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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0559.000 2000-2002 t Up In Arms ©Updated Jan 20, 200t~ 1lVhy ~conornic ®eveloprrient and ~ilork Incentive F'rograrns for I~eople ~oith disabilities don't ~PUork in the state of Hawaii by Sarah 7'~ylor/~~rposeful enterprise _ diVhat is Known from the Inside It is understood by the majority of disability consumers wanting to bec~n`~ s~~f - sufficient, that the process to vocationally rehabilitate oneself, and become pr~l.uctive economically, can be futile when working tivith the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), The Department of I~urnan Services (DHS), The S.9cia1-~'ecurity Admitust~ation (SSA}, The Department of I~iealth, Medicaid /Medicare p~®gran~s and Commerce. Consumers report correspondence from DI-IS, DVR, SSA, I~OI~ aid other state/county/federal offices is often crisis generating and threatens their survival. '9619hat Taxpayers don't Knoene When people with disabilities are prevented access to commerce, economic development, vocational rehabilitation, they consume billions of dollars per year in disability benefits, food, housing and .medical assistance paid for by American ta.Yes. The Social Security Administration (SSA) reported, approximately "8 million working- age adults received DI or SSI benefits in 1998." For the month August, X000, "57 of all (SSI) recipients (3,757,000) were between the age of 18 and 64." The cost to feed shelter and medicate over 8 million eo le with disabilities each consumin an avera e 8 500 er vear in SSI S DI benefits. is over 68 billion Dollars s ent annuallv. In smaller terms, locally in 1-iawaii, 1000 individuals denied access to information and programs, (less than 1 % of tine Idawaii state 110,000 people `with disabilities) translates into: 8,500,000 wasted annually, keeping people dependent and nonproductive. Up in Arms reports two things; 1) State, County and Federal Agencies which directly delay, discourage and prevent economic development through denying access to information and resources, and through conflicting policies between state and federal programs; and 2) How and Why these 'carriers must be rerrioved, if economic development for this population is to be realized in the state of ~-Iativaii, and nationwide. Please Note: T'he barriers highlighted here, were reported by hundreds of dig Island residents with disabilities to the disability agencies which serve them. LTp in Arms does not reflect the trerr~eridous corripassion and hard work of those individuals worl~ing in agencies and governtlnent offices who, despite hands tied, ~1pc~1 ~ this population survive. 'T`his is a report to the President and Conr~s, ~vhor~n, ~ thank God, continue to open doors to economic development fog all Aae~cans. Why Economic f;evelopment and Work Incentive Programs Don't Work and What is Needed page 1 Up In Arms ©Updated Jan 20, 2001 The ~ivisi®n ®f !locational rehabilitation and Servitres f®r the Mind The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, has 5-6 counselors county wide. Each counselor has case loads upwards of 125 people at one time. Given that these counselors do not have the resources, or time to help these numbers, at least~5% of those requesting services are being denied. Consumers report they are t<t~1d to~eek other resources for training and technology and to come back when the~~~lo. ~I,orse, many are discouraged from even applying; told they will lose vital benefit=s: and~iiedical insurance as a result of work or business attempts. _ 1~Vf?'s 9th/®f~?S7` ~m- ~®rrscrrrrer~ ~epor~ ~arreers to Vocati®nal f?ehabilitatiorr - ¦ Clients requesting literature on what is available with regards to vocational re~iabilitation services, are delayed or told to go to an orientation meeting. For the homebound or transportation challenged, this is the first barrier. ¦ Those who cannot attend a school, or get a job, given their accessibility challenges, acid job openings in their county, are being. discouraged and sent on a perpetual cycle of misinformation and delays. ¦ Consumers request the DVR business Questionnaire and are scheduled to wait weeks for an appointment, or given it, and not the supplement which is essential to completing the business questionnaire. ¦ Tlaose requiring life sustaining medicines, and home-offices are told if they start a business then will loose their medical benefits. Very few are given assistance with developing a business which could afford medical insurance as a business expense. ¦ Most consumers who do turn in the Business Questionnaire, are