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A quick SSI question if someone can help

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Posted 9/11/2013 7:41 PM (GMT 0)

Hi everyone!

Hope you all are doing well today!

Ok, well it looks like hubby got approved for SSD the first go around so that we are really happy about.  A letter came in the mail today stating they are reviewing his status for SSI.  They want him to call and answer some questions.

We really need him to get SSI so he can get Medicaid, since he has no insurance and really needs to get in to see a doctor here soon.  What kinds of questions do you think they will ask or verify so we can be ready?

I know I am a Nervous Nelly but unfortunately it's in my genetic make up :)

My husband does not really do internet, but I taught him how to get on the boards and read and it really has helped him as well.

Continued thanks for all the help and advise you all give, it is so appreciated!

Lena

Posted 9/11/2013 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
Lena, which is it, SSD or SSI? SSD is based on work history, while SSI is for those who don't have sufficient work credits to qualify for SSD and Medicare. SSI recipients get Medicaid. Sometimes, SSD recipients will sometimes get Medicaid in the 2-yr. gap that they must wait for Medicare.

Please check the letter again and tell me again what benefit he has been approved of, so that I can try to help you.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/11/2013 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Connie!

The letter says he has been approved for SSD.  They need more information to see if he will also get SSI and that's why we have to call.

Thanks!

Lena

Posted 9/12/2013 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Okay, they will want to know the date that he actually became disabled...if he has worked at all since then, perhaps question any gaps in work history. Everyone is individual, so it will be based on his own record. How long did it take for him to get approved? When did he first apply? He will get back pay from the time he applied or from 6 mos. afterwards. If he had no lawyer, he will get the full amount of back pay.

Congrats!

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/12/2013 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Connie! That does not sound so bad. We will make that call tomorrow.

He applied July 16 so it went really fast. We did not have an attorney.

I have just been so worried about him not having medical insurance so hopefully all will go well.

Thanks again so much for guiding us through all this!

All the best to you!

Lena
Posted 9/12/2013 5:07 AM (GMT 0)
Definitely push for Medicaid in the gap. I didn't have to, as it took 2 years to get approved, and I got Medicare at the same time as SSD.

Good luck!

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/12/2013 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Lena, Hi...happy to hear your husband was approved so quickly for SSD. This is great news!

As for SSI, we hoped he would qualify.... but since it is income and asset based.... and household income and asset based if you are married, we did not get approved. Different rules than SSD. We had more than $3,000 in resources, more than one vehicle, and our combined income was well over the SSI limits. We purchased PCIP through GEHA, the pre-existing health care policy under Obamacare (ACA). That policy had a high deductible and monthly premiums since it was a bridge plan until Obamacare rolls out. And we had out of pocket expense, but it got us through until Medicare kicked in. (My husband was doing his 2nd Hep C treatment, which is insanely expensive with no insurance help).

Here is a link for you on SSI info. Also, you can find a lot of info on line to figure out if as a "married household" he (the household) can get Medicaid, food stamps(TANF), and other financial help.


http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-11000.pdf

Hugs and my very best to you, Lena.
Posted 9/14/2013 11:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lena,
Connie pretty much hit it on the nose, what you have put in over the years in work. A lot of people don't know that. I got my SSD in 2010 and automatically received medicare, however I was too young at the time to get SSI, which I needed desperately, also, but was told no again just recently. I am 50 soon to be 51, that there was no way I would get it while married, no food stamps nothing. I am extremely grateful for my disability as there is no way I could hold up an hour in one position in the work place. Here in N.C. they refused my SSI even now that im older because together, husband and I make to much about $30 to much, we live under the poverty level as it is. Less than $20,000 annually, unbelievable. It depends on where you are, I guess. Hopefully you and hubby will have way better luck.

Oh, whichever or both, he will get his insurance and sometimes both, medicare and medicaid so that is a good thing.

Nice to talk to you, I'm new and have not see you post before so I thought Id reply.

