Self-Advocacy and Empowerment Toolkit - STAR Center

enefits do not prevent you from pursuing
employment. We recommend that you carefully
explore the options available to you and then make
informed choices about how you want to move
forward.
Social Security Benefits
Social Security disability benefits can help individuals
obtain housing, treatment and other services. Contact
your local Social Security Administration field office or
the Social Security Administration for information and
resources related to Social Security disability benefits.
Social Security Administration
Office of Public Inquires
Windsor Park Building
6401 Security Blvd.
Baltimore, Md. 21235
(800) 772-1213
www.ssa.gov
Annual Credit Report
Many justice-involved consumers find they have
difficulty obtaining credit or approval for housing or
employment. Many of these difficulties can be traced
to negative information contained in credit reports. In
general, a credit report contains information about
your previous credit history, as well as legal judgments.
A judgment is obtained where legal action is taken by
a “creditor,” such as a landlord, bank or credit card
company, seeking compensation and the creditor is
awarded money (the judgment) because the creditor
either wins the court case or the defendant fails to
appear in court. We are finding in many instances that
justice-involved consumers are either unaware they are
being sued or simply ignore notices summoning them
to court. These judgments do not go away and most
remain on your credit report for at least seven years.
Consequently, it is important to be proactive and
obtain a copy of your credit report and carefully review
it. Once you review your credit report, you can exercise
your right to dispute information contained in the
report. The reporting agencies are required by law to
investigate your claim and provide the outcome of
their investigation to you.
My Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor told me
to “stop beating myself up.” She helped me
improve my self-esteem. I applied for a Peer
Advocacy position in hospital and I got the job.”
The Federal Trade Commission has set up a website
where you can request to view your free credit report
from the three largest nationwide credit reporting
companies and file your dispute electronically or you
can request by phone or by mail a copy of your free
report. You can obtain a free copy of your current credit
report annually. This allows you to keep track of your
current credit history. To obtain a copy of your free
credit report contact:
Annual Report Request Services
P.O. Box 105281
Atlanta, Ga. 30348
(877) 322-8228
https://www.annualcreditreport.com
Alternative Approaches
to Wellness
Many justice-involved consumers successfully use
alternative activities/services/treatments as an
important part of their overall wellness routine.
These alternative approaches often replace or
complement traditional behavioral health services.
Many of these activities/services/treatments may
be provided at no or low cost by local communitybased
organizations or by community-based
volunteers. Below is a small sample of some of the
alternatives you may want to explore. 5
National Empowerment Center
599 Canal Street
Lawrence, Mass. 01840
(800) 769-3728
http://www.power2u.org
— Keisha
5 SAMHSA Health Information Network. (2003). Alternative approaches to mental health care. Retrieved August 31, 2010 from
https://store.samhsa.gov/product/KEN98-0044
8 Self-Advocacy and Empowerment Toolkit