Category: Financial Resources

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Internships!

Forward Focus February

February may be the shortest month of the year, but that just means that we need to pack it FULL! This month we share resources to help us maintain a Forward Focus in February.

In this third installment of our “Forward Focus February” series, we check out some internships and job opportunities that may be of interest. Also, even if you are not seeking an internship or summer job this year, it’s great to know what is available!

DORS-sponsored programs

Maryland students have a tremendous resource in the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS) and its Office of Blindness & Vision Services (OBVS). In addition to providing needed tools and technology for individuals with disabilities, DORS provides employment-related support. In fact, the title of the DORS web page is: “DORS: Helping Marylanders With Disabilities Go To Work”

DORS supports several agencies and non-profits in providing work-based learning experiences (WBLEs). These are (typically summer) programs where you receive training and coaching and where you get to have part-time PAID jobs. While the details of these programs have not yet been finalized, it’s never too early to make sure that you have an open case with DORS and are communicating with your DORS counselor. 

If you know your DORS counselor:

Contact your DORS counselor about what you would like for the summer. If you don’t know exactly what you want, talk with your DORS counselor about what might be available that would meet your needs.

If you don’t know whether you have an open case with DORS:

  • Contact DORS directly and ask. Find more information on the Request DORS Services webpage.
  • The Free Bridges Helpdesk is happy to help. Please reach out to us, and we can help you with finding out who to contact and/or with contacting that individual.

If you know you don’t have a case with DORS yet:

Please reach out to the Free Bridges Helpdesk. We look forward to discussing any of these matters with you, and we’re happy to connect you with Muttasim Fadl, the Transition Specialist for OBVS/DORS.

Other Internships For Maryland Students

NASA Internships

Description:

  • These paid internships are offered across NASA facilities in fall, spring, and summer sessions.
  • One application is viewed agencywide.
  • Interns may receive a stipend based on academic level and session length.

Eligibility:

  • U.S. Citizens
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA (grade point average)
  • Opportunities are available at the high school, undergraduate, graduate, and educator levels
  • Prior experience is not required

Location:

Application deadline:

  • Early March
  • Apply soon!

Prerequisite:

Internships for Students Already in College

Accessible Pharmacy

Description:

  • Paid internship
  • Get hands-on experience with the following:
    • Healthcare & medication management
    • Sales
    • Market research
    • Customer service
    • Quality assurance
    • Writing

Eligibility:

  • Enrolled in a college or university
  • Be blind or have low-vision
  • Work from home
  • Must be outgoing
  • Must feel comfortable speaking on the phone with clients, patients and our pharmacy team

Location:

Application deadline:

  • None stated, but don’t wait

AFB Talent Lab Internship Information webpage

Description:

  • A fully remote and flexible program consisting of nine terms completed over the course of three years. You may participate in one, multiple, or all nine terms.
  • Participants are expected to participate fully in all aspects of the program, including foundational coursework, independent and team-oriented client projects, and meetings with program mentors and supervisors.
  • Participants represent the AFB and, as a result, are required to adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards while participating in the program.

Work Requirements:

  • Participants should expect to be engaged with program coursework, projects, or other activities for a certain number of hours each week depending on the term:
    • For Summer sessions, expect to work about 25-30 hours each week.
    • For Spring & Fall sessions, expect to work about 6-10 hours each week.

Eligibility:

  • Currently enrolled full-time in college or another higher education program
  • Studying computer science or a related field
  • Be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior
  • Have a recommendation from a professor or instructor

Application deadlines:

AFB Talent Lab Apprenticeship Information webpage

Description:

  • A fully remote, full-time program (35 hours per week) lasting two years.
  • Participate fully in all aspects of the program, including foundational coursework, independent and team-oriented client projects, and meetings with program mentors and supervisors.
  • Participants represent the AFB and, as a result, are required to adhere to the highest professional and ethical standards while participating in the program.

Eligibility:

  • Be able to work full-time for 2 years to complete the program
  • Be skilled at using Assistive Technologies, such as screen readers or magnification, etc.
  • Have an interest in pursuing digital inclusion through product testing and management.
  • Provide a professional resume
  • Provide a professional letter of recommendation, such as from a colleague or a supervisor.
  • Provide a writing sample of approximately 500 words in length.

