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Community ResourcesTo follow is a list of organizations and agencies that brain injury survivors, their families, and caregivers will find helpful. To see them all, either scroll down, or use this menu to link directly to each section.
For further information about any of these resources, or for additional resources, please send us an email by clicking here: ckramer@biact.org.
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The Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) Waiver Program, administered by the State of Connecticut’s Department of Social Services, offers 21 home- and community-based services to eligible brain injury survivors. (Certain income/asset requirements apply.) To learn more about this important program, please visit the ABI Wavier section on this web site, where you will find more complete information about the program, a direct link to the official on-line ABI Waiver brochure, the toll-free phone number for the State of Connecticut’s Department of Social Services, and the number for the DSS Disabilities Services’ office. To go to the ABI Waiver section of this web site directly, please click here . For additional assistance, please send us an email by clicking here ckramer@biact.org, or call your local regional office of the Department of Social Services, which is listed below the program descriptions. |
The following programs may also be very helpful to brain injury survivors, their families, and caregivers. These are also administered by the State of Connecticut’s Department of Social Services.
| The Personal Care Assistance Medicaid Waiver Program is a home and community-based services waiver that provides for personal care assistance services under Medicaid. Income eligibility applies. |
| The Food Stamp Program helps low-income individuals buy food. |
| The Section 8 Rental Assistance Program is a federally funded program that helps very low-income families obtain decent, safe, and sanitary housing. |
| Temporary Family Assistance is a cash assistance program that provides basic human needs to families who have the responsibility of caring for children under the age of 18. |
| State-Administered General Assistance (SAGA) provides cash to eligible individuals and families in Connecticut who do not have enough money to meet their basic needs and are unable to work. |
For more information about any of these programs, please call your local Department of Social Services regional office at the number included in list below, or contact us.
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DSS Regional Offices
Bridgeport |
Hartford |
Manchester |
Middletown |
New Britain |
New Haven |
Norwich |
Stamford |
Torrington |
Torrington |
Waterbury |
Willimantic |
Deaf and hearing-impaired persons may use a |
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Additional Social Service Assistance
Additional social services can be obtained by contacting the following organizations.
Medication assistance information is available at an interactive web site sponsored by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), where individuals are helped in their search for patient assistance programs. To visit this web site, click here: www.HelpingPatients.org
Assistance with government benefits is available at an interactive web site, where individuals can determine what government benefits they may qualify for in complete confidence. To visit this web site, click here: www.govbenefits.gov
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Independent Living Centers (ILCs)
Independent Living Centers are designed to offer individuals with disabilities optimal independence by removing the barriers that prevent their inclusion in all aspects of the community and its social life.
To follow is a list of organizations that can help brain injury survivors and their families learn more about the independent living opportunities available to them. Included are their phone numbers, and their web site links, which, when clicked on, lead directly to that organization’s web site.
Disabilities Network of Eastern Connecticut To visit this web site, click here: |
Disability Resource Center of Fairfield County To visit this web site, click here: |
| Center for Disabilities Rights West Haven, CT Phone: 1-203-934-7077 |
Independence Northwest To visit this web site, click here: |
| Independence Unlimited Hartford, CT Phone: 1-860-523-5021 |
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Health Insurance Assistance
To follow is a list of organizations that can help brain injury survivors and their families learn more about the health insurance options available to them. Included are their phone numbers and their web site links, which, when clicked on, lead directly to that organization’s web site.
| General Medicare information is available by ordering Medicare booklets that explain Medicare health plans.
Phone: 1-800-633-4227 |
| Connecticut’s Husky Program assists with the healthcare needs of uninsured children and youth.
To visit this web site, click here: www.huskyhealth.com |
| SHIP -- State Health Insurance Assistance Program
SHIP provides information about medigap policies, long-term care insurance, Medicare health plan choices, Medicare rights and protections, and help with filing an appeal. Phone: 1-800-994-9422 |
| SSA -- Social Security Administration
SSA provide information about changing address, Medicare Part A or Part B, lost Medicare cards, and Social Security disability benefits. Phone: 1-800-772-1213 |
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Work-related Assistance
To follow is a list of organizations that can help brain injury survivors and their families learn more about the kinds of work-related assistance available to them. Included are their phone numbers and their web site links, which, when clicked on, lead directly to that organization’s web site.
The Bureau of Rehabilitation Services (BRS) can assists individuals with disabilities prepare for, find, or keep a job. Phone: 1-800-537-2549 |
The Department of Labor can provide work-related assistance for those with disabilities through its web site. To visit this web site, click here: www.disabilityinfo.gov |
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Energy Assistance Programs
To follow is a list of organizations that can help brain injury survivors and their families with their energy assistance needs. Included are their phone numbers, and their web site links, which, when clicked on, lead directly to that organization’s web site.
The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program can help low-income households pay their winter heating bills. Applications are handled by the local Community Action Agency. For assistance, call the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services at 1-800-842-1132. |
Operation Fuel and local fuel banks offer private, non-profit energy assistance to those who need emergency help with energy bills and are not eligible for state or federal assistance. The maximum assistance available is $250 per household for the heating season. For the telephone number of a specific local fuel bank, call InfoLine by dialing 211 or 1-800-203-1234. |
Connecticut Light & Power (CL & P) offers a service called Third Party Notification. With a customer’s permission, a copy of that customer’s bill can be forwarded to a third person (such as a relative, friend, or neighbor) so that third person can remind the customer that the bill is due. For more information, please call CL & P at 1-800-286-2000 or 1-860-947-2000. |
The HELP Team helps customers make mutually agreeable payment arrangements if they are having trouble paying CL & P bills. For more information, please call CL & P at 1-800-286-2000 or 1-860-947-2000. |
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Legal Assistance
To follow is a list of organizations that can help brain injury survivors and their families by providing legal assistance. Included are their phone numbers and their web site links, which, when clicked on, lead directly to that organization’s web site.
| Statewide Legal Services provides civil legal services to individuals who meet their income eligibility requirements.
