Innisfree Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 The thread about Benny brought to mind questions I've been putting off addressing, and it sounds like there are folks here with experience in this area. The income limit for parents has discouraged us from pursuing SSI for dd12. But when she was diagnosed, the neuropsych told us she was sufficiently disabled that we should look into a disability designation, and that it was easier to qualify as a child than as an adult. Has anyone gone through the process knowing that they would not qualify for any assistance, but wanting to establish that a disability exists during childhood? Is that possible? And, do you think there are disadvantages to obtaining a disability designation? This is for a child who can go for days seeming pretty much normal, but has a very hard time coping under stress. It is hard to know how much she may change as she matures. Some kids with ASD do very well, others seem to diverge more from their peers as time goes on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 I could be wrong about this, but I believe the disability diagnosis needs to be in the MEDICAL records prior to age 18 in order to make applying for SSI easier, not necessarily in the SS records. I've never heard of someone getting a SS "diagnosis" before age 18 in order to get the SSI when they come of age. Is that even possible? I know Otakee has experience in this. Maybe she will pipe in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 I find the whole thing massively confusing. Listening in :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mysticmomma Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 A good friend went through this with her 12yo. He was approved for disability. Because of their income he will not get any financial support. If their income changes, he will become eligible. If he even gets $1 per month in ssi, he will become eligible for Medicare. He also is now eligible for other services in our state because he has an official disability. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innisfree Posted February 25, 2017 Author Share Posted February 25, 2017 Thanks, Kinsa. Yes, this is the sort of thing which has confused me. The diagnosing doctor might have not understood the system clearly herself. Social Security is just such a pain to deal with that I haven't pursued the matter very far, but if there's a benefit in doing it now, I don't want to miss that chance, kwim? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innisfree Posted February 25, 2017 Author Share Posted February 25, 2017 I find the whole thing massively confusing. Listening in :) Me too! Even just trying to get through to them on the phone is a nightmare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innisfree Posted February 25, 2017 Author Share Posted February 25, 2017 A good friend went through this with her 12yo. He was approved for disability. Because of their income he will not get any financial support. If their income changes, he will become eligible. If he even gets $1 per month in ssi, he will become eligible for Medicare. He also is now eligible for other services in our state because he has an official disability. Okay, this must be what the doctor was talking about, thanks! Any idea how hard it was? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ali in OR Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 Count me in as not understanding! I assume our income was always too high. Dd went through the hoops to get labeled disabled through the county health department when she was a toddler, but no SSI came from it (though I think some of her peers get it). She didn't get SSI until she turned 18. Oregon does have a great state program for medically-involved kids which she got into when she was 15, and she got medicaid through that. Medicaid pays for diapers, which was a huge help. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G5052 Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 (edited) FWIW, in my area you are more likely to get it if you go in person versus just submitting it yourself. We've heard that over and over with both adults and children in our area. They can help you complete it if you have it mostly filled out and have just a few questions. Then you will know if your application is complete. A separate regional office does the approvals, but the person who takes your application may be able to tell you what to expect in terms of getting it approved. I believe that most if not all offices also make appointments. Edited February 25, 2017 by G5052 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wonderchica Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 If you are denied the first time, always apply again. I know lots of families who were approved the second time, without changing anything. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Innisfree Posted February 25, 2017 Author Share Posted February 25, 2017 This is all good information, thanks! How about disadvantages? Can anyone think of problems this could cause dd later? She is kind of marginal in a lot of ways, and I could see her either becoming more functional as she matures or less. How about community college admissions, getting a job, etc? I'm assuming the SSI would not pay out if she was able to earn a living. I could never envision her interested in or suited to a military career. I guess the ADA would keep a disability designation from harming her chances for employment, at least in theory...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crimson Wife Posted February 25, 2017 Share Posted February 25, 2017 The thread about Benny brought to mind questions I've been putting off addressing, and it sounds like there are folks here with experience in this area. The income limit for parents has discouraged us from pursuing SSI for dd12. But when she was diagnosed, the neuropsych told us she was sufficiently disabled that we should look into a disability designation, and that it was easier to qualify as a child than as an adult. Has anyone gone through the process knowing that they would not qualify for any assistance, but wanting to establish that a disability exists during childhood? Is that possible? Yes. I applied in November for my youngest and got notification in January that the government had deemed her officially "disabled" but that she does not qualify for a monthly benefit at this time. I applied because my dad wants to open an ABLE savings account for her and that requires an official disability designation. Also, if God forbid our financial circumstances change, it would be easier to re-apply for SSI since the government has already verified her disability. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethben Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 In order to get SSI for a child, your income needs to be pretty low and you have to have less than $3000 in assets. If you own a 10 year old car, that may put you over the edge. That being said, we were told to get a denial for SSI so that the state benefits would kick in. I'm not sure if you have that situation. I've never gone through the full application for ds even though he would qualify medically. He just doesn't qualify based on dh's income until he turns 18. Then they only count ds's income which is $0. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Wait, so even if your income deems you ineligible for benefits you should apply and there's a possibility medicaid would kick in as secondary insurance or something? DS is going to be 17 this year. I haven't even researched this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Wait, so even if your income deems you ineligible for benefits you should apply and there's a possibility medicaid would kick in as secondary insurance or something? DS is going to be 17 this year. I haven't even researched this! Yes, you can be qualified for Medicaid without being qualified for SSI. (We didn't bother with it though since our son is covered by the military insurance.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbutton Posted February 27, 2017 Share Posted February 27, 2017 Some states have WAIVER programs, where the income requirement is waived for SSI benefits. In our state, the waivers are tiered by severity of disability, and each county has its own waiting list. Some lists are for people who live in group homes but need total care, and then it drops down to at home, but need total care, to able to work some or live semi-independently, etc. It's a range of options. I believe that children have to re-qualify at a certain age, but I don't think they ever have to re-qualify after they reach a certain age. Our state also sometimes grants emergency waivers (at the county level) for people who have severe needs that are not being met. Where we are, if your child qualifies, then you are placed on a waiting list, and you do have some rights and services right away or while waiting for the waiver. While people on a waiver who are still students are also exempt from the income requirements, there are some waivers where they are exempt and some where they are not exempt once they graduate or turn 18. But, if their income drops below a certain amount, SSI kicks in. Each person needs to talk to their state/county and not assume someone else's laws will apply to them. The local board of DD did a presentation, and they said each state has its own rules. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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