denied DVR assistance because their answers do not have all the details included in a formal business and marketing plan required by banks and the Small Business Administration. ¦ Most consumers are denied until the consumer can return with a viable business plan and some other source of resources for technologv,~a.nd training. ¦ Most consumers wanting to start a business, or be self employed, are referred to the Small Business Administration (SBA), or the Small Business Development Centex Network (SBDCN), who's counselors have great success working with abled boclied individuals. Admittedly however, these counselors have no information, resources or suggestions, on how someone, unable to afford housing, transportation, phone, electricity, computex, Internet, or training, can start a business. Why economic Deve~upment and :Mork Incentive Programs l.. ~ t Work and What is Needed page 2 ' ~p In Arens ©Updated Jan 20, 2000 DV14's WORSE` mme continued ¦ Some consumers are told about Social Security Work Incentive prograyns including the Plan to .achieve Self Silpport (P.ASSJ and are referred to the local Social Security Office. When consumers inquire at the Social Security Administration (SSA}, about the PASS program, they are met `with a worker who has not heard of a PASS, or sent a brochure and referred back to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and Services for the Blind (DVR). ¦ Consumers report their DVR counselors do not know the P1~,SS pr`ra_~ea~ increase disability benefits or shelter income, and assets, to pur~has~; computers, transportation and reach business development goads. Thereby enabling consumers to retain their Medicare and Medicaid while working tc~=achieve self support. : _ ~y ¦ Consumers report their I~VR counselors do not know how to write det'aileci PASS or business and rriarketing plan with Performs. ¦ DVR consumers report their counselors do not consider the. obstacles faced by individuals living on a monthly disability income of less than X700 per month. Often not addressed is; 1) housing, 2) transportation, 3} accessibility needs, 4) home training needs, 5) economic barriers to securing start-up and working capitol, 6} barriers to labor support, 7) lack of access to community, 8) added tirx~.e and dollars needed to develop revenues above initial training, start-up financing and monthly operating expenses. Case after case, the f®llodnving /essor~ i~ learned by OVR c®~saamers ¦ In order to write a lousiness plan, one needs business training ¦ In order to explore suitable business opportunities, one needs access to the Internet, community and commerce ¦ In order to research and write a business plan one needs electricity, a computer, printer, software, paper, training and time ¦ In order to get training, one needs access to school, transportation, accessible accommodations, and for the home bound consumer, one needs on-line or in-home instruction... 1~Iind you, DRV consumers, many were former Contractors, Veteran's, School Teachers, Professionals of some sort, who until becoming disabled, did not need to have a Masters in Business Administration to perform their duties. Some are even more intelligent than their DVR counselors and more able, and likely, to build a viable home based business if given the tools, resources and opportunity. Why economic Development and Work Incentive Programs Don't Work and What is Needed page 3 Up In Arms ©Updated Jan 20, 200( fihe Social Security 6~,cirninistration (SS~4,) Untold numbers of individuals seeping to get off Social Security; and Agencies and Rehabilitaters mining to assist consumers, phone the 1-800 Social Security Line and are repeatedly met with a worker who does not know about the PASS (plan to receive self support), or the IWRE (Impairment Work Related ]Expense) programs. Enquirer's are turned away, or mailed a brochure, The Red hook or th, ~ sa. ov web site. Some get a call back, with an overview of PASS, and they are-~eferd to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for further assistance with PASS prepari.or~. SST's Worst ama Consurrrers died Waiting ¦ In the entire state off-Iawaii, only 2 PASS plans were iri operation in 1998 and 1999. ¦ In almost every other state in the union, at least 5% of the 8,000,000 people .th disabilities receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Supplemental Social Security (SST) (between the age of 16-64) nationwide, were working to achieve self support `vith a PASS. ¦ In Ha~vaii, five percent of the 27,820 people with disabilities who received SSDI benefits (ages 18-64) is 1,391 people (not including people with disabilities on SST). 