Application deadline:

  • “The next cohort of the AFB Talent Lab Apprenticeship is currently expected to begin in January 2024 with applications reopening later in 2023. Please continue to check [Apply to Join the AFB Talent Lab] page for updates on application dates and deadlines.”

More information:

Internships for the Summer of 2024

NLS Aspiring Leaders Internship Program

Description:

  • The program runs during the summer, between 12 to 15 weeks.
  • Under the guidance of mentors, interns work on selected tasks and projects within one of the five main divisions of NLS: the Office of the Director, Business Operations Division, Collections Division, Patron and Network Engagement Division, and Program Delivery Division.

Eligibility:

  • Currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students and those who have graduated within the past five years from an accredited two-year or four-year college or university are eligible to apply.

Application deadline:

  • Deadline for summer internships is typically in November of the prior year

NLS (the National Library Service)

Description:

Eligibility:

Application deadline:

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Bridges Technical Assistance Center’s Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

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Bridges Blog Extracurricular Resources Financial Resources Series: Forward Focus February, 2023

Contests!

Forward Focus February

February may be the shortest month of the year, but that just means that we need to pack it FULL! This month we share resources to help us maintain a Forward Focus in February.

  • February 7: Scholarships!
  • February 14: Contests!
  • February 21: Internships!
  • February 28: More Opportunities!

In this second installment of our “Forward Focus February” series, we check out contests – some exclusively available for individuals who are blind or who have low vision and others. Pay attention to the deadlines; you don’t want to miss out!

Blindness/Low Vision Contests

Braille Challenge 2023

On February 4, the Maryland School for the Blind hosted a regional Braille Challenge contest. It was a fabulous day, and we loved reconnecting with our friends and making new friends that day! Dozens of students, families, educators, and other allies joined together at the Maryland School for the Blind on Saturday, February 4. Unfortunately, not everyone who wanted to participate could attend. Illness, transportation issues, and other obstacles can keep great students from engaging in the Braille Challenge contest.

Good news! You can still enter the 2023 Braille Challenge contest even if you missed attending the Maryland Braille Challenge. The Braille Institute (the agency that coordinates the Braille Challenge nationwide) offers INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATIONS. Your teacher of blind/low vision students (TVI) can complete the Braille Challenge Preliminary Contest Request Form for Teachers, and the Braille Institute will send the tests to your school for your teacher to administer to you.

Please note: you may NOT participate in both the regional challenge and as an individual. However, if you missed the Maryland Regional Braille Challenge, this is a great opportunity to still participate!

If you want to take advantage of this opportunity, please contact your TVI as soon as possible (and share the Braille Challenge Teacher Information page). The Braille Challenge Individual Registration deadline is March 1, 2023!

Deadline:

  • March 1, 2023

Contest Age Groups

  • Apprentice (1st and 2nd grades)
  • Freshman (3rd and 4th grades)
  • Sophomore (5th and 6th grades)
  • Junior Varsity (7th, 8th and 9th grades)
  • Varsity (10th, 11th and 12th grades)

To prepare for the contest, you might want to download some of the sample contest files: 2020 sample Braille Challenge contest files and archive (2019 and earlier) sample Braille Challenge contest files.

Also, please check out the 2022 Braille Challenge Teacher of the Year Excellence in Braille Instruction award winner: Melinda (Mindy) Demaris. She has served as a teacher of students with blindness/low vision/visual impairments (TVI) in Maryland (Salisbury, Wicomico County) for more than two decades. Congratulations on your years of dedication!

APH InSights Art Contest

“Since 1992, the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) has hosted an art contest for artists who happen to be blind. Both amateur and professional artists from around the world enter their artwork in a juried art competition. Original works of 2-dimensional art, sculpture, or craft, are considered each year.”

