Social security disability question
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| Thu, 05-08-2008 - 5:25pm |
I have no idea which board and where to post this, so I guess I'll start here. So Liam's case worker (from the region office not DFACS) had a loooong visit with usa couple of weeks ago (3 stinkin' hours). During said meeting she indicated Liam was allowed to apply for SSDI (Social security disability income.) I was sceptical at best, but as we thought we wouldn't get any of the other things we applied for I thought what the heck.
I looked online found the correct online child disability report, took over three days to fill in (they ask for LOADS of information). Then at the end I still have to officially put in a paper application, and get them copies of every medical test I have written about.
I can't find an application I can print off so I called the SSA 1800 number. I thereupon am chastised and berated by some poopyheaded SSA general info agent that Liam would not qualify as he's never worked. OK, then why oh why is there a big fat application procedure for children under age 18 and a large list of disabilities (Autisma and mood disorder is there too)??? I suggested as very young children don't work how on earth does it make sense to have SSDI for children; I was then bashed over the noggin' again and told "Children DOOOOO work....the theatre, acting, stage modelling etc."
HUH!!!!??? I just think she was a general info pleb who really didn't understand my initial question, which was where do I get the paper application through the website.
Anyhooo, all this leading to my question. Is SSDI based on the child's income or based on the parental income? We were denied SSI last year (had to apply to get a denial letter so I could then apply for Katie Becket waiver), so we know we would be denied based on an SSI evaluation.
What I'm confused about is why would the initial case worker suggest we would qualify if she already knows we were denied SSI???? I can't seem to find a clear answer on this. I have to go into Social Security tomorrow anyway as now I need to get Cian's SSI application in so he can get denied so we can then apply for Katie Beckett for Cian. Arrrghghgh no wonder no one applies for these programs, give up or hire an attorney....sigh
Head starting to pound!!!!
Dee








Lily received SSI disability for a couple of years while my dh was in college. She qualified because of the autism as well as her other genetic syndrome. They did use our income to determine her approval. Once my dh graduated and got a full time job, she no longer received benefits. It was very frustrating to lose her benefits. Not only did we no longer receive her check every month but she also lost her medicaid. Thankfully, we do have private insurance now, but it would still be nice to have the medicaid as a back up. In the state of TX, where we live, you have to apply for a "medicaid waiver" in order for them to qualify your child for benefits based on their disability rather than parental income. Unfortunately, the waiting list is currently about 5 yrs long. That's an improvement though. As of a couple of years ago the waiting time was about 10 yrs! Some parents got together and sued the state and they are working to shorten the wait time. Help for the disabled in Texas really stinks! We have Lily on the list, but in the meantime she misses out on therapies that insurance won't cover and we can't afford. It sounds like the person you talked to in the SSI dept. doesn't have a clue what they're talking about. What is a Katie Becket waiver? Is that something in your state or is that a federal waiver? Just curious. Good luck with the SSI process! It's a headache, but if you can qualify it's well worth the work you have to go through.
Amy~Natalie & Lily's mom
Dee,
We are going through this process too.
It is my understanding that each state is different.
- Christina mom to-
Chloe (10) Aiden(8)
In our state it looks like it is determined to be income based and even tho I have two kids with disability's and
Thanks guys,
I think it may well be income based as well as level f disability. Still I think I'll go ahead and apply. I have all the medical records set up anyway and filled out the child disability report online (took FOREVER too). I will hot SS next week and get it in in person. From what I can gather it may well be 3-5 months before we get the initial denial letter (because in my experience everything is denied the first time, lol).
Dee