Public Benefits (State & Federal)
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The State and Federal Benefits Practice Team represents clients who have been denied access to state, federal and local public benefit programs, including Medicaid, Food Stamps, Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF), the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Social Security benefits (SSI & RSDI), and Veteran's benefits.
Attorneys
Paralegals
Laws
- Medicaid Law: An Overview provides access to the relevant federal and state statutes, regulations, and court decisions. Courtesy of the Cornell Legal Information
- Institute
- Medicare Law: An Overview courtesy of the LII
- Social Security Law: An Overview courtesy of the LII
- Social Security Library set of reference materials covering issues of entitlement and benefit calculation. Courtesy of the LII
- Unemployment Compensation Law: An Overview courtesy of the LII
- Food Stamp Legislation courtesy of the USDA
- Food Stamp Regulations courtesy of the USDA
Federal Agencies
- Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Food and Nutrition Service
- Food Stamp Program , 1-800-221-5689 includes information about program eligibility and how to apply
- Child Nutrition Programs includes information about school breakfast and lunch programs
- Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program program providing nutritious foods to pregnant and nursing women and children under 5
- Farm Market Nutrition Program program that provides some families receiving WIC benefits with coupons to buy fresh fruits and vegetables
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- Administration for Children and Families
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program federally-funded program to assist low-income households in meeting their home heating and cooling need. Site includes a directory of LIHEAP grantees in each state
- State Welfare Reform Information links to welfare reform information and offices for each state
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services oversees the Medicare, Medicaid, and State Children’s Health Insurance (CHIP) programs
- Insure Kids Now! provides access to information concerning free and low-cost health insurance for children (Medicaid and CHIP)
- Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Department of Labor
- Department of the Treasury oversees Electronic Funds Transfer programs
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA)
- Social Security Administration, 1-800-772-1213
- Seguro Social Informacion en Espanol
- Social Security BEST (Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool) online tool that identifies which Social Security programs an individual may qualify for
- Social Security Disability Programs includes information about Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- SSI (Supplemental Security Income) federal income supplement program for people who are aged, blind, or disabled and have little or no income
- Social Security Disability Insurance pays benefits to individuals with disabilities (and their eligible family members) who have worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes
State Agencies
- Texas Department on Aging
- Overview of Health Care and Other Benefits provides i nformation about the public benefits programs available to older Texans
- Texas Department of Health
- Family Health Services Information and Referral Line, 1-800-422-2956 toll-free service for women and children
- Medical Transportation Program p rovides eligible Medicaid recipients with transportation to medical appointments
- Texas Department of Human Servic
- STARS (State of Texas Assistance and Referral System) online tool allowing users to identify the state public benefits programs for which they may qualify. In English and Spanish. Courtesy of the Texas Dept. of Human Services
- Local Offices guide to TDHS offices around the state
- Individual and Family Grant Program provides assistance grants to people whose property has been lost or damaged due to major disaster
- Food Stamp Program includes information about program eligibility and benefits and how to apply
- Medicaid Program, 1-800-252-8263 includes information about program eligibility and benefits and how to apply
- State Welfare Reform overview of the changes in public benefits laws that took place in 1996
- Summer Food Program, 1-800-847-8975 program that provides free meals to children 18 and under from May 1 to August 31
- Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) Program includes information about program eligibility and benefits and how to apply
- Texas Health Steps, 1-877-847-8377 gateway for information about medical and dental benefits for Medicaid-enrolled children from birth to age 21
- Texas Works Program overview of the Texas welfare-to-work program
- Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)
- Community Services Section administers federal and state grants to local agencies that provide services to poor or homeless Texans. Site includes descriptions of CSS programs
- Energy Assistance Programs includes information about utility assistance and home weatherization programs
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission
- Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) includes CHIP information and links to CHIP applications in English and Spanish
- Directory of Area Information Centers these centers provide service information and referrals to individuals and agencies
- Health and Human Services Reference Guide searchable guide to all state-sponsored health and human services program in Texas
- Texas Veterans Commission
- Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
- TexCare Partnership campaign to provide health insurance to all children in Texas
Legal Resources
- Children’s Defense Fund advocates for the health, safety, and well-being of children, particularly minority children and those with disabilities
- Legal Hotline for Older Texans provides legal information and public benefits counseling to Texans over 60
- SSI, Food Stamps, and Medicaid publication providing information about eligibility, benefits, and how to apply. In Adobe Acrobat
- National Center for Youth Law its areas of focus include improving children’s and teen’s access to health care, securing public benefits for vulnerable children and teens, and increasing families’ access to housing
