Attention: Need Some Input From SSI or SSI-D Benefits Folks

@pyewacket (43903)
United States
April 17, 2009 10:20pm CST
I'm actually posting this in behalf of a MyLot friend of mine who had a long battle trying to get SSI-D benefits. She FINALLY got them, BUT, was told she would have to wait TWO YEARS for Medicaid benefits as well. When she told me this I'm going, like HUH? I mean to me that doesn't make any sense at all. If one is disabled, needs SSI-D due to medical issues, how the hell can one NOT be on Medicaid as well? Like how is she supposed to pay for medical bills, doctor bills, prescriptions? I remember when I qualified for SSI back in 1996 and of which I still get, I got Medicaid benefits as well right away, no waiting period and still thankfully get. So the point of this discussion is to ask any of you who get SSI or SSI-D, if you went through what my MyLot friend is going through. Can she appeal it? Any advice here I can give her. This just doesn't sound right to me. Tell me YOUR horror stories about SSI.
9 people like this
18 responses
• United States
18 Apr 09
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ssi/text-income-ussi.htm Pye-This is the link for the SS office FAQ page. Hopefully it will answer most of your questions for your friend. http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/disability-and-social-security-appeals.html This website is one I've come across before when researching for people on the subject. It sort of gives the how to's of appeals, etc. Good luck with her case. Namaste-Anora
5 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Apr 09
I'll pass this on to her....don't know if I can mention her name or not here....and she's aware I've made this discussion on her behalf. She's practically tearing her hair out about this and I'm getting frantic emails from her
4 people like this
@GardenGerty (157050)
• United States
18 Apr 09
I am assuming that SSI-D is the same as SSDI, which is what my husband drew when he was ill. It is basically what you would have drawn if you drew Social Security at age 65. My husband qualified for SSDI because he was terminally ill, BUT our income was so great at the time of his diagnosis of disability that he did not qualify for SSI and Medicaid.Luckily we had been paying for short term disability, and so had that coverage that took care of us. He had had health insurance that kicked into long term disability after the waiting period. I do not know what all is involved with your mylot friend, this is just my experience.
5 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Apr 09
Well my friend hasn't had any real "backup" or at least hasn't had a great income coming in save for getting some kind of financial assistance before she finally got the SSI-D and her mother was helping her out as well, but at least she did have some kind of medical coverage. Now that she's getting the SSI-D that coverage is going to be terminated, at least that is the impression I got from her .
4 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
18 Apr 09
well I dont get SSI. So I really dont know how they handle it. But i think that she should get medical do and now not later for that is mostly the point of getting SSI to help with this stuff!, I went staight to SS. but early retirement to care for hubby!
3 people like this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
19 Apr 09
makes no since at all!
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Apr 09
Yeah, I can't figure why they would leave her without any kind of medical coverage like Medicaid. I got mine right away the same time as my SSI
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Apr 09
My SSDI started in 2002. I also had a two-year waiting period before Medicare kicked in. Fortunately, I was eligible for Medi-Cal/Medicaid in 2003 when I had heart surgery. I don't know if it's appealable.
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Apr 09
I thought Medicare was for people over a certain age..is it 60?? My friend is 56...doesn't one have to be over 60 to get it? All I know when I got my SSI I did get my Medicaid right away. So I don't know why they are telling her she's not getting it
3 people like this
• United States
18 Apr 09
Medicare kicks in after two years on SSDI, even if the person is under 65.
4 people like this
• United States
19 Apr 09
No pyewacket you don't have to be over 60 to get Medicare if your disabled you can get it no matter what age you are. I'm 37 and I've had Medicare for 8 yrs. now, but I've had two open heart surgeries and my doctor says I can't work, so I went on disability, and thats how I got mine, but I did have to wait two years for it to kick in.
