Up-date on the SSI Disability disaster
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
May 9, 2007 6:33pm CST
It's been awhile since I did any up-date on my "wonderful" SSI Disability benefit problem...If you remember I had the shock of having my SSI Disability benefits completely cut-off as the beginning of this month. I had been receiving benefits since 1996 without a hitch or problem. A lot of it was tied to the fact that when my mom passed away there was a little bit of a policy money..but in the eyes of Social Security it was more than the alloted monetary "assets" of no more than $2,000---I had gotten a letter saying because of it,that I was no longer considered eligible for benefits..crying out loud, we're not talking that I had inherited hundreds of thousands of dollars here..The vast majority of the money went to paying off my mother's funeral costs and other related bills of hers...the rest I invested in buying my own computer system...something I needed if I wanted to build a work at home business.
Well when I got that first letter in October, I filled out a million forms including the Request for Reconsideration and even filed a 15=page application for the PASS program--to give proof that my intentions for the money were good solid ones.
Well then, in November I not only got an "award" letter stating my continued benefits, but a slight raise in benefits...so everything is going fine until I got the whammy letter stating that the first decision of theirs that I wasn't eligible for benefits and I was to be cut off....Oh, terrific...why they didn't cut me off when I HAD money, instead of when I have zip, and nothing else to support myself -at least until I can get my business cooking is beyond me...When I called the 800 toll free number for Social Security they informed me that they had sent me forms to fill out to determine my continuing eligibility..OH?? Never got them.........
Ah--so now.......I've been downloading every kind of form from the Social Security website and filling them out, and sent a virtual stack not only of the forms but all kinds of proof of my "income" which is nada and what bills I pay..etc etc...
Then I managed to find this organization--Queens Management Care...and an appointment was set up for a caseworker to come to my apartment--today! Now I'm a see it will believe it kind of person..I don't exactly want to whoop it up and celebrate just yet...but it does look like there's a bit of light in that panicky dark tunnel that's been looming over my head..I was particularly scared out of my mind about not being able to pay my rent...and could face eviction --but it seems this organization can handle everything...I'm to have another caseworker officially assigned to me and will come next week...the caseworker that came today took down the particulars ..but they can provide emergency funds for my rent and bills for at least this month...and they can even get Legal Aid involved should I need it, and best of all they can shake Social Security's butt to move things faster to get my case resolved.
So I'm not yet celebrating...but at least it sounds to me like a great step in the right direction...and oh, yes...could still use your prayers!!
12 people like this
19 responses
@brendalee (6082)
• United States
9 May 07
I am glad that things are starting to look up for you. I was wondering what was going on with this. I really hope this works out for you. I will be hoping for you.
2 people like this
@Celanith (2327)
• United States
11 May 07
Don't you just love our government. The powers that be have money, homes, good jobs, they would not dream of doing without. The polititians and elected officials vote a pay raise for themselves while stealing Social Security to fund a war we don't belong in. But how dare we NEED help and even make one dollar above the alloted amount or you cut off. We have been battling social security off an d on for years. Hubby is 58 and they said they were cutting him off. Said he earned to much. They claim he got X number of dollars over a twelve month period. He didn't he did earn money in a couple of months and not over the amount but someone decided that meant for every month and put it down as such in Social Security and all for the same school district. He is a sub part time on call six to eight days a month whoopie and he works for five different school disticts. Someone at Social security falsified information and claimed he earned $900 per month for 12 months for one school district. We have his pay stubs though and records and can prove this is a lie. He is on appeal too for reconsideration. They are trying to cut him off at the age of 58 and half from disability but their laws say after 55 they aren't supposed to even re evaluate you which they did. We do have a legal aid attorney. It is nuts.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
12 May 07
I just had to give you a best response, as you made so many good points here especially about government officials wanting to give themselves a raise and for placing so much emphasis in a war that we don't belong in..And I can hear your frustration of your own SSI mess with your husband--I hope things work out for you too..
1 person likes this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
10 May 07
Isn't the government just absolutely great? I've had similar situations with dads cash/benefits. It takes forever with the dang forms. Good luck with that appointment also. Prayers going your way also.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 May 07
Well hopefully with this caseworker things might go a tad faster--the caseworker I talked to today indicated that their organization moves REAL fast to get things going
Hehe--why are you known as Grandpa Bob--goodness I looked at your profile and you're only a year older than me..LOL
And thank you GRANDPA for your prayers-- ;-)
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
10 May 07
Well I'm known as Grandpa Bob because I started the little signature deal at the ends of response and discussions when I first started.
