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Frequently Asked Questions: Social Resources

1. Where can I find a list of group homes, residential facilities, or mental health care units?
2. Where can I find housing?
3. Where can I find information about what my insurance/Medicaid/Medicare benefits will cover?  How do I file for Social Security (What is SSI vs. SSDI)?
4. I am recovering from mental illness. And, I would like to learn more about social activities, volunteer opportunities and getting back to work.

1. Where can I find a list of group homes, residential facilities, or mental health care units that offer specialized care in a specific mental illness?

AMI is not able to maintain a list of residential facilities or group homes; however, your NAMI Affiliate may be able to offer some suggestions.

NAMI has a resource for families considering residential treatment for their children.

You may visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Treatment Locator to search a state by state database of mental health care facilities. You can also call their Treatment Locator at 1 (800) 662-4357, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The American Residential Treatment Association (ARTA) also maintains a list of specialized programs. The Member organizations of ARTA offer a variety of services and are able to respond to a wide range of needs.

2. Where can I find housing?

NAMI does not maintain listings of individual treatment facilities or other housing providers. Your State NAMI Organization or local NAMI Affiliate may be able to offer some suggestions.

Housing

You can search state and national housing resources here.

For more on housing, you may wish to contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). They can provide you with information on the Section 811 Program providing supportive housing for persons living with disabilities. Unfortunately there is a large demand and often the wait is over a year. Talk to your local social services agency as soon as possible to get placed on the local housing list.

Home Mortgage: Referral Resources

The Home Ownership Preservation Foundation offers home mortgage information through their Homeowner's HOPE Hotline at 1 (888) 995-HOPE (4673) or on their website at www.995HOPE.org.

The Homeownership Preservation Foundation (HPF) is a private, nonprofit organization, approved by HUD, with a mission to help preserve homeownership and prevent foreclosures. The foundation stresses that it is very important to call for help sooner than later so homeowners have more options. One may find help by calling the Hotline or by going to their website to initiate online counseling.

If you would like to meet with a housing counselor in person, you can search for local counseling agencies through the NeighborWorks® website.

Also inquire of your community mental health center, clubhouse (drop-in center) or call 211 for lists of other agencies that assist with housing. Assistance from a librarian or social worker might yield further leads.

3. Where can I find information about what my insurance/Medicaid/Medicare benefits will cover?  How do I file for Social Security (What is SSI vs. SSDI)?

Questions about insurance coverage can and should be directed to your insurance provider or to your State Insurance Department.

NAMI’s fact sheet on Social Security and Disability Benefits details the different programs, the criteria, how to apply and appeal if one receives an unfavorable decision.

Organizations that represent people applying for social security disability insurance (SSDI) include:

Allsup, a nationwide provider of specialized services for those with disabilities, including Social Security Disability Insurance representation and Medicare plan selection services. Allsup experts have helped more than 120,000 people receive SSDI and Medicare benefits. The company is headquartered in Belleville, Ill., and has approximately 600 employees located around the country. For more information, please call 1 (888) 841-2126 or visit www.expert.Allsup.com.

Two other national groups have referral lists of representatives who can help you with Social Security claims or appeals: The National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR)at 1 (800) 747-6131, or the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR) at 1 (800) 431-2804.

For these and other Medicaid and Medicare concerns, you may also contact the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) online, or by calling 1 (800) MEDICARE (1 (800) 633-4227).

Many families and individuals have found additional Medicare and Social Security assistance through the Medicare Rights Center, which provides their MRC Consumer Hotline at 1 (800) 333-4114 (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., EST).

4. I am recovering from mental illness. And, I would like to learn more about social activities, volunteer opportunities and getting back to work.

Your NAMI State Organization or NAMI Affiliate may also have some suggestions about social activities where one may meet others in recover, either through the NAMI affiliate or possibly a local drop in center or clubhouse. Many NAMI Affiliates have volunteer and leadership opportunities, in NAMI Connection, NAMI Peer- to- Peer and other programs and activities.

The International Center for Clubhouse Development has an online database of clubhouses. These are places where people who have had mental illness can go to rebuild their lives. Your local NAMI Affiliate may also know of similar centers known as drop in centers.

Your local NAMI Affiliate may also know of vocational rehabilitation centers that could help you find volunteer or work opportunities to suit your needs. Oftentimes, these centers will also have job training, skill-building workshops and counseling for individual with disabilities to gain and maintain employment.

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