Health Care & Public Benefits

Legal Help with Public Benefits

Are you having problems getting or keeping your cash, food, medical, and/or child care benefits? Have you been told you were overpaid benefits and have to pay them back? Our attorneys provide legal help and information to single adults and families whose Washington state benefits have been reduced, terminated, or denied – and those given benefits overpayment notices.

INTAKE LINE: Contact us at 206.694.6742 or benefitslegalhelp@solid-ground.org  to learn more.

This program is funded in part by the City of Seattle Human Services Department.

Legal Resources for Other State Benefits

• Benefits Law Center: Provides legal help and information for people in Washington state whose Social Security Benefits (SSI/SSDI) have been reduced, denied or terminated.
• Northwest Justice Project:  Provides legal help and information for people in Washington state who have civil legal needs in many different areas of the law.
• Tenant Law Center: Provides help with Section 8 and other housing benefits terminations.
• Unemployment Law Project: Provides legal help and information for people in Washington state whose unemployment benefits have been denied.

More Legal Resources

• Alliance for Equal Justice: A network of Washington state organizations that collaborate to coordinate strategy and delivery of civil legal aid to people and communities experiencing poverty and injustice – with a commitment to identify and dismantle all barriers to justice that perpetuate poverty and racial inequities.
• King County 2-1-1 (also 206.461.3200, 1.800.621.4636 or 206.461.3610 for TTY/hearing impaired calls): Identifies and makes referrals to appropriate legal aid providers. (Hours: Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm)
• Washington LawHelp: A self-help online resource for finding civil legal solutions, including public benefits, consumer law, elder law, housing rights, health care and more.

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Medicare, Medigap, & Medicare Advantage Help

Solid Ground’s Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) can help you understand your Medicare rights and options. Our well-trained volunteers counsel people of all ages – including people under age 65 living with disabilities, people getting ready to turn 65, and those already enrolled – about their Medicare choices and options.

SHIBA volunteers assist people through one-on-one consultations by phone or in-person appointments (in-person appointments are limited, see below for locations). We answer your Medicare questions, make referrals, and help evaluate and compare health insurance policies so you can make an informed decision to find the best possible coverage that fits within your budget and meets your needs. We can also help screen to see if you qualify for low-income programs that can save you money on Medicare coverage. (In partnership with the Washington state Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Solid Ground is your local SHIBA office in King County.)

GET HELP/MORE INFO: Contact Solid Ground’s SHIBA intake line: 206.753.4806 or shiba@solid-ground.org to get connected with a SHIBA volunteer!

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In-Person SHIBA Counseling by Appointment Only

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Medicare Plan Information, Comparison Charts, and Resources

Booklets, Brochures, and Flyers:

• BROCHURE: Get help paying for Medicare – See if you qualify for a Medicare savings program and/or extra help
• BOOKLET: Paying for prescription drugs
• BOOKLET: What you need to know about Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans
• BROCHURE: About Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA)
• CHECKLIST: Your SHIBA Medicare action plan
• FLYER: Get help paying for Medicare – Information for American Indians and Alaskan Natives
• FLYER: Medicare and COVID-19 vaccine scams
• FLYER: Stop Medicare Fraud
• FLYER: Watch out for scam calls

Comparison Charts:

• Your Medicare coverage choices
• 2024 Medicare Advantage Plans (King County)
• 2024 Medicare hospital insurance covered services (Parts A & B)
• 2024 Medicare Part D stand-alone prescription drug plans
• Approved Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans (updates quarterly)
• Comparing Medicare supplement (Medigap) and Medicare Advantage plans
• 10 Standardized Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans

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Affordable Health Insurance

The Washington Healthplanfinder website can help you find the right health plan for you and your family.

• Free or low-cost Washington Apple Health is available year-round.
• You may qualify for a special enrollment if you are uninsured or have certain life changes.
• Browse current health plans, including Cascade Care plans.
• Navigators are located across Washington state and are available at no cost to help customers sign up for coverage through Washington Healthplanfinder. Navigators can help customers through the application and enrollment process from start to finish.

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