3 people like this
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
18 Apr 09
Have your friend call Cannon and Match Lawyers at 1-800-322-2121. Barbara Match is a very nice lady and excellent lawyer. They will evaluate her situation and see if they can help. She will have to have documents ready to send them so they can check it all out for her.I have been very fortunate not to need this but my daughter is in the throws of it right now and her and Barbara meet with SS this coming week. One thing for your friend to remember is that in alot of cases when she does finally get her benefits it will be retroactive. Hope this helps.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Apr 09
Well she actually does have some kind of organization, called FM Blake helping her out....the person that I started this discussion about is the poster right above you..LOL. She did actually call them today and the person working with her in her case is even confused why there would be no medical coverage.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (157593)
• Boise, Idaho
21 Apr 09
Weird.
1 person likes this
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
18 Apr 09
Hi pye, I think your friend is mistaken. She will receive her Medicaid as soon as she receives her benefit(money). She will have to wait for two years for her Medicare. When I applied for my SSDI I just got a lawyer to help me through it. I was advised to do this by a lawyer I knew from the bank where I used to work. That was his field but he couldn't represent me because he banked where I worked. It was worth what I had to pay them from my initial benefit. No one should battle SS alone. Tell your friend not to worry she'll get Medicaid. Hugssss leenie
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Apr 09
I thought Medicare was only for people over a certain age. My friend is only three years younger than I am, so she's 56. Anyway, I feel sorry for her as she's frantic thinking she might not be getting Medicaid...I know I couldn't do without it as I'm only getting plain SSI benefits which are a lot less that SSI-D
3 people like this
@leenie50 (3992)
• United States
18 Apr 09
Pye, SSDI is Social Security Disability Insurance. SSDI is the same as SSD. Since Social Security is Federal Funds, it should be the same in all States. Here is how it works. Once they determine you permanently disabled, you receive Medicaid benefits from the time they determine you have been disabled. It almost always takes a year here in Florida, for them to make that determination. So I applied at the end of March. They finally accepted my disability and I received my first check, retroactive to the previous Sept. Now, two years from Sept. I will start receiving Medicare instead of Medicaid. Age has nothing to do with it. People who are not disabled receive Medicare when they reach the age of 62. Tell your friend not to hesitate to call her case worker. I hope this cleared things up a little better. Keep me posted.xoxoxo leenie
3 people like this
• United States
18 Apr 09
Medicare is for anyone on ssd. I am only 28 years old and have had medicare for 7 years.
4 people like this
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
18 Apr 09
I got SS-D back in 1984 and also had to wait 2 years for medicare. I then got will enough that I lost the SSI-D. Your friend should try for medicaide with Social Services in her state or home town.I believe getting medicare is set and you have to receive SSI-D for two years to get medicare then it costs at least $95.
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
19 Apr 09
Yes I'm turning 65 in July and I got the notice last month and it will be about $95.00 per month.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Apr 09
Gee I didn't realize one had to pay into to get medicare...that doesn't exactly sound right to me either.
1 person likes this
@Thoroughrob (11742)
• United States
18 Apr 09
That doesn't sound right to me either.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Apr 09
Nope it doesn't
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
19 Apr 09
I'm not really sure about SSI but Social Security Disability recipients are eligible for Medicare regardless of their age. My daughter is only 38 and she gets it due to Crohn's disease and she's on Medicare. When I got approved I didn't pay real close attention because I have health insurance but I think they said at first I'd be eligible after six months but then I got a letter saying that had changed and I'd be eligible sooner. Since I don't need it I didn't pay a lot of attention. I'd advise your friend to call her Congressman or woman's office. Annie
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Apr 09
well according to my friend here, she's saying she has to wait two years before they will put her on medicare...so like what does she do in the meantime. I did advise her to contact a local Congressman and even looked it up for her as she lives in the Westchester Co. area of NY....will have to email her and asked if she did contact him
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
21 Apr 09
She could contact her State Senators as well. I forgot all about it until I read this comment, but I contacted both Senators and Congressmen for my State and it seems that the Senator has been putting more pressure on Social Security than the Congressman on my behalf. Just a thought.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Apr 09
that's ridiculous. i asked my mom about it (she has SSI-D),and she said she should have got medicaid or medicare. but she also said she should get a good lawyer and appeal,sometimes you have to fight for it before they'll give it to you,which is crazy,but that's how they work,appearently.