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind
  2. Function at the definition of blindness
  3. For more information, check out the “Eligibility for Entering Artwork” section of the APH InSights Art Instructions document.
  4. Only ONE entry per person per year
  5. “Original works of 2-dimensional art, sculpture, or craft, are considered each year.”
  6. Must be an original work of art—no kits

Deadline:

  • March 31, 2023

Prize:

  • “Winners receive prizes, experience their artwork displayed in our annual exhibit, and have a chance to travel to Louisville, Kentucky — the hometown of APH — to receive their award at our annual InSights Art awards celebration.”

Application:

Categories:

  • Preschool / Kindergarten students
  • Grades 1, 2, 3
  • Grades 4, 5, 6
  • Grades 7, 8, 9
  • Grades 10, 11, 12
  • Ungraded students (students not working at their grade level or students with multiple disabilities)
  • Adult Craft
  • Adult Sculpture
  • Adult 2-Dimensional Art

Criteria:

  • “Works will be selected on the basis of originality of concept, expressive use of media, and artistic excellence. The artwork must be created by the artist with minimal assistance from anyone else.”

Freedom Scientific K-12 Student of the Month Program

Eligibility:

  1. K-12 students in the U.S.
  2. Blind or have low vision
  3. Have shown a conscientious commitment to their educational objectives
  4. Use Freedom Scientific technology in pursuit of educational goals
  5. If chosen, must (a) complete permission forms and (2) make a short video about the student, the use of Freedom Scientific tools, and the student’s goals.

Deadline:

  • None; one student is chosen each month
  • “Any student nominations that are not selected will automatically be entered for the following month.”

Prizes:

  • $300 Amazon gift card
  • A five-year license of JAWS, ZoomText, or Fusion
  • Featured on Freedom Scientific’s blog and social media: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram

Nomination form:

Other Contests For Maryland Students

Maryland History Day 2023

Purpose:

“For middle and high school students who participate, Maryland History Day sparks critical thinking, and helps develop skills in research and analysis, writing, and public speaking.

Working solo or in small groups, students create original documentaries, exhibits, performances, research papers or websites exploring a breadth of historical topics within an annual theme. Students progress through competitions at the school, district, state, and national levels. Students from public, private, parochial, home, and cyber schools are welcome to participate.  District contests are held throughout Maryland every February and March.”

Eligibility:

  • 6-12 students in Maryland
    • Junior Division—grades 6, 7, and 8
    • Senior Division—grades 9, 10, 11, and 12

Deadlines:

  • March 29, 2023 – Registration Deadline
  • April 12, 2023 – Project Upload Deadline

Theme:

State Contest:

  • May 6, 2023: Maryland History Day Contest, UMBC

National Contest:

  • To be determined

Find your local contest information according to your county: Maryland History Day Competitions by County

Check out these Maryland History Day Resources for students.

NOTE: “National History Day (NHD) programs are open to all students and teachers without regard to race, sex, religion, physical abilities, economic status, or sexual orientation. NHD does not discriminate against, or limit participation by, physically challenged students. NHD staff and affiliate coordinators strive to accommodate students with special needs.”

If you wish, the Free Bridges Helpdesk will help you determine any needed accommodations and make a request for those. This is great preparation for the future!!

American Legion, Department of Maryland ​Oratorical Scholarship Competition

Purpose:

  • “to develop knowledge and appreciation of the United States Constitution, the ability to think and speak clearly and critically, and the acceptance of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.”

​Contest:

  • ​“Prepared Oration
    • “Each contestant shall deliver a prepared oration, which must be an original effort. The oration must address some aspect of the Constitution of the United States, which emphasizes the attendant duties and obligations of a citizen to our government. Possible subjects include:
      • An American Citizen’s Rights and Responsibilities Under The Constitution
      • Our Constitution – Worth Having, Worth Defending
      • The Constitution in a Changing World
      • The Constitution in Our Everyday Life
      • The Bill of Rights – Reciprocal Rights and Duties
      • The Constitution – Guardian of the People’s Rights
  • “Assigned Topic Discourse”
    • “In addition to a Prepared Oration, contestants must be prepared to speak on a specific article or amendment to the Constitution. The National office chooses four each year and contestants will prepare a speech for all four. However, only one is chosen, at random, during a contest and all contestants will speak on the same article or amendment. Contestants are sequestered during the contest so they do [not] know which choice was drawn until it [is] their turn to speak.  See below for the list of selected assigned topics for the year.”

