Grants Available To Help Claimants

      From an announcement posted today in the Federal Register by the Social Security Administration (emphasis added):

We are announcing a new funding opportunity, the Interventional Cooperative Agreement Program (ICAP). The purpose of this new program is to allow us to enter into cooperative agreements to collaborate with States, private foundations, and other non-Federal groups and organizations who have the interest and ability to identify, operate, and partially fund interventional research. The Request for Applications is now open on Grants.gov. ...

ICAP research topics are as follows: 

• Examining the structural barriers in the labor market, including for racial, ethnic, or other underserved communities, including people with disabilities, that increase the likelihood of people receiving or applying for SSDI or SSI benefits; 
• Promoting self-sufficiency by helping people enter, stay in, or return to the labor force, including children and youth; 
• Coordinating planning between private and human services agencies to improve the administration and effectiveness of the SSDI, SSI, and related programs; 
• Assisting claimants in underserved communities apply for or appeal determinations or decisions on claims for SSDI and SSI benefits; and 
• Conducting outreach to children with disabilities who are potentially eligible to receive SSI, and conducting outreach to their parents and guardians. ...