SSDI questions??

[minkydog]

After 5 grueling years DH was approved for SSDI today. I don't feel like celebrating exactly,but I do have some questions about how SSDI might help us. I understand that usually DH would be eligible for Medicare in 24 months, but they are leading us to believe he will be eligible much sooner.

Also, we have a 12yo who is severely mentally handicapped. We had previously applied for SSI for him, but were declined due to our income level. How does DH being on SSDI impact DS's potential for SSI now? I read that I, as the main caregiver, might also be eligible for some compensation? We have a dependent(normal) 14yo as well. What does this mean for her, if anything?

I tried to get some answers at the SSA site, but I couldn't really get definitive answers to my specific questions. I'm going t call SSA tomorrow I think, but I wondered if any of you had experience in this area.

 

[LauraVV]

Income changes can influence eligibility. Also, if you are disabled before 18 and your parent has been on disability for two years, you may be able to collect under your parent's work history. There are many ins and outs of disability. You might want to ask someone at social security. With disability, your husband should be eligible for medicaid.

 

[happily single]

I'm not postive, but I think that your children would qualify for some type of compensation as they have a disabled parent. I would also appeal your son's denial (if the time limit hasn't expired) if so, then re-apply and if he's denied, make sure you keep appealing and not re-applying.

Congrats on your dh getting approved, sorry I don't know anything about the Medicare. When my ds was approved (and on the first try!!) he was immediately enrolled in medicare as well as the State Medicaid program.

 

[barkley]

After 5 grueling years DH was approved for SSDI today. I don't feel like celebrating exactly,but I do have some questions about how SSDI might help us. I understand that usually DH would be eligible for Medicare in 24 months, but they are leading us to believe he will be eligible much sooner.

Also, we have a 12yo who is severely mentally handicapped. We had previously applied for SSI for him, but were declined due to our income level. How does DH being on SSDI impact DS's potential for SSI now? I read that I, as the main caregiver, might also be eligible for some compensation? We have a dependent(normal) 14yo as well. What does this mean for her, if anything?

I tried to get some answers at the SSA site, but I couldn't really get definitive answers to my specific questions. I'm going t call SSA tomorrow I think, but I wondered if any of you had experience in this area.

as far as the medicare goes, in most cases it's a 24 month wait-but with some medical conditions that wait period is waived (the ss website lists these). HOWEVER- you stated in your post it's taken 5 years to get his application approved SO, if you appealed a previous denial and he's now been granted the begining date of aide should go BACK to the date you applied on the application he was denied on (if you simply reapplied it goes back to the date of that re-application). that would mean in an example dating 5 years, he could conceivably have met his 24 month waiting period years ago and not only will he receive immediate medicare-you will be looking at some major retroactive checks

your 12 and 14 yo's should both get a dependant's allotment based on your dh's granting. you should be notified how much each of their allotments will be-and they will be retroactive to the begining date of aid as well. you can still apply for ssi for your disabled child (and this would qualify the child for medicare) but you may still exceed the income caps. if you are looking for medical coverage for your child/ren-check with your local social services agency about applying for medicaid or a state funded program.

 

[dclfun]

Just as an FYI, SSDI gives someone Medicare coverage while SSI gives Medicaid coverage. If income is low enough, Medicaid also applies as secondary coverage with Medicare primary and some states offer further assistance. If income is low enough, the Medicare premium will be paid by the state also vs. taking it out of the SSDI check. If an adult has coverage under SSDI then the children under age 19 and still in secondary school ( no college) will get a check also until the month they either turn 18 or graduate from high school and a disabled child will continue to receive coverage under the parent's work history as long as they are considered disabled with no age limit. This may be better than getting SSI for a child as you cannot collect both and you will be required to take SSDI if eligible anyway. If a parent receives only SSI then the children receive nothing unless they are also disabled and receive SSI. A parent caring for a child under age 16 can get benefits for themselves. I'm not sure if a parent continues to receive benefits if they are caring for a child over 16 who is disabled.---Kathy

 

[minkydog]

Thank you so much for good info. We have to be patient now to get all our paperwork in order, then we can appy for benefits for the kids. In the meantime, we do have BCBS through my work. DH & DS would really benefit from the second insurance because they are the two with health issues.