Health & Disability Unit

The GBLS Health & Disability Unit assists families, people with disabilities and elders obtain cash benefits and access to health care to enable them to live independently. The Unit helps people obtain and keep Social Security or SSI disability benefits under the Social Security program and helps people secure health care through access to MassHealth, Medicare or other publically funded programs. The Unit also works to expand access to public transportation for people with disabilities. The work of these advocates includes:

MassHealth Benefits for Low-Income Families and Individuals

MassHealth is the name of the state Medicaid system. One in four children and one in six adult Massachusetts residents are covered by MassHealth. GBLS assists individual clients in obtaining illegally denied MassHealth benefits as well as engaging in systemic advocacy to expand coverage and improve access. Current advocacy work includes protecting access to MassHealth for the 36,000 MassHealth Basic members who are losing their coverage April 1st, and other cuts t o services and benefits. Successful advocacy includes:

• Ensured that TAFDC recipients whose income increases due to work receive an additional 12 months of MassHealth coverage;
• Expanded access to prescription drugs; Secured access to investigational treatment for a young man with cancer; and
• Helped the severely disabled gain access to Personal Care Attendants, so that they can live independently.

Medicare Benefits for Low-Income Elders & The Disabled

Many elders and people with disabilities rely on Medicare benefits. Due to the complexity of the Medicare rules and regulations, many are illegally or inappropriately denied benefits to which they are entitled under the law. Advocates work to expand access to prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries through programs such as Prescription Advantage. GBLS represents low-income elders and people with disabilities in obtaining these illegally denied benefits, including:

• Access to Home Health services;
• Access to skilled nursing facilities;
• Medical supplies;
• Durable medical goods;

SSI or Social Security Disability Benefits

GBLS also assists people with disabilities in gaining access to illegally or inappropriately denied SSI and SSDI benefits. In addition to a monthly cash grant, eligibility for these programs provides access to MassHealth or Medicare, and priority on housing waiting lists. These are safety net programs that provide a stable income for an individual or family. The unit also works with individuals on benefits who wish to return to work. The Unit emphasizes benefits for children and the homeless.

Services available

GBLS provides a range of services to clients whose cases are not accepted for full representation. These services range from telephone advice, written materials, and referrals to other agencies. The Unit also provides community legal education for community groups, clients, and other interested parties. It also has authored materials for members of the legal community.