What is the purpose of this program?
The Access to Home program helps people who are having trouble performing their everyday chores at home, due to their disability or infirmity. If yu qualify, you can have your home modified so that it becomes more “user-friendly.”
The alternative might be to either move to a nursing home or hire around-the -clock live-in help. The Access to Home program, as the name implies, gives you better access to your home, enabling you to remain in familiar surroundings, and do more things for yourself, lessening your dependence on others.
What types of home modifications does the program provide for?
Here are some examples of what you can have done under the program:
Installation of ramps, lifts, stair lifts, modification of sinks so that they are wheelchair-accessible, installation of grab-bars and walk-in tubs, widening of doorways to accommodate wheelchairs, providing appliances that respond to verbal commands, installation of a Jacuzzi (for people with poor circulation or similar problems), accommodations for the visually or hearing impaired, and locating bedrooms and/or bathrooms to the first floor of a home for easier access. The program also provides low-cost solutions to your problems, such as additional lighting, installation of traction tape on stairways, providing door handles which are easier to grip, etc.
The idea is to enhance your home in major and minor ways so that it is easier and safer for you to go about your daily life while remaining at home.
Do I have to deal with contractors and oversee the work? I don’t even know where to begin or what exactly is available to help me overcome my physical limitations!
Don’t you worry about a thing – leave it all to us! Once you are approved, just tell us what your problems are, and we’ll take care of the rest. We know what to install, and we’ll make certain that high-quality contractors will complete the job to your satisfaction.
Do I have to pay for materials??
No! We take care of all costs.
Who qualifies for this program?
The basic qualifications for this program are as follows:
Medical: The person must have a physical (not mental or emotional) disability, including age-related infirmity, which creates a substantial difficulty in daily living, as attested to by a physician.
Income: The total income of all members of the household in which the applicant resides can be no more than 80% of the median household income in the person’s county of residence.
Residence: The person must be permanently residing in the home which he needs modified. (If he’s not there now, but will be moving there, that’s OK. But if, for example, you want your house modified because your elderly mother comes to visit you regularly, the program will not cover this. )
The program is available to both homeowners and renters, but renters must have at least a seven year lease. If the disabled tenant moves out and seven years have not elapsed since the modifications were made, the landlord must market the apartment to other disabled individuals who would qualify under the program.
How do I apply?
Call Hamaspik and ask for the Director of the Access to Home Program.
He can be reached by fax at: (845) 503-1232
or by voice line at the following numbers:
In Rockland County: (845) 356-8400 x 232.
In Orange County: (845) 774-8400 x 332.
We will send you the paperwork to fill out, with detailed instructions. In a nutshell, you’ll have to furnish us with the following information and documentation:
Contact information and other pertinent details
Description and documentation of your disabilities
Statement of income, accompanied by documentation
Proof of ownership of the house, or, if the apartment is rented, a lease of at least seven years
How long will the process take?
You should hear back from us in 3-5 weeks, with either a “yes” or a “sorry, but you don’t qualify.” If your application is not accepted, you will receive a letter explaining the reason for the disapproval.
If you have physical limitations and qualify for this program, this is a way to enable you to remain in your own home and avoid the inconvenience (and expense!) of a nursing home.
Remember, if you have any questions, we will be very happy to help you – just give us a call!