SSI approval

[jshet]

My son recently turned 18, and i applied for SSI for him. He cf, PI, autism, and a host of other conditions requiring him to see 6 different specialists. I applied less than a month ago, and received a call on Friday that he has been approved. To say i was surprised to get a decision so quickly is putting it mildly.
i was very nerveous going into this process after reading sone past posts on here, and just hearing stories in general from others just how hard it can be.
I must say that the people that worked with us from the social security office could not have been kinder or more helpful. They even told me that the ssi program is for people like my son when i explained hiw guilty i felt for applying.
The money will allow him to do so many things that either insurance would not cover, or we could not afford. One of the those things will be that he can start theraputic horseback riding again. This is something he loved, but gets expensive. There is just something about horses and people with autism that i cannot explain.
I just wanted to share a positive story with the social security office and let you know there truely are kind workers in these offices that care about the people they are working with.

 

[believingjesus]

Jshet: I am so glad your son got disability! That is wonderful. I'm glad it did not take long. I understand with his other conditions why it was so fast. I am glad for him and you as that will allow him to get the therapies he needs.

I do understand though that a lot of people may not look sick but they desperately need the help that disability would provide. There should never have been a 24 month waiting period for Medicare. Do you have a 24 month waiting period for Medicare?

I am so happy for you and your son!

 

[jshet]

Believingjesus, i honestly do not know if there is a 24 month waiting period for Medicare. My son was on medicade until he turned 18. He was able to keep his medicade due to his medical needs, and now since he was awarded ssi, he will keep that.
Where we live, Medicare is only for people over 65. Must be different where you live.
I do know that the typical wait to get an ssi decision is typically 9-18 months, and most are denied the first time. That is what i truely expected to happen. Though the money will be so helpful, we desperatly need the medicade because my husbands insurance isn't that good.. We would never be able to cover the $1,500 a month co pay for feeding tube formula and supplies that my husbands insurance would require.
I agree that there are many people who don't look sick, but desperately need the help disability would provide them. Its a shame that there isnt more available to the obes that need it most.

 

[believingjesus]

I understand how they were able to transfer his Medicaid over to when he qualified for disability. Many states have programs for children - some up to age 21 - and our state at least used to - idk if it does now or not. We used it for 2 years when my son was 5 and 6 yrs. old. Then we didn't qualify for that anymore either. I am SOOO glad that he is getting the help he needs! You will be able to have that one less worry and he will get all he needs. That is so wonderful! I am very glad for you and your son! We don't need disability right now either and I hope my son is able to maintain his good health always. It is always a battle with cf though.

 

[jshet]

Thank you for the kind words. I wish your son and entire family the best of health. Tske care.

 

[jshet]

Believingjesus, i just wanted to also explain that my son will be getting ssi, not disability. They are two seperate programs. SSI is a needs based program for people who do not have enough work credits to apply for disability, and have little to no resources. They are not allowed to have more than $2,000 in assets or resources at any given time, or they will be dropped from the program.
disability is for people who have worked and have enough credits, and are allowed to have as much in resources and assets because there is not an income guideline.
its horrible that so many people have worked so hard over the years only to be denied when they need the help the most. I wish there were better guidelines, and a quicker process for applications.

 

[welshwitch]

Yayayay good news, congrats

 

[believingjesus]

Is so glad your son got that! I know he couldn't have much work experience at 18, if any. He is so deserving of help even if he never worked a day. He has more than enough challenges to deal with that most people don't. His parents also have contributed to the system and I am just so glad he got that and so quick. I'm very happy for you and your most deserving son.

Also I understand what u said about the SSI but I wish he got the disability as it is not fair he can't ever have more than 2,000. I'm sorry about that part.

 

[jshet]

Thank you welshwih and believingjesus. Saying a prayer for everyones continued good health.

 

[triples15]

Where we live, Medicare is only for people over 65. Must be different where you live.

Just for clarification because this is a confusing subject; Medicare is a federal program, so it is the same in every state. Medicare is for people over 65 OR disabled individuals on Social Security Disability. So I am 34 and on Medicare. Medicare is not income based, so a person over 65, or someone who is on SSDI can have Medicare even if they are making 500K a year. Medicaid is based on financial guidelines, meaning you have to make/have less than a certain amount to qualify (just as you said).

As for your son jshet, I am SO happy he was awarded benefits first shot and you had a good experience with the workers! That is great!! I also was treated pretty well by the workers in our local SSA recently when I was under review. So there are good things that can be said!! It's just the system as a whole that needs work. Glad in this case it worked for you! It worked for me as well.

Take Care,

Autumn 34 w/CF