Awards for 2023

  • Maryland District and Post scholarship or cash awards vary.
  • State Finals:
    • 1st Place Gold Medal and $3,000 scholarship
    • 2nd Place Silver Medal and $2,000 scholarship
    • Others (3rd +) Bronze Medal and $750 scholarship
  • National Finals:
    • 1st place $25,000 scholarship
    • 2nd place $22,500 scholarship
    • 3rd place $20,000 scholarship
    • All state winners who participate in first-round National contests receive $2,000 scholarships.
    • All second-round contestants receive an additional $2,000 scholarship. ​

Registration:

​

Others

There are many, many contests offered for high school students each year. Contact your guidance office and your teachers to find out about more contest opportunities.

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Bridges Technical Assistance Center’s Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

Categories
Bridges Blog Financial Resources Series: Forward Focus February, 2023

Scholarships!

Forward Focus February

February may be the shortest month of the year, but that just means that we need to pack it FULL! This month we share resources to help us maintain a Forward Focus in February.

  • February 7: Scholarships!
  • February 14: Contests!
  • February 21: Internships!
  • February 28: More Opportunities!

In this first installment of our “Forward Focus February” series, we explore scholarships for individuals who are blind or who have low vision. Many deadlines are coming up soon. Don’t delay; apply today!

Importance for All Students

While most of these scholarships are available to high school seniors planning to attend college full-time in the fall, it’s still worthwhile for other students to check these out.

For high school juniors, sophomores, and freshmen, it can be very valuable to know what to expect in terms of scholarships. Senior year is busy and overwhelming, Wouldn’t it be nice to have months to plan writing essays and asking for reference letters? Well, here’s your chance!

For those already in college, some of these scholarships offer funds to current college students. In other cases, funders of some of the scholarships listed have additional scholarships for current undergraduate and graduate students. Scholarship money is money, and it’s never too late to apply for some!

Scholarships For Maryland Students

John T.  McCraw Scholarship Program (National Federation of the Blind of Maryland)

Award:

  • At least $2,000, and up to $3,500
  • Merit-based; based on academic excellence, community service, and leadership
  • Financial assistance to attend the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in its entirety, July 1-6, 2023, in Houston, Texas
  • Financial assistance to attend the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, November 10-12, 2023, in Hunt Valley, Maryland

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind
  2. Resident of Maryland or attending college/postsecondary school in Maryland
  3. Full- or part-time student in Fall of 2023 and Spring of 2024 (priority to full-time students)
  4. Will be 18 years old before July 1, 2023
  5. Must attend the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind July 1-6, 2023, in Houston, Texas
  6. Must attend the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland, November 10-12, 2023, in Hunt Valley, Maryland

Deadline:

  • April 15, 2023

Application:

National Scholarship Opportunities

National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Annual Scholarship Program

Award:

  • $8,000
  • Merit-based; based on academic excellence, community service, and leadership
  • Financial assistance to attend the Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in its entirety, July 1-6, 2023, in Houston, Texas

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind
  2. Residing in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico
  3. Will be 18 years old before July 1, 2023
  4. Pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study in a degree program at a U.S. institution in the fall of the year of application (one scholarship may be given to a person employed full-time while attending school part-time)
  5. Must participate in the entire NFB National Convention and in all of its scheduled scholarship program activities (finalists will receive assistance to attend the national convention).
  6. Must attend the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in its entirety, July 1-6, 2023, in Houston, Texas

Deadline:

  • March 31, 2023

Application:

Jim Halladay HumanWare/NFB Scholarship

Award:

  • $1,000
  • Brailliant BI40 braille display
    • Four scholarships are available
  • Financial assistance to attend the Annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in its entirety, July 1-6, 2023, in Houston, Texas

Same eligibility requirements as the NFB Scholarship above; apply using the NFB Scholarship online application

  • To be considered for this additional award, on the application, select the checkbox to get access to the Humanware scholarship application questions as well. 
  • NOTE: Even though the same application is used, the selection process for these Humanware scholarships is entirely separate from the selection process for the 30 NFB scholarships. 
  • Those selected as Humanware/NFB scholarship winners will be notified separately by Humanware of their winner status.
  • If NFB scholarship applicants do not wish to fill out the application questions for the Humanware/NFB scholarships, simply do not check the box within the NFB scholarship application and bypass the associated questions.

