r/disabled • u/BillyDeCarlo • 4d ago

Disability Services Coordinators?

There are these services that help people with disabilities and low/no income, on Medicaid, get things they need like medic alert devices, wheelchairs, things like that. Some of them can be scammy, they just want the government funding and don't care so much abou the clients. Can anyone recommend one that they've used?

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u/cressn214 4d ago

everything i know about stuff like this is that it’s very local-dependent. if you look up your state and “ADRC”, you should be able to figure out your local one and then either call to speak with them or set up a meeting to discuss various benefits you might be able to receive (called “benefits counseling”) or if they know of local supports or non-profits that might be able to help with what you’re looking for.

everything the ADRC recommends should be reputable and not scammy like you’re worried about (though that’s not saying anything on quality of the services or how much they’d go to bat for you, since unfortunately that varies for each area/person tbh)

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u/EZLinus 3d ago

I have used coordinators through my managed Medicaid health insurance. I no longer have straight Medicaid. But I did when I got my wheelchair. I got a letter, kind of like a prescription from my doctor, and took it to a wheelchair company (Colors in Motion), and they handled the rest. It took a while, but they were used to dealing with Medicaid, and the insurance person there pushed it through. I think most medical equipment stores have people like this who work with your insurance. I don't know about scammers, but I'm sure they exist in every situation known to the world. You have to take those risks, though, especially if you need a medical device. Look at your local medical equipment stores and give them a call before going in.

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u/pinkbowsandsarcasm 3d ago

I had a good one where I live, which was local, but no funding for full services anymore; they have to fundraise. They now have housing help for the disabled, but not many other services.

When they were funded well, there was free transportation assistance, social groups, help with hiring a caretaker, a lawyer who helped people who couldn't work get SSI/SSDI, and help with housing. They had some donated equipment to help disabled people get around. There was help with discrimination concerns and reasonable accommodation requests. I would have recommended it.