Glossary: CHN

Medicaid

Medicaid provides medical benefits to people who are financially needy. Medicaid is primarily a program for people who are poor. Medicaid also pays for support services provided to people with disabilities through the Family Independence Agency, FIA (formerly the Department of Social Services), and services from Community Mental Health.

Medicare

Medicare was established in 1965 as "comprehensive" health coverage for elderly Americans. It is administered by the federal government through the Social Security Administration, and provides health insurance for people over the age of 65, and for people younger that 65 who are permanently disabled (including people with kidney failure). The program uses only federal funds.

Section 8

The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.

Supplemental Security Income

Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is a federal program that provides monthly cash payments to people who are age 65 or older, or are blind, or have a disability, who have little or no resources or income. A child who is disabled or blind as well as an adult may be eligible for SSI. The age of a person who is blind or disabled makes no difference.