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This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Other Disability Issues in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
Community HealthChoices (Video)
This video from the Pennsylvania department of Human Services explains the new Community HealthChoices program. Community HealthChoices will coordinate your health care coverage to improve the quality of your health care experience — serving more people in communities rather than in facilities, giving them the opportunity to work, spend more time with their families, and experience an overall better quality of life.
Community HealthChoices Toolkit
Community HealthChoices (CHC) is a new waiver program for individuals over 21 years old with a disability who previously received services through the Independence, CommCare, or Aging Waivers. This toolkit was developed by the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Health Law Project to provide information on CHC.
Rights and Wrongs in Medicaid-Funded Assisted Living
This guide from Justice on Aging provides information about federal laws that apply to "assisted living facilities". The term “assisted living facility” applies here to a licensed residential facility that provides meals, assistance with activities of daily living, and other services to a resident population of older persons. Although this guide focuses on assisted living, the relevant federal laws cover any similar residential setting reimbursed through Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), including HCBS-funded facilities for persons with disabilities, such as group homes and adult residential facilities.
Pennsylvania Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will - Why are these Important? (Video)
This video from the Allegheny County Bar Association explaining what a Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will does for you and why it is important for you to have one.
Pennsylvania Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will - Why are these Important? (Video)
This video from the Allegheny County Bar Association explaining what a Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will does for you and why it is important for you to have one.
Financial Power of Attorney
This publication from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania provides general information about powers of attorney. [PDF] (February 2018)
Pennsylvania Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will - Why are these Important? (Video)
This video from the Allegheny County Bar Association explaining what a Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will does for you and why it is important for you to have one.
Power of Attorney
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network about what a power of attorney is and when you should use one. (August 2008)
Power of Attorney in Pennsylvania
Information from Northwestern Legal Services on what is a Power of Attorney (POA), guidelines when selecting an agent, what happens if I become mentally unable to make my own decisions, when does it go into effect, when does it end, and the process involved in setting up a POA.
Online Services: Apply For Retirement, Disability or Medicare Benefits and Other Services from the Social Security Administration
From the webpage of the Social Security Administration, you can apply for retirement, disability, and Medicare benefits online, check the status of an application or appeal, request a replacement Social Security card (in most areas), print a benefit verification letter, and more – from anywhere and from any of your devices!
Pennsylvania Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will - Why are these Important? (Video)
This video from the Allegheny County Bar Association explaining what a Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will does for you and why it is important for you to have one.
Community HealthChoices Toolkit
Community HealthChoices (CHC) is a new waiver program for individuals over 21 years old with a disability who previously received services through the Independence, CommCare, or Aging Waivers. This toolkit was developed by the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Health Law Project to provide information on CHC.
Prisoners' Rights Handbook
A handbook from the Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project which provides an overview of the rights of prisoners. [PDF] (2013)
Special Needs Trust
Northwestern Legal Services provides an overview of what a Special Needs Trust is, who needs one, and how to get one. (October 2018)
Completing the Employability Assessment Form (PA 1663) - A Guide for Healthcare Providers
Information for health care providers explaining how to effectively complete the Employability Assessment Form to verify your patient's health conditions, illnesses, and/or disabilities to support your patient’s application for Medical Assistance.
Criminal Record Clearing for Individuals With Disabilities
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services for individuals with disabilities and service providers about the criminal record clearing process.
Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Programs
Home and community-based services are also known as waiver-funded services or waiver programs. The name waiver comes from the fact that the federal government "waives" medical assistance rules for institutional care in order for Pennsylvania to use the funds for HCBS. HCBS provides for supports and services beyond those covered by the Medical Assistance (also referred to as Medicaid) program that enables a person to remain in a community setting rather than being admitted to a Long Term Care Facility. Currently, the Department of Human Services administers 12 HCBS programs. Each HCBS program has its own eligibility requirements and services. If a person is determined eligible for more than one HCBS program, the person cannot receive services under two or more such programs at the same time. The person must choose one HCBS program and receive the services provided by it.
Power of Attorney
Information from the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network about what a power of attorney is and when you should use one. (August 2008)
Power of Attorney in Pennsylvania
Information from Northwestern Legal Services on what is a Power of Attorney (POA), guidelines when selecting an agent, what happens if I become mentally unable to make my own decisions, when does it go into effect, when does it end, and the process involved in setting up a POA.