Post Edited By Moderator (hep93) : 9/14/2013 6:46:13 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/14/2013 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Folks,
Just wanted to ask what were (anyone can answer) some of your enzyme levels before you were advised to get treatment. I have had 2 opinions, I had my blood test about 3 months ago and had a second one done within a month of each other. 1st test Doc said they were elevated but not bad, they all seem to be in a hurry.

2nd Doc said they were a concern and were high, but I was on percocet w acetaminophen low dose for a month and felt like really bad, like my insides we just rotting, normally I would never take something w acetaminophen in it or Tylenol, all that junk, but had no choice at the time.

Any experience, advice and are there new treatments I can check out and study?
Thanks as Always- this should be posting on the Hep C site. smurf

Post Edited By Moderator (hep93) : 9/14/2013 6:50:50 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 9/15/2013 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
There is no hep C site, as such. However, you should ask this on your own (previous) thread.

And once and for all, folks, there is nothing wrong with acetaminophen/Tylenol for people with liver disease, usually below 1200 mg or less a day. It's IBUPROFEN that is a no-no entirely.

Anyone with nausea, should eliminate beef from the diet. In fact, anyone with liver disease should limit beef intake or eliminate it altogether. Reason: Beef is the most difficult protein for the liver to process. I use a lot of beans and some eggs for protein...also skinless chicken or turkey.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/16/2013 1:55 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone, sounds like it is what it is, your age, your income, your resources.  So, we wills see how it goes.  Appointment is set for tomorrow afternoon.  Jeff is only 49 and we only have my income and very little if any resources so hopefully it will work out for us. 

themiz, thank you so much for that link, it was very informative.

I appreciate you all sharing your experiences with this.  I just want to get all this done, so we can get back to concentrating on his health.

Thanks again!

Lena

Posted 9/16/2013 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
Best of luck, Lena!

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/19/2013 7:18 PM (GMT 0)
Update:

Well the meeting was the day before yesterday with SSI and yesterday we found out he got SSI so he should have Medicaid but I have not confirmed that yet.  I was told to wait until Wednesday next week before I call but there should be no issue.

The bad news is she said in February when the first SSD payment comes in he will earn too much and he will lose Medicaid and my husband thinks the SSI as well.  Not happy about losing the Medicaid.  So, we will scramble to get as much done before that and see what we can find for him at that time.  Hopefully something affordable will be around but I am not holding my breath.

Thanks again everyone.  Appreciate you all!

Lena

Posted 9/19/2013 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
Lena, well that's a case of good news and bad news. My ex-b.f. (now deceased) faced this dilemma. He ended up going to a county hospital for scans, x-rays, testing, and prescriptions...all free. He paid out of pocket for his primary care and specialists. He was getting nearly the max in SSD, so this worked out okay. He also had savings and an IRA that he drew from when he had to. He never got SSI or Medicaid due to his assets.

Best of luck going forward!

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 9/20/2013 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
I am happy to hear this will get you at least to Feb. I did a bit of checking for you to parse in advance of Feb.

Check this link out.

http://www.yourhealthidaho.org/

This is the health exchange website for your state. You should be able to get a plan on limited income for your husband through this exchange until Medicare, and not much more than basic Medicare Part B. Basically, that site is for Idaho's exchanges set up to comply with the new health care law. Should be up for biz in less than 2 weeks.

Medicare Part B was $104.90 per month this year. We have the Medicare premiums deducted out of themister's SSD check before we see it.

All it took was the last hospital bill for an unplanned TIPS with complications in Jan. to make me know this is more than reasonable, all things considered. (Just hospital bill was $123,000....yikes!)

Take good care, Hugs,
Posted 9/20/2013 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Connie!

Thank you themiz for that information and for taking the time to find that for me!  I heard it was starting Oct. 1, but did not have the web address, so I will start researching then to be ready for February.

In the mean time, back to the Hepatologist, cat scan next month and whatever else we can squeeze in.

One question.  What do any of you know about being able to go out of state for transplant evaluations with Medicaid, etc and that being covered?

Thank you again so much and I hope all is going well for you and themister :)

Lena

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