We just got a letter from SSI saying that we'll be getting benefits for our son for the next 6 months while they decide if he really fits into their definition of "disabled". If they haven't decided by the end of that 6 months the payemnts will stop until they do decide. If they finally decide he falls into that category he'll get any backpay owed.
I'm wondering about a few things now since I was expecting either an approval or denial letter...not something that's a definite maybe.
How likely is it that the SSI will continue and he'll be approved? He has a bunch of problems so I think they'll probably approve him. I'm not sure what the hold up is exactly, but would like to be able to prepare a little better just in case they do decide that he doesn't fit their definition of disabled.
That is very strange , we just had to waite while they were reviewing his medical status .it took well over a year to get approved , and then when he was a pproved then they paid him the back pay .. from date of file not date of disability . I would be careful with the money they do give you for the 6 months though , if he is denied I am betting that you would have to pay it back , and that would suck . I know there have been a few months that we were over paid for whatever reason and they were quick to get it back .
My now 2 year old was born at 31 wks and only weighed 2.5 lbs. I was told at that time that we automatically got SSI because she was under their 2lb 10 oz requiremment. We received it for about 9 months. the first six were not ever in question. The last three we had to requalify though we still received checks. During that time my husband made extra money on overtime which caused us to not qualify. We had to pay back close to 2k. I would double check on whatever you are getting just to be sure if you have to pay it back. I also have to mention that though our DD was born so small and early she did well to not need any more care other than her regular checkups and a few extra. Hope that helps.
Alex D.
It may also be a case of if you are waiting on some kind of diagnosis, for example you have a list of "syptoms" but no diagnosis yet. Symptoms can include gross/fine motor delays, speach delays, growth delays, etc etc etc, anything can be a symptom really. They may be waiting to see if anyone can put it all together into a neat package. I know the first time we applied for Robby he was 1 year old, we did not have a diagnosis yet, but did have a list of symptoms-hypotonia, global developmental delays, microcephaly, vision issues (not blind-but started wearing glasses at 8 months), ftt. At that time we did not qualify because he wasn't disabled....he didn't qualify until we finally got the diagnosis at 3 years old. But then they wouldn't give up back pay because he was not disabled the first time we applied!!!!!! Hello....all they did was finally figure out that the whole list is connected and gave it one name!!!!!!! They said it was like if I applied right now, I would be rightfully denied as I am not disabled....but let's say something bad happens and I do end up disabled somehow and do qualify, that they don't have to back pay me until the first time applied. The whole system is nuts....and gives me headaches!!!
Yeah I think that is part of what happened. We finally got his approvl letter. They were being slow about getting all of the paperwork they needed and in one case sent the request for the evaluation paperwork to the wrong clinic. It's all straightened out now and he's listed as needing to be re-evaluated in about 3 years.
In my son's case we're still working on some of the stuff he's dealing with and trying to pinpoint it. He's been to a geneticist and she hasn't figured it out. We do know he's mildly retarded (probably due to hydrocephalus at birth), has a slight hearing problem in one ear, was born with pulmonary stenosis and a club foot, and has adhd as well as motor and speech delays.
I got almost an identical letter when I applied for Noah... for him it was just a matter of getting all the medical records and paperwork. His caseworker was awesome and straight up told us that he would quailfy because of his birth defect and feeding tube. He also said that the "approving committee" don't typically approve cases while they are still investigating (hence the letter) unless they are pretty confident of approval. So that's a good sign.
You are not suppose to have to pay back anything in that 6 months-- but again its the federal government and things change daily
I am in the process of applying for disability for my 5 year old son. I applied online and am getting ready to send the signed Release of Information forms and medical records to join my electronic application so the decision process can begin. I am interested in knowing if we have any chance of an approval. I am a SAHM. My dh makes good money at a job he's had for 15 years. We are considered middle class (not upper and not lower, in the middle) according to the salary. We have 2 other children. We still find ourselves struggling financially due to extras we have to buy for ds that insurance doesn't cover (diapers, wipes, equipment, co-pays, deductibles, special bed so he won't fall out, special food he can eat, etc.). We have insurance, but still have to pay out the butt on stuff that's not covered. He is profoundly developmentally disabled, in a w/c, can't feed, dress, or toilet, is blind, can't sit up on own, etc.
Please gather all of the tests & evaluations together and you hand deliver them to your SSI worker because alot of times SSI never receives those reports. It really helps in getting approved. Also, ask your primary care pediatrician to write a letter of diagnosis and you bring that letter into the office. Keep copies of everything. I will find some more websites with more info. I'm sick with the flu today and my wrist is sprained so it hurts to type.
~Alicia, Group Owner
I applied for ssi for my son about a year ago. It only took us 6 months to get approved. I don't have a diagnosis. only symptoms of something. hypotonia, gross motor delay, fine motor delay, speech delay, and many more issues. We are under income guideline so that wasnt a problem. I do know that if they over pay we would have to pay back
Check out these interesting topics from all over CafeMom:
- Parenting Positive Kids:Are you positive parent? Share ideas now!
- Dinner Ideas: What's for dinner? Get great recipe ideas now
- The Healthy Plate: How are you getting your daily supply of veggies?
- The Family Piggy Bank: Teach your kids the importance of saving today
Scared-Central Apnea
- LeBoof
on Aug. 1, 2009 at 10:58 AM