Independent Living FAQs:
Independent Living FAQs - by Florida's Children First Frequently Asked Questions for Foster Youth Transitioning to Adulthood
http://www.cbcseminole.org/intranet/download.php?file=2007082809521963.pdf&fileID=2007082809521963
How to get a Medicaid card: If you need a replacement Medicaid card, notify your Dependency Case Manager or Independent Living Coordinator. In some cases, they will have the gold card for you, but if they do not they can submit a request for this.
How to get a Certified Birth Certificate: The State Office of Vital Statistics receives many requests from customers for birth certifications in order to conduct official business and travel. Florida has been issuing computer certification since the mid 1980’s, which is accepted by the U.S. Passport Office, the Social Security Administration, courts, school districts, and all other state and federal entities and cruise lines requiring proof of U.S. birth. Florida's certification is a computer certification that contains an embossed seal incorporated into the security paper, which meet requirements established by Homeland Security and other national and international groups.
Many customers ask for a certification of their birth certificate with a “raised seal”. This type of certification is not available in Florida.
To obtain a copy of your birth certificate, please go to the website: http://www.doh.state.fl.us/planning_eval/vital_statistics/birth_death.htm
How to get a Drivers License or Florida ID card:
Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles
1-850-922-9000
Driver License Offices in Seminole County:
Winter Springs
290 EAST SR 434 32708
(407) 327-4760
Mon-Thurs 7:30am-6pm
Make Appointment Online
Under Suspension - Need Driver License for Work
Hardship Driver Licenses - Winter Springs (407) 327-6674
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT YOUR LOCAL DMV WEBSITE: http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/offices/seminole.html
Banking/Budgeting: To open a bank account, you can either apply online at the bank’s website or you can physically go into the bank and work with a banking representative. They will assist you in learning about the different types of accounts offered and which is best for you. Then, they can help you complete the application and submit it on the spot. They can answer any questions that you have.
It is wise to do your homework before going to see a representative, however. You can collect pamphlets by going into the bank and picking them up or you can view the website for all you need to know. Searching a few different banks for the package that best fits you is a good idea. Some banks offer free checking or saving accounts. Some will charge you a monthly fee just to keep your account for you! Some will require that you keep a minimum amount of money in the bank at all times. Some do not have a set balance for you to maintain. Which bank is closest to where you live, work, and attend school? It is important to have access to the actual bank, as many ATM’s (Automatic Teller Machines) will charge you a fee to get money out of your account, if your account is at a bank other than the one that owns that particular machine. Will you be charged a fee for making withdrawals (taking money out for yourself)? Some accounts only allow you to make a certain number of withdrawals per month before they charge you. These are important aspects of having a bank account that you will need to consider. No one account is perfect for every person! What are your individual needs?
Local Banks:
https://www.suntrust.com/portal/server.pt
http://www.bankofamerica.com/
http://www.wamu.com/personal/default.asp
http://www.wachovia.com/
How to Apply for Medicaid and Public Assistance: Public Assistance is very important, as it is help for you in situations where you are temporarily unable to afford food, health care, pay your bills, etc.
The following website is a direct link to the DCF Economic Self-Sufficiency ACCESS application for Food Stamps, Temporary Cash Assistance, or Medicaid. You can also go find an ESS Customer Service Center or Community Access Partner Site in your area.
http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/ess/
The DCF District 7 DCF ESS Office, which includes Seminole County, is available at 407 245-0450.
Social Security:
When a child reaches age 18:
A child’s benefits stop with the month before the child reaches age 18, unless the child is disabled or is a full-time elementary or secondary school student and unmarried. About three months before the child’s 18th birthday, you will get a letter explaining how benefits can continue. CBC of Seminole will also send the child a letter and a student form.
If the child’s benefits stopped at age 18, they can start again if he or she becomes disabled before reaching age 22 or becomes a full-time elementary or secondary school student before reaching age 19. The student needs to contact us to reapply for benefits.
If you are 18 years old and still in school:
A child can receive benefits until age 19 if he or she continues to be a full-time elementary or secondary school student. When the child’s 19th birthday occurs during a school term, benefits usually can continue until completion of the term, or for two months following the 19th birthday, whichever comes first.
The child should tell CBC of Seminole immediately if he/she marries, is convicted of a crime, drops out of school, changes from full-time to part-time attendance, is expelled, suspended or changes schools. You also should tell us if you have an employer who is paying for you to attend school.
In general, a student can keep receiving benefits during a vacation period of four months or less if he or she plans to go back to school full time at the end of the vacation.
If you are disabled:
You can continue to receive benefits after age 18 if you have a disability that begins before age 22. You also may qualify for SSI disability benefits. Contact CBC of Seminole for more information.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SOCIAL SECURITY, PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE: http://www.ssa.gov/
What is the Workout Program?