• United States
18 Apr 09
yea,you got yours fast compared to others i know. i know this guy right now fighting for his SSI-D,his back is totalled more or less, and they keep delaying him,which has made his unemployment run out in the interim. they tend to drag with anyone under 45 here,like they think you're faking or something.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Apr 09
Well something definitely seems screwy all way round. Like the different caseworkers on her case. I'm assuming it's the SSA who recommended my friend get in touch with this firm that handles benefits cases....thing is, it's in Idaho..Like HUH? Why didn't they recommend someone in her own city or state? All I know is I was lucky when I got my benefits and didn't have so many aggravations save for filling out a LOT of paperwork...LOL
2 people like this
@walijo2008 (4644)
• United States
19 Apr 09
Well I'm not on SSI or SSI-D benefits but I do get social security disability, I get SSA, which is different than SSI, with SSA its for people that have worked long enough to be able to qualify for disability, you get paid according to how much you've put in while you were able to work. I'm not real sure how SSI is different, but I know for Medicare you do have to wait two years before it starts, now you said Medicaid, its different, I think your able to get that as soon as your SSI or SSA starts you do have to sign up for it, but its paid by whatever State you live in, and they usually pay the part that Medicare doesn't, Medicare pays 80% of your medical bills and Medicaid steps in and pays the other 20%. I don't think she can appeal it if its for Medicare, because thats the rule they have and everybody has to wait two years for it, but like I said Medicaid is different, she'll have to check into that one.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Apr 09
Well, like I said I'm on SSI and did get my Medicaid right away. As far as my friend, she's not even sure yet about getting SSI-D since it hasn't been finalized yet. I'm only getting SSI since I didn't have enough work points, while my friend worked for something like 30 years total..whatever the case, they seem to be dragging their buns about it and making my friend a nervous wreck
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Apr 09
I'm replying here but saw your response below about not getting or qualifying for food stamps since you're "over"---yikes I had that too when my mother was still alive...technically speaking since she was a senior citizen she could have gotten food stamps....or I could have due to SSI..but since I was living with her they counted the combined income and said it was "over"---something like $20.00--I could see if it were over by a few hundred...but a lousy $20.00??
• United States
21 Apr 09
Yeah, they always seem to drag their butts about everything...They don't care about us people, and what we need. If the shoe was on the other foot, then they would understand better, and I'm sure they would want something done fast.
1 person likes this
@mentalward (14691)
• United States
19 Apr 09
I don't have an SSI horror story, but I sure do have a disability horror story! I've been trying to get disability for seven years now. I've been denied again and again; appealed again and again. Monday, I will be going in for ANOTHER psyche exam because, get this, the judge claims he needs an updated psyche evaluation to make a determination. PSYCHE??? I have: Fibromyalgia Lupus Arthritis Bursitis IBS Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Vertigo Migraines Nerve damage Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Degenerative disk disease Dupuytren's Contracture Insomnia plus a few more things that aren't too bad. Umm, excuse me, judge... you need a friggin PSYCHE exam???? Anyway, in response to the myLot friend's dilemma, I believe that Social Security selects people at random to screw with. I'm a prime example and, apparently, so is she. If I were her, I would get a lawyer and appeal that insane decision! It may have been a 'typo' of sorts but no one at Social Security would EVER admit to making a mistake so they refuse to own up to it. At least that's my take on Social Security.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Apr 09
OMG--didn't realize you had all that going for you medically wise. As far as the Psyche exam...I think that's getting to be a standard thing to examine a person's "head"--I remember I had to have a "psyche" exam myself...not once but twice
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
18 Apr 09
Hi everyone, Opal here! I want to thank Pye for starting this discussion for me! Yes, I am the "friend" with this problem! I just got SSDI. I got it first try which you all know is really hard to get. I had a company that works with Social Services helping me called FM Blake. They repesented me and I got it. Now I went to Social Security yesterday and they told me I would be getting too much money to get Medicaid! That is ridiculous! Too much money? I am on 6 medications a month, have pre-existing medical conditions, will lose my doctor of 10 years since he doesn't even take Medicaid! They told me to talk to my Case Worker at Social Services because right now I am on Temporary Public Assistance which will end as soon as this starts! I am only getting SSI as of May 1st. I don't know when the SSDI will start. The paperwork for that hasn't been approved or something like that! It is so confusing. I also have to get in touch with the company that represented me to see if they can help me figure this out! So all they did at Social Security was upset me and leave me confused! So I want to thank everyone for their input! And I will let you all know what I find out next week! Thanks to everyone and especially to Pye for being such a great friend! Love to all, Opal
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Apr 09
The thing that really puzzles me though Opal, why the heck did your caseworker recommend that FM Blake...in Idaho of all places? I would have thought they would have sent you or connected you with a place in your area, not friggin Idaho...LOL. Maybe you have to deal with a local Medicaid office in your area and fill out separate applications????
