DREAM (Medical-Legal) Partnership

The Project

The DREAM (Disability Representation Education Advocacy Medical-Legal) Partnership is a medical-legal partnership between Homeless Persons Representation Project and Health Care for the Homeless to promote economic stability and help end homelessness in Baltimore. The DREAM Partnership will also advance policy goals to end homelessness and support people living with disabilities.

Why do we need the DREAM Partnership?

There are over 2,000 people experiencing homelessness in Baltimore on any given night and the number will grow given the pandemic. About 41% of adults experiencing homelessness reported having a serious mental illness according to the Baltimore City 2020 Point-in-time count. Nationally, only 28% of individuals who apply for Supplemental Security Insurance and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSI/SSDI), a federal public benefit for people who are disabled, are approved on initial application. For people who are homeless and have no one to assist them, that percentage reduces by more than half.

Legal needs addressed by the DREAM Partnership:

• Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income  Appeals of denial of benefits or overpayments (SSI/SSDI)
• Appeals of Denials and unfair terminations of Food Stamps (SNAP)
• Appeals of Denials and unfair terminations of Temporary Disability Assistance
• Appeals of Denials and unfair terminations Temporary Cash Assistance

How to become a client:

• Must be connected to a Health Care for the Homeless Provider and/or be referred to the DREAM Partnership by a Health Care for the Homeless  provider.