Would Cash Benefits Help You Live at Home or Seek or Continue Employment?–If So, Send in Your Story Now.
- The CLASS program helps people with disabilities remain in their home and seek or continue employment.
- This vital provision is in danger of being removed from the healthcare reform bill.
- We are collecting stories from readers to send to Congress in support of the CLASS program.
As the U.S. Senate debates healthcare reform, an important provision that enhances independence and quality of life for people with disabilities is in danger of being removed from the bill.
The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) program provides a lifetime cash benefit to people with disabilities to help them remain in their home and community and seek or continue employment.
This provision, currently in both the House and Senate healthcare reform bills, is vital because it allows people with disabilities to pay for–and choose–how their cash benefits are spent (for example, help with bathing, food preparation, handling personal finances, adding a ramp, modifying a vehicle or purchasing assistive technology and equipment).
We are collecting stories to send to Congress from you, our readers, that explains why you support the CLASS program and how it will deliver long-term supports and services you desperately need. If you feel strongly about your right to be an active participant in society, pursue a career, remain employed, and live in the comfort of your own home, than we hope you will take a moment to send us your story.
What Should I Write?
We encourage you to explain how your life would be impacted if you had $50 per day/$1,500 per month to spend on services and supports that would enable you to remain in your home and community and/or seek or continue employment. You could also describe obstacles you presently face due to the lack of services and supports.
Please keep your submission short and to the point.
Click here to submit your comments.
Senators need to hear our message loud and clear. It is time to change the perception that people with disabilities cannot work and that Medicaid and nursing homes are enough.
CLASS Program Quick Facts
-The CLASS program is a voluntary payroll deduction plan
-It creates a system for people with disabilities to receive a cash benefit to pay for, and choose, assistive services after paying into the system for five years.
-It also allows people to stay employed if they are able and keep their Medicare or Medicaid benefits.
-It saves the federal government $2.5 billion in the first ten years alone.
Thank you,
The Spinal Cord Advocates Team
My mind immediately screams “yes!” remembering all the needs after my SCI with paraplegia resulting. At age 42 yrs, an active wife, mom, and employed nurse (Critical Care), my life hit a literal brick wall. Attempts to resume my roles were very expensive, and NOT ALL covered by insurance or medicare.Necessary items that are not covered: Adapting an automoble for handicap driving. You must pay for the assessment of your physical limitations by a trained driving professional. You must have a physician’s order for this to commence. The modifications that are required can then be applied. The handicapped individual must demonstate proficiency in utilizing the assistive devices and pass a driving test under the watchful eyes of the instructor/ installer. The disabled will be then licensed to drive FOR ONE YEAR ONLY, and must be retested annually to prove proficiency. Price does vary according to the amount of paralysis. With mine, going to full hand controls the initial cost was right at $2000.00.
Disabled are not criminals, yet this scenario certainly penalizes a driver with assistive devices far more than a repeat DUI offender!
My medical care for the first 3 months ( 10/05/2000 til 12/31/00)was $94,000.00. I continued in rehab for 2 yrs straight, however, so my medical bill became much more.
My injury was caused by medical malpractice. Due to subrugation, I had to refund my insurance companies the monies they had spent on my behalf, out of my portion of the medical malpractice award.
This is just a beginning. I must self-cath. as I have a neurogenic bladder. This costs $460.00/month in catheters alone. Prep solution and wipes run about $20.00.
I live in Georgia.
My heart aches for you and your situation. On my worst days with my own disability, what I go through doesn’t compare to what you have to live with. I have progressive degenerative disc disease in my neck (pain 24/7), chronic myofascial pain which has led to other physical problems. I was also diagnosed w/possible neurogenic bladder. I’m a 50 year old single mother of 4 beautiful children, ages 17-23. I’ve been in 5 car accidents which is the reason for my disability. Regarding the budget cuts from the Healthcare Reform Bill, I have an S.S.I. disability case that is 8 years old and still “pending”. I’ve been through 4 hearings, 3 judges, 3 lawyers and now am awaiting assistance from my local congressman’s laison. I know the government is hoping I will just give up and go away. Like you, I’m in desperate need of help as I can’t find any kind of work that is suitable for me. If this cut in the Healthcare Reform Bill isn’t stopped, the lives of people with disabilities will be changed forever. Everyone needs to speak up on this important issue! Thanks for sharing your story.
Did the political defeat stop any chance of Obama’s health reform going through?
Hello,
I have been diagnosed with chronic multi-level Degenerative Disc Disorder and chronic Spinal Stenosis. I live with pain and and extreem weakness and numbness in my arms and legs.
I was a successful loan officer and manager to some great people, before my injury. I paid SSI tax for 22 years and get no assistance, and pay my own healthcare and prescription needs. I am unable to work in my previous job because of my injuries and that job paid for my families home. Now I rely on my wifes income and it is real tight. We are in Bankruptcy now and have lost almost everything.
1500 Dollars a month would cover a mortgage payment on the house we lost after my injury. Putting disabled people in houses that are accessible would:
1. Put some relief on the Banks
2. Give relief to nursing homes staffing and operations. As well, Put those employees on the road for home visits.
3. Stimulate Property tax revenues locally.
4. Most importantly, Give people like me a since of worth again. I was raised to take care of my wife. I can not do it now, and it caauses anxiety and depression. Lift up aperson with a disabilty and they will do the rest.
When Victims of SCI are stabilized. most of our issues are financial fear ( lifestyle and future medical care)