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I fostered then adopted my son when he was little. He was and is medically fragile. Our post-adoption social worker is awesome, and after all these years, still is just a phone call away for any issues. I called him a few months before my son turned 18, and he quickly got his Medicaid and Adoption Assistance (AKA subsidy) extended until age 21. That 21st birthday is coming up, and since he still has ongoing medical needs, he needs to be switched to Medicare through the Social Security Administration. According to our SW, this is routine and how it is done for those who have been wards of a state at one time and still have continued needs. So my son will then have Medicare and receive SSI.
My question is, has anyone gone through this process? I know the Social Security Administration initially turns down a large percentage of disability cases when people make their first claim as an adult. It seems like this should be cut and dry: that the SSA would see all the documentation and approve the case, but I realize the government doesn't always do what makes sense!! So basically, I'm wondering what anyone's experience has been. Has it been an easy process? Has anyone ever been initially denied and you needed to contest? Thanks for your input!
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For medically fragile and special needs children: yes, it can be. Your post adoption social worker can take care of it for you. If they don't know much about it, pm me, and I can find some documentation for you.Also, they can attend ANY state college or university with a complete tuition waiver, in the state where you reside. The only caveat is that they must start by age 25.
For medically fragile and special needs children: yes, it can be. Your post adoption social worker can take care of it for you. If they don't know much about it, pm me, and I can find some documentation for you.
Also, they can attend ANY state college or university with a complete tuition waiver, in the state where you reside. The only caveat is that they must start by age 25.
Cali2Texas,
Thank you so much for the information. Sounds like all my adoptive children will qualify.
Is the college provision new? When I checked previously it was (in my state) only for foster children and those adopted at a much older age, 16 and above I think. Is it now a national program? Also, when you say "ANY state college or university with a complete tuition waiver" is that only within your home state or anywhere in the country?
You bring forth great news with both of these pieces of information, especially for those of us with children rapidly approaching 18.
Thanks again.
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daybyday...
No, the tuition exemption is not new. It has been changed recently in some states (within the last year or so) which has put more limits on it, such as the child has to have been over a certain age when he/she was adopted: in other words, to only give these perks to whoever a state considers a difficult placement. If your child was adopted more than a year or so ago, there are not these new limiting factors. When you adopted, if you turned down Adoption Assistance and Medicaid (which I don't understand!!), then your child would not be eligible for this: the tuition waiver is considered part of the Adoption Assistance.
This is what the law reads:
"EXEMPTIONS FOR ADOPTED STUDENTS FORMERLY IN FOSTER OR OTHER RESIDENTIAL CARE. A student is exempt from the payment of tuition and fees authorized by this chapter if the student:
(1) was adopted; and
(2) was the subject of an adoption assistance."
How I am quite sure that this is nationwide is that it is covered under the:
"Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC)
The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) is a uniform law enacted by all fifty states, the District of Columbia and the US Virgin Islands.
The Purpose of ICPC is to ensure that children placed out of their home state receive the same protections and services that would be provided, if they remained in their home state."
What our situation is is that my son was born, adopted, and raised in California. We moved to Texas a few years ago. I was concerned that maybe he had thus lost the tuition exemption, as we had moved out of state, maybe he would have to return to CA to take advantage of it, or that because he wasn't born and/or adopted in Texas, Texas would not give it to him. This is when I called our awesome post-adoption worker in California and she explained about the ICPC to me. I am so thankful!!
The state colleges and universities where the child can receive the tuition exemption are those in the state where you reside and where the child receives his Medicaid. Thankfully for us, the child is not mandated to use it directly after high school graduation (as my son is going through some major surgeries at this time.) I believe they need to enroll by the time they are 25. The amazing thing is that it is not limited to a 2 or 4 year program. The child can continue on for a master's degree, law or medical degree, or doctoral degree!!:happydance:
:eyebrows: I am still hoping to hear from anyone who has done the transition from Medicaid/AAP to Medicare/SSI. Please!:eyebrows:
Sheena85
The FEDERAL FAFSA form has a box to check if you qualify for this tuition waiver. So, that's nationwide and they clearly expect students from any and all states to check the tuition waiver box. The state school(s) the student applies to require a letter from the student's SW verifying that the student qualifies for this. The letter is very specific in what needs to be included.
I shared all this information because it took me close to a year to get all of it together, and I knew it would be helpful. So, @ daybydaybyday...PM me if you need any further information. I'm more than happy to help.
Cali, I filled out the SSI application for my adult son. His claim was approved on the application. I read somewhere online that SSI applications have a 30 percent chance of approval without a hearing. I'm not sure what I did right, but I know that I concentrated on my son's mental disability and did not throw in the "kitchen sink" of issues.
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