to live. They can also get help in in selecting the services and benefits that they need that will best suit their needs.
There are several Resource Centers run by OCDD across Louisiana. They provide a number of benefits and services to those with disabilities, their providers, families, care givers, and others. They will supplement existing programs by offering expertise and guidance. Examples of assistance programs provided include training, resource materials, guides, and other support. They offer many services to people with developmental disabilities.
- Central LA Resource Center on Developmental Disabilities, 2006 Gus Kaplan Drive , Alexandria, LA 71301, phone 1.800.584.8511
- Greater New Orleans Resource Center on Developmental Disabilities, 4460 General Meyer Ave. , New Orleans, LA 70131, call 504.364.6600
- North Lake Resource Center on Developmental Disabilities, 620 N. Morrrison Ave., Suite G , Hammond, LA 70401, telephone 985.543.4113
- Northwest Resource Center on Developmental Disabilities, 3808 Kilpatrick Drive , Bossier City, LA 71112, main number is 318.741.2802
EarlySteps provides benefits to households with toddlers and infants aged birth to three years of age. Those who meet age requirements and that have a medical condition that is the result of a developmental delay may qualify. This includes children in Louisiana with delays in communication, cognitive, motor, hearing, vision, social-emotional or adaptive development. EarlySteps may help improve the family's capacity to enhance their child's development. What may also be offered along with this is transportation, assistive technology, Health Services, Nutrition, Vision Care and more.
For more information on any of those resources above, and other support, call the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals’ Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCDD).Toll-free number is (866) 783-5553. The main office is located at 628 North 4th Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802.
Cash benefit, public aid and additional services are offered from Louisiana CAFE. Residents with a disability can look into these various financial assistance programs as well. Call 1-888-524-3578.
- Food Stamps / Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) distributes vouchers and monthly benefits to low-income households so they can buy the food they need for good health.
- FITAP / Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program offers short term cash assistance for families with children.
- Energy bill assistance is offered from LIHEAP in Louisiana. Disabled and the elderly often receive priority for these grants.
Louisiana Disability Determinations Services are available and can help residents receive the benefits that they are entitled to. There are lawyers and advocates who assist here as well, and support disability appeals The federal government Social Security Act provides compensation and many benefits to disabled individuals, however the state can answer questions and help on this application process. The main resources are Supplemental Security Income or SSDI.
Any applications and claims are usually processed through the Louisiana network of local Social Security field offices, working in partnership with State agencies including the Disability Determinations Services (DDS). For information on your claims or appealing them, the phone numbers are.
Additional Louisiana non-profit and government organization
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals - Programs for the disabled are noted below. A few different departments operate with this state health organization.
- Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Unit, Asthma Management and Prevention Program, Address - 628 North 4th Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, Call (225) 342-2657
- Office of Addictive Disorders (OAD), 628 North 4th Street, P.O. Box 2790, Bin 18, Baton Rouge, LA 70821, (225) 342-6717
- Office of Aging and Adult Services (OAAS), 628 North 4th Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, Toll-free (866) 758-5035. The non-profit offers many resources for the disabled as well. They include the Disabled Adult Waiver, Long Term Personal Care Services, Personal Care, and various Community and Family Supports Programs.
- Office of Mental Health (OMH), 628 North 4th Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, (225) 342-2540. They provide day/psych rehab programs, crisis management and OMH support. Any care is usually offered at local mental health clinics, specialized inpatient facilities, and acute units.
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals’ Preventive Health Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN)
628 North 4th Street, P.O. Box 629 (Zip 70821-0629)
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 342-9500
Offers family support and medical services to Louisiana children with special medical needs. A program offered is known as the Hearing, Speech and Vision Program. Other resources include Louisiana Birth Defects Monitoring Network, Parent Support Program, and CSHS specialty clinics.
Assistance programs can provide for medical tests and procedures, health care services, hospitalization; therapies, home health care, medications, medical equipment and supplies, and nursing care.
Louisiana Department of Social Services’ Rehabilitation Services - This statewide organization has a few different offices in the state that provide a variety of benefits, as noted below.
Blind Services, Main address is 627 North 4th Street, 2nd Floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, Toll-free 1-800-737-2958 - Offers vocational guidance and career counseling. Clients can receive physical and/or mental restoration as well as enrollment into vocational and other training services. The agency may also offer a number of assistive technology services and devices.
Other benefits offered to clients include low Vision Screening, aids for independent living, in-home or classroom training, and also orientation and mobility training.
Traumatic Head and Spinal Cord Injury Trust Fund Program, 627 North 4th Street, 2nd Floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, Toll-free 1-800-737-2958. The fund provides the following benefits. I includes prescription medication, evaluations, post-acute medical care rehabilitation, attendant care, therapies, and any equipment necessary for activities of daily living.
Vocational Rehabilitation Program, Location is 627 North 4th Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802, (225) 342-0286. The programs this organization runs offer rehabilitation services. Case managers offer career counseling and vocational guidance. They will determine the clients rehabilitation potential. The goal is to help them gain employment and self-sufficiency.
Clients of the organization may also receive occupational tools and equipment along with free transportation to vocational rehabilitation services. Get help with job placement into suitable employment. Other assistance offered may be personal assistance services, maintenance to cover additional costs, personal care attendant, and more.
Louisiana Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs (GOEA)
412 North 4th Street, 3rd Floor
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Telephone - (225) 342-7100
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