Social Security Disability? - Page 2

[Lindsay1234]

Originally Posted by Satori

for my 3 yr old too but I'm not sure how to write out what makes her disabled.

Do you have a docs dx? I literally wrote the exact dx form the NICU discharge sheet, then kind of explained it. They will call the docs for the real info.

[Lindsay1234]

Originally Posted by 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.

I think thats where we are right now, already been "approved" but waiting for "final" approval.

[Lindsay1234]

Wow! Thanks for all this info guys!

[savithny]

Originally Posted by Lindsay1234

Do you have a docs dx? I literally wrote the exact dx form the NICU discharge sheet, then kind of explained it. They will call the docs for the real info.

Yeah. They have a set of diagnostic codes that qualify for SSI and they require documentation. They will also require regular redocumentation unless the condition is one that is *defined* as one that *never* improves.

[Satori]

Originally Posted by Lindsay1234

Do you have a docs dx? I literally wrote the exact dx form the NICU discharge sheet, then kind of explained it. They will call the docs for the real info.

We have a dx for 1 condition which is what we get the 182 hours of nursing for but the CP we have 2 different Dr's saying different things. All neuro would say is "Left sided unilateral hypotonia" and they called the brain damage in the right temporal lobe a simple harmless malformation. Genetics says they think she has mild CP and they agree with the radiologist that its brain damage of some kind.

There's also the fact that her mito defect needs to be explained in how it effects her beyond the need for constant feedings and blood sugar monitering's and I'm not sure how to put it all down in the small space they give us. I mean she can't be in a room over 85 without risking a sugar crash which means we can't go out out on warm days or she will crash within minutes. Running around playing can make her crash, anything that puts her under any kind of metabolic stress can make her crash but I would think I would need to list specific instances.

[RoadWorkAhead]

Originally Posted by my3peanuts

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.

It actually works out in our benefit. The first time I calculated, I got that we'd get $337/mo with DH's new job. Instead we'll get $491 for 10 months and nothing for 2, which averages to $409/mo.

[RoadWorkAhead]

Also, we have no diagnosis officially. Like no explaining factor, but I went in and explained her medical issues (tube fed elemental diet being the main one) and they handled the records and diagnostic codes and we were approved w/in 2 months

[my3peanuts]

Yes, when my ds qualified he did not have a qualifying diagnosis. He was diagnosed with Epilepsy but that doesn't automatically qualify you. It was all the health issues combined and the suspected metabolic disorder at the time that qualified him.

[TinkerBelle]

Our middle child, who has Autsim, receives SSI. Our oldest, who has ADHD and emotional/behavioral problems, also receives SSI. The oldest just got approved in July.

I was not sure if the older one would qualify, but he did.

I do appreciate the monetary assistance and the Medicaid, but it is not "easy money". They can check bank accounts, and you must report everything you have of value, like cars, etc. You are allowed one vehicle that doesn't count, but any others cannot exceed your asset limit. ($3000 per couple) Then, there are the few who know about it, who think we are rich or something.

I am hoping to find a decent job with benefits so we don't have to rely on it any longer.

[RoadWorkAhead]

Originally Posted by TinkerBelle

Our middle child, who has Autsim, receives SSI. Our oldest, who has ADHD and emotional/behavioral problems, also receives SSI. The oldest just got approved in July.

I was not sure if the older one would qualify, but he did.

I do appreciate the monetary assistance and the Medicaid, but it is not "easy money". They can check bank accounts, and you must report everything you have of value, like cars, etc. You are allowed one vehicle that doesn't count, but any others cannot exceed your asset limit. ($3000 per couple) Then, there are the few who know about it, who think we are rich or something.

I am hoping to find a decent job with benefits so we don't have to rely on it any longer.

We have decent private insurance...it covers about 1/8-1/10 of her medical bills (after deductible and co-pays, its likely less) b/c so much of her issue is not required to be covered (feeding tube supplies and diet) We purposefully stay under an income limit. I don't know what we'll do when we disqualify finally, probably move to a state with TEFRA medicaid b/c we'd spend any income I made and then some on her medical stuff, and this appears to be a lifelong thing.

[Lindsay1234]

Ok, just got my first check, actually it was 2 checks, one from last month. It took us 1 and a 1/2 months from the initial online app I filled out.

Pretty bittersweet, the money will help but it also remind me that I have a kid sick enough to get it!

[Satori]

Originally Posted by Lindsay1234

Ok, just got my first check, actually it was 2 checks, one from last month. It took us 1 and a 1/2 months from the initial online app I filled out.

Pretty bittersweet, the money will help but it also remind me that I have a kid sick enough to get it!

Did they mention that the back pay has to be put into a special account and can only be used to expenses directly related to the approved disability? It has some crazy rules like you can't use it to pay utilities or buy a car but can use it to pay for therapy or medical items. Made no sense how its done and it only applies to the back pay portion. I hope they finally got rid of that, I know some people getting a couple of years worth of back pay then still being in trouble because they can't use that money to pay the darn rent.

[Lindsay1234]

Originally Posted by Satori

Did they mention that the back pay has to be put into a special account and can only be used to expenses directly related to the approved disability? It has some crazy rules like you can't use it to pay utilities or buy a car but can use it to pay for therapy or medical items. Made no sense how its done and it only applies to the back pay portion. I hope they finally got rid of that, I know some people getting a couple of years worth of back pay then still being in trouble because they can't use that money to pay the darn rent.

Crap, they didnt. Ill call the lady on Monday and ask. Thanks for the heads up.

[MommyKelly]

Originally Posted by Satori

Did they mention that the back pay has to be put into a special account and can only be used to expenses directly related to the approved disability? It has some crazy rules like you can't use it to pay utilities or buy a car but can use it to pay for therapy or medical items. Made no sense how its done and it only applies to the back pay portion. I hope they finally got rid of that, I know some people getting a couple of years worth of back pay then still being in trouble because they can't use that money to pay the darn rent.

I have never heard this. They told me if I put any SSI into an account and have it sitting there, it becomes an asset, and I need to spend it all.
My Dh's uncle got over 50K in back pay and used it to buy a mobile home and a car.

[Satori]

Originally Posted by MommyKelly

I have never heard this. They told me if I put any SSI into an account and have it sitting there, it becomes an asset, and I need to spend it all.
My Dh's uncle got over 50K in back pay and used it to buy a mobile home and a car.

Maybe it varies by state? I know several people in CA who were told this.

[MommyKelly]

Originally Posted by Satori

Maybe it varies by state? I know several people in CA who were told this.

Ya, maybe. I just realized I got back pay 2 months ago, and was never told this then either.

[my3peanuts]

Originally Posted by Satori

Did they mention that the back pay has to be put into a special account and can only be used to expenses directly related to the approved disability? It has some crazy rules like you can't use it to pay utilities or buy a car but can use it to pay for therapy or medical items. Made no sense how its done and it only applies to the back pay portion. I hope they finally got rid of that, I know some people getting a couple of years worth of back pay then still being in trouble because they can't use that money to pay the darn rent.

This is only true if the money is a very large amount. They would have told you if it had to be put in an account. We received back pay of nearly $1500 and it did not need to be put in an account.

[Lindsay1234]

Ok, I went to the SS office today and asked the lady how Im supposed to track my spending on this and she said not to. She said that Ill get a form at the end of the year and I just put "Housing $1600, food $700", etc. She said that I should NOT worry about it.

I DID have to make a separate acct at the bank but transferred half the money into my checking right when I opened the acct. No holds, no problem transferring.

[Jyotsna]

This is a great thread. I have two children with BiPolar Disorder. I've applied for SSI one of them, because he can't attend school (serious behavioural problems), and I can't work due to him. I am able to attend a few births a year, but basically, I'm at home with him.

I don't know if he was approved, but after all the info sent in, I am still waiting. I applied on July 9th, and he has had two visits with doctors that they paid for. I thought for sure they would have taken care of it by then. I called to talk to the disability examiner, and they are still waiting for the report from the last doctor. Also, when I spoke to her, she asked me about my son's diagnoses for his congenital cataract. She said it has to be documented and explored, even though that is not the reason for the SSI. So, they had to contact the pediatric opthamologist to get those records, THEN they would look everything over.

I'm anxious to know. If they approve him, they will approve my daughter too, and then I will apply for her.

Can anyone tell me if in-home childcare payments exist in all states, or in CA?
I'd love to receive addition monies for his care. Right now, the children get child support from their father, and my occassional clients..that is how we are making it. : (

[Jyotsna]

Also, if they approve it, will he get a check in the middle of the month, or on the first?