And also I am the grandfather to 2 wonderful grandsons. The one in
my avatar is Hunter. He is 6 and is Autistic and my other is Tyler he's 7 1/2.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
2 people like this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
10 May 07
I am definitely praying that this works out in your favor hon. That sounds like a really good organization, especially if they can get this straightened out for you. My state disability just ended, and I have to get a certified copy of my birth certificate before I can start the process of applying for social security disability. My doctor said that once I have my gastric bypass surgery, it will be approved for sure, but I don't want to wait until then to get it started. Hopefully things will go smoothly. I am keeping my fingers crossed for you, and again I hope this works out in your favor.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 May 07
I'll keep my fingers crossed that things work out for you too..and I don't blame you for wanting to get things started at your end, like pronto..the way SS works and takes their time with things the sooner the better to get the tons of paperwork out of the way...and that's all it is...paperwork..My one friend says kiddingly if people didn't have papers to shuffle here, shuffle there, they wouldn't have work to do--LOL
2 people like this
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
10 May 07
Ohh, thats awesome news!! I was wondering how things were moving along in that direction. I'm so glad to hear that you found someone who can hopefully make a bit of a difference in how things progress.
Thanks so much for the update on this. I'll still keep you in my prayers till we know that everything has been sorted out.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 May 07
Yes I just set up an appointment for the caseworker who will be assigned to me and she's stopping by next Wednesday---so once that's done, things should start to really cook, and at least it's still relatively early in the month...
@claudia413 (4280)
• United States
12 May 07
I certainly hope that Queens Management Care will be of assistance to you in getting your SSI back. I think a lot of the rules governing SSI and SS benefits are SO wrong. I've been drawing SS for about 2 years now, and each year I've had to pay income tax on a part of it. I thought I could make a certain amount without having to have any taken away or taxed, was well under the amount allowed, but the way they figure it up when you do your taxes makes you have to pay income tax on it again. I guess I should have just kept working. The whole rules are never fully explained to anyone when it's time for retirement or if you get disabled.
Good luck with your appointment next week, and I'll keep you in my prayers.
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
10 May 07
I am very sorry to hear all this. Our government will screw it's people anyway that they can. They will run you around in circles. The ssi/medicare/unemployment, all of it. They will support people that do not want to work at the expense of others working. When hard times come, they will not help us. I will pray for you. Through Him, all things are possible. Good luck sugar.
1 person likes this
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
10 May 07
I am glad to hear that you have at least a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm sure things will get better. I hope this organization does make things work faster and easier for you. Sounds like they at least know what to do to get Social security moving in the right direction. I feel for you with this. Social Security works I swear can be the worst to deal with. It seems like what ever you do isn't right for them. Maybe having someone beside you in the fight will make them back down a bit.
@emeraldisle (13139)
• United States
10 May 07
Good I'm glad to hear that it is. I know how frustrating it is with the government. I hope it goes very quick for you.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 May 07
Yes it looks just a tad brighter for me now..
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
10 May 07
Oh hun, this has been a terrible time for you and I am so glad that the light at the end of the tunnel may NOT be an oncoming train after all. I will be thinking of you.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 May 07
Thank you for your prayers...and yes will keep all posted on this ;-)
@mrsbrian (1949)
• United States
10 May 07
My husband had a tuff time getting his ssi waited years untill he got a advicate and she had him call his senator,after waiting years after he called the senators office,things started coming very fast.strange how that works. wishing you all the best ,your in my prayers.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
10 May 07
cool-it's nice they have something in place like that
i hope they help:)
i don't think we have anything like that exactly around here,though i do know the local organizations help people occasionally..
1 person likes this
@Woodpigeon (3710)
• Ireland
10 May 07
Thank goodness for the emergency relief on the immediate bills and getting someone who seems to know how to navigate the system to help sort it out. It sounds like it couldn't possibly be any more complicated than it is.
Best of luck, because that s such a terrible situation to be in and to have that worry hanging over your head.
@brokentia (10389)
• United States
10 May 07
I am so happy dear friend to hear that you were able to find assistance to help reassure your position in your current place and to fight for your rights in the future. :) It sounds like a wonderful program/organization!
I am so happy that you found it!
Blessed Be, dear friend.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 May 07
I'm glad I found this organization too...The appointment for the assigned caseworker to come to my place is next Wednesday --May 16th
@GnosticGoddess (5626)
• United States
13 May 07
WOW! That is one scary and unnecessary ordeal you're going through!!
I still praying for you sweetie and I just know everything will turn out okay.
I am so glad that you found that organization to help you! They sound like they're really pulling through for you and that is wonderful!
Thanks for the updates and keep giving them :)
@sumofalltears (3988)
• United States
10 May 07
My prayers you have and hopefully this gets all straightened out quickly. I am lad you found out about this organization it must have been a relief for you. Don't give up and hang on to your hope...:}