The Central Florida Workforce has developed the Workout Program for at-risk aging and aged out foster care youth ages 18-21 in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties. The program provides participants with the training and tools necessary to put them on a direct path to education, employment, and independence. Program services include life skills training, personal mentoring, post-secondary opportunities, workplace readiness training, career opportunities and individualized career and educational planning. Please visit their website below for more information or call 321-206-1589.
http://www.workforcecentralflorida.com/jobseekers/youth/student_resources.asp
Benefits Due Rights Process FAQs:
What is the Due Rights Process? General information on rights to a fair hearing under Chapter 45 s. 205.10, Code of Federal Regulations. Under the Independent Living Benefits Program you have rights to appeal decisions under Chapter 45 s. 205.10 of the Code of Federal Regulations and s. 409.1451(5)(e), Florida Statutes. Chapter 45 s. 205.10 of the Code of Federal Regulations provides for “fair hearings” which are used to challenge or appeal actions relating to federally funded services. Section 409.1451(5)(e) provides for an appeal, which can be provided by a fair hearing. A fair hearing is only available when services are paid using federal Independent Living funding. You may request a fair hearing when a request for services is denied, when the Department fails to act on a request for services within ten [10] days of that request, or when services you are currently receiving are reduced or terminated.
What is a fair hearing? A fair hearing is an appeal by an individual when an agency, in this case your community based care provider, takes any action the individual thinks is not appropriate. This may include the denial of assistance, delay in acting on a request for assistance, reduction, or termination of services
When may I request a hearing? You or your authorized representative may request a fair hearing when any state agency, or any agency contracted to take action on behalf of the state, takes an action to reduce or terminate services. A fair hearing may also be requested when an agency denies or fails to act on your request for assistance.
You may also contact your local community based care provider to see if your issue can be resolved through reconsideration. A request for reconsideration does not affect the time frame to request a fair hearing no later than 30 days from the date the notice of the agency’s actions was mailed or you will waive your right to request a fair hearing.
How do I request a fair hearing? To request a fair hearing you must submit a request, preferably in writing, to the community based care provider currently providing you with
Independent Living: Due Process Rights Independent Living services or the Office of Appeal Hearings in Tallahassee, no later than 30 days from the date the notice of the Department’s actions was mailed. No one may interfere with your freedom to request a fair hearing. Your community based care provider can assist you in making your request.
You have the right to review your records and any other documents the community based care provider will use at the hearing.
Agency action on your request for a hearing.
In most instances, if you request a hearing your request will be granted. If your request for a hearing is denied, you will be notified in writing of the denial. You may appeal to the appropriate District Court of Appeal any written denial of a request for a hearing.
What happens when I request a fair hearing?
When you make a request for a fair hearing and the request is granted, what occurs next depends on whether you have been receiving the services and supports which are at issue. If you have been notified that a request for services has been denied or if there has been a delay in acting on your request, the services will not be initiated unless you win the fair hearing. When you are notified that your services are to be reduced or terminated, and you have requested a fair hearing prior to the effective date of the reduction or termination of services, the services should continue uninterrupted until the hearing process is completed. If you prevail on your hearing request, services will continue. If you do not prevail on your fair hearing (challenging the proposed reduction or termination of services), you may be required to reimburse the state for the cost of the services.
What are the steps in the fair hearing process?
The first step in the fair hearing process is a local review of the evidence. If the issue is resolved on the district level, you may then request that your fair hearing request be withdrawn. The next step is a hearing that must be conducted at a reasonable time, date and place (after written notice) by a hearing officer from the Office of Appeal Hearings.
What happens in a fair hearing? You have the right to bring witnesses, establish all pertinent facts, present your side of the story without undue interference, and question or refute any testimony or evidence presented. You may present your own case to the hearing officer or bring an attorney, relative, friend or other spokesperson to represent you.
What is a final order? After considering the evidence presented at the hearing, the hearing officer will prepare a written final order within 60 days of the request. If the hearing officer finds that the action taken was correct, the officer will order that the Independent Living: Due Process Rights necessary action be taken. If the hearing officer finds the action taken was wrong, he will authorize corrective action back to the date of the incorrect action.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON YOUR RIGHT TO A FAIR HEARING MAY BE FOUND IN CHAPTER 45 S. 205.10 CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS AND SECTION 65-2.042 THROUGH SECTION 65-2.067 FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE. CURRENTLY, THE DEPARTMENT IS CHANGING THE FLORIDA ADMINSTRATIVE CODE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF INDEPENDENT LIVING CLIENTS. ANY DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE INFORMATION IN THIS BROCHURE AND CHAPTER 65-2 OF THE FLORIDA ADMINSTRATIVE CODE WILL BE REFLECTED IN THE DEPARTMENT’S INDEPENDENT LIVING BENEFITS HANDBOOK, WHICH IS THE DRAFT OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE.