Help me prepare for my SSI hearing please - Page 2

[nola79]

  So glad it went well for you! You must be so relieved!

[Essie]

Mylie-were you denied the first time? I have been thinking about trying to get a lawyer and get back pay, but we were denied b/c of financial reasons :(  which is a joke ! DS has autism. I know others who have SSI for their kids with autism and I think it's so wrong that we dont' get the help we need. The county gave me the name of an attorney who specialized in this but I've never gotten the nerve to call.

[Eyelet]

Essie- I could be mistaken, so definitely look into the lawyer for more info. But from what I've been told by my son's SSI case manager is that the income limits for approval are indisputable. Even if your child qualifies medically, if your income is over the limit you will be denied no matter what. 

I hope I'm wrong though! :)

[earthmama369]

There are two types of Social Security disability -- SSI and SSDI. One is income based, the other is strictly disability based. It's worth applying to both programs. You might get denied based on income for one, but qualify for the other.

[Eyelet]

Originally Posted by earthmama369 

There are two types of Social Security disability -- SSI and SSDI. One is income based, the other is strictly disability based. It's worth applying to both programs. You might get denied based on income for one, but qualify for the other.

Unfortunately, SSDI is available only to disabled adults, not children. SSDI monies are pulled from previous employment taxes, not the government. 

SSI is available to all ages and is a government funded program.

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/245/~/differences-between-social-security-disability-and-ssi-disability.
 

[agirlnamedsuess]

SSI lawyers are only supposed to recover 25% of the back SSI owed to you if you win; by law, they get nothing if you do not win. You better check up on this lawyer and call the State Bar Association and see if he is legit. Also, let them know what he is charging you. He collects ZERO if you do not win and ONLY 25% of what back SSI you get if you DO win.

[agirlnamedsuess]

You have to appeal the decision and you have a limited number of days to do so. If you do not file an appeal within those amount of days (60, I think), then you have LOST your right to appeal the decision and you have to reapply. SSI is based on income and disability. You can be disabled and have over the limit income and not get SSI. Likewise, you can be disabled and be within the income limit and get SSI (HA...if they approve it.) In today's economy, EVERYONE IS BEING DENIED. The government is broke my friends.

We have had a case going on for way over a year and my daughter has multiple learning disabilities and now a new diagnosis of PDD-NOS (autism). THEIR psychologist wanted to do a 45 minute assessment, which turned into 4 hours and it was clear she had some learning disabilities during the grueling FOUR hour assessment. I am awaiting the imminent denial (perhaps this sounds negative, but I realize what the gov't is doing to EVERYONE these days...cutting benefits left and right); so, I expect the inevitable.

Once the reconsideration has been denied, then you file an appeal and go before an administrative law judge.

[Thyme Mama]

hooray! i'm so excited for you and your family!

[muldey]

I just spoke to someone at my local ssi office,and she said my benefits will be in in 7-10 days!Possibly sooner as I chose direct deposit.I'm so relieved.I owe everyone so much money,now I can pay them off or at least most of it,until my next big check.My kids need new beds and I can finally get them.I can finally rent one of those roll away dumpsters and purge my house(I have rugs to rip up,and the beds to throw away,we're only allowed one trash bin per apartment)!I still don't know how much my benefits will be,she couldn't get into my file as my worker was in it.I had to drop off the landlord form(I rent from my dad) and proof that I am no longer receiving cash benefits,which I haven't had since february.Thanks everyone for being here for me!

[nola79]

Originally Posted by muldey 

I just spoke to someone at my local ssi office,and she said my benefits will be in in 7-10 days!Possibly sooner as I chose direct deposit.I'm so relieved.I owe everyone so much money,now I can pay them off or at least most of it,until my next big check.My kids need new beds and I can finally get them.I can finally rent one of those roll away dumpsters and purge my house(I have rugs to rip up,and the beds to throw away,we're only allowed one trash bin per apartment)!I still don't know how much my benefits will be,she couldn't get into my file as my worker was in it.I had to drop off the landlord form(I rent from my dad) and proof that I am no longer receiving cash benefits,which I haven't had since february.Thanks everyone for being here for me!