1,391 people denied access to information and vocational rehabilitation services state `vide, with an average monthly benefit of $708 dollars per month, amounts to over Eleven 1Vliillion, Eight hundred 'T'housand Dollars wasted annually in ~Iawaii, because our governrner~t systems, failed to train our government workers, in our government programs. ¦ Untold numbers of individuals, clearly documented totally disabled by their doctors, with fatal illnesses, are denied SSDI and SSI benefits and die waiting for appeal. Even with the PASS and other Work Incentive programs, consumers report SSA PASS Cadre does not take into consideration the challenges faced by people with disabilities living below poverty thresholds. PASS rules do not allow; ¦ I're-existing debt prior to the P~,SS. For the majority, even if they had a PASS, and planned a home business, many have past due bills including phone or electric, tivhich must be paid prior to reconnecting services. In some cases, the PASS participant is forced to either follow the rules and start a business without phone or electricity, or spend their resources to get the lines restored and risk breaking SSA rules, which could result in a suspension- of disability benefits. For any business or PASS to be successful lotiver income entrepreneurs and people `vith disabilities need repaired credit which requires complete debt repavment/settlement. Why Economic Deg. ,,~ment and Work Incentive Programs . t Work and What is Needed page 4 _ Up In Arms ©Updated Jan 20, 2001 Y'ASS rules do not allow; .inued ' ¦ ]before P1~.SS approval, consurrgers are required to show that they can live on an income of less than $550 per month9 when National and Hawaii State _ research demonstrates that people with disabilities on that income cannot afford to live any where in the ~tJS. ¦ Even if a DVR consumer, a PASS participant, has been advised by their ~etor, and business consultants with SBA or the Small Business Developmentnt Network, to get a Partner for their business (to accommodate their ~~hysi~l or mental health challenges), PASS Cadre will not approve a partnership and the PASS will be denied. p'amilies with two members with disabilities, can no~o a . family partnership, because partnerships are forbidden. . ¦ When a PASS participant works temporarily for an employer to capi~~*~lize ~'eir business, even if this income is sheltered in a PASS, the PASS participant looses SSA Trial Work months, before they have ever achieved their PASS work goals. Tie i~opartment ®f ~urnan Service (~~65) In the year 2000 there is a small handful of PASS participants (5), the most tenacious and resourceful consumers of SSA and DVR in Hawaii. Their struggle to navigate dangerous consequences by DHS workers, who suspend or deny benefits for food and medical assistance, is threatening the future of all those who seek self-sufficiency and reduction in dependency on government assistance. What Taxpayers know is that DHS Hawaii, received ~1, 000,000 in 1999 as a bonus for eliminating hundreds of consumers from its payrolls. What Taxpayers don't know, is that untold numbers of people with disabilities, were removed without due process and protection under the American's with Disability Act of 1990. ®hdS's W®l?ST ¦ Consumers report having benefits canceled with work attempts, disability settlements, and business income, without their business and impairment related work expenses considered. ¦ Consu.mers report DHS workers have not heard of a Plan to Achieve Self Support (P~.SS) and don't know how to handle PASS sheltered income or resources. ¦ Consumers are often told they have violated a DHS law and could be, and many have been, prosecuted by a team of DHS lawyers. ¦ Consumers report being sent letters from DHS and SSA determining they will loose benefits including Medicaid within less than 10 days. Often consumers are `without the energy or resources to appeal the decision. Why Economic Development and Work Incentive Programs Don't Work and What is Needed page 5 Up In Arms ©Updated Jan 20, 200( department of health The passing of Act 133 (1998) in the state of Hawaii, known as `Self Determination,' allows people with Developmental Disabilities the right to a `Person Centered Plan,' to choose providers and to control the resources allocated to their services. ®®~'s Worst ¦ While state law requires DGH workers to provide consumers `vith,~. des°~-iption of services available, and a list of providers, consumers report they ar~n.ot formed about services available, nor are they given names of