Has anyone applied for this program for someone you're caring for? I'm my brother's caregiver and POA. He's 73, retired and his only income is the small amount he receives from Social Security. Without getting into details he's now having trouble paying for food and asked me to apply for SNAP benefits. I'm happy to do so, but am concerned about the applicant interview. My brother is on the high functioning end of the autism spectrum. Although he can live independently he has comprehension issues and can't adequately articulate his thoughts. He's not going to be able to do this interview without me present, and nothing I've found in my preliminary research indicates that this is possible.
If you've gone through the application process, especially for someone in a similar situation, can you please walk me through it?
I would go to Social Services and ask about SSI. Its a supplimental income for disabled and aging. You can have it in addition to SS. Caseworker should be upfront about if its worth him having foodstamps. I was at every meeting my nephew had. You may want to call your County Disability dept and see what brother can get. The State helps pay for my nephews housing. Its not HUD but it follows HUD rules. He also gets a coordinator that oversees a budget the State allows. He gets an aide 1x a week for 5 hours.
We also have "Living Independently" which is primarily for those who suffer from Autism. There is help out there, just have to find it.
For food, Churches usually have food closets. We have the Puerto Rican action committee that gives food to anyone. Check with the United Way about the Government Food give out once a month. Mid-Atlantic States Career and Education Center is giving out fruits, meat and vegetable thru the Philabundance.org. He could get meals on wheels. Some bakeries give out day old goods. You just have to know where to look. Office of Aging maybe able to help.