Provides skills training to empower people to live independently in the community.   Services may include: -  Information and referral -  Independent living skills training -  Peer support -  Finding and retaining housing -  How to apply for Social Security, DSHS or WA Apple Health (Medicaid)/Medicare -  Assistance with employment including help creating a resume, job search assistance and job preparation services. All work is focused around the individual consumer's personal goals.

Provides free legal advice and direct representation for public benefits cases with DSHS where benefits have been denied, reduced, overpaid or terminated. These cases include: - Basic Food/food stamps - TANF - ABD (formerly GAU/GAX/Disability Lifeline programs) - Housing and Essential Needs (HEN) Referral - WA Apple Health (Medicaid) - Medical assistance (including issues with prescription drugs, durable medical equipment, managed care programs, specific medical treatment/services) - Childcare - Emergency financial aid (including AREN, DCA and Refugee Cash Assistance) - Alien Emergency Medical Program - State long-term care cases (can only assist with issues of financial eligibility) - Medicare Savings Program

Provides referrals to local private attorneys who can represent claimants applying for SSDI and SSI benefits, and those appealing a denial of SSDI and SSI benefits. All attorneys listed by NOSSCR accept new clients when their cases reach the hearing level (which means that the individual has been denied twice). Most members of NOSSCR also represent individuals earlier in the process, and many work on a contingency basis.

Offers support in applying for the state's Basic Food program.   Determines if the Basic Food benefits are appropriate, helps complete applications for benefits to receive immediate food assistance and reviews information sent from DSHS. Helps applicants gather the required documentation.   ReWA case managers cannot determine final eligibility; it's up to DSHS staff to determine client eligibility for the program.

Offers free self-help packets designed for those who need explanative information regarding SSI/SSDI overpayment, continuing disability review (CDR), and age 18 redetermination.

This is a partner legal clinic operated by the Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Washington. King County Bar Association schedules clients for appointments for this clinic. Provides a free 30 minute consultation with an attorney on federal civil rights legal issues. *Most appointments via telephone with limited in-person availability in Seattle. Legal Clinic Schedulers will provide clients with more information during the intake process* Prioritizes clients with issues such as - Inmates receiving inadequate medical care or inadequate counsel as well as other inadequate conditions of confinement - Employment discrimination - Sexual harassment - Cases involving police misconduct Also advises individuals on issues such as - Americans with Disabilities Act - Discrimination based on any protected class - Discrimination related to race or gender - Prisoner rights and/or prison mistreatment - Excessive force - Search and seizure - Free speech - Voting rights - Gun rights - Title II Housing - Unlawful sentence - Ineffective assistance of counsel (In a criminal case ONLY- where an attorney's mistakes were the reason you lost your case) - Existing cases in federal court Clinic attorneys can do the following: - Determine whether the client has a legal problem - Suggest possible options - Help answer papers, summons and requests - Provide appropriate referrals Clinic attorneys have expertise in civil rights law. Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters.

Provides monthly cash payments for people age 62 and older who have earned Social Security benefits based on prior work. Benefit amounts depend upon wages earned and the number of quarters of coverage credited to the individual's Social Security record.   Handles requests for Social Security numbers, claims, etc. Also handles late Social Security check inquiries. Clients should wait until the 6th of each month to receive a check; check renewal takes an average of two to three weeks.   This program is based on taxes paid into the Social Security system by workers. Taxes pay for Social Security benefits and for part of Medicare coverage.   Provides replacement Social Security cards.

Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) helps people find the right attorney to hire that can help with their particular legal issue. Referrals are to paid attorneys only; LRS is not a pro bono service. LRS has attorney members in most areas of law. Translation services available.

Provides monthly checks for people who have worked in the past and who are now unable to work because of a disability. The amount of the monthly disability benefit is based on the Social Security earnings record of the insured worker. SSDI checks may start at the sixth full month of the disability, although claims may be filed before that time.   Claims may also be filed for up to 12 months retroactively.   Individuals with disabilities may qualify for vocational rehabilitation services which could result in a return to work.   Recipients of SSDI may also be eligible for Medicare benefits.   Offers a Compassionate Allowances initiative that benefits people with certain rare diseases.   This initiative will fast-track applications for Social Security disability for applicants with any of 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers whose medical conditions are very severe.   Currently, many people with rare diseases experience lengthy delays when they apply for Social Security assistance because those making the decisions are not familiar with their diseases.   