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind
  2. Residing in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico
  3. Will be 18 years old before July 1, 2023
  4. Pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, post-secondary course of study in a degree program at a U.S. institution in the fall of the year of application (one scholarship may be given to a person employed full-time while attending school part-time)
  5. Must participate in the entire NFB National Convention and in all of its scheduled scholarship program activities (finalists will receive assistance to attend the national convention).
  6. Must attend the annual Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in its entirety, July 1-6, 2023, in Houston, Texas

Deadline:

  • March 31, 2023

Application:

American Council of the Blind’s (ACB) Scholarship Program (includes scholarships sponsored by the American Foundation for the Blind—AFB)

Award:

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind
  2. Maintain a 3.0 GPA to be eligible for most scholarships
  3. Be a full-time student at a post-secondary institution in the United States (as well as students who work 32 or more hours per week and attend a U.S. post-secondary institution part time)
  4. Be involved in your school/local community
  5. Scholarship winners will experience firsthand ACB’s National Conference and Convention (June 30-July 7, 2023 in Schaumburg, Illinois), where you will meet other students who share the same life experiences, create lasting friendships and network with individuals who understand what you are going through and can help you with your journey. There are also many sessions where you can learn about new technology and what is happening in our community.

Deadline:

  • February 14, 2023

Application:

Fred Scheigert Scholarship Program

The Fred Scheigert Scholarship Program awards four (4) students an individual prize of $3,000. This competitive scholarship is available to full-time college students with low vision, chosen from among those who meet the visual acuity and academic guidelines.

Award:

  • $3,000
  • Up to four (4) awards

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind or low vision (acuity from 20/70 in the better eye with best possible correction, or a field no greater than 30 degrees)
  2. Full-time (12 units undergraduate/ 9 • units graduate) college/trade/vocational student for the academic year
  3. Minimum cumulative 3.2 Grade Point Average (GPA)
  4. Expected to attend the ACB National Conference and Convention (June 30-July 7, 2023 in Schaumburg, Illinois). Students’ expenses will be reimbursed based upon the Board approved Reimbursement Policy.

Deadline:

  • March 15, 2023

Application:

Anne Lowe Scholarship

Award:

  • Not listed, might be up to $2,000

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind
  2. U.S. Citizenship
  3. Currently registered as a full-time student in undergraduate studies
  4. Minimum 3.0 grade point average
  5. Attending an accredited college or university in the U.S.
  6. Based on financial need    

Deadline:

  • April 15, 2023

Application:

Lighthouse Guild College Bound Scholarship

Award:

  • Up to 20 awards per year

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind
  2. High school senior
  3. U.S. citizenship or legal residency
  4. College must be accredited by a body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
  5. All college admissions policies must be non-denominational and open to applicants of all religions, faiths, and beliefs
  6. Documentation of academic achievement (copies of school transcripts)

Deadline:

  • March 31, 2023

Application:

Lighthouse Guild Dr. Neil S. Patel Memorial Scholarship

Award:

  • Not stated

Eligibility:

  1. Visually impaired
  2. Aspirations of a higher education (College, Graduate school or higher)
  3. Proof of academic achievement
  4. Commitment to serve under-resourced communities
  5. Leadership abilities

Deadline:

  • Not stated

Application:

Lavelle – Brother Kearney Scholarship Program

Award:

  • Depends on demonstrated financial need
  • Additional support, including:
    • Virtual Scholars’ Meet and Greets to support informal networking.
    • Being mentored in Freshman year by a successful college graduate who is blind or visually impaired through Learning Ally’s College Success Program.
    • Job readiness services, career-related internships, and assistance with seeking post-college jobs. Services are provided by VISIONS Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired in New York City.