- National Poverty Law Center its areas of focus include welfare reform, affordable and public housing, health insurance expansion for low-income people, and public benefits for immigrants
- National Veterans Legal Services Program provides legal services to veterans, with a special focus on disabled veterans or those with health problems
- National Welfare Law Center works to ensure that adequate income support is available to meet basic needs and foster healthy human and family development
- “Usted Esta Aqui : Guia del Seguro Medico Para Ninos en Tejas que Cabe en su Presupuesto” Spanish-language guide to health insurance options for Texas children, including Medicaid, CHIP, Texas Healthy Kids Corporation insurance, and the State Kids Insurance Plan (SKIP). Includes extensive information about program eligibility and how to apply. The guide was produced through a cooperative effort between Texas Rural Legal Aid and the Migrant Clinicians Network. In Adobe Acrobat
- “You are Here: A Guide to Health Insurance for Texas Children that Fits Your Budget” English-language version. In Adobe Acrobat
Research and Statistics
- Welfare Information Network clearinghouse for information, analysis, and technical assistance concerning all aspects of welfare reform
Texas Advocacy Organizations
- Texas CHIP Coalition alliance of organizations working for a strong CHIP program in Texas. Site includes news and updates on CHIP enrollment
- Center for Public Policy Priorities
- Immigration and Public Benefits Policy Pages provide news and information about policies affecting immigrants’ eligibility for public benefits
- Texas Alliance for Human Needs
- STARS State of Texas Assistance and Referral System – self-screen for potential eligibility for programs provided by the Texas Department of Health and other state agencies
National Advocacy Organizations
- American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) provides information and resources for people 50 and older and advocates on legislative, consumer, and legal issues. Site includes helpful information about Medicare and Social Security
- Public Benefits Outreach provides helpful information and links concerning Food Stamps, Medicaid, Medicare Savings Programs, and SSI
- Center for Law and Social Policy
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
- Center for Policy Alternatives
- Children’s Defense Fund
- Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Information guide to the CHIP program in each state
- Coalition on Human Needs alliance of national organizations promoting public policies that address the needs of low-income people
- Electronic Policy Network provides policy news from 80 member organizations
- Families USA
- HandsNet provides news and information geared toward non-profit organizations
- Low Income Networking and Communications Project (LINC) connects groups and individuals organizing around welfare rights issues. A project of the Welfare Law Center
- Urban Institute
- Social Security Office Locator
- Veteran's Administration Facilities Directory
Medicaid
- TexCare Partnership Medicaid Page provides i nformation about Medicaid eligibility, enrollment, and benefits for Texas children
- National Health Law Program
- “Usted Esta Aqui : Guia del Seguro Medico Para Ninos en Tejas que Cabe en su Presupuesto” Spanish-language guide to health insurance options for Texas children, including Medicaid, CHIP, Texas Healthy Kids Corporation insurance, and the State Kids Insurance Plan (SKIP). Includes extensive information about program eligibility and how to apply. The guide was produced through a cooperative effort between Texas Rural Legal Aid and the Migrant Clinicians Network. In Adobe Acrobat
- “You are Here: A Guide to Health Insurance for Texas Children that Fits Your Budget” English-language version. In Adobe Acrobat
Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- TexCare Partnership provides information about CHIP and Medicaid eligibility, enrollment, and benefits, as well as CHIP enrollment forms in English and Spanish
- Texas CHIP Coalition alliance of organizations working for a strong CHIP program in Texas. Site includes news and updates on CHIP enrollment
- Texas CHIP Information from the Children’s Defense Fund
- “Usted Esta Aqui : Guia del Seguro Medico Para Ninos en Tejas que Cabe en su Presupuesto” Spanish-language guide to health insurance options for Texas children, including Medicaid, CHIP, Texas Healthy Kids Corporation insurance, and the State Kids Insurance Plan (SKIP). Includes extensive information about program eligibility and how to apply. The guide was produced through a cooperative effort between Texas Rural Legal Aid and the Migrant Clinicians Network. In Adobe Acrobat
- “You are Here: A Guide to Health Insurance for Texas Children that Fits Your Budget” English-language version. In Adobe Acrobat
Immigration and Public Benefits
- TexCare Partnership provides information about CHIP and Medicaid eligibility, enrollment, and benefits, as well as CHIP enrollment forms in English and Spanish
- National Council of State Legislatures Immigration Policy Forum provides the latest information on how federal welfare reform will affect immigrants
Other Helpful Sites
- American Society of Trial Consultants find ASTC members nationwide. Site provides contact information, areas of expertise and a link to the consultant’s Web site , if available
- Chilling Effects site devoted to the legal protection of online speech; addresses topics including fan fiction, copyright and trademark, linking, parody and criticism.
- LegalVote.com site allows a virtual jury to weigh in on a case after reviewing a summary prepared by the lawyer
- Internet Tools for Lawyers helpful site containing articles, links, how-to guides
- Skipease search tool to find people quickly; research property ownership, Social Security numbers: death, birth and marriage records, professional licenses, etc.
- LexisONE free court opinions, legal forms
- The Religious Liberty Archive virtual library of religious freedom law, containing full texts of pertinent U.S. Supreme Court cases since 1815, federal and state laws, treatises, historical materials, news of recent developments and links to related materials.
- Trial Lawyers for Public Justice current descriptions of the TLPJ caseload and a library of its briefs and filings, links to more than 2,000 web resources
- Legal Writing Success web-based service that connects to a network of lawyers available to perform research, writing, rewriting and editing.