Writing a Letter of Medical Necessity - A Guide for Physicians
This brochure explains what information physicians should include to write a strong letter of medical necessity to ensure your patient receives the services they need.
Pennsylvania Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will - Why are these Important? (Video)
This video from the Allegheny County Bar Association explaining what a Health Care Power of Attorney and Living Will does for you and why it is important for you to have one.
Community HealthChoices
Community HealthChoices (CHC) is Pennsylvania’s mandatory managed care program for individuals who are dually eligible for both Medical Assistance and Medicare, older adults, and individuals with physical disabilities — serving more people in communities while giving them the opportunity to work, spend more time with their families, and experience an overall better quality of life.
Community HealthChoices (Video)
This video from the Pennsylvania department of Human Services explains the new Community HealthChoices program. Community HealthChoices will coordinate your health care coverage to improve the quality of your health care experience — serving more people in communities rather than in facilities, giving them the opportunity to work, spend more time with their families, and experience an overall better quality of life.
Online Services: Apply For Retirement, Disability or Medicare Benefits and Other Services from the Social Security Administration
From the webpage of the Social Security Administration, you can apply for retirement, disability, and Medicare benefits online, check the status of an application or appeal, request a replacement Social Security card (in most areas), print a benefit verification letter, and more – from anywhere and from any of your devices!
What is a Social Security representative payee?
Information on the duties and responsibilities of a Representative Payee appointed by the Social Security Administration to receive Social Security or SSI benefits for anyone who can’t manage or direct the management of their benefits. A Social Security representative payee is appointed by the Social Security Administration to manage Social Security or Supplemental Security Income benefit payments for people who need help managing their money.
Continuation of Health Coverage - COBRA
Information from the United States Department of Labor about the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), a federal program that provides the right to continued health care coverage for people who lose their benefits under certain circumstances.
Disability.gov
Comprehensive online federal government resource specifically designed to provide people with disabilities information from across the government.
PA ABLE Savings Program for Disability-Related Expenses
A PA ABLE account gives individuals with qualified disabilities (Eligible Individuals), and their families and friends, a tax-free way to save for disability-related expenses, while maintaining government benefits. Federal and state law authorized the creation of PA ABLE accounts.
PA Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program
The Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program supports homeowners and renters across Pennsylvania. This program provides a rebate ranging from $380 to $1,000 to eligible older adults and people with disabilities age 18 and older.
Applying for Personal Care Service for Children with Disabilities
Through this fact sheet, Disability Rights Pennsylvania seeks to provide you with some background about personal care services and some practical information on how you can apply for such services [PDF]
Disability Rights Pennsylvania Resource Publications
Publications from Disability Rights Pennsylvania on a variety of disability-related issues.
Family Medical Leave Act
Information about the Family Medical Leave Act from Disability Rights Pennsylvania. [PDF]
Financial Power of Attorney
This publication from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania provides general information about powers of attorney. [PDF] (February 2018)
Guardianship in Pennsylvania
The purpose of this booklet from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania is to describe Pennsylvania's guardianship procedures to persons with disabilities, their parents, service providers, advocates, and friends. [PDF] (February 2018)
How to Report Your Income When You Are Working
Did you know that as an employed recipient of Social Security you are responsible for reporting your earnings? If you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you or your representative must promptly report any changes in your work activity. Information on your responsibilities and how to report from Disability Rights Pennsylvania.
Inmate Rights under the ADA (PDF)
This brochure from Disability Rights Pennsylvania is designed to provide general answers to a few commonly-asked questions about how the Americans with Disabilities Act applies to inmates. [PDF] (February 2018)
Private Disability Insurance
This fact sheet from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania contains general information about private disability insurance. [PDF] (February 2018)
Protection From Abuse (PDF)
This fact sheet from the Disability Rights Pennsylvania offers a brief overview of the Protection From Abuse Act.
Rights and Wrongs in Medicaid-Funded Assisted Living
This guide from Justice on Aging provides information about federal laws that apply to "assisted living facilities". The term “assisted living facility” applies here to a licensed residential facility that provides meals, assistance with activities of daily living, and other services to a resident population of older persons. Although this guide focuses on assisted living, the relevant federal laws cover any similar residential setting reimbursed through Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), including HCBS-funded facilities for persons with disabilities, such as group homes and adult residential facilities.