Because Health Care is a Right, Not a Privilege
Resources on Disability
DOCUMENTING IMPAIRMENT
Documenting Disability: Simple Strategies for Medical Providers (2007) - a guide to documenting medical impairments in support of applications for Federal disability benefits (SSI, SSDI) published by the HCH Clinicians’ Network, National Health Care for the Homeless Council. This manual seeks to demystify the process, pointing to use of the Social Security Administration’s Medical Listing of Impairments and providing practical, experience-based advice for medical providers. This updated edition of the 2004 manual focuses in detail on the complex issues involved in documenting impairments that co-occur with substance use disorders.

TRAINING CURRICULA
  • Documenting Disability Training for Medical Providers – a special opportunity for clinicians to learn how they can expedite Federal disability benefits (SSI/SSDI) for individuals with severe medical impairments. The training is specifically designed for physicians, psychologists, and others who are authorized to provide medical evidence of impairment in support of SSI/SSDI applications. Other clinicians (nurse practitioners, physician assistants, clinical nurse specialists, nurses, medical outreach workers) who assist with documentation of medical impairments are also welcome.
  • Stepping Stones to Recovery: A Training Curriculum for Case Managers Assisting Persons Who Are Homeless Apply for SSI/SSDI Disability Benefits - developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF IMPAIRMENT
  • Dealing with Disability: Cognitive Impairments & Homelessness (pdf) - Homeless people with cognitive impairments affecting thought, memory, speech, and/or psychosocial competence present some of the toughest challenges that clinicians face. Articles describe disabling brain disorders often seen in homeless individuals and specify effective case management strategies. (Healing Hands, March 2003)
  • Dealing with Disability: Physical Impairments and Homelessness (pdf)
    Articles sketch the etiology and scope of physically disabling conditions frequently seen in homeless people, specify major obstacles they encounter, suggest what HCH providers can do to prevent or remove these barriers, and highlight special sensitivities that clinicians need to serve disabled clients effectively. (Healing Hands, October 2002 )
FEDERAL DISABILITY ASSISTANCE
  • Disability Evaluation under Social Security (the Blue Book) - an online reference on the Social Security Administration’s website that contains medical criteria (Listing of Impairments) that SSA uses to determine disability (January 2005). The Blue Book is intended primarily for physicians and other health care professionals. Hard copies may be obtained free of charge from SSA.
  • Consultative Examinations: A Guide for Health Professionals (the Green Book): contains basic information about the Consultative Examination (CE) process for physicians and other health professionals. This SSA guide explains: the Social Security Disability programs; how the Disability Determination Services (DDS) requests CEs; what to look for in reviewing CEs; and the essential elements of CE reports for specialties most often involved in CEs for adult and pediatric disability cases.
  • Social Security Online, Service to the Homeless - a special section of the SSA website that provides information of interest to homeless claimants and their advocates: SSA reports, program instructions, information about benefit programs and how to qualify for them, and announcements of funds available for outreach projects, including the Homeless Outreach Projects and Evaluation (HOPE) grant.
  • FirstStep on the path to benefits for people who are homeless (Income Assistance) - an interactive tool for case managers, outreach workers, and others working with people who are homeless, available on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ website. This section provides detailed information about 5 Federal programs that can provide mainstream income assistance for people who are homeless: Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and VA Compensation.