Eligibility:

  1. Legally blind
  2. A legal resident of the United States.
  3. Financially eligible, as defined by the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) determined by the FAFSA Financial Aid form.
  4. Be a full-time student (as well as students who work 32 or more hours per week and attend college part-time)
  5. Be involved in your school/local community
  6. Studying at one of 12 participating colleges and universities in the Tri-State New York area. These institutions are:
  7. Canisius College
  8. Dominican College
  9. Fairfield University
  10. Fordham University
  11. Le Moyne College
  12. Manhattanville College (note: candidates are eligible only after one successfully completed semester at Manhattanville College)
  13. Marist College
  14. Marymount Manhattan College
  15. Molloy College
  16. Seton Hall University
  17. St. John’s University – graduate programs only
  18. St. Thomas Aquinas College

Deadline:

  • None stated

Application:

  • “Students must be accepted into a Lavelle – Brother Kearney Scholarship college or university, complete the federal FAFSA form in addition to their college’s own financial aid application form, and seek sponsorship from their state’s Vocational Rehabilitation agency. Applicants should then contact Kate Morris, Scholarship Program Coordinator and complete The Lavelle – Brother Kearney Scholarship Program’s mandatory Waiver/Release of Information Form authorizing the release of student education and employment data to the Lavelle Fund for the Blind.”
  • “Should you have questions about the Scholarship Program, please contact:” Kate Morris, Lavelle – Brother Kearney Scholarship Program Coordinator (212) 668-9801, ext. 101, (generally on Mondays and Wednesdays)

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Bridges Technical Assistance Center’s Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

Categories
Bridges Blog Financial Resources Series: Financial February 2022

Financial February: How Can I Apply for SSI?

A key part of the transition process is knowing about financial benefits for which blind and low vision students are eligible. Join us for Financial February for a crash course on SSI benefits.

  • February 1: What is SSI, and Who is Eligible for It?
  • February 8: What are the Income Requirements for SSI?
  • February 15: How do Resources Affect SSI?
  • February 22: How Can I Apply for SSI?

In this fourth and final installment of our “Financial February” Series, we discuss the SSI application process and offer suggestions on how to gather needed documentation.

Application Tips

Prepare to wait

  • The application and evaluation process for SSI determination can be quite lengthy. As such, we recommend that you review the specific rules about disability, income, and resources before applying to ensure that you qualify before beginning your application.

Plan ahead

  • If you have too many resources to qualify, it might make sense to look into ways to legally transfer those resources. Options include opening an ABLE account and putting excess there, before beginning the application

Get a bank account

  • SSI payments can be issued to you on a prepaid card, but the most accessible way to track your finances is to open a bank account. Also, SSI can deposit your monthly check directly into your account, and you can monitor your finances independently either through your bank’s mobile application or via their website. If you choose to have SSI checks deposited directly into your account, you will need to provide SSA with your account number and routing number, which you can obtain upon opening your bank account.

Jump online

  • Creating a My Social Security account online will allow you to view your benefits status and download important communications from SSA without waiting to receive them in the mail. It also eliminates the need to call SSA to request certain documents because many forms and letters can be obtained or submitted on the website. Lots of business can be handled through this account, so please consider creating one to cut back on on-hold phone time waiting to speak with a representative.

Information Needed to Apply

Be prepared to provide:

  • Your full legal name
  • Your permanent address
  • Your social security number
  • Your employment history, if any
  • Information about whether you are or have been married, names and birthdates of any children you have

You also need to indicate the disability (or disabilities) under which you are applying for SSI and share the names and contact information for all of your medical providers (even if not directly related to your SSI disability).

You will be asked to provide documentation, so have your Social Security card, birth certificate, state-issued identification card, and relevant medical records available. In addition, please review our blog post about SSI disability eligibility What is SSI, and Who is Eligible for It? to familiarize yourself with the disability determination process.

When to Apply for SSI

Apply as soon as you are eligible to do so. The earlier you apply, the earlier you will establish your right to SSI benefits. Even though it may take several months for benefits to begin, if you are found to have been eligible for SSI when you applied, you will receive back benefits based on your application date. You cannot receive back benefits for months before you applied – even if you were technically eligible to receive SSI during those months.