alternative sere-ripe vders . ¦ Consumers report eligibility, in come cases, is denied based on a telephone conversation before dze case manager has ever met the consumer. ~~Cons~mers are not receiving services because they were never given an opportunity to apply. ¦ Consumers report they are not informed about economic developrrient aiv; vocational rehabilitation programs. ¦ Consumers report case managers do not assist consumers with developing resources to achieve self-support or even to survive. ~®rnmerce, Ranks Credit Ifni®ns ms~ access I~enieci The 1~ank applicant with disabilities, living on an income of less than $700 per month, generally will have bad or no credit, excessive debt, no collateral and limited ability to invest `sweat equity.' "T"hey will need: 1)Working capitol to hire others, start-up and operate, Debt consolidation/repayment to repair credit, 3) Lower interest loans and longer terms for repayment. Currently this population receives higher interest loans. By the time a person v~~ith disabilities has been through DVR, SSA, and has a PASS and a business plan (often taking years to produce), they are denied a loan based on inability to qualify for, and or service the debt. end of story. Back to square one. ¦ Consumers under Guardianship are not allowed the rights of citizenship including real property ownership and cannot be listed on deeds or titles. ¦ Consumers tivho cannot drive are denied vehicle ownership and registration. Pudic 9~9ousing Authorities (PTA's), and ®t~er J-fousin,~/Farm Programs Worst ¦ Consumers report numerous affordable rentals remain empty for months, while ~I-~,'s take up to 6 months to process applications; even for the homeless and people with disabilities. People with disabilities leaving privately owned rentals, `vith no where to go, given 30 day notice, end up in homeless shelters, on the streets, in hospitals, jails and in psychiatric wards as a result. ¦ Consumers report when inquiring about new programs allowing people with Section 8 to purchase homes, they are informed by the PHA that Hawaii is not participating due to the paperwork involved. Why Economic Devt~~pment and Work Incentive Programs . . t Work and What is Needed page 6 1p in Arens ©Updated Jan 20, 200( Public Housing Authorities (PIfA's), and Other ~Yousing/Faun fyrograrrrs Worst continued ¦ People with disabilities facing Evhat HUD considers as the `tivorst case housing scenarios' pay excessive interest for housing loans, do to .income to debt ratios and previous home ownership, and they are denied longer terms of repayment. ¦ HUD funding and state tax credits and bonds, which enable non-profit developers to build and supply rentals for less, axe often not available to individuals without 501(3) status. Small business owners with disabilities, and lower income entrepreneurs are denied access to funding because they do not have the capacity to compete and therefore are unable to build privately owned affordable rentals and accessible housing projects so urgently needed in their communities. ¦ Farmers with disabilities, needing homebased work space are forbidden to build on State Lease Lands. Also forbidden are detached caregiver and farm`vorke~quarters which are often necessary for people to remain in their homes. n _ What's Working and Proves ~fficier~t _ ~ ¦ For those who are served by DVR, like Purposeful Enterprise, drea~as corgi true and technology, like this very computer, empower entrepreneurs to contrib ate.. ¦ DVR's best project, in collaboration, is the one stop assistance center'~:t the-,Work Force Development Division in Hilo. Here, representatives from the: Adult School, DVR and Employment Counselors share employment resources, making economic development more accessible for consumers. ¦ DHS Adult Services offer chore workers to eligible PASS participants on SSI. ¦ Medicaid Waiver programs give service options for people with developmental disabilities once they are approved. ¦ 'The PASS Cadre is extremely flexible in working with SSDI and SSI consumers in the PASS application process. PASS plans are reviewed quickly and those who are eligible for an increased SSI benefit receive added SSI funds promptly. ¦ Puna Federal Credit Union, now HFS FCU, and American Savings dank, have begun to offer reduced interest and extended terms for people with disabilities. ¦ Valuable disability groups, agencies and companies contribute resources, services and grants to the cause of helping people with disabitlies to gain access, transportation, technology, training, housing and food. What's PVeeded What is needed in the One