By the Benefits.gov Team
This year, Benefits.gov, the official benefits website of the U.S. government, celebrates its 10th anniversary of citizen service. Over the last decade, the Benefits.gov Program has increased citizen access to government benefit information, while reducing the cost of interacting with the government. Over 50 million citizens have turned to Benefits.gov for life-altering government assistance information since its launch in 2002.
“For the past 10 years, Americans have been able to turn to Benefits.gov as the trusted online source for the information about government benefits and eligibility that they need. The Department of Labor is proud to be part of the Benefits.gov partnership, and I congratulate the website on this important milestone,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.
Benefits.gov’s core function is the Benefit Finder, an eligibility prescreening tool that allows citizens to quickly find out what benefits they may be eligible to receive out of more than 1,000 federally-funded benefit and assistance programs. After answering a few questions about your current circumstances, you will quickly receive a list of programs that you may be eligible for, as well as the program description and next steps to apply. Try the Benefit Finder now!
The program’s success hinges upon the dedication of the Benefits.gov partnership of 17 federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Labor (which serves as the Managing Partner) and the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Homeland Security, Interior, Justice, State, Transportation, Treasury and Veterans Affairs; the Office of Personnel Management; the Small Business Administration and the Social Security Administration.
We encourage you to visit and explore Benefits.gov. You can also keep up with the latest benefit-related information by subscribing to updates, or by following Benefits.gov on Twitter at www.twitter.com/benefitsGOV and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/benefitsGOV.
Visit us again soon for more details on the upcoming Benefits.gov YouTube account, featuring self-help Benefits.gov tutorials.
As true now as it was 10 years ago, it is a privilege to help you and your loved ones find the government benefits that are right for you.
Helpful information. Lucky me I found your website by accident, and I am stunned why this twist of fate didn’t happened earlier! I bookmarked it.
The information on benefits is worthless when gate-keepers block the disbursement of assistance. Following 37 years of employment, I was diagnosed with a rare Neurological Disorder. While living in NJ, I was covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and United Health Care. However, they withheld essential care and systemic depravity prevailed. My symptoms have exceeded my prognosis to such an extreme that NY Presbyterian Neurological Institute asked to film a recent evaluation of my case. Incomprehensible circumstances in NJ included the withholding of medications for five days, which resulted in the onset of seizures; later attributed to “error.” An attorney informed me that I was, “one of the luckier ones.” His client was a woman whose husband needed dialysis. She finally received the approval one week after he died.
I relocated to NY in 2010, and lost Medicaid. My eligibility requires a MONTHLY payment of $491.00; considered an overage above the poverty level. Is this not punitive?
Although I am being evaluated for spinal surgery, I have been denied a home-aide. For the past eleven years, I have experienced inhumanities, which have over-shadowed my disability. In lieu of assistance, I was once told to have cable service (my ISP) disconnected instead. My present inability to receive the assistance of an aide is a death sentence issued by NY State.
To Whom It May Concern,
I found your website database with a search in Google. My story is two-fold. My wish may seem small to someone else; for me it is monumental and time sensitive. The company I worked for was sold out of state to a virtual conglomerate. There I was with no health insurance and no money coming in at age sixty. What happened next was good and not so good. I struggled trying to make ends meet. After my savings was gone, I thought what was going to happen to me (I sold most of my valuable possessions, jewelry and more) to support my living expenses. I kept applying to job ads with no success. With my creative talent (graphic arts and office management), you would think that I could locate a job in no time. Well, it did not work out that way. Today’s corporate world seeks young, great-looking employees – some with no experience. Our employment hiring system sucks!
Becoming very sick I would have to see someone medically or be taken to the emergency hospital for tests. Finally, by the grace of God, my girlfriend took me to the neighborhood free medical clinic. I was diagnosed with diabetes – Type 2! It was there that I learned so much about myself from a great female doctor. One thing led to another; I became a volunteer with the diabetes class the clinic gives once a week. This service helps people like me that cannot afford most medical supplies, checkups and testing. Yes, I am now a diabetic – very healthy, too.
