If you are a disabled person and need to move from your present home to another home , then you have to take help from a full service mover. There are some organizations that provide full financial support to disabled so that they can perform the move smoothly and without any hassle.
In this article, I discuss everything you need to know about the move. From hiring a perfect mover to unpack all packages in the new home. I also discuss the financial help that many organizations may grant. I hope the article will be very helpful to you. So, read from the start to finish to get a complete guideline.
Some Low-income Moving Assistance Company
Here are Some Low-income Moving Assistance Companies that are Well Equipped and Help you with Your needs.
- Safeway Moving: Safeway Moving is a well known mover of our country. They are well known for their flat-rate pricing, free 30 days of storage, and triple-check verification. They specialize in heavy and special items, such as medical equipment.
- JK Moving Services: JK Moving services is well known for its trustworthy features. They safely handle and reach any valuable item you give them to move. They use AI technology and give 24/7 customer support.Their service also includes furniture assembly and disassembly. Their local moves are limited to Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.
- Mayzlin Relocation: Mayzlin Relocation is a family-owned moving company that assists with both local and long-distance moves. They use their own vehicles to give their service. If you cancel the order 7 days before your move , then you get a full refund. They give 24/7 customer support .
- North American Van Lines: North American Van Lines is committed to move your big, heavy, or fragile items safely to the destination. Their moves are also customizable, that means if you do not need a service, you do not need to pay for it. You can track your item any time through their satellite shipment tracking service. They offer additional discounts and benefits to disabled veterans.
- American Van Lines: American Van Lines is a reputable Move company in our country.They have temporary climate-controlled storage, which is very helpful.They also have good insurance options for high-value items.They have several discount options for military persons and seniors.
- Allied Van Lines: Allied Van Lines has more than 85 years of international moving experience. They have a high standard of quality in this business. You can track your item 24/7 with their move-tracking tool. You may hire them as your moving assistance.
Before hiring a company, ask them to know if they moved any person with a disability previously. Hire one that has previous experience in moving persons with disabilities.
Government, Non-Profit, Local Programs and Resources For Move
If you are disabled, then you or your family have to hire full-service movers. And it is definitely expensive. This expense gets increased when you need to transport special equipment. So, most of the disabled persons are unable to bear the whole cost themselves.
Fortunately , there are several programs that provide financial assistance for moves for people with disabilities and their families.
1. Modest Needs
Modest Needs Helps those who are living just above the poverty level and need financial help. They offer one time self-sufficiency grants of $750 to $1250 on average. You may get help from Modest Needs for your move. As Modest Needs give the financial support directly to service providers, the support you get will be given directly to your hired full -service mover. You can visit their website application page at: “modestneeds.org/for-applicants/apply-for-help.asp” and apply from there.
2. The YWCA
The YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association) offers various housing assistance programs including moving expenses. You may check your nearest YWCA (URL: “secure.ywca.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=YWCA_Map”) and reach out to see what grants are available to you.
You may visit their website at: “ywca.org” to apply for financial help from them.
3. Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities helps those who are homeless or becoming homeless. If you are disabled and going to a new home, but the main drawback is your moving cost, then they will surely help you.
You may visit their website and find your local chapter : (URL: catholiccharitiesusa.org/about-us/find-a-local-agency). And apply for low-income moving assistance.
4. VA Housing Assistance
If you are a disabled Veteran and need financial assistance, then you may reach out to VA Housing Assistance Program. You may get assistance with your move. You may visit their website to know details at: “va.gov/housing-assistance“.
5. Salvation Army
The Salvation Army housing assistance provides assistance to disabled who need financial help to move from their house to another new one for any reason. You may visit their website at: “salvationarmyusa.org/usn“. to know details.
6. HUD Housing and Rental Assistance
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is providing help for housing and relocation assistance. If you are a disabled and unable to hire a full -service mover, then you may apply for financial assistance from HUD.
7. The Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program
The Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) program helps to reduce homelessness by providing emergency shelters, housing relocation and short and medium- term rental assistance. They may provide help to maintain the moving and hiring cost of a full service mover for you.
You may visit their website at: “hudexchange.info/programs/esg” to know details.
8. Federal Relocation Assistance Program
The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) provides funding or financial help through another program, the Federal Relocation Assistance Program. If your home is a presidentially declared disaster, then you can get moving assistance from FEMA.
9. Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)
The Office of Community Services/An Office of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers these grants.
The ACF helps with finding housing, buying a home, paying for the utilities, and helping with rent.
10. Administration For Community Living (ACL) Grants
ACL provides grants to states and organizations that provide services and support for older adults and people living with disabilities. And these organizations in turn offer grants to individuals with those funds. So, if you are a disabled and need help with full service movers, then you can apply for help. You may visit their website at: “acl.gov/grants“.
