Social Services

Following is a list of social services resources in our community for multiple sclerosis patients.This list includes where to get information about housing, food, legal and other assistance. Similar organizations also exist in many areas outside our region.

Social Service agencies

• Senior Services - www.Seniorservices.org
• Catholic Community Services - www.ccsww.org/
• Jewish Family Services - www.jfsseattle.org/
• El Centro de la Raza - www.elcentrodelaraza.com/
• Asian Counseling and Referral Service - www.acrs.org/
• Seattle Indian Health Board - www.sihb.org/
• HopeLink - www.hopelink.org

Assistance for living at home

• COPES – A state program that provides funding for home health care. For eligibility requirements and information call (206) 587-5620
• Minor Home Repair – repair service for Seattle homeowners, age 60 and over. Can build wheelchair ramps, etc. No labor charge, and materials are available at reduced fee scale. Call Union Retirees Program/Labor Program. (206) 448-9277.
• Spokane County Community Services Dept – design consultation for accessible homes. North 721 Jefferson, Suite, 403, Spokane, WA 99260.
• Tacoma Area Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities TACID promotes the independence of people living with disabilities with counseling and housing assistance. Phone (253) 565-9000
• Washington Adult Day Services Association gives frail or physically or cognitively disabled adults the opportunity to meet new friends and immerse themselves in challenging activities. Supportive staff members and volunteers are on hand to oversee a variety of specially-designed activities. 107 Cherry, Flr 5, Seattle, WA 1-888-60WADSA or 1-888-609-2372

Home modifications

• Curb Ramps: For installation of curb cuts, call Seattle City Transportation Dept., (206) 625-347.

Housing options

• Adult Day Care Facilities – Day programs for adults.
• DSHS home and community services community resource line.
  On this website you will find:
  • Adult Family homes – these are homes in the community providing lodging and care 24 hour/day to small numbers of people living in the home.
  • Group homes – these are homes caring for a group of people with similar needs.
  • Nursing homes – these provide skilled nursing care 24 hours/day
  • Respite care – these provide care 24 hours/day for people for 1-2 weeks when their regular caregiver is away.
• Easter Seal Resources @ Home – design consultation for accessible homes. 
• Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - Provides information and lists of HUD subsidized housing for those over 62 or disabled and of low income. Application is made directly at each privately owned apartment project. HUD Resources can be found at
  • http://www.hud.gov/local/index.cfm?state=wa&topic=offices, and
  • http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/information_for_disabled_persons

Food/nutrition

• Chicken Soup Brigade - Provides meals to people with MS who live in King County, are unable to cook for themselves, are low income and are not eligible for Meals on Wheels. 1002 E Seneca, Seattle 98122. Phone (206) 328-8979
• Meals on Wheels - Not based on income, takes 7-10 days to set up. Provides up to 14 meals per week. Free to those 60 or older. Under 60 years old charged $3.45 per meal. Phone (206) 448-5767
• Senior Services of Seattle/King County – Has listings for congregate meal sites for seniors. Some may accept non-seniors with disabilities. Call (206) 448-3110.

Energy assistance

• Seattle City Light Energy Assistance Program
• Snohomish County Energy Assistance - Financial assistance program for elderly, disabled and families with children. Aids in cost of fuel and winter heating bills to eligible residents.

Legal advice

• Disabilities Law Project – Washington Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities - Handles disability law cases involving civil rights, housing, transportation, government services and public accommodations. Focus is on system change issues. 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, Ste. 100, Seattle , WA 98103-6900, Phone (206) 633-6637
• Columbia Legal Services – Specialized legal help for disabled persons, especially those who are low income. 
• Lifetime Advocacy Plus - Guardianship; protective services; financial management; durable power of attorney; other services/arrangements for seniors, mentally ill, other disabilities. 11000 Lake City Wy. NE, Ste. 401, Seattle , WA 98125-6748, (800) 364-9755, or (206) 367-8055 
• Northwest Justice Project - Information advice/referral system called CLEAR (Comprehensive Legal Advice Education and Referral), which is a toll-free advice system operating in 25 of Washington’s counties. Advocates are attorneys or highly experienced paralegals. Referrals for representation. Disability, Family, Housing / Home, Legal, Medical / Dental, Miscellaneous, Senior, Victims. 401 - 2nd Ave. S, Ste. 407, Main/Administrative Office, Seattle , WA 98104 (888) 201-1012; (888) 201-1014, new client intake line; (206) 464-1519 
• Washington Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities – 4649 Sunnyside N, Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98103, Phone (206) 461-4550

Pet/veterinary assistance

• Seattle Humane Society 

Insurance issues

• Medicaid and Healthy Options Programs with DSHS – Assistance with managed care programs through medicaid.
• Medicare 
• Office of the Washington State Insurance Commissioner – Provides assistance toward prompt resolution of insurance problems (health, life, annuity, long-term care, etc). Call Insurance Consumer Hotline at 1-800-562-6900.
• Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors Program (SHIBA)– Advises people regarding their insurance options. Phone 1-800-397-4422.
• US Department of Labor, Office of Pension and Welfare Benefits. Call for assistance with self-insured plans including labor unions, trusts, large employers. Also call for COBRA benefits coverage. Phone (206) 553-4244. Phone 1-800-998-7542 for DOL publications.
• Washington State Health Care Authority – call for people experiencing problems with the state’s Basic Health Plan. Phone (360) 923-2600 OR 1-800-700-1555

Veteran support

• Paralyzed Veterans of America, Northwest Chapter - A major advocacy group for those with MS. Information/referral, recreation, sports, advocacy, hospital liaison. 616 SW 152nd Street Suite B, Burien, WA 98166, (800) 336-9782, or (206) 241-1843
• The Veterans Administration MS Centers of Excellence are dedicated to further our understanding of the disease, its impact on Veterans, and effective treatments to help manage MS symptoms. This site can assist Veterans in accessing VA benefits and in identifying MS care providers in their region.