disability assistance

Federal data show people with disabilities are more likely to face abuse and neglect. In many cases, the perpetrator is someone hired to care for the victim in their home, like a direct support professional, or DSP. After years of failed attempts, Indiana is close to creating a registry to track DSPs accused of abuse.

Direct support professionals can provide a critical service to people in Indiana with disabilities by providing in-home and group-setting care. But in some cases, DSPs abuse and neglect those they’re supposed to care for and, advocates say, often get away with it by switching jobs.

About 1 in 10 Hoosier families face food insecurity. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – also known as SNAP or food stamps – can help them get food on the table. But requirements to repeatedly reapply for SNAP can be difficult. This week, legislators gave the governor the opportunity to sign a bill alleviating that difficulty for a few people, but not all.

Indiana representatives unanimously voted to pass House Bill 1342 last month to create a registry to track direct support professionals who help care for people with disabilities in their homes. That can include direct family members of those receiving care, who are often paid by the state for that work. But the Senate is set to make some changes to the bill.

Hoosiers with print disabilities can choose a person to help them fill out their vote-by-mail ballot for this fall’s election. That’s after a federal judge’s recent ruling in a lengthy legal battle.

The state health department has submitted language that will make applying for Michigan disability assistance more accessible.