1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
19 Apr 09
FM Blake apparently helps people to get SSI & SSDI in quite a few states. They did help me get so they did their job! I am going to contact my Case Worker on Monday and hope I can make an appointment to see her asap! I am also going to ask her if a letter from my doctor explaining my pre-existing conditions will help me get medicare so that I can stay his patient because he doesn't take medicaid and I am on three medications with him and have to have blood tests every four months, ct scans every 6 months and other tests ordered by him. I don't know what is going on so I need to find out from someone who does! FM Blakes doesn't know about the medical stuff because I already asked them and they told me Social Security would explain it to me! That nasty woman spoke to me for 3 minutes before they closed after I spent four hours sitting there waiting to see someone Friday!
2 people like this
• United States
18 Apr 09
Medicade is not through social security she is talking about medicare. Yes you have to wait 2 years from the day you are approved but she can contact the welfare office to get medicade untill her 2 years is up. I am on SSD and medicade approved me till medicare kicked in. I have been on ssd for almost 9 years now.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
18 Apr 09
She definitely said she wasn't eligible for medicaid until two years from now. She wouldn't even be old enough for medicare in two years as she's only three years older than I am--thought medicare was for people 65 or older, she's 56.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Apr 09
If you are on ssd you get medicare. I am only 28 years old and have been on medicare for 7 years now. She will get medicade intill her two years are up.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (84668)
• United States
20 Apr 09
I'm on SSI. And it my state that didn't automatically make me eligible for Medicaid. I had to apply seperately for that. But it didn't take more than a few months for me to be accepted. Two years sounds majorly screwed up. Now I had a case worker one time who was so bad at her job that she messed up certain benefits of mine for a year (I found out later she was fired and I wasn't the only one who had their case messed up). I don't know who she is talking to, maybe she really will have to wait two years, but that doesn't seem right.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Apr 09
Gee, maybe my friend has the same caseworker you had...LOL. I was REAL lucky that my particular caseworker was great, and then of course when I had that "little" problem I got a Congressman's representative to intervene for me...I even suggested to my friend to do that too, but she hasn't told me yet if she did contact her Congressman
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45226)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
18 Apr 09
If anyone can help your friend, it's you the fighter. Good luck.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
19 Apr 09
LOL--yup, I've had my own red-tape bull do-do in dealing with SSA...heehee
1 person likes this
20 Apr 09
Hi pye, I have no idea how the systems work where you are but in the UK you obviously have to go for medical assiments from your doctor and then within a week you get your benefits. I don't understand this long gap to recieve her benefit, it don't sound right to me, and yes I'm sure she can appeal. Bright Blessings Tamara
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
21 Apr 09
Well from the way my friend is talking about her hassles it sounds like the particular caseworker on her behalf has her head in her butt...LOL And she's been to more docs just to prove her medical conditions--could be even the doctors evaluations screwed things up too.
@cbantly (236)
• United States
12 Jun 09
You can have both Medicare and Medicaid and you will be considered what is called a "dual eligible." You won't be switched to Medicaid as they are two different programs and you can have one, both, or neither!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
13 Jun 09
Believe it or not my friend is still trying to get her SSI benefits and medical coverage straightened out after two months!