PAIMI

What is PAIMI?

Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) is a federally funded program operated by MO P&A.

If you have a psychiatric disability and feel you are being abused, neglected or denied your legal rights, we can help you secure the rights and services to which you are entitled.

Who is eligible for PAIMI program services?

PAIMI services are available to people:

• Who have a psychiatric disability and whose problems involve abuse, neglect or violations of their rights:
  
  -AND-
  

1. Are living in a 24-hour treatment or care facility such as a shelter home, lodge, nursing home, state hospital, private psychiatric hospital, jail, correctional facility, etc., or
2. Have lived at such a facility within the past 90 days.
   

-OR-


• Who have significant mental illness, reside in the community, and are at risk of being hospitalized or placed in an institution for treatment and care.

What kind of services does PAIMI offer?

We have trained information specialists, advocates and legal staff to assist you with problems. We are not psychiatrists, psychologists or social workers. We are not a government agency. We are advocates and lawyers who can work for you. All inquiries are kept strictly confidential.

You may be eligible to receive the following services:

• Information and Referral - A referral to another agency, with a follow-up by MO P&A staff to see if you need more assistance.
• Professional Assistance - Discussions with you which lead to resolution of the problem(s). Items include: self-advocacy coaching, explaining the service delivery system, etc.
• Administrative Remedies - Appealing your case within an agency or facility which does not involved going to a court of law.
• Negotiation/Mediation - Participation in discussions to resolve your problem without the use of administrative or legal procedures.
• Legal Services - Legal counsel or representation by an attorney in court.

How can MO P&A help?

MO P&A provides the following services:

• Information about services available through agencies in the community
• Advice to you about your legal rights
• Assistance in resolving disagreements through mediation and negotiation
• Individual advocacy services, including assistance with administrative and legal proceedings where necessary

What should you do?

Call MO P&A if you or someone you know has been prevented from getting appropriate services, benefits, or treatment because of fear, discrimination, abuse, neglect, or lack of information about individual rights.

If you want our help:

• Call our Jefferson City office at 573-893-3333 or toll free 800-392-8667 and an information specialist will assist you in applying for our services. TDD users please contact Relay Missouri for access at 800-735-2966.
• Write or email our Jefferson City office and tell us how we can contact you for assistance in applying for PAIMI services.
• Visit any MO P&A office and someone will assist you in completing an application for PAIMI services.

Is there a charge for PAIMI program services?

There is no charge for general advocacy and legal services. Program services are free to anyone who is eligible and whose case meets the annual priorities of the PAIMI program.

However, there is a standard fee for Social Security hearings and related legal services.

The PAIMI program is 100% federally funded by a grant from the Center For Mental Health Services.
Grant Award SMX299700-03-3