December 30, 2024

On behalf of Champaign County Health Care Consumers, I want to share with you some brief client stories from Shea Belahi, our Disability Application Services Coordinator. Shea (pronounced “Shay”) is a former CCHCC Board Member who has now been working at CCHCC for a year and a half. Shea primarily works with homeless individuals or individuals who are at risk of becoming homeless. Her main responsibility is to help clients with disability applications for SSI and SSDI. But the clients she encounters have so many additional and pressing needs, that Shea often gets involved in helping with those needs as well.

The brief stories below illustrate the life-changing nature of the free services that CCHCC provides to some of our most vulnerable community members.

Here are Shea’s stories about a few of her clients:

I met Mr. H during one of my visits to STRIDES shelter. He was living in his car near the shelter, and he needed help applying for disability benefits. Because of his medical conditions, I was able to help him get into a hotel program so that he would not have to be living out of his car. Shortly after he got into the hotel program, I helped him apply for a housing voucher. He qualified for the housing voucher, and I am happy to say that he is now living in his own apartment! We are still waiting on a determination for his disability application, and that can take some time. But Mr. H is very happy that he does not have to worry about being in the shelter or his car this winter.

A probation officer referred Mr. S to me, so I could help him apply for disability benefits. Mr. S has serious mental health issues, and also needed help addressing these issues. I was able to help complete a disability application for Mr. S, and he should be getting a determination soon. The probation officer and I were able to convince Mr. S to get care for his mental health condition. Mr. S started getting injections of his medication, and his transformation after just a few weeks has been nothing short of amazing! Before the injections, Mr. S was unable to remember appointments, and he was distrustful, and was often seen murmuring to himself. He was on the brink of becoming homeless. But now, Mr. S is able to socialize, and he remembers his appointments and is able to conduct his business. I expect that he will qualify for disability benefits, which will bring him even greater stability.

Ms. B and her mother came in to apply for disability benefits for Ms. B. They were total overwhelmed by all the paperwork from Social Security. I helped them in filling out all the necessary paperwork. When Ms. B came to me, she was homeless and in crisis. I am so happy to say that Ms. B qualified for disability benefits, and with the income she is now receiving, she was able to get an apartment of her own! I was also able to help her get connected to home care services through a state agency, so she has strong support to help her live independently in her own apartment.

The work we do is hard, but it is needed, and it is rewarding!

Shea’s stories highlight the dire situations that too many of our community members are facing. They also highlight the possibility for transforming lives through the provision of CCHCC’s services, often in coordination with other organizations and agencies in our community.

It is not always obvious where to turn for help, or even if a specific type of service is available. At CCHCC, we are proud to be connected with, and working with multiple organizations and agencies that are willing to collaborate with us to meet our clients’ needs. This is one of our areas of expertise – knowing what organizations are out there that can help our clients, and being able to make “warm” referrals for our clients.

Our work is often as complicated as our clients’ needs are, but it is rewarding! Not only do we see our clients’ lives transformed once they have been approved for various benefits, but we also receive so much sincere gratitude from our clients.

You can help CCHCC! Please consider making a financial contribution to support CCHCC’s work. You can also help spread the word to let community members know about the free services that CCHCC provides.

Thank you for your support!

DONATE NOW!

Sincerely,
Claudia Lennhoff
Executive Director
Champaign County Health Care Consumers