Operates legal clinics providing free 30 minute consultations with an attorney. Focus is on Korean and Korean-speaking clients. Clinic attorneys can: -  Determine whether the client has a legal problem -  Suggest possible options -  Help answer papers, summons and requests -  Provide appropriate referrals   Neighborhood legal clinic attorneys may not have expertise in all areas of the law, but they will make every attempt to answer questions accurately. Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters.

Provides information and documents related to ONLY these topics: estate planning, end-of-life planning, power of attorney, probate/small estates, long-term care, and adult guardianship (no minor guardianship). **Cannot** assist with any other legal issues, topics listed are only issues we can address. Coordinates two elder law clinics through a partnership between Sound Generations and the King County Bar Association. Thirty-minute appointments with attorneys are available in Seattle and Kent. Attorneys cannot represent anyone in court or on an ongoing basis. Does not have referrals for reduced-cost private attorneys. Does not have referrals for professional fiduciary services like professional guardians, executors, or representative payees.

Provides free legal and consumer information from trained volunteers on a number of topics related to their rights and options, including the following: -  Wills -  Powers of attorney -  Health care directives -  Guardianships -  Trusts -  Social Security -  Probate -  Living trusts -  Medicare

Free legal services for older adults, age 60 and over. In-person clinics, (or individually by phone), offer 30-minute legal consultation for civil legal issues including estate planning, landlord/tenant rights, and Social Security.

Supports individuals and their families who are being served and supported in the Washington State behavioral health system. Uses a trauma-informed approach to enhance behavioral health awareness, promote self-empowerment, and increase access to services. Assists individuals, families, and communities across WA State with behavioral health needs and concerns. The work of the OBHA is based on desired outcomes expressed by participants. Provides information and referrals to all community members and assist with complaints, grievances, appeals, Mental Health Advanced Directives, and the Fair Hearings process.

Provides monthly cash payments for people age 62 and older who have earned Social Security benefits based on prior work. Benefit amounts depend upon wages earned and the number of quarters of coverage credited to the individual's Social Security record.   Handles requests for Social Security numbers, claims, etc. Also handles late Social Security check inquiries. Clients should wait until the 6th of each month to receive a check; check renewal takes an average of two to three weeks.   This program is based on taxes paid into the Social Security system by workers. Taxes pay for Social Security benefits and for part of Medicare coverage.   Provides replacement Social Security cards.

Provides monthly cash payments for people age 62 and older who have earned Social Security benefits based on prior work. Benefit amounts depend upon wages earned and the number of quarters of coverage credited to the individual's Social Security record.   Handles requests for Social Security numbers, claims, etc. Also handles late Social Security check inquiries. Clients should wait until the 6th of each month to receive a check; check renewal takes an average of two to three weeks.   This program is based on taxes paid into the Social Security system by workers. Taxes pay for Social Security benefits and for part of Medicare coverage.   Provides replacement Social Security cards.

Provides monthly checks for people who have worked in the past and who are now unable to work because of a disability. The amount of the monthly disability benefit is based on the Social Security earnings record of the insured worker. SSDI checks may start at the sixth full month of the disability, although claims may be filed before that time.   Claims may also be filed for up to 12 months retroactively.   Individuals with disabilities may qualify for vocational rehabilitation services which could result in a return to work.   Recipients of SSDI may also be eligible for Medicare benefits.   Offers a Compassionate Allowances initiative that benefits people with certain rare diseases.   This initiative will fast-track applications for Social Security disability for applicants with any of 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers whose medical conditions are very severe.   Currently, many people with rare diseases experience lengthy delays when they apply for Social Security assistance because those making the decisions are not familiar with their diseases.   

Provides monthly cash payments for people age 62 and older who have earned Social Security benefits based on prior work. Benefit amounts depend upon wages earned and the number of quarters of coverage credited to the individual's Social Security record.   Handles requests for Social Security numbers, claims, etc. Also handles late Social Security check inquiries. Clients should wait until the 6th of each month to receive a check; check renewal takes an average of two to three weeks.   This program is based on taxes paid into the Social Security system by workers. Taxes pay for Social Security benefits and for part of Medicare coverage.   Provides replacement Social Security cards.

