Workspace #2

May 17, 2022 @ Parker Williams Library, Houston, Texas

Overview

The meeting was opened with a review of Workspace #1.

Activities

1. We started by reviewing the Overview Sections in the Life Plan for Loved Ones document.

  • Overview Part 1 is a place to describe all about your Loved One.
  • Overview Part 2 is a place to catalog all of the human connections in your Loved One’s social network.

2. As we discuss the different groups each of our Loved One is part of, we discussed local groups and the criteria for participation. It is complicated to both get info on opportunities and to be the coordinator of the opportunities.

  • City-coordinated opportunities
    • Verne Cox Multipurpose Center in Pasadena, TX
      • Day camps
      • Exercise activities
      • Dances
    • Hometown Heroes Center in League City, TX
      • Water aerobics
      • Movie nights
  • Formally-organized Groups
  • Informally Coordinated Social Groups
    • Pure Hearts – informal group of Friendswood young adults who like to do activities together (often planned by Tami Griffith)
    • Bowling group on Fridays in Pasadena – coordinated by Susan
  • Special Olympics Adult Teams

Resources

1. Social Security Administration complications

We also discussed how complex it is to figure out the complex calculations of SSI, SSDI, wages, rent, etc.

A resource for questions is Andy Hardwick, Public Affairs Specialist.

2. Affordable Connectivity Program

While several people had heard about the Affordable Connectivity Program that provides a discount on the internet for individuals receiving Medicaid and several other government benefits, they had also struggled to do all the steps to apply for the discount.

We completed these steps together:

Be approved by the National Verifier:

  1. Go through this Questionaire.
    • Put the name of the family member whose name is on the internet bill.
    • Enter last 4 digits of Social Security number of this person.
    • Select “Yes, I qualify through my child or dependent.”
    • Select “NEXT”
    • On the next page, enter the information of the Loved One who receives Medicaid.
  2. Create an account
    • After the account name and password is created, click boxes to agree have your information used for this application.
  3. Sign In to Your Account
    • Scroll down to “Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
    • Click APPLY FOR ACP
  4. Tell Us Which Program You Are In
    • Select all the programs your Loved One’s receives benefits through. Choices on this list are: SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Federal Public Housing Assistance, Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit Programs, Federal Pell Grant in the current award year, Free and Reduced Price School Lunch or Breakfast Program in the current school year, Enrollment at USDA Community Eligiblity Provision (CEP) School, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Tribal Specific Programs.
  5. Review Your Information
    • Check the box to consent to use of your info
    • Submit the application
  6. On the next page, scroll down to see your Application information
    • Look for the Application ID – it will be something like B23455-43212
    • Copy this number.

Now to tell your Internet Provider that you qualify!

  1. Login to your Internet Providers page:
    • Xfinity
    • ATT
  2. Then go to your Internet Provider’s ACP page and follow the link to start enrollment:

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