Social Security Disability?

[Raene]

Anyone know what exactly this is/when to apply (child's age?)/etc? I would love more info. The gvt website didn't seem very helpful in my opinion.
Thank you.

[savithny]

Originally Posted by Raene

Anyone know what exactly this is/when to apply (child's age?)/etc? I would love more info. The gvt website didn't seem very helpful in my opinion.
Thank you.

Raene,

I think the EI people will probably have these resources for you at your first meeting with them, but you REALLY also should contact FLIC:

http://www.fliconline.org/services.html

They have benefits advisers on staff.

I work for an organization (near you) that actually trains disability benefits counselors, so I've seen the level of detail they can get into. I am *not* a benefits expert myself, but I know that there *are* people at FLIC who can help you, or who can find someone who can.

They're very nice people, and you should definitely call them.

Editing to add:

Social security disability for children under 18 is SSI -- Supplemental Security Income. It is a benefit program, not funded by social security taxes, and you do not have to have worked and paid into the system to recieve it. Eligible children can recieve SSI payments and be eligible for Medicaid.
I dont' know if you found this specific page, but this explains it very well:
http://www.ssa.gov/ssi/text-child-ussi.htm

The two things that might come up in your case are:
1) No one yet knows the extent of your DD's disability. Because she's so young and does not have a named syndrome with known effects, it may be more difficult to prove she has a condition that will "result in marked and severe functional limitations" (their words)
2) Family income levels (and how the federal government defines "family")

But a good benefits counselor can talk to you about all this and explain all the stuff in the page I linked above.

[bandgeek]

You can apply anytime. We got DD's when she was only 3 months old. As long as you have her documented medical history and good reason for needing the SSI, it probably won't be a problem. I've heard that some states deny automatically the first time, so if that happens, always try a second time. DD qualified the first time.

[MommyKelly]

I have had 1 child approved less then a month old. She was micro preemie though and it was automatic. Other kiddos were 2 , 5, and almost 3. You can apply anytime.

[Lindsay1234]

We just got approved for our dd too and it took about a month. For me here in CA, we almost didnt make the cutoff for money and we are very low income. Find out income and eligibility stuff before applying. The online app look me an hour and a half.

[Raene]

Do you have to have their SSN before applying? My DD's hasn't come in the mail yet.

[Lindsay1234]

Originally Posted by Raene

Do you have to have their SSN before applying? My DD's hasn't come in the mail yet.

I dont think so. I didnt have an official birth cert and they just looked it up. The online form is just the first part and they call to verify all the info afterward.

[Satori]

Originally Posted by Lindsay1234

We just got approved for our dd too and it took about a month. For me here in CA, we almost didnt make the cutoff for money and we are very low income. Find out income and eligibility stuff before applying. The online app look me an hour and a half.

That was really fast! We've been waiting about 3 months and were told the average time was 4-5 months at best.

[Lindsay1234]

Originally Posted by Satori

That was really fast! We've been waiting about 3 months and were told the average time was 4-5 months at best.

Where are you? Im in CA and the woman said they actually go faster for kids, especially NICU ones. Im still waiting for the check but it took maybe 2 weeks for everything and then 2 more for the wait.

My worker was awesome. She called me the monday after I finished the online form then made appts for me. I never waited more than 5 min for the appts because I said I WOULDNT because of my sick kid!

[mommy2maya]

Originally Posted by Lindsay1234

We just got approved for our dd too and it took about a month. For me here in CA, we almost didnt make the cutoff for money and we are very low income. Find out income and eligibility stuff before applying. The online app look me an hour and a half.

is there somewhere online where you can see the income/eligibility info?

[Satori]

Originally Posted by Lindsay1234

Where are you? Im in CA and the woman said they actually go faster for kids, especially NICU ones. Im still waiting for the check but it took maybe 2 weeks for everything and then 2 more for the wait.

My worker was awesome. She called me the monday after I finished the online form then made appts for me. I never waited more than 5 min for the appts because I said I WOULDNT because of my sick kid!

