Children's HealthCare

Public Benefits/Resources

YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR ASSISTANCE AS GUIDELINES HAVE RECENTLY CHANGED

YOU MAY QUALIFY EVEN IF YOU OWN A HOME, A CAR AND ARE EMPLOYED.
Are you in need of state or federal support services such as:

1) Medical insurance

2) Food stamps (now known as S.N.A.P.)

3) Nutritional food assistance for children under 5 years of age

4) Child care assistance

If you wish to apply for any of these services you can now do so through one online application that can be completed by Barbara Kneeland, our Special Care Coordinator who is located in our Newburyport/Upper Level location.

If you choose, you may still download and complete a paper application for MassHealth benefits…..if you are unable to download via the links provided below, paper applications are available by calling Barbara Kneeland at 978-388-7250.

Mass Health Application-
http://www.chcspecialcare.highpowersites.com/f/MHappl.pdf

Mass Health Child Disability Supplement/Application- This application must be completed along with the Mass Health application shown above for any child with a disability or suspected disability.
http://www.chcspecialcare.highpowersites.com/f/mads_child.pdf

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Departmental of Developmental Services (DDS) formerly known as DMR-Department of Mental Retardation

DDS provides family suport services to parent/primary care givers in their efforts to provide care in the home and community for a child with a developmental disability.

Types of Support:

* Information and referral
* Case management
* Support groups
* Flexible funds to purchase supports such as:

1. Specialized Equipment
2. Respite, in or out of home
3. Camps
4. Recreational Programs
5. Daycare
6. Home modifications

Population Served- to be eligible family member must live at home and have either a intellectual disability or another developmental disability.

Financial Eligibility- financial eligibility for services is not based on the individuals or families income level.

Accessing Services- contact the intake person at the agency in your area as listed below:

Merrimack Valley/ Haverhill (978)-521-9432

* Amesbury, Andover, Boxford, Georgetown, Groveland, Haverhill, Lawrence, Merrimac, Methuen, Newbury, Newburyport, North Andover, Rowley, Salisbury, West Newbury.

Northshore/ Danvers (978)-762-8368

* Beverly, Danvers, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Lynn, Marblehead, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Middleton, Nahant, Peabody, Rockport, Salem, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wenhem.

Applications for Department of Developmental Disabilities/ Eligibility for children ages 3-22. http://specialcare.chcmass.com/ie_application_form.pdf

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Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

What is SSI?- SSI is a federal income benefits program administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA), which can be made available to families with disabled or blind children.

Who is eligible for SSI?

* A child who is blind or
* A child who has a serious illness or handicapping condition and*
* A family with limited income and resources

*An individual under 18 is “disabled” if he or she has a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which results in marked and severe functional limitations; and can be expected to result in death; or has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of no less than 12 months.

What would my child receive?

In Massachusetts, a child who is found eligible for SSI would get:

* A monthly cash benefit effective from the month following the date of the application and
* Medicaid/ Mass Health coverage
* If you get SSI you MAY be able to get food stamps

Where do I apply?- The local district office of the Social Security Administration is located at 367 Main St. in Haverhill MA (978)- 521-5296. Suggestion; call the Haverhill SSA office and make an appointment to get assistance filling out an SSI application. Walk-ins are allowed but not recommended because of long wait times.

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Pentucket Area Early Intervention- Serving Haverhill, Amesbury, Boxford, Rowley, Georgetown, Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury, West Newbury.

Address: 320 Main St. West Newbury, MA 01985 (978)-363-5553

Are you concerned about your child’s development?

Do you wonder if your child….

* hears the world around him?
* is over sensitive to touch?
* has difficulty eating or drinking?
* is using his/her body the way he or she should?
* enjoys interacting with others?
* is too active and has trouble attending/focusing?
* gives up or get frustrated to easily?
* has speech appropriate to his/her age?

If you have concerns or questions about your child…..anyone can make a referral to EIP, parents, a doctor, daycare provider etc.

Pentucket Early Intervention services children under 36 months of age with disabilities or developmental delays, or who are at risk of substantial delays. Under federal law eligible families have a right to early identification, timely referral and assessment, and Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP), and early intervention services as determined by the IFSP process. Evaluations must be completed within 45 days of referral.

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WIC- Women Infants and Children Nutrition Program.

WIC is a nutrition program that provides nutrition and health education, healthy food and other services free of charge to Massachusetts families that qualify. WIC’s goal si to help keep pregnant and breastfeeding women and kids under the age of 5 healthy. For information and to apply for assistance contact a WIC office near you. Haverhill 145 Essex St. (978)-374-2191 and Amesbury 11 School St. (978)-388-2575.

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Seacoast Food Resources in Amesbury, Newburyport, and Salisbury

Amesbury:

* Community Action Food Pantry serving Amesbury and Merrimac residents 11 School St. (978)-388-2570
* Our Neighbors Table Food Pantry 145 Main St. (978)-388-1907
* Our Neighbors Table Community Meal Site 145 Main St. (978)-388-1907 (Call for meal hours)

Newburyport:

* Community Services of Newburyport Inc. Food Pantry serving Newbury, Newburyport, and West Newbury (978)-465-7562
* Salvation Army Food Pantry serving Greater Newburyport. 40 Water St. (978)-465-0883

Salisbury:

* The Pettengill House Food Pantry serving Greater Salisbury 13 Lafayette Rd. (978)-463-8801