  • If you are not yet 18 years old and your parents’ income and resources meet SSI guidelines, apply as soon as you can. If your parents’ income and/or resources exceed SSI guidelines, you must wait until you are an adult (18 years old) to potentially be eligible for SSI.
  • If you are intending to apply as an adult, you may call to set up a telephone appointment before your 18th birthday. However, the appointment itself will not take place until after your 18th birthday.
  • If you are 18 years old or older and meet the income and resource eligibility requirements for SSI, you may apply at any time.

Applying for SSI

Online Application

  • Individuals can now apply for SSI online only if they are between the ages of 18 and 64. Before you begin your application, be sure to have all of your documentation assembled. Check out How To Apply for SSI to learn more and to begin your online application.

Telephone application

  • You can call SSA to apply for SSI via phone: 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Note that when you call, you will likely have to set up an appointment for them to call you back for a phone meeting at a later date depending on the timing that the representative has. Even so, we recommend being prepared with all of your required documentation. Please note that hold times on SSA can be quite lengthy.

In-person Application

Conclusion

Be aware that once you have submitted your application, the determination process can take quite a long time, and this is made more lengthy because of the pandemic.

Thank you for joining us on our crash course in SSI. We know that these posts have been filled with technical information and jargon, and we encourage you to reach out to us anytime to get further clarification or to discuss your individual situation.

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.

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Bridges Blog Financial Resources Series: Financial February 2022

Financial February: How Do Resources Affect SSI?

A key part of the transition process is knowing about financial benefits for which blind and low vision students are eligible. Join us for Financial February for a crash course on SSI benefits.

  • February 1: What is SSI, and Who is Eligible for It?
  • February 8: What are the Income Requirements for SSI?
  • February 15: How do Resources Affect SSI?
  • February 22: How Can I Apply for SSI?

In this third installment of our “Financial February” Series, we define resources, describe which resources count in determining SSI eligibility, and explain how to save money despite the very low SSI resource limit.

What are Resources?

For SSI purposes, resources include things you own or have control of. They include cash, bank accounts, and investments. They also include land and personal property.

SSI payments are meant to help you obtain food and shelter; they are not meant to provide income. For this reason, SSI has strict resource limits.  

For individuals, the resource limit is $2,000. You are not entitled to an SSI payment for any month you are over this resource limit, and you will be required to pay back SSI if you have already received a monthly payment.

Just as with income limitations, resource limits are applied differently for child applicants than they are for adult applicants (see last week’s blog post What are the Income Requirements for SSI?).

Resource Exclusions

Just like with income, there are certain resources that SSA will exclude when determining your eligibility for SSI. These include:

  • Specific resources listed in section 1613 of the Social Security Act, including one vehicle, some prepaid burial expenses, and some work-related property (if you are working).
  • Certain kinds of accounts that meet strict guidelines
  • Retroactive SSI payments (back payments owed) for nine months
  • Economic impact payments (EIP), also known as COVID stimulus payments (must be spent within twelve months)
  • Other less-common exclusions

NOTE: In general, if your resources are too great, you will not be eligible for an SSI monthly payment until you “spend down” to the resource limit.

Is There a Way to Save Money and Still Receive SSI Benefits?

You may be thinking that the $2,000 resource limit seems quite low, and you would be right. How are students supposed to save for their future if being an SSI beneficiary requires that they do not save over $2,000?

In 2014, the U.S. Congress passed a law creating Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts. ABLE accounts provide many individuals with disabilities a tax-free way to save money to pay for many disability-related expenses. Also, the first $100,000 of funds in ABLE accounts do not count as resources for SSI. ABLE accounts can be a great savings vehicle for qualifying disabled people, whether or not they receive SSI. To learn more, contact the Free Bridges Helpdesk to learn about the independence and financial preparedness that having an ABLE account can provide.  

Contact us

Follow the Bridges Helpdesk Facebook page for more transition tips, and please contact the Free Helpdesk for Maryland Blind/Low Vision Transition Students, Families, and Educators anytime using:

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.