We need to fight to protect these vital programs!
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.
Very frequently, when we are working with our Disability clients, we also have to help stabilize their lives while they are going through the application process. Our work frequently involves helping these clients find housing or shelter, as well as helping them apply for every possible program that can help bring temporary income to them (such as Township assistance), and connect them with other public benefits such as food stamps, free phones, LIHEAP for utility bills, health insurance, and more. We have even had to help re-home some pets for some of our clients. This is intensive wrap-around case management work!
The stress and pressure of this work is tremendous – we know that our clients’ lives and well-being are dependent on what we can help them accomplish. And we know that the stress and pressure is even greater for our clients who are living through this terrifying situation and process.
But, when the good news of an approval comes, it is cause for celebration, and lives are transformed! When clients are approved for Disability Benefits, they gain secure monthly income, typically for the rest of their lives, and they also frequently receive a “back pay lump sum” payment for the monthly income dating back to when the government has first deemed them disabled, based on their applications. This lump sum back pay can help them pay old debts, and secure housing if needed, and purchase the items they need – whether those are household goods, clothing, or even a car. And, if they have dependent children, there are additional financial benefits for the household where the children live.
Our work benefits the local economy and local businesses. The money that our clients receive once they are approved for Disability Benefits is money that goes into our local economy in the form of rent and purchasing goods and services.
Meanwhile, at the federal level, the Trump Administration is putting Social Security at risk. President Trump continues to say that his administration will not touch Social Security, the social safety net that around 70 million retired and disabled Americans depend on each month. However, Elon Musk, who is operating the new so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has called Social Security a “Ponzi scheme” and claims it is rife with fraud. He clearly does not know how insanely difficult it is for people to apply for and receive these vital benefits.
The Social Security Administration is currently understaffed, yet Musk and DOGE are planning to cut 12% of the workforce. Likewise, Musk and DOGE are planning to close many Social Security Administration (SSA) field offices around the country, including in Illinois, and they want to cut phone service to the SSA. These field offices are vital. Every week, CCHCC staff spend many hours in the Champaign SSA field office in order to help clients get the answers they need because not every problem can be solved over the phone or online.
CCHCC is joining with the advocacy efforts of the national non-profit Social Security Works organization. In order to help protect Social Security programs and the people who depend on them, we will have to undertake significant advocacy efforts that will include mobilizing as many people as we can to take action at the appropriate time. To stay tuned to these “calls to action”, please sign up for CCHCC’s email list and help share our calls to action with your network of friends and family. You can sign up through our website at www.healthcareconsumers.org, and click on the “Get Involved” tab and then sign up for our email list.
Please consider making a contribution to help support CCHCC’s ongoing work to enroll as many community members as possible in vital public benefits and health insurance. The work we do can help stabilize community members’ health, and their financial lives. And in turn, we need your help! Please consider making a financial contribution to support CCHCC’s work.
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Thank you for your support!
We appreciate your financial support for our services. Together, we are building a stronger, healthier community – together, we are giving the gift of health and security!
Sincerely,
Claudia Lennhoff
Executive Director
Champaign County Health Care Consumers