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When we picked up our baby, we were told if there were any special needs that 'qualified' (as was expected), the state would pay a stipend to us until she was 18yrs old. We had to stay an extended time in her home state and throughout all of the testing they asked us to do, there was NOTHING that was major enough to require that stipend! :)
We were thrilled to receive negative test after negative test!!!!
Now, that we're home...that time has passed, it's pretty well taken that CP will be a dx'es. Our pediatrician has already written this out as a diagnosis and it will probably also be 'on the charts' from the specialist we'll be seeing soon.
People have talked to me about signing up for SSI because of the CP.....I have no problem with this to some degree; but right now, all of the medical problems/therapies are being paid for. There is little, if anything else that *we* need. However, I have people who've said I should do this 'for her'....to help us right now with anything extenuating and eventually save this $$ for her future should we die, should she require supervised living in the future, etc......
I have no problem with 'others' doing this.....but somehow, it just feels weird to me......we didn't adopt this baby for any $$. We adopted her because we wanted to and were thrilled beyond belief that her 'anticipated problems' weren't present at all!!! :)
My question is.....how do you feel about this? Is it wrong to apply for that SSI now? Should it be done---just in case? Does that seem 'wrong' given that her services are paid for---now? Guess I just need some justification if we were to do this......
Thanks for any advice....
Sincerely,
Linny
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Linny,
I'm sorry I missed this thread when you first created it. If you haven't done it already, yes, yes, yes...apply for SSI once the diagnoses are established.
This is really important to do during childhood, as it can affect her eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits as an adult. Long story made short: I've undgone seven major spinal surgeries, along with bodycasts, since childhood for severe scoliosis. In 1979, I had to have a set of two very intricate operations involving Harrington rods and opening up my spinal canal to remove a huge tumor sitting on my spinal cord. Since I was going to be in a bodycast for up to a year following the surgery, I went ahead and applied for SSDI and SSI. The Social Security Administration caseworker told me back then that the process would have gone very quickly and much more smoothly if my parents had only put me on SSI as a child. I guess if an adult was covered by SSI as a child, they can avoid a lot of red tape later if they need SSDI benefits.
So, I think it's wise to go ahead and apply for all benefits your daughter is eligible for....
My name is Sandy and I am a volunteer searcher..I have a son who has Williams Syndrome..He is now 15 yrs old..When I applied for SSI for him, I thought the same thing, I was gonna save it for him and put it away..Well, I live in Texas and they do not allow you to do that..The money must be spent on the child and you must show proof of what it was spent on..I was just under the income limit when I applied for it..I then got a raise at work and they removed him from getting any benefits...Here in Texas, the money must be spent on the child and cannot have over $2000.00 to qualify...So, yes there are income limits..Be sure to check for that first in the state you live in..
When my husband and I brought our son home with "institutional level" disabilities we were told by the hospital social workers to apply for SSI. So we dutifully got the forms, filled them out and made the appointment at the SS office. The worker actually laughed when he looked at the form. Apparently we had to make more than $16k per year household income to qualify. May be different for you so there is no harm in trying, but that was our experience.
JUst a little word of caution while it is certainly a great benefit to have a little extra help be fully aware that once you sign that dotted line and start recieving benefits you income and future income will always be under scrutiny. This might be alright with you but did you know that SS even looks at Paypal as a bank account? My coworkers sister was getting SSI after an accident , she fully quailfied no doubt about it. Well SS found out she was selling on EBay, not an Ebay store or anything big but just enough to recoup money she spent on clothes taht the kids out grew and she had to pay SS back. I am not trying to scare you or anything, I thing it is great that the government is willing to help but if I had coverage and could meet my family's needs I would hold out as long as possible. That is just me though. Also, as long as a X is well documented and the child/baby is recieving therapies and treatments there should be no problem in recieving such benefits if and when a time came when they are needed.
Another thing too that should be considered is as a PP said there is no way that money can be saved. Unlike and adoption subsidy, putting any of that SSI money away is considered an asset and can very well determine if you would still qualify.
ETA that all assets are factored in as well, cars,property, ect. It does go according to income but seriously if you do get a higher income than poverty level chances are you will not be recieving too much.
EZ
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I would do it as well.
My mother had a serious injury as a teenager that left her handicapped. She never applied for any sort of disability because she never needed it. Her parents cared for her until the day she married.
