Inspired by our Disability Warriors: The Download podcast with Help Hope Live
When the System Says “No,” Community Can Still Say “Yes.”
At Liner Legal, we meet people every day who are fighting not only for disability benefits but also for access to essential medical care. Too often, insurance companies deny the very tests and treatments that could prove or even improve a person’s condition.
That’s where Help Hope Live steps in. In our recent Disability Warriors: The Download podcast episode, attorney Michael Liner sat down with Sunny Mullen, Director of Outreach at Help Hope Live, to talk about how this national nonprofit helps people fundraise safely for medical and disability-related expenses all while protecting their benefits.
What Is Help Hope Live?
Help Hope Live is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with over 40 years of experience helping individuals raise money for medical and medically related expenses, from wheelchairs and home modifications to rehabilitation costs, transplant care, and specialized tests that insurance won’t cover.
Unlike GoFundMe or other for-profit platforms, Help Hope Live offers:
- Medical verification for every campaign (so donors know the cause is legitimate).
- Nonprofit accountability and transparency.
- Benefit protection: funds raised are not considered personal income or assets, which safeguards clients’ SSI, SSDI, or Medicaid eligibility.
- Ongoing support: staff help clients design, promote, and manage campaigns safely and effectively.
“We’re not giving out money, we’re giving people the tools to fundraise safely and successfully,” Sunny explains. “We manage the funds so clients can focus on their health without risking their benefits.”
Learn more about Help Hope Live at helphopelive.org.
Why This Matters in Disability Law
Michael shared a story familiar to many Social Security claimants, a woman with a seizure disorder whose insurance refused to pay for a seven-day hospital EEG. Without that test, her doctors couldn’t fully understand her seizures, and she couldn’t provide enough medical evidence for her disability case.
“When a judge asks, ‘Why didn’t you do the test?’ and the answer is ‘Because my insurance wouldn’t cover it,’ that’s heartbreaking,” Michael said. “People are stuck between needing proof and not being able to afford it.”
For clients like her, fundraising through Help Hope Live can make the difference, enabling access to critical tests, treatments, or adaptive equipment that improve medical outcomes and strengthen a Social Security claim.
Big or Small, Every Dollar Helps
Whether someone needs $500 for a functional capacity evaluation or $70,000 for an accessible van, Help Hope Live treats every campaign with care.
“No amount is too big or too small,” Sunny said. “What matters is the motivation and the community around you. Even $25 here and there adds up.”
Fundraising doesn’t have to mean a massive event. Some clients host simple online campaigns; others build community-driven initiatives like car washes, church drives, or annual golf outings. Every campaign is personalized to fit the client’s comfort level, health condition, and network.
Safeguarding Benefits While Fundraising
One of the most powerful parts of Help Hope Live’s model is how it protects clients from losing benefits due to fundraising income.
Because Help Hope Live retains and manages the funds, they’re classified as charitable assets, not personal income which means they don’t jeopardize eligibility for programs like SSI, Medicaid, or SNAP.
“We’ve seen people lose benefits after fundraising on other platforms,” Sunny explained. “That doesn’t happen here. We’re structured specifically to safeguard their benefits.”
Each client’s medical condition is verified by a member of their care team (physician, social worker, or nurse), ensuring transparency and proper use of funds. This process prevents fraud and gives donors peace of mind.
A National Network with a Local Heart
Founded in Philadelphia by a transplant surgeon and his wife, Help Hope Live began as the National Transplant Assistance Fund and has now grown to serve clients in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
With a hybrid team across the country, including Spanish-speaking coordinators, the organization provides accessible support nationwide, no matter where you live or what medical condition you face.
Facing an Uncertain Future Together
As government budgets continue to evolve and benefits face new pressures, nonprofits like Help Hope Live are becoming even more vital. Cuts to Medicaid and veterans’ services could leave more individuals responsible for life-saving medical expenses.
Help Hope Live is already helping fill those gaps, ensuring clients don’t have to choose between treatment and financial stability.
“For better or worse, we’re already helping the people who fall through the cracks,” Sunny said. “Our mission is to make sure they don’t face it alone.”
How Liner Legal and Help Hope Live Work Hand-in-Hand
At Liner Legal, our mission goes beyond winning disability cases. We want to empower clients to live better while they wait and that means building partnerships with organizations that share our values of compassion, integrity, and impact.
If you or someone you love is struggling with medical expenses while pursuing disability benefits, reach out to us. We can help you connect with resources like Help Hope Live and guide you through the process.
If you or someone you love is struggling with medical expenses while pursuing disability benefits, reach out to us. We can help you connect with resources like Help Hope Live and guide you through the process.
👉 Schedule your free case review today.
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Final Thoughts
When insurance fails, the community fills the gap. Organizations like Help Hope Live remind us that disability advocacy isn’t just about winning a case it’s about restoring dignity, access, and hope.
Together, we can ensure that no one fights their disability battle alone.