I need help with rent in Deer Park, NY due to disability

(Request from Ellen in Deer Park, New York) I’m a single disabled mom and I’m awaiting my disability to start but in the meantime I need help with my rent I need $1152. Please help my son and I.

Dear Ellen,

I am sorry to hear that you are unable to work. Being totally and permanently disabled is challenging because it can keep you from working, even when you really want to earn a living.

It sounds like the $1152 that you need is to cover the rent for one month. Will your disability payments start within the next month? If not, you could need more than that amount, which will make it difficult to find rental assistance through most emergency rental assistance programs.

Suffolk County DSS

We can discuss the emergency option through the Temporary Housing Assistance program that is offered through Suffolk County’s Department of Social Services. Call 631-854-6600 for the Deer Park office on South 2nd Street. Perhaps a one month emergency housing grant could help you remain in your home if your disability benefits are about to begin. It is possible that temporary assistance could be paid monthly until you are receiving your disability payments, but this generally is only possible for a limited period of time.

With income being limited to disability once those payments begin, it is more likely that you will need to be matched with a permanent rental aid program for beyond this next month. A permanent subsidized housing program may be a more suitable long-term fit for you.

WHPDC

Nearby Wyandanch could present an opportunity for you to arrange permanently affordable housing for your family. Wyandanch Homes and Property Development Corporation (WHPDC) receives grant funding that they use to provide supporting housing services and to create affordable housing. It is all part of Project Self-Sufficiency.

The goal of the organization is to provide permanent housing to lower income families who have already been accepted into public assistance programs, including Section 8 housing. Additionally, families with at least 2 children that meet the other qualifications can qualify for help living in a single family home with 3 or 4 bedrooms.

Those who meet these requirements may call WHPDC at 631-940-6521 for help. Of course, families with less than 2 children can still discuss their needs with a case manager and receive a quality referral to another program that might be able to help with rent in Deer Park and nearby communities.

CDC of Long Island

If you are indeed approved for disability benefits, then you may wish to contact Community Development Corporation of Long Island. Based on the possibility of a waiting period prior to admission into their Section 8 subsidized housing program, you may wish to file an application with them now so that you can get the ball rolling.

This public organization operates a robust rental housing assistance program for lower income households that struggle to afford monthly rent payments. It issues CDC Housing Choice Vouchers to families that can be used towards the monthly rent of a private home or apartment instead of a public housing project. You could live in a normal neighborhood!

This organization also develops housing communities that can be a great alternative to traditional public housing. It allows you to live in a planned community that gives you additional benefits as a resident.

To see what help you could receive through CDC of Long Island, call 631-471-1215.

Getting Help

Getting help with rent in Deer Park means taking the steps to navigate the application process at organizations that exist to serve you. Be prepared to provide the necessary documentation on income, including your SSDI application and previous income documents. Social security cards should be provided for you and your son as well as anyone else that lives with you.

Even if a waiting period delays your admission, take advantage of referrals to other transitional housing opportunities in Suffolk County. These could help you get through the upcoming months or even years while waiting for help without taking on the burden of rental loans and other temporary stopgap measures.