Fast forward 30+ years to when my father died. She is considered unemployable because of her handicaps. She applied for SSI and was denied because she had lived with the condition for 40 years without disability and the injury was considered too old to be considered. Mind you, she walks with a cane, cannot walk stairs, has no fine motor skills and limited gross motor skills and has a traumatic brain injury.
For your daughter's protection, I would do it now.
I am finding that many of the services my dd needs depend on her having medicaid and she doesn't. So, I am reapplying for SSI in order to get the medicaid which is automatic if you have SSI.(in most states) I don't care if they send me $1 a month, I just need the medicaid to get help/services for my daughter's behavior problems.
CP is also her "get in the door" dx.
Don't know if that is an issue for you, but something to think about.
I know what you mean about feeling guily. I was given two beautiful boys to foster and eventually adopt (thru c & y). the oldest was 3 and had "minor" emotional, developmental issues and the other was perfect at 7 months. both were drug babies and detoxed at birth. In my state because they are biracial they were allowed to keep their access card and I receive a stipend. I initially thought I would change them over to my insurance and bank their stipend for college. Fast forward two years and my oldest one is medically clear but sees a therapist for a variety of social ills. my youngest is emotionally fine but does speech therapy and has multiple medical illness and takes almost $2000 month in meds. If our most recent diagnosis comes true that will probably be almost doubled. I am ever so grateful that I kept their insurance cards. yes I do get the funny looks at times from providers who know what I do for a living and the income strata I'm in. But combined right now I would be paying close to $4000 month combined for the two of them. That hurts no matter what your income is. They probably will not qualify for any SSI but with these additional diagnoses I will apply because just in case with the economy or another illness i don't know if I will be able to keep my same job and take care of them to include all of their doctor appointments and needs. I don't want them to suffer because my pride or whatever got in the way. Just another thought for you.
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Update:
Well.....I did apply; and our daughter was found to be eligible. Now, I just have to figure out (as the appointed payee for her...think that's what it's called?)......anyway...I have to figure out how to deal with the documentation of payments and such. (Not looking forward to it either; but I'm sure I'll learn.) The SSI person was wonderful to deal with---couldn't have asked for anyone more pleasant.
Sincerely,
Linny
Linny
Update:
Well.....I did apply; and our daughter was found to be eligible. Now, I just have to figure out (as the appointed payee for her...think that's what it's called?)......anyway...I have to figure out how to deal with the documentation of payments and such. (Not looking forward to it either; but I'm sure I'll learn.) The SSI person was wonderful to deal with---couldn't have asked for anyone more pleasant.
Sincerely,
Linny
I would ask specifically what type of documentation they need. J had SSI when she was first placed with us through the day of her adoption. I never had to provide any documentation. The lady told me to pay the mortgage with it. As long as I was paying our mortgage, the money was going for housing. That's pretty easy to document.
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From what I understand, your daughter was on SSI before her finalization, right? As I get it, it may have stopped because the amount and how it was paid was based on her income. Because our daughter's SSI is based on my husband's income, this is why it'll be more involved to document. Yes, some of the SSI monies can be spent on mortgage, but only the portion we could figure would be her part, KWIM? That's where it gets really dicey. While I'm one to keep track of some things....to a point, this scares me. Truly, we're not planning to spend ANY of this first check at all; until we know more closely how much she'll be getting each month.
My dh has been laid-off....just recently.....and THAT will affect the SSI.....so for now, I"m still just glad she qualified. (Well, I'd rather she was a healthy baby---but until we know her future, this documentation for her needs is welcomed. )
Sincerely,
Linny
My son has been on SSI for about 4 years because he is blind. I turn in my paycheck stubs every month. My state, WI gives me a set amount that doesn't change. Federal goes according to my monthly income so it does change. For some reason every time around this time of the year I receive notice that I have been over paid and have to pay back. They just take out an amount from the up coming months until it is all paid back. Rather annoying though as I turn in my paycheck stubs like I stated, so how this happens I have no clue. Infact, for some reason next month I'm not getting any, but yet my income hasn't gone up at all.
I really appreciate the healthcare coverage. Some of his eye tests are quite expensive, I would otherwise be paying them off for YEARS!!!! He also goes to counseling twice a month and that is fully covered. However insurance doesn't cover any of his assistive technology items such as magnify glasses or even his much needed sunglasses, so the monthly checks are nice for those. (Boy can a 12 year old go through the sunglasses. His are about $50 a pair too.)
Every year I also receive a basic form to fill out. If any of the money was saved and what it was saved for or any household changes, takes about 15 minutes to fill out.