Housing

Housing

Ages: 22+

Housing for Adults: Steps to Take in Preparation

Housing for Adults: Steps to Take in Preparation

Each autistic individual has different needs, strengths and challenges. There are different types of housing for people with disabilities based on your abilities and preferences. Everyone’s situation is unique.

Whether you’re 22 years old starting out or at any stage of adulthood, you and your family can seek assistance to help you find housing options. Bear in mind there are often waiting lists for the most desirable types of housing so it’s helpful to get on the lists as soon as possible.

The Milestone free autism Helpdesk is here to support you with information and connect you to resources.

If you haven’t yet, you and your family should seek assistance from local and state agencies that help people with disabilities.

As part of this process, it is important to keep working on increasing your independent living skills which help prepare you for living in the right kind of housing for your needs. We provide information here to help you in whichever path is right for you.

This article in the Milestones Autism Planning (MAP) Tool provides an overview of the different types of housing options.

Milestones Independent Living Skills Checklist for Adults

The MAP Tool features an Adult Independent Living Skills Checklist to help you work on skills and assess your progress.

These are goals to gradually work on, using the life skill tips and information throughout the MAP. Tailor them to your situation and needs including your sensory issues.

We have identified essential skill areas an adult needs in order to live independently or in the type of housing that is appropriate for their needs. In each category we provide examples of skills and knowledge to build toward.

Think through who will be most helpful for learning skills and reaching your goals. For example, therapists, counselors or other professionals, family and close friends.

Your Developmental Disabilities Agency

Make sure you maintain your connection with your local Department of Developmental Disabilities. (Depending on where you are located your Department of Developmental Disabilities may be run by your county or state.)

Check on what the eligibility and re-eligibility procedures and at what age are for your Department of Developmental Disabilities’ services.

If you haven’t explored applying to your local development disabilities agency, this is a good time to think about it. They offer limited resources that vary by state and can be very helpful. You can ask about what they offer to help with issues you’re concerned about including planning for housing.

A Special Note to Families: The Big Questions

Everything leads to the big stressful questions parents and families worry about for their loved ones:

  • Will my loved one be able to live independently as an adult?
  • What kind of environment and supports will be right for them?
  • Who is going to care for my adult child after I am gone?

We know these are scary questions. We are here for you. The Milestones Helpdesk can provide you with tips and connect you with resources. We also offer in-depth individual and family consultations that can be helpful for thinking through transitions and issues like planning for housing.

Plan Ahead for Funding Home

Applying for Benefits and Financial Issues

There are two types of programs Social Security offers that you may want to consider depending on your situation:

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

You may want to explore if you qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is a federal program that provides financial help for children and adults with disabilities who have low incomes and resources.

SSI is available for individuals over the age of 18 who meet the Social Security Administration’s definition of disability for an adult. In addition to meeting the disability criteria, the person must have low income and resources that do not exceed $2,000. Once an individual with disabilities turn 18, the parents’ income and resources are not counted toward the adult child with disabilites’ eligibility for SSI.

Start by contacting the Social Security Administration because the process is paperwork driven. Provide them with documentation such as medical materials, and you will need to sign permission to allow Social Security to speak with your medical providers.

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

You can consider applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) but know it is a long process to qualify. You must qualify as having a disability, have worked recently and can’t work anymore. It is income that comes to someone who proves they cannot work. You may need to appeal if your initial application gets rejected, and if you disagree with the determination you may wish to consult with an attorney or Legal Aid. Start by reading about it at https://www.ssa.gov/planners/disability/qualify.html. The Milestones Helpdesk can be a resource.

Medicaid

You can apply for Medicaid and your family's income will not be counted to qualifying. Medicaid is a need-based federal program that provides health coverage for people with disabilities and low-income adults and children. If you qualify for SSI, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicaid

Setting Up a Special Needs Trust and/or ABLE Account

Think about financial arrangements and plan ahead, including whether a special needs trust account, specific benefits and/or an ABLE account are right for your loved one.

If your loved one receives or might receive government benefits based on income limits, bear in mind that you cannot have more than $2,000 in assets or cash in your loved one's name (always check the current status for yourself).

Open an ABLE account, which is a special saving account for people with disabilities that does not affect needs-based benefits such as Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). It may have different names in different states, for example in Ohio it's called a STABLE account. This OCALI workshop video gives information about STABLE accounts and special needs trusts.

You may also want to set up a Representative Payee which is someone who manages your money for you when you can’t so your payee can write checks for you. Apply through the Social Security office nearest you. The payee can be a trusted adult or a professional at an agency that provides payee services.

You’ll find more information in the law and finance article in the MAP. The Milestones Legal Resources Tool Kit provides useful information as well.



share this page