Helps Medicare beneficiaries exercise their right to high-quality health care and assists with quality of care complaints such as helping to    - File a complaint about the quality of care received under Medicare   - Appeal a notice that you will be discharged from the hospital   - Appeal a notice that skilled services from a non-hospital provider will be stopped   Information on website is available in multiple languages.

Provides monthly checks to people who are elderly, disabled and/or blind and meet other program eligibility guidelines.   The basic monthly check is the same in all states; some states add money to the basic rate. Recipients are also eligible for WA Apple Health (Medicaid) and may be eligible for Social Security and food benefits.   WASHCAP (Washington State Combined Application Program) Applicants for SSI will be asked if they want to apply for food benefits and may choose the Basic Food Benefits plan or WASHCAP benefits. WASHCAP is a joint effort between the Social Security Administration and DSHS to simplify the way food assistance is delivered to SSI recipients. WASHCAP recipients benefit because they -  Need only contact SSA to report changes in their circumstances -  Are certified for benefits for 36 months -  May receive a larger monthly benefit

Provides monthly cash payments for people age 62 and older who have earned Social Security benefits based on prior work. Benefit amounts depend upon wages earned and the number of quarters of coverage credited to the individual's Social Security record.   Handles requests for Social Security numbers, claims, etc. Also handles late Social Security check inquiries. Clients should wait until the 6th of each month to receive a check; check renewal takes an average of two to three weeks.   This program is based on taxes paid into the Social Security system by workers. Taxes pay for Social Security benefits and for part of Medicare coverage.   Provides replacement Social Security cards.

Provides legal advice for the following issues for low-income debtors: -  Lawsuits and issues related to debt collection -  Collection agency abuse -  Supplemental proceedings -  Garnishment -  Auto purchase or auto loan disputes -  Consumer scams -  Contracts/warranties -  Identity theft -  Predatory lending -  Student loans (federally subsidized or private) -  Overpayments to debt creditors -  Poor credit -  Debts to a landlord, or client is considering breaking their lease Does not assist clients with bankruptcy, but can help a client decide if bankruptcy is a good option. Interpreter services are available to assist non-English-speaking clients.

Provides monthly cash payments for people age 62 and older who have earned Social Security benefits based on prior work. Benefit amounts depend upon wages earned and the number of quarters of coverage credited to the individual's Social Security record.   Handles requests for Social Security numbers, claims, etc. Also handles late Social Security check inquiries. Clients should wait until the 6th of each month to receive a check; check renewal takes an average of two to three weeks.   This program is based on taxes paid into the Social Security system by workers. Taxes pay for Social Security benefits and for part of Medicare coverage.   Provides replacement Social Security cards.

Provides independent living planning to empower people to live independently in their community. Assists with identifying and navigating complex social service systems, housing, transportation, preparing for employment, identifying accommodations, personal assistance management, applying for social security, benefits planning, and advocacy. - Advocacy: works alongside individuals with disabilities to plan and carry out strategic approaches to influence positive change in the community. Represents and advocates for the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities in order to advance the empowerment, inclusion, and wellness of all persons with disabilities. - Emergency Preparedness: Provides emergency preparedness for disabled individuals by creating a plans in case of a disaster. Helps with fire drills, emergency planning, connection with local EMS, and building an emergency kit. - Assists individuals or veterans who are needing to find caregiver and helps with making sure their caregiver gets paid. Must be referred by the VA, if they are a veteran; if they are a civilian, then they'll get help finding a state-funded caregiver. - Has a Covid -19 Advocate that works with individuals with disabilities to help them get a schedule for vaccines, as well as a covid-19 peer support group. - Assists with Power Action Systems (PAS program), which helps individuals with disabilities be able to get modifications to their household to make it more disability accessible.

Provides a fair and courteous process for resolving complaints and concerns relating to program assistance provided by the DSHS Community Services Division, such as cash, food, Housing and Essential Needs referral, and Medicaid for people who are 65 and older, blind or disabled, receiving SSI or eligible for Medicare. Addresses concerns and provides information about services and programs and how to access them.