As I have said before on this blog many times:  you have to see a doctor on a regular basis if you want to win your Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) claim.   That can get very difficult when you cannot earn a paycheck due to a disability.  It is a horrible catch-22.  Today, I want to let you know about the Free Clinics in St. Petersburg and Clearwater.  There are not many Free Clinic options in Pinellas County, but the Clinics we have are staffed by caring and compassionate health care professionals and staff.

The following are free clinics in Pinellas County and their contact information:

• St. Petersburg Free Clinic (727-821-1200) at 863 3rd Ave. North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701;
• Clearwater Free Clinic (727-447-3041) at 707 North Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater, FL  33755; and
• Greenwood Community Health Resource Center (727-467-9411) at 1108 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Clearwater, FL  33755

If you do not have the resources to pay for private healthcare, you must actively seek any care that may be available.  A Social Security Judge will ask where you tried to see a doctor when it comes time for your hearing.

Next in This Series:  Information about free or low-cost mental healthcare options in Pinellas County, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and surrounding communities.  Also, check back for future posts on free or low cost services in Pasco, Manatee, Hernando, Polk, and Orange Counties.

John Tucker is a Social Security Disability Attorney with offices in Clearwater (the Feather Sound area) and Tampa.  Call (727) 572-5000 for a free consultation about your claim. 

This post continues my series on free and low-cost healthcare resources in Pinellas County. I cannot stress enough how important it is for someone applying for Social Security Disability (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to get regular medical care.   Today, I want to get the word out about Community Health Centers of Pinellas, Inc.  They have locations in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Pinellas Park, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, Gulfport, providing discounted medical care based on household income.  Here are specific addresses, phone numbers and map links to each of their locations:

• Community Health Centers of Pinellas - gmap
  (Johnnie Ruth Clarke Health Center)
  1344 22nd St. S.
  St. Petersburg, FL 33712
  (727) 821-6701

• Community Health Centers at Largo – gmap
  12420 130th Ave. N.
  Largo, FL 33774
  (727) 587-7729

• Community Health Centers at Tarpon Springs – gmap
  247 S. Huey Ave.
  Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
  (727) 944-3828

• Community Health Centers at Pinellas Park – gmap
  6237 66th St.
  Pinellas Park, FL 33781
  (727) 544-2284

• Community Health Centers at Clearwater – gmap
  1020 Lakeview Road
  Clearwater, FL 33756
  (727) 461-1439

My clients have given me good feedback about Community Health Centers.  Sometimes, their doctors are not willing to fill out Social Security forms, but having a doctor that will not fill out forms is better than having no doctor at all.  My clients also tell me that the nicer you are to the staff and doctors there, the more they will do things like fill out a form or two.  I am sure that does not come as a surprise.

Next in This Series:  More free and low-cost healthcare options in Pinellas County, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and surrounding communities.  Also, check back for future posts on free or low cost services in Pasco, Manatee, Hernando, Polk, and Orange Counties.

John Tucker is a Social Security Disability Attorney with offices in Clearwater (the Feather Sound area) and Tampa.  Call (727) 572-5000 for a free consultation about your claim.