Through DRLA’s Financial Access Resource and Inclusion (FAIR) program, we assisted a gentleman in his late 50s with mental health disabilities, substance use disorder, arthritis, and orthopedic injuries.
He was referred to FAIR after spending over 20 years in incarceration. He was living in a transitional house through The First 72+ and he shared that goals were to get his own apartment and learn how to manage his bills.
His FAIR case manager helped him create his resume and coordinated with The First 72+ to help him secure a janitorial position at a local university, earning about $720 per month. Next, FAIR helped him apply for a reduced bus fare pass for people with disabilities so it was more affordable to get to and from work.
A few weeks later, his Social Security claim was denied and FAIR helped him connect to pro-bono legal representation for the appeal. Just a few weeks after that, he was promoted to a full-time employee at work and started earning $1800 per month. Given that he was earning over twice the maximum SSI benefit rate, he was glad to withdraw his SSI appeal. Shortly after that, his time ran out at the First 72+’s transitional house, and FAIR helped him secure a spot in another housing program.
Moving forward, FAIR is helping him look for a permanent residence and budget to save for rent and moving costs, which will be a little bit easier now that our partners at the Justice and Accountability Center have helped him remove $3,622 in municipal fines and fees.