I'm in CA too. I waited 20-30 minutes at our appt which was considered really quick. Were still waiting a decision, need to apply for my 3 yr old too but I'm not sure how to write out what makes her disabled. The state already gave her 182 hours a month of nursing care without a fuss so I'm guessing thats a pretty good sign she'd qualify for SSI too.

[Lindsay1234]

I found this page with links to general info. I think the income varied. For ours, she has resolving problems and her issues will only be life/death until she gets her major heart surgery, maybe in a year. But has ongoing non life -threatening hearing issues. There was a list of general medical issues but I cant find it!

Um, heres another info page

Maybe I just got lucky with the woman I saw OR maybe it WILL take 3 to 5 months, I havent seen any money yet!

We almost didnt qualify because my DH is a bartender and makes cash. Well, he claims tips on his paychecks, no biggie, but on paper we make 600$ more than our rent so they were questioning how we can afford such an expensive rent. They asked about every cent we have and dont have!

[Lindsay1234]

Originally Posted by Satori

I'm in CA too. I waited 20-30 minutes at our appt which was considered really quick. Were still waiting a decision, need to apply for my 3 yr old too but I'm not sure how to write out what makes her disabled. The state already gave her 182 hours a month of nursing care without a fuss so I'm guessing thats a pretty good sign she'd qualify for SSI too.

I just talked to a woman today who's kids get in-home care but the mom actually provides it and they pay her as the caretaker. Does anyone know about this? She has a 10 yr old with autism and 2 preemies.

[Satori]

Originally Posted by Lindsay1234

I just talked to a woman today who's kids get in-home care but the mom actually provides it and they pay her as the caretaker. Does anyone know about this? She has a 10 yr old with autism and 2 preemies.

Thats IHSS (In Home Supportive Services) and that program ticks me off to no end! If you were working and had to quit to take care of your child you qualify. However, if you can't go to work because of your child (say your spending all the time at hospital with your kid instead of working) your SOL.

[RoadWorkAhead]

Originally Posted by mommy2maya

is there somewhere online where you can see the income/eligibility info?

It's different for every person. I can tell you the basic calc. though

Gross income
- 20$ of any income
- allotment based on number of children (It was $317 when we had 1 other child, but it hasn't changed yet for having a second child ??)
-65$ of earned income
/2 of any earned income
-$956 for a couple
-$20 for child receiving SSI
= X Total received then is 674-X

For example
Gross = $2720 w/ fam. of 4, 2 kids, 2 parents
-20 = 2700
-317= 2383
-65 = 2318
/2 = 1159
-956 = 203
-20= 183

674-183= 491 total SSi per month.

Also, SSI si figured based on payments received in that month, so for bi-weekly paid individuals, you may not qualify for the 2 months a year you get 3 paychecks.

If anyone knows the amount for additional children, I'd love to find out!

[RoadWorkAhead]

Also, for couples, resource limits were 5k (including 2nd vehicle)

[mommy2maya]

Originally Posted by RoadWorkAhead

Also, SSI si figured based on payments received in that month, so for bi-weekly paid individuals, you may not qualify for the 2 months a year you get 3 paychecks.

It should be averaged, so that there isn't a discrepancy for the extra paychecks.

[logan&jordansmommy]

I didn't bother to call and find out income. I was on hold forever and I Had 2 friends that called and got two different answers. Even though the app. took a long time I figured it was still worth it to just apply and find out that way. Within a month we were approved for 6 months while they keep gathering data to see if my 2 kids with autism will qualify long term. It has made a difference for us.

[MommyKelly]

The time varies because it gets sent out to medical determination people. The go through the paperwork, contact Dr's if the need to, then decide if you are medically approved. Then once that is done they send it back to SS who decides if you qualify finacialy. If all is a green light, you will get a check. They will also pay back pay from the day you applied. So even if it takes months you will still get that back money. I have had it take 1 day to be approved, 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 months. It just depends how busy they are they said.

[my3peanuts]

Originally Posted by mommy2maya

It should be averaged, so that there isn't a discrepancy for the extra paychecks.

It isn't though. During months where my husband is paid 3x instead of 2 we do not get a check. The only exception is self employed which is averaged.