11. Real Estate Acquisition and Relocation Program
The HUD-funded Real Estate Acquisition and Relocation program (URL: hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/relocation) provides assistance for people affected by the acquisition, rehabilitation or demolition of real property for federal or federally funded projects. The clients get full financial support to move to the new location.
12. The Housing Industry Foundation (HIF)
The Housing Industry Foundation (HIF) offers housing relocation grants of up to $2,500. This charity organization has a reputation for their quick processing of grants after receiving a referral.
13. Elderly or Disabled Living
Elderly or Disabled Living is a charity organization that provides financial help to low-income seniors and people with disabilities. The fund is distributed among their clients in January, April, July, and October. Grants can be used for rental assistance, relocation, and covering basic household needs. You may visit them at: “elderlyordisabledliving.com/registerforfree“.
Other Alternative Ways To Get Free Moving Services
There are some alternative ways to get free moving services. By searching and collecting information about disabled move, you can find that there are some local resources that can be wonderful options as free moving services for you.
Contact your county government
County governments do not help you directly in your moving process but they can play a vital role in making the moving process smoother and more accessible
County governments can act as a central hub for information on programs and services available to disabled residents who are planning a move. This might include details on:
- Financial Assistance:They connect you with programs and organizations that offer grants or subsidies to help cover your moving cost, if you are a disabled person.
- Moving Companies with Accessibility Expertise: They may provide you information about moving companies that have long time experience on disabled move.
- Disability-Friendly Housing Resources: They can provide you with information on accessible housing options that meet your individual needs.
Here’s how you can find specific programs in your county:
- County Website: You may visit county governments’ website to know information on social services and programs for disabled residents. Look for sections on disabilities, housing, or social services.
- Contacting County Disability Services: You can contact the county disability department. Many counties have dedicated disability departments that handle disability-related issues.
Remember, to know the most recent or up to date information, you need to contact your county’s disability service department.
Local Religious organization
Local religious organizations can play a significant role in supporting disabled individuals during a move by offering various forms of assistance. Many religious organizations have established volunteer networks. These volunteers can provide hands-on assistance with packing, unpacking, and even transporting during the move.
Religious organizations can organize donation drives to collect furniture, boxes, and other moving supplies that can be vital for a disabled person who might have limited resources.
Research Local moving companies
All local moving companies are not working for money only. There are some companies that have the social responsibility to help ill-fated people in their need. They want to stand out in the crowd by helping these people. So you may contact such local moving companies and explain to them your need as a disabled person. You may hope that at least some of these companies come forward to help you in your need.
Job relocation package
A job relocation package can be a great help for disabled individuals considering a move for a new job opportunity. Here’s how these packages can assist:
Relocation packages may cover a portion or all of the moving costs, including hiring professional movers, packing supplies, and even temporary housing. This can save your time and money.
Relocation companies handle the logistics of the move. This includes packing, transporting belongings, and unpacking at the new location.
Some relocation companies have managed accessible housing for you. This can save your time and effort in finding a new home that meets your specific needs.
How To Prepare Primarily For a Smooth Move
The first thing you need is to mentally prepare yourself for the move. Give up all anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and frustration before moving. The second thing is to hire an experienced and previously successful in disabled moving company. Ask them everything you need to know before hiring them. The Next thing is to ensure that your destination is fully accessible to you. It should be modified as per your requirements.
The above mentioned things are to be prepared primarily for a smooth move…..
Prepare Your Destination
Before moving to your new home or address, make sure it is fully accessible to you. For that you need to take the following steps.
Start With a Home Accessibility Checklist
As you need to modify your new home, you should check this accessibility checklist and modify it accordingly. You may not need to modify everything, but you need those changes that are essential for your disability. The URL for the checklist is given here: “download.101com.com/pub/mmg/files/MM608%20Home%20Accessibility%20Checklist.pdf“.
Hire Specialized Professionals To Make Accessibility Updates
Always hire professional people for your home modification. You can hire Organizations or companies like the UDS Foundation . They can provide you with individual assessment, home evaluations, and can help you with the construction and installation also.
You can hire individual contractors. But they may not have expertise in all sectors. So, before engaging them, make and give them a list of modifications you need in your new home and also find out in which sections they have expertise and have previous successful experience of completion.
Know Your Renters’ Rights
If you are moving into a rental, you need to know your rights as a disabled person. You should know what modifications you can do and also about your terms with the landlord. Actually you have the right to modify the new home per your requirements, but you should take permission and approval of the landlord. Here is a condition that should be mentioned: If your landlord thinks that the modification you have made is inappropriate for the next tenant disabled, then he may request you to remove all the changes that are made, when you leave the house. Here is given the URL for your rental housing rights as a disabled tenant: “findlaw.com/civilrights/discrimination/rental-housing-rights-for-disabled-tenants.html”.
