Should I apply for social security, welfare, or public aid?

October 8, 2011 12:05 PM

Social security, welfare, public aid? Please help me determine what I can apply for.

I live in Chicago and I have recently graduated from college. I cannot find a job, and I don't have any money. I quit my job four years ago to go back to school, so I don't think I am eligible for Social Security.

I know that I am asking other people to help me with something I could research by myself but because I have no health care I can't afford the medication I need for my depression and anxiety, and I start to cry whenever I look for the answers.

Can you help me?

posted by chonus to Work & Money (12 answers total)

Illinois has amazing state healthcare that's income based. I would start there. Easy to apply and you can call them and they can help. Check out the all kids website, it has all the info for adult health care too. Also, after we got our family on the state insurance, they sent us a letter saying we may be eligible for more help. So that's probably an easy way to start.
posted by katypickle at 12:14 PM on October 8, 2011

This link is what I'd follow first of all. You can get food stamps and medical assistance info from that page. You can apply online, print forms or get directions to go to a center to apply. Make sure you have the documents you need and if you think you'll have a lot of questions, you can go to an office in person to apply and ask a live human some questions. I'd focus on health care first [if you are in danger because of lack of access to medicine, go to an emergency room to talk to someone] and then food and then "what next"
posted by jessamyn at 12:22 PM on October 8, 2011

How old are you? How long were you working? I don't know the answer to this, but I would explore whether your depression might qualify you for disability benefits.
posted by J. Wilson at 12:23 PM on October 8, 2011

Response by poster: J. Wilson, I am 40 years old, and I worked four years at my last job, and six years at my job before that, but because I was not fired or laid off, but rather quit of my own doing, I don't think I can get social security.

katypickle, do you have a link?

jessamyn, thank you for the food stamps/health info.

I am really hoping that I qualify for welfare or public aid, because, while the health stuff helps (really, thank you all), I am possibly going to get kicked out of my apartment because I can't pay rent. I am desperate for a program that will give me a few dollars a month towards rent.
posted by chonus at 12:49 PM on October 8, 2011

Response by poster: Oh shoot I didn't finish that last comment: Where do I look for info on necessary qualifications and applications for either welfare or public aid? Or Social Security, if I am eligible?
posted by chonus at 12:50 PM on October 8, 2011

Here is a link for determining if you are eligible for disability benefits. Here is a link to determining what state-level healthcare you are eligible for. There are many smallscale neighborhood organizations that provide rent assistance in Chicago. This website has some listings. I'd suggest finding names that seem like they are near you and then googling to find their numbers and/or websites [i.e. I would not register on that website but use it as a good list of pointers]. The City offers some small scale programs as well. Looks like a lot of what they do happens through community service centers, so find one that is near you.
posted by jessamyn at 1:20 PM on October 8, 2011 [1 favorite]

Sounds like you won't be eligible for any quick fix cash payment. Especially Social Security - that can take months or years depending on your condition. There are some other, non-governmental options that might give you a little breathing room though. First though, go through all the links upthread especially the DHS application. It takes only a few minutes to complete.

Other options include:
Chicago Food Bank. It may not net you much, but everything helps.
DFSS Community Service Centers offer all sorts of assistance opportunities including rental assistance.
NeedHelpPayingBills.Com Chicago edition has some good resources.

Finally, there are a religious organizations in the Chicago area that could help you with short term needs. Again, it may just get you some breathing room, but sometime that is just enough.

Good Luck!
posted by lampshade at 1:23 PM on October 8, 2011

Last one....
NeedyMeds.Org compiles a lot of the places where you can apply for drug assistance. This particular page is sorted by condition.
posted by lampshade at 1:45 PM on October 8, 2011

Response by poster: I am very appreciative of the many the comments directing me to mental health options, I am being truthful. But my question is about finding out which government programs will help me pay my rent, not about isn't about finding help for my depression and anxiety right now because I have to pay my rent right now. I know there are some answers here that are for that like the food stamps, which is good, but I also hope that people could please answer that question that I asked.

Thank you.
posted by chonus at 4:42 PM on October 8, 2011

There are only a few governmental programs that give dollars quickly. One is unemployment insurance, but this requires some recent earnings during a 12-month "look back" period. (Have you worked at all in the 15 months?) Another is state disability insurance, which also requires recent earnings, but I don't think Illinois has that program. A third would be "general assistance" (could be called other things) -- for Illinois look here.

There are two federal disability benefits, SSI (a means-tested program, that is, for poor people) and SSDI (an "insurance" program, where benefit levels are based on past earnings). Some people qualify for both. Typically, neither benefit is granted quickly -- the fastest might be 3-4 months after application. To receive the benefit, the applicant must demonstrate a mental or physical impairment that prevents gainful employment that exists in the national economy and which is expected to last 12 months or longer. To apply you would start here.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 5:03 PM on October 8, 2011

I know your frustration with this situation. Really I do. Going through a bit of it myself now and in the past. Unfortunately, there is not really a golden egg for super quick monetary relief.

Part of the deal with accepting welfare and other services is that you are cobbling together a slew of arrangements that allow you to allocate some of your liquid resources to items that may not be offered from agencies. Monetary handouts are one of those items. So by availing yourself of other support that may not be tied directly to rent, you may be able to shift a resource to that. It is a bit of a shell game for the recipient.

DFSS Community Service Centers are probably your best bet to start as part of what they do is rental assistance. But don't expect to walk out with a check on the first visit. There is always a process of verification that takes place and it can take a while.

Patience is truly a virtue when engaging in the world of public aid. Often what you need right now won't be available until past the point at which you needed it in the first place. But you have to start somewhere and eventually it will begin work out.
posted by lampshade at 8:45 PM on October 8, 2011

LIHEAP is to help w/energy bills. it's absolute hell to apply for. (more than most public aid, which is saying something!) but you'd qualify and get some money to help with bills.

you can't apply with printed forms. you have to go into the office, in chicago, anyway. they'll tell u on the phone what sort of paperwork you need to bring in.

http://www.liheap.org/?page_id=458
posted by JBD at 12:34 PM on October 9, 2011