Stop Service Center, are people who know all the government subsidies, grants and programs available federally, state and county wide; from housing to economic development, and how to use them. Even needed more, Why Economic Development and Work incentive Programs Don't Wnrk a~~ ~n~h-,+ ~ - Up In Arms ©Updated Jan 20 200( What's Neeeleci continued ' are applications for all these programs including Public Housing, Food and Medical Assistance, Chore Services, Mental Health, Legal Aid assistance, Unemployment and Social Security claims forms as well. Also needed are lenders offering very lo~v interest loans for housing, business development, working capitol and debt consolidation. In each department, in every post, eve need quick thinkers and people informed in disability laws and sensitive to consumers in crisis. If we provide these basic services, those knocking at the door, will get answers; and the person seeki~ to reduce their ~-overnrnent dependence and become, or be mor~roductive, CAIN ar~d WILL ¦ T°he eliYnination of contradicting policies between state and federal programs regarding people tivith disabilities and their efforts to achieve self support. ¦ Applications for all state and federal services and programs available on the internet, ix~ a `one stop' format, along with links to alternative service providers and other public and private resources for economic development. ¦ Require of all government workers working with the disabled: continuing education, certification, accountability based on consumer success in achieving self support. ¦ All DOH Case Managers, DVR Counselors, SSA and SBDCN Consultants trained in government programs and resources. All DVR counselors trained in business and PASS plan development. Hands on assistance and/or writing of PASS and business plans by DVR counselors and paid DVR referrals for PASS development by private companies run by and for people with disabilities. ¦ More resources to allow all people with disabilities, and lover income individuals, access to technology and training. All those below poverty thresholds seeking to contribute granted a PC, local telephone, electricity and Internet using Gov, surplus. ¦ Give taxpayers, corporations, non-profit and public agencies the ability to give tax- free business start-up, training, housing and debt repayment grants to individuals. ¦ Give lower income entrepreneurs and people with disabilities access to monies directed to the lower income and disabled populations. ¦ Create a level playing field for individuals competing with non-profits agencies for grants, contracts and enterprises to serve this population. Who better to get the job done than the very individuals who have a vested interest in the success of economic development for themselves and their communities? ¦ Give priority to the gifted individuals and entrepreneurs to design, and make systems work across the board (rather than the 8-5 Gov. employee) for those who have endured the struggle, create solutions by necessity. ¦ Affordable home-office and business loans, with lower interest and longer terms of repayment. Accommodations to lower income applicants with poor or no credit and those requiring debt consolidation. 1Alhv ~~nnnmi~ Ilws~lnnma~t anri \Adnrle In~entwe l7rnnr~mc flnn'+ 1A1nrL -,..a ~niw..a i__ ~ _ p In Arms ©Updated Jan 20, 200( What s Needed continued ¦ Require lenders receiving state of federal insurance to reasonably accommodate borrowers with disabilities in policies for determining eligibility and terms. ¦ Pre-zone properties for home owners to operate home businesses. Reduce tune delays to change zoning for mLYed use, multiple residential (care giver quarters) and agricultural production. ¦ Allow home business operation for renters in Affordable and HUD housing. ¦ Give entrepreneurs and people `vith disabilities the right to build home-offices and Farrnworkers dwellings on state and federal lease lands. ¦ Allow Americans, irregardless of guardianship, trust, or capacity, ro erty o~vnersh p, and assets to achieve sustainable self-determined lives with dignit~r. Ire conclusion By the time future business owners reach Purposeful Enterprise, their hope and faith has been defeated, their rights to access to information have been violated, their minds have been filled with misinformation, and they are petrified of further systems abuse. And we wonder, we American's, what is happening to our tax dollars in all the entitlement progra>?ns for the poor and disenfranchised? And we worry will oter Social Secaarity,be solvent by the time, we are needing to retire? Yet eve turn a