 TITLE: How to Get Financial Assistance if You Have a Disability CONTENT: Assistance for Specific Financial Situations\n--------------------------------------------\nIf you need money in an emergency or cash to pay for school or a home modification, the programs below may be able to help you fill a specific financial gap.\n### Emergency Relief\nIf you're waiting for SSI benefit payments to start or you're facing a financial emergency that affects your health or safety, you may be able to get an advanced payment from Social Security to help make ends meet. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is another program run by states that may offer temporary assistance to families in need.\n### Home Modification Assistance\nIf you need to make a change to your home—such as installing a wheelchair ramp—the state you live in might offer grants and loans to help you make the modification. For example, residents of Illinois may qualify for home modification loans of up to $5,000 through the Illinois Assistive Technology Program.\nNational housing modification programs also offer assistance to those who are eligible. For veterans, the Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) Grant and Home Improvements and Structural Alteration (HISA) Grant can be used to pay for home accessibility modifications. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Section 504 Home Repair program provides loans to low-income homeowners that can help cover the cost of home repairs and advancements, including changes to make your home more accessible.\n### Education Assistance\nIf you need help paying for school, you may be eligible for financial aid, such as the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and Federal Work-Study programs. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is required for many aid programs.\nSchools and independent organizations may also provide their own financial aid and scholarship programs. State education agencies could give you a better idea of what's available locally.\nIf you have federal student loans and are unable to work, a Total and Permanent Disability loan discharge could relieve you from the responsibility of repaying loans. The Federal Student Aid website outlines the eligibility conditions to apply for this discharge. END