A question about SSI's disability requirement? update on that and everything else for anyone who...

[sunnylady303]

X POSTED IN SPECIAL NEEDS

So we got turned down for on going medicaid coverage for our 2YO but they suggested we try SSI. We qualify in terms of income but I am wondering how they determine disbility. Does anyone know?

[MamaChel]

Medical records and an examination by their physician.

[sunnylady303]

I knew that. I meant how hard is it to qualify, I guess. I was reading the requirements for asthma and I think she definitely qualifies - but just because I think she does doesn't mean they will think so. I just am wondering how long it takes, etc.

[lolar2]

I was on SSDI for a while for a different disease. The way it worked was, they turned me down the first time, then I went to a lawyer who wrote an appeal (you have to do this right away), then they turned me down a second time and the lawyer got me a hearing with a judge. Then I was approved. The moral is, if you think she qualifies, she probably does, but you may have to be persistent because they automatically turn down a lot of applications the first or second time. A lawyer is very much worth it if you do get turned down, because they only get paid if you win, and they are only allowed by law to take 25% of the back-pay or something like that. The Nolo Guide to Social Security Disability (easy to get at any bookstore, or probably library) has more detail.

[barky586]

My 24 year old daughter was approved for SSI (the "poor" person's version of SSDI because she had never worked) on her first application. She had a listed impairment as documented by their requirements and we submitted all medical records and bloodwork with her application. It is very rare for the first application to be approved, but more possible when a person has a listed impairment as documented by what they require it to be documented by and the medical records are submitted WITH the application. Good luck.

[MamaChel]

SSI is easier to qualify for than SSDI which your daughter would not qualify for. I've been on both. IME (and this may not be yours) the medical certification is primarily done through your physician and medical records and with your daughters medical issues you may get in right away. I think you can start the application process online or have them send you the application. It's long and can take a long time but once the medical appointment is finished things move fairly quickly. I don't have numbers because it really depends on your location, ya know?

[barky586]

I don't see how or why. SSI is the "poor person's" version of SSDI. In other words, you qualify medically, but don't have enough quarters (or whatever) worked to draw regular SSDI. They give you SSI instead. (My daughter was a college student, married, and had not worked) I don't believe it is "easy" to qualify because the medical standard is the same for SSI and SSDI. With all that said though, I am thankful that I have paid for health insurance for her for years because that damn Medicaid they gave her when she got SSI isn't taken by any of her specialists. Also doesn't pay for name brand "good" pain killers (she has a very painful disease). But her health insurance does.

[Mama25]

I posted this thread about our SSI for children experience so you might find ti helpful. It is difinetly worth trying and just because you got turned down for medicaid doesn't mean you will for SSI. We actually get SSI but don't get medicaid.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...441&highlight=

[YesandNo]

The moral is, if you think she qualifies, she probably does, but you may have to be persistent because they automatically turn down a lot of applications the first or second time

I don't think this is true. My parents both work for the Social Security Administration, and they are committed civil servants. The one thing they tell everyone is to come in and ask -- asking is free -- they will help if they can. A lot of people DO get turned down, but of course not everyone who asks is qualified. But the intent of the employees there is to help people, honestly.

[angelcollector1]

Just some information about the amount of applications that get declined the first time. I have received it in writing a couple of years ago when my husband applied for disability that the SSI administration denies 70% of claims the first time. It took us an appeal to get my husband approved.

Good luck with your application, I hope it gets processed, but please keep in mind that they take you and your DH's income into consideration as to whether they will approve your DC. We tried to apply for my son who has severe mental/emotional illness issues and although he would have qualified, we couldn't receive any benefits because we made too much money, and I can assure you, we didn't make much.

[lolar2]

Originally Posted by YesandNo

I don't think this is true. My parents both work for the Social Security Administration, and they are committed civil servants. The one thing they tell everyone is to come in and ask -- asking is free -- they will help if they can. A lot of people DO get turned down, but of course not everyone who asks is qualified. But the intent of the employees there is to help people, honestly.

It's not an employee issue, it's a structural issue. There are things that an appellate judge is trained to consider, and a lawyer is trained to bring out, that aren't always obvious in the first applicant/ civil servant contact. For example sometimes lawyers and judges have information that applicants and SSA employees don't have about changes that are in process but not yet official for qualifications.

[~*max*~]

sunnylady, OT to this thread, but I've been thinking about you & your family mama. How are you and dd? Is she feeling better? How did the birthdays go? I hope you are well. Feel free to PM me if you'd like.

[sunnylady303]

Thanks so much for asking. I am exhausted right now but in a much, much better place right now. We just got home from 5 days in the hospital. The hospital we usually go to is the children's hospital in Louisville but Lila has been so difficult to care for and diagnose that they sent us to Cincinnati Children's Hospital. I cannot say enough good things about them. In addition to confirning her severe asthma and reflux, they found out that she is passing out, not from those things, but from a mild epilepsy likely triggered by being so run down. So we will treat that with meds for a couple of months while trying to strengthen her lungs and her immune system and her whole body. Then she will likely be able to come off of them. So we are home for Christmas. Between HH and some kind friends my girls are going to have a good Christmas present wise and we have so much fun to have as a family. SSI has been applied for, we will see. Our modest needs app was funded. : A amazing angel of a friend in our community had an HVAC system installed in our house because the docs felt it was so important. And did I mention that I am home for Christmas? : : : We literally got home an hour ago and we weren't sure we would. So I am feeling blessed and lucky. I think we are close to being back on our feet. Thanks to so many people. So I appreciate you thinking of us a lot. Thanks!

[superstella]

Good luck with the SSI, I hope it goes through for you. I applied last year in Dec., got approved in Feb., and had my first check (with back pay) by March. It does happen.

Thanks for the update, I've been thinking of you as well and am happy to hear your dd is doing okay and home for the holidays! I'm glad you're getting some help and things are looking up for the moment. Hope your Christmas is a joyous one.

[~*max*~]

Kristen, I am so glad to hear that you all are doing better, that Lila is getting the medical treatment she needs, and you are home for the holidays. Things are sounding very optimistic. And great news too about HH and other help. Keeping my fingers crossed for you about the medicaid, although at this point it seems like she more than qualifies.

I think of you all often. Have a wonderful Christmas.