The Enquiries or Questions To Be Asked Before Hiring a Move Company
Before hiring a professional company for the move, ask them some questions to make sure that you will get full support from them, and to know about their previous experience on a disabled moving and also their commitment and liabilities.
Here are some model questions you may ask them.
- Is your company licensed?
- Have you helped a person with a disability move before?
- What types of equipment have you handled in a move?
- What are your cleanup procedures once the move is over?
- Will you bring extra ramps and protective gear for special equipment?
- Are the movers able to help unpack if needed? If so, is there an additional fee?
- Can the movers put together medical equipment?
- Do you have any references I could contact?
- What happens if items are lost and damaged?
- What kind of liability coverage do you provide?
- Are you running any applicable promotions or discounts?
Check Nearest Programs For Free Moving Services For Disabled People
- Social Security offices: Social Security offices do not play any direct role in your move. Their primary function is to manage Social Security benefits like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). However, Social Security offices can still be helpful during a move in a few ways, such as :
- Updating Information: The Social Security offices update your information about your new address to the Social Security Administration.This ensures you continue to receive your benefits without interruption. You can update your address online through your my Social Security account or by calling the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
- General Information: Social Security offices might be able to provide information on resources available to disabled individuals in your new location. This could include information on disability services, accessible housing options, or local support groups.
- Private Insurance providers or State agency Services: Private Insurance Providers or State Agency Services help disabled people in the time of moving to a new location. You should call and inform your insurance provider about your moving issue.
When it comes to state services, you may need to reapply for your new state.
Tips To Perform The Move Successfully
Here are some tips to make your move smooth and successful. It is hoped that you will be benefitted following these tips.
- Hire The Right Mover: It is very important to hire a right mover. Selecting one from several movers is not easy. You should compare their experience of moving a disabled person in the past. Talk to them to decide that they have the ability to make the move seamless. Before making a decision, take an interview with at least two to three moving assistance companies.
- Prepare a Moving Checklist: Before starting the process, prepare a checklist. This checklist helps you to track your tasks and also ensure you don’t forget or miss anything.
- Budget For The Move: Make a budget for the overall process of the move. Consider moving fees, insurance coverage, travel fees, transportation costs, hotel stays, and so on. If you have any uncertainty that you are not able to cover all the expenses yourself, then do not hesitate to look into a relocation grant for people with disability and apply right away.
- Get Rid of Unnecessary Clutter: Focus on decluttering and get rid of everything that you don’t need at all. This will decrease your packages, make your packages light and make the move smooth.
- Make a Home Inventory: Make a home inventory. This helps you to keep track of everything you take to your new destination. Prepare it after the decluttering process. So, now you have a clear idea of what you have gotten rid of and what you take to your new home.
- Pack Light: When you or the movers pack things, try to make them light . It is usually helpful for the movers to carry light weight easily and this increases the smoothness of the move. A heavy pack is hard to transfer and there is a risk that it can be broken.
- Prepare an Essentials Box: After moving to your new home, you need some essential things to unbox, like clothes, toiletries, books, medicines (If you take medicine regularly) , and wheelchair accessories, in a word essential everything. So, it is a wise step to make an essential box for yourself and this box must include what you need daily.
- Plan For a Final Walk-through With Your Movers: As you hire people to help in moving , make sure that you do a final walk-through before they leave. If your furniture is not in the right place then take their help to set it correctly. If you are unable to unpack something , take their help to unpack it. Make sure everything is unpacked properly and nothing is forgotten before the movers finally leave your new house.
- Organize As You Unpack: You should follow an organized way when you unpack your packages. Start with your essentials box. Then unpack the packages according to their importance.
Final Words
If you are a disabled person and need to change your home and go to a new home, then it is not easy for you to shift entirely by yourself. You have to take help from a full service mover and you may not have the financial capability to hire a full service mover. Fortunately there are some organizations that provide grants for moving. With their help, we hope that you can perform the moving process smoothly.
FAQs
Do I need to prove my disability to access these services?
Yes, you need documents of your disability status. Required documents may vary by program. So, it is advisable to keep records of your disability status and consult with the respective organizations for specific documentation needs.
How long does it take to process the request for moving assistance?
It is not certain. The time taken for movement may vary based on the organizations and the conditions of the move. To ensure timely support, it is advisable to apply for assistance well before you plan to move.
What kind of assistance is available?
The following disabled Move assistance is available for you, if you are a disabled person:
Financial assistance, physical assistance, logistics coordination, finding accessible housing, accessibility assessments and modifications.
How can I ensure my new home is accessible?
You can take help from some programs that can help you find accessible housing, or you can connect with professionals who can assess and modify your new residence.
Do I need to pay for disability move assistance?
Some programs are free, while others might have associated costs. Financial assistance programs typically have eligibility requirements.