Awesome news!

[Essie]

Yeah, I believe you are right. I think it's totally lame b/c situations are so different. From what I have heard, people either get it b/c their income falls within the "secret" amount, or there are others who are unethical and "hide" money to appear that they qualify. IMO the way the system is set up is so wrong, and tempts people who are turned down to spite the system and possibly try and cheat the system.

I will still talk to the lawyer though. Can't hurt.

Thanks :)

[Essie]

Ooops; this was meant to be addressed to Ixla;
 

Originally Posted by Essie 

Yeah, I believe you are right. I think it's totally lame b/c situations are so different. From what I have heard, people either get it b/c their income falls within the "secret" amount, or there are others who are unethical and "hide" money to appear that they qualify. IMO the way the system is set up is so wrong, and tempts people who are turned down to spite the system and possibly try and cheat the system.

I will still talk to the lawyer though. Can't hurt.

Thanks :)

[Eyelet]

Originally Posted by Essie 

Ooops; this was meant to be addressed to Ixla;
 

Originally Posted by Essie 

Yeah, I believe you are right. I think it's totally lame b/c situations are so different. From what I have heard, people either get it b/c their income falls within the "secret" amount, or there are others who are unethical and "hide" money to appear that they qualify. IMO the way the system is set up is so wrong, and tempts people who are turned down to spite the system and possibly try and cheat the system.

I will still talk to the lawyer though. Can't hurt.

Thanks :)

I totally agree.

Personally, when it comes to disabled children, I feel there shouldn't be an income limit. Raising a child with a severe disability can be extremely expensive...between therapies, equipment, medical supplies, etc. it can be financially taxing to any family. 

Also, as far as who gets approved or not should be more transparent, I feel. My eldest son has severe autism and he was approved for SSI within 3 weeks. My younger son has aspergers and ADHD and he was denied because they claimed he wasn't disabled enough. I haven't tried to appeal it yet, but it would be nice to know if I'm wasting my time doing so. Very frustrating. 

[agirlnamedsuess]

I do not want to the bearer of bad news, but if they owe you a lump sum back payment, then they only give it to you in installments. I would keep receipts for everything because they may ask for PROOF that you spent that money on THAT particular child. The government is rotten these days.

[Essie]

Originally Posted by IxIa 

Originally Posted by Essie 

Ooops; this was meant to be addressed to Ixla;
 

Originally Posted by Essie 

Yeah, I believe you are right. I think it's totally lame b/c situations are so different. From what I have heard, people either get it b/c their income falls within the "secret" amount, or there are others who are unethical and "hide" money to appear that they qualify. IMO the way the system is set up is so wrong, and tempts people who are turned down to spite the system and possibly try and cheat the system.

I will still talk to the lawyer though. Can't hurt.

Thanks :)

I totally agree.

Personally, when it comes to disabled children, I feel there shouldn't be an income limit. Raising a child with a severe disability can be extremely expensive...between therapies, equipment, medical supplies, etc. it can be financially taxing to any family. 

Also, as far as who gets approved or not should be more transparent, I feel. My eldest son has severe autism and he was approved for SSI within 3 weeks. My younger son has aspergers and ADHD and he was denied because they claimed he wasn't disabled enough. I haven't tried to appeal it yet, but it would be nice to know if I'm wasting my time doing so. Very frustrating. 

What????? that is crazy! My son is an Aspie and has ADHD tendencies and it is just as taxing, if not MORE than severe autism! I don't know how they can get away with that. If I were you I would start going to therapy and getting stuff documented (emotions, hardships, etc. ) and also use proof from school (behavioral incidents, etc.) 
 

[Essie]

The SS system is totally screwed up IMO. The worst part is those who really could benefit from it are turned away, and no one can tell me there aren't people who ARE getting help from it that are doing so illegally. It is unjust.