Vista Vocational & Life Skills Center offers the following fee-for-service Benefits Counseling options, specializing in adult disability entitlements. These services may be purchased for anyone who has a neurological disability and is a resident of Connecticut.
Benefits Consultation
This option includes a meeting to assess the individual’s current and future benefits needs. The consultation provides advice, guidance, referral and resources regarding eligibility and application for state, federal and/or local adult disability-related entitlement programs. The consultation meeting can address general knowledge or a specific issue or need. The Benefits Counselor conducts a comprehensive interview to assess an individual’s current entitlements. The Benefits Counselor then provides a report that documents issues discussed and provides recommendations and applicable resources.
If Benefits Counseling is purchased within 30 days of delivery of the Consultation Report, the payment for the evaluation will be applied toward the full yearly cost of Benefits Counseling.
Benefits Counseling
This option involves direct coordination, oversight and management of an individual’s federal, state, and local entitlements by Vista’s highly trained and specialized Benefits Counselor. The Benefits Counselor conducts a comprehensive analysis of the individual’s current benefits profile. Based upon this and the goals, interests, and needs expressed by the individual and his/her family, the Benefits Counselor supports the individual in establishing and maintaining a plan to access the benefits for which he/she is entitled.
Benefits Counseling with Medical Insurance Counseling
This option offers Benefits Counseling as described above, with the addition of coordination, oversight, and follow-up of medical insurance benefits. Medical insurance policies are reviewed and analyzed to ensure provider payments are consistent with policy coverage and limitations. The Benefits Counselor works with medical providers, keeping them current with any medical insurance changes as well as monitoring the accuracy of medical billing.
Please note: Consulting and advice regarding entitlements are available to individuals and their families directly from Social Security Administration and Connecticut Department of Social Services free of charge. Vista Benefits Consultation, Benefits Counseling and Benefits Counseling with Medical Insurance Counseling are offered as an optional service for coordination and oversight of benefits.