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Department of Social Services:
Assistance for disabled adults that are incapacitated to the point that they are unable to take care of themselves and have no one else able or willing to assist in caring for them. These adults may be abused or neglected by a caretaker, they may be self-neglectful or the4y may be exploited by someone financially or physically. Reports may be made by phone or in person. The reports that meet the statutory requirements for an investigation are accepted and abuse reports are investigated within 24 hours, neglect and exploitation reports are investigated within 72 hours. If abuse, neglect, or exploitation is found, then services are provided in accordance with the General Statutes. Other referrals for services are made to assist the adult and their family as determined appropriate during the intervention. Service provided by the Services Unit. back to top | back to Social Services home An adult that is found by the courts to be legally incompetent and has no other family members or friends to be responsible for their care may become the guardian of the Director fo the Department of Social Services. As guardian, the Department provides for the adult's needs and makes decisions about his care and treatment services. Annual reports about the guardian's care and fiscal accounting of all assets are made to the clerk of court. The Department, also, provides information to family members and caregivers of disabled adults on the process of applying to be a guardian upon request and when appropriate. Service provided by the Services Unit. back to top | back to Social Services home A disabled adult who receives Social Security benefits and has been determined unable to manage his or her funds may be required to have a "protective payee." If the adult has no other relative or close friend to assist then the Department of Social Services is designated as the "protective payee" for those benefits. In these cases, the Department pays the adults monthly expenses and assists them with their financial purchases in an effort to help the disabled adult remain as independent as possible. Service provided by the Services Unit. back to top | back to Social Services home Level one assistance for disabled adults and families with basic daily living activities such as house cleaning, preparation of meals, shopping, transportation, etc. in an effort to help the recipient remain safely in their home and continue to be as self-sufficient as possible. Eligibility requirements: must be a resident of Cherokee County, cost of services is dependent upon funding sources and income of the recipient. Service provided by the Services Unit. back to top | back to Social Services home Determine eligibility for funding to subsidize the cost of attending the Adult Day Health Care Center. This is a new program provided by District Memorial Hospital for disabled adults that should not be left alone during the day. The program provides the disabled adult with daily activities, nutrition, exercise, and health care. Eligibility requirements: Funding for the cost of attending the center is based on a capped annual allocation and eligibility is based on the adult's income and availability of funding. Service provided by the Services Unit. back to top | back to Social Services home Staff determine eligibility for receipt of food coupons to assist low income families and individuals with the cost of purchasing food. Eligibility requirements: Must be a Cherokee County resident, meet income guidelines, and provide number of household members. Applicants must provide verification of a prior month's income, social security card, bank account information, rent/mortgage information, and utility costs. Service provided by the Income Maintenance Unit. back to top | back to Social Services home Staff determine eligibility for medical assistance for the aged, blind, and disabled adult population. These services also include eligibility for assistance with long-term care or nursing home care costs and special assistance for adults or rest home care costs. Eligibility requirements: Applicant must be a resident of Cherokee County aged 21 or older and meet the specific program requirements for the type assistance they are applying to receive. Applicants must provide social security card, income from previous month, bank account information, life insurance policy information, as well as other information required for the specific assistance the applicant is applying to receive. Service provided by the Income Maintenance Unit. back to top | back to Social Services home MEDICAID TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Transportation to medical and/or health appointments for Medicaid recipients that do not have transportation or access to it. Eligibility requirements: Must be a Medicaid recipient and be determined eligible for transportation by completing an assessment given by a social worker. Service provided by the Services Unit. back to top | back to Social Services home LIEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance Program) Program provides an annual payment to be used for heating costs to adults 65 and older receiving food stamps with all household members being age 5 or older. Eligibility for assistance is determined automatically through the food stamp program. Service provided by the Income Maintenance Unit. back to top | back to Social Services home |
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