Phone: 1-800-453-3320 |
| The Office of Victim Services responds to the needs of crime victims by providing information, referrals, and direct assistance. Reimbursement for medical bills, counseling, lost wages, disabilities and other expenses experienced as a result of a crime can be obtained through the Victims’ Compensation Fund.
Phone: 1-800-822-8428 |
| The Center for Medicare Advocacy is a private, non-profit organization that provides education, advocacy, and legal assistance to help those who are elderly and those with disabilities obtain necessary healthcare. This organization focuses on the needs of Medicare beneficiaries, people with chronic conditions, and those in need of long-term care.
Phone: 1-860-456-7790 |
| The Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities is an independent State agency created to safeguard and advance the civil and human rights of people with disabilities in Connecticut.
Phone: 1-800-842-7303 |
Mission Statement: "Enhancing the effectiveness of disability activism in Connecticut by organizing and empowering individuals, families, groups, and organizations" Communicate! Publish monthly news in the CDAC Bulletin:
Collaborate! Create a more unified voice among individuals with disabilities, their families, organizations and agencies. Activate!
Mobilize!
Advocate and Educate!
If you would like to call the Connecticut Disability Advocacy Collaborative, please call: 860-614-8351 or visit their website. www.ct-dac.org |
Connecticut Disability Advocacy Collaborative (CDAC)| Prev |
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Mental Health Assistance
To follow is a list of organizations that can help brain injury survivors and their families who are dealing with mental health issues. Included are their phone numbers and their web site links, which, when clicked on, lead directly to that organization’s web site.
| The Mental Health Association of Connecticut is a statewide, private, non-profit membership organization whose mission is to advocate and work for everyone’s mental health.
Phone: 1-800-842-1501 |
| The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) promotes and administers comprehensive, recovery-oriented services in the areas of mental health treatment and substance abuse prevention and treatment throughout Connecticut. While the Department's prevention services serve all Connecticut citizens, its mandate is to serve adults (over 18 years of age) with psychiatric or substance use disorders, or both, who lack the financial means to obtain such services on their own.
Phone: 1-800-446-7348 |
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Other Brain Injury Resources
To follow is a list of organizations that can help brain injury survivors and their families in many other ways. Included are their phone numbers and their web site links, which, when clicked on, lead directly to that organization’s web site.
| The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is the national Brain Injury Association. Information on their web site is available in English and Spanish.
Phone: 1-800-444-6443 |
While you are Waiting is a web site dedicated to those experiencing the difficult wait for a loved one in a coma to awaken. To visit this web site, click here: www.waiting.com |
The Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives provides general information about the brain and current brain research. To visit this web site, click here: www.dana.org |
The National Resource Center for Traumatic Brain Injury, which is affiliated with Virginia Commonwealth University, provides relevant, practical information for professionals, persons with brain injury, and family members. To visit this web site, click here: www.neuro.pmr.vcu.edu |
The Perspectives Network offers general information about brain injury as well as information on obtaining “survivor identification cards.” To visit this web site, click here: www.tbi.org |
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the federal agency in charge of protecting the public’s health and safety, both at home and abroad, by providing the credible information required to enhance health decisions and by promoting health through strong partnerships. To visit this web site, click here: www.cdc.gov |
The Ohio Valley Center for Brain Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation, an affiliate of Ohio State University, provides general information about brain injury, as well as specific information about substance abuse and agitation. To visit this web site, click here: www.ohiovalley.org |
The Research and Training Center on Community Integration of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury, an affiliate of Mount Sinai School of Medicine, works to expand our knowledge of 'what works' when it comes to helping people with traumatic brain injuries live their lives. To visit this web site, click here: www.mssm.edu/tbinet/ |
Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center Survey. If you or someone you know utilizes Assistive Technology, you are invited to participate in a survey. As part of a research project by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for the Advancement of cognitive Technologies (RERC-ACT), housed at the Institute on Disability and Human Development (IDHD) in the Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, the survey focuses on how people with disabilities use cognitive technologies (personal digital assistants, cell phones, augmentative communication devices, tape recorders, etc.) to increase independence. The Center is interested in gathering information from people with developmental disabilities (age 18+), acquired brain injuries, or problems with memory, as well as from people who provide them support. While there are no direct benefits to individual subjects, it is hoped the information obtained will help technology developers and researchers to create technologies that will promote the independence of people with disabilities. Participation is voluntary and you can choose to end your involvement at anytime. The Center hopes that the information gathered through this survey will help create better technologies in the future for people with disabilities. The survey is available online at: http://206.188.20.148/survey/survey.php?sid=62 More information about the survey and the Institute on Disability and Human Development can be found at: http//www.idhd.org/default.asp |
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On-line Support
TBI Chat Room offers a chat room and message boards where brain injury survivors, their families, and caregivers can go to discuss all aspects of living with a brain injury. To visit this web site, click here: www.tbichat.org |
Email Support/TBINET hosts a variety of on-line support groups for brain injury survivors, including groups for caregivers, coma support, and those who speak Spanish. To visit this web site, click here: www.tbinet.org |
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