Forum on Social Security Benefits to be held Tuesday, Sept. 18

VALDOSTA -- Valdosta State University’s FamilyWorks program will join Brain Injury Advocate Services of Georgia (BIAS) in hosting a community forum about Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Income (SSI) Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Family Works office.

“This event will help people from the community gain a better understanding of the process and how the benefits assist citizens and families with disabilities,” said Joshua Waters, a representative with Family Works. “For students and faculty, this information will prove helpful in understanding the struggles of clients and their family members.”

Guest speaker for the forum is Linda Garrett, regionalcontract specialist with Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation. She will discuss the process for eligibility requirements, the application process as well as other related SSI and SSDI benefits.

"There are so many people out there who have no idea where to turn for answers about Social Security benefits or the applicationprocess," said Alan Carter, director of BIAS. "We joined forces with Family Works to conduct this event to assist and inform our clients and community to gain the answers they need."

Of the numerous services, BIAS offers support group meetings for brain and spinal injury survivors and their family members. The monthly meetings are held at the FamilyWorks office, located on the corner of North Patterson and Gordon Streets.

FamilyWorks is a university-based, brief therapy center for the Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program. FamilyWorks trains graduate students in family therapy and provides brief therapy to people from all over South Georgia and North Florida, most commonly Valdosta, the VSU campus, Moody Air Force Base and surrounding communities.

For more information, call (229) 219-1281.