Ms. K* joined the FAIR program in October 2019. At the time, she was in a long-term residential substance use treatment program. She expressed interest in working right away, and a month after joining the FAIR program, Ms. K gained full-time employment at a newly opened donut shop earning $14 an hour until the shop closed down due to increased concern about COVID19. Her FAIR case manager referred her to a number of housing programs, and eventually she made the decision to move a VOA home until we could secure her Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which would afford her the ability to move into her own home.
Ms. K applied for Social Security benefits twice before joining the FAIR program and was denied both times. It was evident that she was becoming discouraged. As her case manager helped her re-apply for Social Security benefits, they talked about the application process in detail, leading her to be more comfortable with and less discouraged by the process. After nearly 1 1⁄2 years, she was awarded SSI benefits in the sum of $794 monthly along with retroactive benefits totaling over $10,000! Recently, Ms. K. moved from the VOA back to her substance use treatment program to get treatment services and supports to stay clean as she takes the next steps toward self-sufficiency and independence. Her case manager is currently supporting her through the housing search process as she works to maintain her health and well-being. Ms. K’s main goal when joining the FAIR Program was to access long-term and stable housing, which she can now use her steady SSI income and back-pay to do. Once she is stably housed, her case manager will help her secure another job.
*name changed to protect confidentiality
Click to Get Help Now or Call 1(800) 960-7705