Much research is done for these classes by me who helps the people learn and conquer their diabetes problems. We provide professional education including lectures, free books, pamphlets and recipes to guide everyone to a healthier path in life. Since going to this clinic, all of my vitals are now normal and I feel great!
Then, disaster struck again with my health. I have now been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy. If it is not taken care of, I may go blind in a few years. So, back to square one – where do I go, who do I turn to, how can someone help me? Searching for a solution, I came across the Lions Club (sight foundation) which helps people with one surgery per person’s application. After being diagnosed by an ophthalmologist, I found I would need several of these procedures. In order to have 20/20 vision again, I would need medical care in removing the problems in my eyes. It will be a long and painful process with needles and laser treatments. The tests were conclusive on this. I have written, spoke with and emailed many organizations with the same reply as the Lions Club – limitations on the dollar amount for surgeries allowed per person or we are not able to help you. I have an ophthalmologist exam saved for your review, if necessary.
So, I come to you. In your travels around the world, do you know of any other charities, foundations or organizations that can help support me with the required surgeries financially? My time with sight is limited and I am desperately searching for a solution of how to fund the surgeries! Do you know of any corporations, contacts or personal individuals that may help me? Is there anyone giving out there who would be generous with their heart to help my sight?
My girlfriend says that “God is not done with me yet.” I share everything about me with our Diabetes Class. Maybe my lectures will help one more person to good health. I believe that each person has that right to be well. And, I will always be at the clinic helping someone while I can. Being in a volunteer position, no money is gained from the clinic, yet I am fulfilled that I could help someone achieve better health.
Thank you for taking the time to listen.
Maria A. S., ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33742
There needs to be an automatic system in place for people of serious needs, no waiting. I know the feeling. My second comment, all I want to do is find a away to work from home.
Hi Christopher,
Just an FYI that there is a blog post on options for people with disabilities returning to work through the Ticket to Work program, including part time and work from home options, coming up on Oct. 24. For more information about the Ticket to Work Program, visit http://www.choosework.net/about-program/program-overview.html or call 1-866-968-7842 Monday-Friday from 8:00 AM-8:00 PM EST. The Employment Network (EN) our guest blogger went through is called Employment Options, and it offers full and part time work, both on site and at home, in states across the country. Visit http://myemploymentoptions.com/for-job-seekers/ to find out more. (Please note, this link is provided for informational purposes only. Disability.gov does not endorse any particular EN or other program or service that provides employment).
Best,
The Disability.Blog Team
I’m feeling you, man! I can’t get unemployment or SSI and I have lupus – worst part is I’m 50 years old and started work at 8 yrs old delivering local newspapers on my bike. Do u remember the canvas bag hung on handle-bars used to hold paper? That was me – 136 customers! I’ve been paying Social Security since! It’s a [pain]!
Do you know where I can look up a site when my father was at the White House? It was an invitation to JFK’s inauguration.
I have been waiting for a long time. What’s going on? Did you get my paper in already? Attn: Mr: Ken Knight.
Hi Yvette,
Does this comment concern your application for Social Security Disability benefits? If so, you can check the status of your application online at https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/IAPS/applicationStatus, or you can check with your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office (find contact information by visiting https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/FOLO/fo001.jsp).
Ten years of serving me or robbing me?!
You are celebrating 10 years of robbing the working class of their money that they work hard for to give to the very poor. Like it was our fault they are lazy. Half of the people that get SSI that claim they are crazy are not. Here I am being penalized for collecting work compensation like if I had a choice, and when I expected to get my SSD I was told I was double dipping! How in the world do you figure that? I worked very hard for my money! I hope you are not using the working classes’ money to celebrate, too! What a joke!!
I want to tell you that I don’t know how I will obtain my social security number with card (SSN) to use it to have my pin number online. Please help me out to get my social security number.