March 25, 2025
The work of CCHCC’s Disability Team is nothing short of amazing! Our Disability Team is made up of only two full-time staff members, and one part-time staff member. In terms of “dollars and cents”, here is what CCHCC’s Disability Team has accomplished in the last few months for our community members:
• Secured Disability Benefits for 24 individuals;
• Secured over $120,000 in “lump sum backpay” for local community members (the actual amount is much greater; these data are from the 16 clients who shared their backpay information with us; an additional 8 clients were approved for backpay, but did not report their amounts to us);
• Secured monthly income from Disability Benefits for 24 individuals, which amounts to $319,188 in total combined income per year, and an average monthly income of $26,599 for these individuals combined; average monthly income per individual is $1,108.
CCHCC’s Disability Team saves lives, brings income to destitute individuals who are disabled, and prevents homelessness. Many of the clients who come to us who need help applying for Disability Benefits are individuals who are at the end of their ropes, with some feeling suicidal due to hopelessness. And many are already homeless, or at-risk for homelessness.
Applying for Disability Benefits through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, and/or the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program is extremely difficult, frustrating, and discouraging. It can take a very long time – months or even years – and during this time, the people applying are unable to work due to a disabling condition or conditions. These individuals are quite literally just trying to survive the process, hoping for income, stability, and security.