SOCIAL SECURITY

News Release

SOCIAL SECURITY ANNOUNCES $6.6 MILLION IN “HOPE” AWARDS
FOR ASSISTANCE TO THE HOMELESS

The Social Security Administration is awarding $6.6 million in funding to assist eligible chronic homeless individuals apply for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security disability benefits. These Homeless Outreach Projects and Evaluation (HOPE) awards are part of the Bush Administration’s commitment to end chronic homelessness in the next decade.

“Many homeless individuals suffer from a range of disabling conditions which may prevent them from availing themselves of services that may assist them,” said Jo Anne Barnhart, Commissioner of Social Security. “Social Security is committed, through outreach and assistance, to identifying and removing the unique barriers to the disability application process sometimes encountered by homeless individuals. We share President Bush’s commitment by doing our part to help end chronic homelessness in the United States.”

The target population for these funded projects is homeless individuals who are members of under-served groups, which may include people with severe and persistent mental illness, HIV infection, limited English proficiency, multiple and co-occurring disorders or cognitive impairments, as well as homeless veterans with disabilities. Through these awards, Social Security hopes to achieve faster claim decisions and higher allowance rates for those homeless individuals who are eligible for disability benefits. Staff of organizations awarded funding will receive training to improve their knowledge of Social Security’s disability programs and application process.

“Through its network of over 1300 field offices, Social Security is uniquely positioned to provide assistance to homeless individuals,” said Commissioner Barnhart. “Disability benefits can help homeless individuals to obtain housing, and also provide critical linkage to medical coverage.”

The purpose of this assistance to disabled homeless individuals is to improve their quality of life, especially in achieving full community integration, attaining stable housing and promoting recovery and employment.

Attached is a list of the HOPE applicants approved for funding.

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