Ohio disability benefit programs.
Assistance is available for disabled Ohio individuals, their families, and caregivers. Several government organizations provide them with resources for their specific needs. Non-profits listed below may provide support as well. Any assistance programs provided to those with a disability is in addition to the standard low income and financial aid that is offered across the state.
A few different government organizations, such as the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, are committed to providing benefits. They may partner with other agencies or non-profits. The type of assistance provided ranges from health care to food and respite care. Both the person with the disability and their family members may be able to receive help.
The Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities offers guidance, counseling, and other aid to residents with a disability that are seeking employment. Clients will be assigned a case worker to partner with them throughout the process. They will work together to create employment goals that will be based on their priorities, skillset, strengths, interests, and capabilities. Some of the sessions and support will include the following.
Clients will work to develop work habits and orientation to the work world. They can get help in developing personal habits, skills, and attitudes that can help them function effectively on the job. Training provided can help the candidate learn techniques that can compensate for the loss of a sensory or bodily function such as loss of mobility or sight.
Vocational training may be provided by Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD). They may also provide tools, textbooks, or equipment that may be needed by the disabled individuals. Training arranged might include college, vocational school, on-the-job or supported employment training, technical or business school, or employment in a firm. The agency can help with supplying licenses, equipment or textbooks or tools that are required for vocational training.
Physical or restoration services may be available. This can include things like prescription eyeglasses or hearing aids, treatment, including hospitalization and surgery, artificial limbs, and more.
Staff from OOD will place the client in an employment setting suitable to their skills and capacities. This after all is the ultimate goal of the department. OOD can provide placement assistance including practice interviews, resume development and in general get people prepared for the future job search. Call the Columbus Ohio based OOD at 1-800-282-4536.
The Ohio Department will also try to find employment for the physically and mentally disabled (or those on FMLA or another barrier to employment) to help them bring in more money. As there are a number of home work as well as flex job opportunities, apps for phones or hobbies as well as more straightforward employment opportunities. Find senior citizen and disabled work positions.
The Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired provides a number of benefits to people that have weak vision or that are blind. While a focus is on job placement and vocational training, other aid is offered too. Clients will be assigned a counselor to work with them throughout the process. BSVI helps eligible individuals prepare for a career or retain their career, consistent with their skills, interests and abilities.
Some of what may be administered includes Work Assessment, Mobility Training, Vocational Development, Medical Restoration, Braille Instruction, Employer Assistance, Job Placement, and Follow up Support. When the person is ready for employment, staff will help the person prepare for the search and job retention after they are placed. Call (800) 282-4536 to reach the Visually Impaired resources.
Get help with applying for financial and government benefits from the Division of Disability Determination. The state organization, known as DDD, works closely with the Social Security Administration (SSA) to determine medical eligibility for Ohioans who apply for SSDI and/or other Social Security disability benefits.
The Ohio Division of Disability Determination deals with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) applications and requests. They also work on federal government requests for SSDI, or Social Security Disability Insurance. These programs will pay cash benefits to an individual and family members if the individual is "insured" and meets all of the qualifications needed to be considered as disabled. 1-800-282-2695.
DODD, or Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, offers residential services and support to individuals with disabilities. The goal is to help them continue to live in their community or home. Or if this can’t be accomplished, then some type of qualified residential, home like environment. Individuals may decide to live in their own homes, apartments or with immediate family members, using supports provided through Ohio’s DD system. The assistance offered will augment the concept of Supported Living, and emphasize individual choice.
Some of the residential options include intermediate care facilities or the person may be able to receive congregate care in Ohio’s state-run developmental center. The exact type of services and support arranged in a community setting are organized locally by each County Board of DODD.
Other programs for qualified adults include Services Community/Supported Employment, vocational training or assistance in developing skills, and employment opportunities. Other social, leisure and recreational activities are organized in an effort to enhance an individual’s quality of life. These services are all offered in a variety of settings to the disabled client.
There are also attorneys and advocates on site in Ohio. They will assist with applying for SSI disability and deal with the social security administration. The Department of Developmental Disabilities may also arrange local transportation. Call (614) 466-0129.
Cash assistance can be provided to the disabled as well, if they have a low income such as SSI. One key resource to use is the Ohio Benefit Bank, which connects low income and struggling residents to public and government aid. There are several benefits available in Ohio. Find other Ohio cash assistance programs.
Food assistance and nutrition programs include USDA Child Nutrition Programs and SNAP food stamps. Many disabled receive help with paying for their heating bills from the Ohio Home Energy Assistance Program. Grants may be provided from Ohio Works First Cash Assistance (OWF). Last, but not least, some of the health care programs include Medicaid for the Aged, Blind and Disabled and Child and Family Health Services (CFHS) as well as Medicare Premium Assistance.
