Dixiefireball
09-22-2004, 05:32 PM
Help for low-income Oregonians
A checklist from the Oregon Department of Human Services
The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) offers many kinds of help for low-income Oregonians.
Here are some things you need to know about help from DHS:
* In order to get services,you may have to qualify for a program or meet other requirements.
* If you're not sure you qualify for services, visit the DHS self-sufficiency office for a screening.
* You don't have to be out of work to get services. We can help if you're working but earn a low income. And we might be able to solve a problem so you can avoid welfare.
* You may be able to get benefits or services before you are officially approved for a DHS program.
* For some services, you may not have to meet all the eligibility rules if you're being abused at home or are homeless.
* DHS works with many partner agencies to provide services.
* While you're in DHS programs, we'll help you find work so you can move toward supporting yourself.
Basic Expenses
DHS self-sufficiency offices can provide:
* Money for things like rent, food or utilities
* Help in finding other ways to meet your needs
Food
DHS self-sufficiency offices can help you:
* Get Food Stamps
* Find other places to get food
* Learn about nutrition and how to stretch your food budget
Emergencies
DHS self-sufficiency offices can help you with:
* Cash payments for emergencies
* Emergency Food Stamps
* Special Services or money if you are homeless or are being abused at home
* Finding other agencies that can help
Medical Benefits
DHS self-sufficiency offices can help you:
* Sign up for medical benefits (such as Oregon Health Plan)
* Receive mental health counseling
* Pay for your own health insurance
Family Problems
DHS self-sufficiency offices can help you:
* Get treatment for alcohol, drug or gambling problems
* Work out problems your children/teens have at home or school, or with the law
* Escape from violence at home
Getting and Keeping a Job
DHS offers many services that can:
* Help you get a GED and improve your English or math
* Give you basic skills needed in the workplace
* Help you find a good job
* Pay for things you need so you can look for work (like child care or gas money)
* Pay for things you need to take or keep a job (like clothing or car repairs)
* Help you keep your job * Help you get a better job if your already working
Child Care
DHS has programs and services that can:
* Help you find and choose child care
* Pay for child care while you are looking for work
* Help working families pay their child care bills
* Tell you how to become a child-care provider in DHS programs
Child Support Resources
With it's partner agencies, DHS can:
* Help you get child-support payments
See also Oregon Department of Justice
Special Groups
DHS can help non-citizens who don't qualify for other DHS programs:
* Get emergency medical care
* Escape from abuse at home
* Find other services such as classes to learn English
DHS can help teen parents:
* Complete their high-school education
* Find a safe place to live
* Prepare for a job
See also Teen Pregnancy Prevention
For households in which adults don't get welfare but the children do, DHS can help:
* Improve the family's income
* Solve problems that children have at home or school, or with the law.
How do you get these services?
Come to the nearest DHS self-sufficiency office. Look in the phone book's "Government" section, under State of Oregon, Department of Human Services, (the office may still be listed under it's old name, Adult & Family Services), or visit our website at the Oregon Department of Human Services.
It's a good idea to call first to find out if you are going to the right office. You can also ask about the best time to come in. Some branches offer services during evenings or weekends.
If you only want to apply for the Oregon Health Plan, you don't need to come in. Call 1-800-359-9517 to get an application. (You may be able to get other kinds of help with medical bills if you've been on welfare in the past. Contact the self-sufficiency office for information.)
A checklist from the Oregon Department of Human Services
The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) offers many kinds of help for low-income Oregonians.
Here are some things you need to know about help from DHS:
* In order to get services,you may have to qualify for a program or meet other requirements.
* If you're not sure you qualify for services, visit the DHS self-sufficiency office for a screening.
* You don't have to be out of work to get services. We can help if you're working but earn a low income. And we might be able to solve a problem so you can avoid welfare.
* You may be able to get benefits or services before you are officially approved for a DHS program.
* For some services, you may not have to meet all the eligibility rules if you're being abused at home or are homeless.
* DHS works with many partner agencies to provide services.
* While you're in DHS programs, we'll help you find work so you can move toward supporting yourself.
Basic Expenses
DHS self-sufficiency offices can provide:
* Money for things like rent, food or utilities
* Help in finding other ways to meet your needs
Food
DHS self-sufficiency offices can help you:
* Get Food Stamps
* Find other places to get food
* Learn about nutrition and how to stretch your food budget
Emergencies
DHS self-sufficiency offices can help you with:
* Cash payments for emergencies
* Emergency Food Stamps
* Special Services or money if you are homeless or are being abused at home
* Finding other agencies that can help
Medical Benefits
DHS self-sufficiency offices can help you:
* Sign up for medical benefits (such as Oregon Health Plan)
* Receive mental health counseling
* Pay for your own health insurance
Family Problems
DHS self-sufficiency offices can help you:
* Get treatment for alcohol, drug or gambling problems
* Work out problems your children/teens have at home or school, or with the law
* Escape from violence at home
Getting and Keeping a Job
DHS offers many services that can:
* Help you get a GED and improve your English or math
* Give you basic skills needed in the workplace
* Help you find a good job
* Pay for things you need so you can look for work (like child care or gas money)
* Pay for things you need to take or keep a job (like clothing or car repairs)
* Help you keep your job * Help you get a better job if your already working
Child Care
DHS has programs and services that can:
* Help you find and choose child care
* Pay for child care while you are looking for work
* Help working families pay their child care bills
* Tell you how to become a child-care provider in DHS programs
Child Support Resources
With it's partner agencies, DHS can:
* Help you get child-support payments
See also Oregon Department of Justice
Special Groups
DHS can help non-citizens who don't qualify for other DHS programs:
* Get emergency medical care
* Escape from abuse at home
* Find other services such as classes to learn English
DHS can help teen parents:
* Complete their high-school education
* Find a safe place to live
* Prepare for a job
See also Teen Pregnancy Prevention
For households in which adults don't get welfare but the children do, DHS can help:
* Improve the family's income
* Solve problems that children have at home or school, or with the law.
How do you get these services?
Come to the nearest DHS self-sufficiency office. Look in the phone book's "Government" section, under State of Oregon, Department of Human Services, (the office may still be listed under it's old name, Adult & Family Services), or visit our website at the Oregon Department of Human Services.
It's a good idea to call first to find out if you are going to the right office. You can also ask about the best time to come in. Some branches offer services during evenings or weekends.
If you only want to apply for the Oregon Health Plan, you don't need to come in. Call 1-800-359-9517 to get an application. (You may be able to get other kinds of help with medical bills if you've been on welfare in the past. Contact the self-sufficiency office for information.)