including Disability & Long-term Care Services
Social Services & Public Benefit Resources
Healthcare resources cover a range of services, including details on health insurance, primary care, behavioral health, emergent care, and care for the LGBTQIA+ community and gender-affirming care as well as information on Health-Related Social Needs.
Table of Contents
Applying for Social Security Benefits
Social Security Administration
Individuals interested in applying for Social Security benefits should visit SSA.gov.
Guide for Applying for Social Security Benefits
In addition to the official information found on SSA.gov, the organization Developmental Pathways has developed an extensive Guide for Applying for Social Security Benefits.
Central City Concern’s
Benefits and Entitlements Specialist Team (BEST)
The BEST team assists vulnerable individuals — primarily those experiencing homelessness or deep poverty and living with severe disabilities that prevent them from earning income — navigate the application process for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or both. Clients must be referred to BEST by one of our community partners. There are over 140 referral sources acrossMultnomah County, mainly nonprofits serving low-income populations. Contact the BEST Team to learn more.
SOAR Model
While the SOAR Technical Assistance Center has closed, Policy Research Associates remains committed to the SOAR model. The Policy Research Associates website continues to provide key resources, including: issue briefs, fact sheets, and articles, to the SOAR community,ensuring that practitioners have access to the resources they need most.
Note: The SSI and SSDI application processes generally require medical documentation. Therefore, individuals without existing medical records will first need to engage with the healthcare system.
Other Public Benefits
Addressing Public Benefits Concerns
Multnomah County SNAP Outreach Program
Experienced application assistors are available through Multnomah County’s SNAP Outreach Program to provide personalized assistance with SNAP (and TANF) applications and renewal paperwork.
Oregon Public Benefits Hotline
The Oregon Public Benefits Hotline, managed by the Oregon Law Center (OLC), a Legal Aid program, assists low-income individuals with legal concerns. The hotline provides information on Safety Net benefits, including the Oregon Health Plan, Coordinated Care health benefits, Unemployment Insurance, TANF, SNAP (formerly food stamps), and Social Security, among others. They also offer guidance on how immigration status impacts eligibility for public benefits.
Disability & Long-term Care Services
Disability Services offers support for individuals with physical, intellectual, developmental, or age-related disabilities, assisting them in their daily lives through service coordination. Individuals needing help with daily health or personal care may also be eligible for long-term care services. These services can be provided in their home, residence (including shelters), or a facility, based on individual needs and preferences. Assessments are part of disability services, helping individuals understand their options based on their specific care requirements.
Multnomah County Developmental and Intellectual Disability Services (IDD)
Multnomah County’s Development and Intellectual Disabilities Services program provides individualized care coordination and planning to help eligible children and adults with Intellectual and/or Developmental disabilities.
Multnomah County Aging, Veterans, Disability Services (ADVSD)
Multnomah County’s Aging Disability & Veterans Services Division (ADVSD) has a Medicaid Services Screener to help people apply for long-term care, including in-home and residential care.
Additionally, ADVSD operates the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) providing information and resources to seniors and people with disabilities.
Homeless Mobile Intake Team (HMIT)
ADVSD also operates a HMIT which helps elders and people with disabilities experiencing homelessness connect to care settings or reconnect to services.
Learn more and seek services by:
- Emailing hmit@multco.us
- Submitting an Referral Sheet
- Contacting the ADRC at 1-855-ORE-ADRC (1-855-673-2372)
Oregon Behavioral Health Support Program
The State of Oregon offers two programs to support people with mental health and behavioral health conditions in-home: the 1915(i) HCBS and Personal Attendant Care or Personal Care Attendants (PCA). Visit OHA’s site or email ORBHSupport@comagine.org to learn more.
Oregon Health Authority Information on Home and Community Based Health Services
Adult Protective Services & Child Abuse Reporting
Contact protective services if you suspect that an older person or vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected, or financially exploited, or if you need to report child abuse.