blind eye to the plight of our Vetrans, our disabled laborers, professionals, our Ohana, our kin folk, thinking that it doesn't adversely affect us. Think again, every d®/lar that is wasted keeping state and federal employees in the dark about economic development programs, in their jobs with policies which bind and excuse them, with no accountability, axe billions of dollars in government spending wasted. And in so doing, people with disabilities are prevented from pursuing, as the AJJA puts it; "those o ~ortunities for which our free society is 'ustifiablv,~ famous_ costing the United States billions of dollars in unnecessa.r,~eYpenses resulting from de~endencv,~a~nd no~roductively." The ~otto~ Line 1) ~`he state of Hawaii is currently in a lawsuit, with a small number of other states, asking to be excused from complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. For the ~3 million people with disabilities nationwide, Don't let them 2) Congress can, and must, enforce the ADA in the state of Hawaii and all states, requiring s tate agencies, their employees and commerce to comply. With the authority to affect systems chan~-es eve will see the seeds of economic develot~ment, and: the fruits of vocational rehabilitation the reduction in dependencv~, non productivity and billions of dollars will be saved and billions more will be added to the econom~T by getting lower income entrepreneurs and people with disabilities back to work or in to their own business! Wf1V F(:f1~1 (1 r111R I7PVP~(1 I"1fYl Pflf AI1l~ 1A/nrlr Inrontivo Drnnr~mc r>n n'h lA/...I. 1nIL-a _ Up In Arms ©Updated Jan 20, 200't Up In Arms was written in k-€onor of John Prugh, and to those who died `vaiting, and Americans among us, now in your town, fighting to contribute. For Government and Private Project Management, Advocacy, PASS Training/Plans, Resources, and To Contribute, Contact: Saral-i °Taylor, Advocate, Economic Developer Purposeful Enterprise RR3 Box 1356 Pahoa, I~awaii 96778, pur~ose(cr~hialoha.net {808) 938-7373 Purposeful Enterprise (PE) is a charitable/ sole propriety, developed by a social entrepreneur, with multiple disabilities, on a fixed income and a Plan to Achieve Self Support (PASS). Having successfully over come the majority of barriers documented in this report, and having counseled hundreds of people with disabilities seeking access; on their behalf, and on the behalf of self determined lower income entrepreneurs and people with disabilities nation wide, Sarah 'Taylor PE's owner requests your support to oven the doors to commerce to met out your checkbooksP your at~lsropriations and discretionary funds,, and helms Purposeful Enterprise, help entrepreneurs, help 1[-~awaii Residents and Americans, remove barriers and create easy access to economic development Nationwide. Please Kokua (help). Mahalo Nui Loa and Thank you. Respectfully Submitted, Sarah Taylor, Advocate, Econotic Developer Areas Needing Your Financial Support now in the year 2001: ¦ Costs for printing ink, p,~per, electricity,~phone, fax ,rent at Ply's Community Office. ¦ Costs to lobby Congressional support to expedite removal of barriers listed in this report. ¦ Costs to advocate for individuals within the systems listed in Up in Arms and Costs to train service providers within these systems until these costs for systems change and government employee training is covered by grants and/or government agencies and departments currently responsible for equal access, overseeing the treatment of these protected class citizens, and those departments currently subsidizing and serving these consumers. ¦ Costs for the development of Hawaii's first Affordable, rivately owned HTJD supported I°lome-Office Villa egc with Cottage industry a~ nd agriculture: Rentals and Fee Simple Homes ¦ Costs to get PE's and I)isabilit~ Groups resources nationwide un on a `or~tston' Internet site ¦ No Strings Gifts and Grants to Entrepreneurs and Individuals with Disabilities living below US poverty thresholds. `T'hank you for joining Purposeful Enterprise in making economic development accessible to all Americans. To make gifts to the projects listed above, feel free to specify. Again, ~XIe Need You. Please take these serious concerns of some 43 million Americans (110,000 Hawaii residents) into your heart, your own future Social Security into consideration, and take action on this urn nt request. 4~e THr1NI~ YOU in advance. Prrrpos f rl enterprise "he' ~ ~o people gain re.rorrrce.r to crake a p~ ~'=ve impact are soczety" V1/hu ~rnnnmirt I~avalnnrnPnt and Work Inrc~ntnia Prnnrarrsc rlr+n't 1A/nrl. tn~~._.:_ . _