NAVIGATING SOCIAL SERVICES

A DISCUSSION WITH GABRIEL NETWORK’S CASE MANAGER

WELCOME!

• GABRIEL NETWORK MATERNITY HOUSING

• Bowie, MD Maternity Home- can house 4 women and their babies

• Ellicott City Maternity Home- can house 4 women and their babies

• Gaithersburg Maternity Home- closed, but slated to re-open at the end of the year.

GABRIEL NETWORK CASE MANAGER: ALETHEIA ELLIOTT

OVERVIEW OF SOCIAL SERVICES

• Department of Human Resources help vulnerable individuals buy healthy foods, pay energy bills and obtain medical assistance as well as many other supportive services.

• For more information, please visit their websites at:

http://dhs.Maryland.gov + https://dhs.dc.gov

FOOD STAMPS/SNAP/FSA

• The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), called the Food Supplement Program in Maryland, formerly known as Food Stamps, helps low-income households buy the food they need for good health.

• Electronic card accepted at most grocery stores and somefarmer’s markets

• Applicants file an application, interview, and must meet all eligibility requirements

• Can apply in person, online, or by mail/fax, but encouraged toapply in person or online.

TEMPORARY CASH ASSISTANCE/TCA/TANF

• Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program provides cash assistance to families with dependent children when available resources do not fully address the family’s needs and while preparing program participants for independence through work.

• There are differences in the benefits provided through TANF inWashington, DC and TCA in Maryland

• Applicants file an application through local Department of SocialServices. Can apply in person, by mail/fax, or online. Encouraged to file in person or online.

WIC/WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN

• The WIC Program is a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children under the age of 5.

• To participate, you must meet income guidelines or medical risk for your family or be currently participating in Medicaid, Healthy Families, TANF or the Food Stamp Program.

• Applicants should contact the main WIC office for Maryland or DC to determine which location they should visit to apply for benefits. To find this information, visit their websites:

Maryland: https://phpa.health.maryland.gov/wic/Pages/Home.aspxDC: https://dchealth.dc.gov/service/special-supplemental-nutrition-program-women-infants-and-children-wic

CHILD CARE SUBSIDY PROGRAM/SUBSIDIZED CHILD CARE PROGRAM

• The Child Care Subsidy Program is administered by the Maryland State Department of Education. This Program helps income-eligible families pay for child care while working or attending school or in job training.

• To apply, visit their website for list of eligibility requirements and for an application to mail in to the office.

• In DC the Subsidized Child Care Program helps low-income families pay their child care fees. The child care subsidy is based on an assessment of need, income and family size.

• Parents must visit the Child Care Services Division to apply for assistance. Encourage the mother to call and schedule and appointment if possible.

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE/MEDICAID

• Medicaid, also called Medical Assistance, pays the medical bills of low-income individuals.

• To apply, fill out an application and file at the local healthdepartment, local social service office, and sometimes doctor’s office and hospital social work departments.

• For more information, visit their websites:

• DC: https://dhs.dc.gov/service/medical-assistance

• Maryland: https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/

SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME/SSI

• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a federal income supplement program. It provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter. Many times due to a disability the mothers are eligible to apply for SSI benefits.

• Can be a lengthy application process, including anassessment and supporting documentation that is needed.For information on the application process, visit the website: https://www.ssa.gov/ssi/

VOLUNTARY CHILD SUPPORT AGREEMENT

• To access the Child Care Subsidy and TCA/TANF you must be in compliance with Child Support, but sometimes themother does not want to file for child support for various reasons.

• Maryland residents can submit aVoluntary Child SupportAgreement that allows the mother to still apply for services without officially filing for child support.

• To access this document, please visit the website: https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/system/files/filedepot/2/voulntarychildsupportagreement.pdf

CASE STUDY

Step 1: Complete Application (preferably online or in person)

Step 2:Attend an interview (appointment day and time mailed in a letter). At interview, bring all necessary paperwork and documentation.

Step 3: Wait for approval letter with amount they will receive and the start date of when they will receive their funds.

Step 4: Stay organized! Once the mother is approved is it important they keep all information updated and current, such as phone numbers, addresses, additional children once they have been born, etc.

QUESTIONS?

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