Ohio Department of Health’s Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps (BCMH) arranges for the diagnostic, treatment, and coordination of programs for financially and medically eligible children with special health care needs. There are several different components to this government organizations. A few of the components are below.
- The Ohio Connections for Children with Special Needs is the state’s birth defects information system. It provides referrals for impacted children and their families and staff will refer them to services and assistance programs.
- The Cystic Fibrosis Program offers treatment and other benefits for residents over the age of 21, so it is not just for children.
- The Adult Hemophilia Insurance Program helps with the payment of health insurance bills and premiums for qualified individuals over 21 years of age.
Several other disability benefits are provided by the Bureau for Children. Call (800) 755-4769.
Ohio Department of Aging may offer some help as well. While the focus is on those residents over the age of 60, they also offer referrals and limited benefits to the disabled. This can include resources such as Assisted Living Waiver Program, which can arrange for long term care for Ohioans on Medicaid. Another similar service is Choices Home Care Waiver, which is a consumer-directed Medicaid waiver program that provides home and community-based services. The Residential State Supplement provides financial assistance to low-income adults with disabilities not needing nursing home care. Other benefits may also be offered from this non-profit. Toll-free (800) 266-4346.
Additional organizations and non-profits for the disabled
Ohio Department of Alcohol & Drug Addiction Services (ODADAS) 280 North High Street, 12th Floor Columbus, OH 43215 Telephone number is (614) 466-3445
Ohio Department of Health’s Diabetes Prevention and Control Program Address - 246 North High Street Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 466-2144
Ohio Department of Mental Health (ODMH) 30 East Broad Street, 8th floor Columbus, OH 43215 Main number is 1-877-275-6364 Arranges for the treatment in state hospitals to people with mental illness, job training, technical assistance, and mental health care insurance and services.
The Arc of Ohio Address is 1335 Dublin Road, Suite 205-C Columbus, OH 43215 Toll-free (800) 875-2723
Autism Society of Ohio 1335 Dublin Road, Suite 205-C Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 487-4726
Brain Injury Association of Ohio 855 Grandview Avenue, Suite 225 Columbus, OH 43215 Toll-free (in Ohio) (866) 644-6242
Buckeye Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America Main address is 26250 Euclid Avenue, Suite 115 Euclid, OH 44132 Call (800) 248-2548 for information.
Learning Disabilities Association of Northeast Ohio Corporate Circle South, 30100 Chagrin Boulevard, Suite 302 Pepper Pike, OH 44124 Call (216) 292-4549
Mid-Ohio Board for an Independent Living Environment, Inc. Location is 690 South High Street Columbus, OH 43206 (614) 443-5936
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Ohio Valley Chapter Main address: 4440 Lake Forest Drive, Suite 120 Cincinnati, OH 45242 Phone: (513) 769-4400
Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities 33 North High Street, Suite 500 Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 224-1111
Ohio Association of County Boards of MRDD Main address is 73 East Wilson Bridge Road Worthington, OH 43085 Call (614) 431-0616
Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities Address is 30 East Broad Street, 12th Floor Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 466-0129
Ohio Department of Education 25 South Front Street Columbus, OH 43215 Toll-free (877) 644-6338
Ohio Department of Health 246 North High Street Columbus, OH 43215 Toll-free number is (866) 800-1404
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Ohio Medicaid 30 East Broad Street, 32nd Floor Columbus, OH 43215 Toll-free (877) 852-0010
Ohio Developmental Disabilities Council Location is 8 East Long Street, 12th Floor Columbus, OH 43215 Toll-free (800) 766-7426
Ohio Governor’s Council on People with Disabilities 150 East Campus View Boulevard Columbus, OH 43235 Toll-free in Ohio (800) 282-4536, ext. 1391
Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission Main address is 400 East Campus View Boulevard Columbus, OH 43235 Toll-free (800) 282-4536
Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission, Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Location is 400 East Campus View Boulevard Columbus, OH 43235 Toll-free (800) 282-4536, ext. 1438
Ohio School for the Blind Address is 5220 North High Street Columbus, OH 43214 Toll-free 1-800-310-3317
Ohio School for the Deaf 500 Morse Road Columbus, OH 43214 Dial (614) 728-4030
Spina Bifida Association of Cincinnati Address: 3245 Deborah Lane Cincinnati, OH 45239 For information, dial (513) 923-1378
United Cerebral Palsy of Central Ohio Primary address is 440 Industrial Mile Road Columbus, OH 43228 Telephone number is (614) 279-0109
The University of Cincinnati University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center 3333 Burnet Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45229 Call toll-free (800) 344-2462
|