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 Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:23 pm Post subject: SSDI versus SSI |
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My husband applied for SSDI. He has just recieved his letter from the judge that he has made a favoriable decsion without a formal hearing. and thats great, but the very last paragraph says it is for Supplemental Security Income. Why did they change it from SSDI to SSI in his case? Also we have a deaf child that does recieve SSI, will she lose her SSI? I am so confused.
My husband has worked and paid into social security all his life, before he became ill, he worked almost 20 years in a row. Only changed jobs once in that time. He was denied the first time, then he got a lawyer and on the appeal, after it went to the judge, he won. We have not recieved the letter or explanation of benefits yet, but I dont understand the process to get from SSDI to SSI.
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Sassy1969
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| Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 2:27 am Post subject: |
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Great question, and one that has befuddled people since inception. Let me see if I can shed some light on this.
Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, is a federal program designed primarily to help blind, disabled and those age 65 or older. It is not funded through S.S. taxation, like SSDI, but instead is paid for from the general tax revenues. It's purpose is to provide basic assistance for food, shelter and clothes, and supplements other income of the recipient, such as unemployment, disability coverage, SSDI, etc. It's normally easier to get than SSDI, which is a pain in the you-know-where, and judges commonly award SSI benefits which is based on financial need, not disability alone.
SSDI is a whole 'nother story indeed. Social Security Disability Income has a bunch of qualifiers (so does SSI, but not nearly as stringent) that have to be met in order to qualify:
The disabled person must
* be both fully-insured and disability insured through the SS system, which it sounds like your husband is.
* have a disability that's expected to last at least 12 months or end in death.
* be unable to work at any substantial occupation in the U.S. economy in either the disabled person's former job or any other job that they feel you can "adjust to" ("any occupation" definition).
* be totally disabled.
This definition of disability is on another planet. Truth be known, SSDI applicants routinely get turned down initially 75% of the time and it takes (on average) 3-5 years to be approved- normally with the help of a lawyer.
If you can give us some more info to kind of "fill in the blanks" so to speak, we can give you some more info back!
InsTeacher
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InsTeacher
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| Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:28 am Post subject: |
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Hi Ins Teacher, Thanks. Let me give you abit more info.
Husband is 52 this year. Became disabled in Nov. 2006. Applied for SSDI in 2007 he has, Diabetes type 2. Neuropothhy, not the kind from the diabetes but the other kind, carpul tunnel, that he has had surgery for but the nerve damage was to great and thats from the neuropothy, sever sleep apnea, sever asthma. He walks like he is drunk but does not drink, his legs and arms are constantly in pain, and when he sleeps his feet and legs and his arms twitch, pretty badly. he can not sit or stand long maybe 30-45 minutes. If we go to the store, once we get home he has to lay down for an hour or so. He take about 18 medications each day. He is in a deep depression because he feels worthless. He has his good days and bad. On a good day he might go with the kids to the park or sit with us and watch a movie in the living room, on a bad day he gets up takes a shower brushes his teeth and lays back in the bed. So far as the SSI my daughter gets, she is totally deaf. Profound hearing loss. I am not sure if this information has helped, but if you can think of anything else you might need just let me know. |
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sgladman1969
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| Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 11:05 am Post subject: |
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I think one needs to satisfy the income level criteria to receive SSI benefits. May be you were awarded SSI benefit on that ground.
You have mentioned that you had a lawyer to look after the case. What he has to say in this regard? Have to contacted him after getting the letter from the judge? |
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kelvin
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| Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 1:28 pm Post subject: |
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Hi sgladman1969,
I've gone through both of your posts and now trying to ascertain what went wrong with the SSDI application.
Did you have medical documents that support his being totally disabled?
| Quote: | | He was denied the first time, then he got a lawyer and on the appeal, after it went to the judge, he won. |
So, now do you know the causes of the initial denial?
Steven |
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steven
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| Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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I dont know why he was denied the first time, yes all the medical proofs have been sent to the lawyers and social security. And the neuropothy was discovered after the first denial. Don't know if that helps.
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Sassy1969
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| Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 3:41 am Post subject: |
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Hi Sassy,
| Quote: | | And the neuropothy was discovered after the first denial. Don't know if that helps. |
Was it included the second time you applied with the help of the lawyer? |
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kelvin
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| Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 8:57 am Post subject: |
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Yes they requested all his medical files from all 5 of his Doctors, and the Doctors all had to fill out medical evaluation forms.
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Sassy1969
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| Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:36 pm Post subject: |
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Hi sgladman1969..
| Quote: | | I dont know why he was denied the first time, yes all the medical proofs have been sent to the lawyers and social security. |
Since he'd won it following his appeal, please check whether he remembers any cause of the denial. Did he qualify as being "totally disabled"?
| Quote: | | Yes they requested all his medical files from all 5 of his Doctors, and the Doctors all had to fill out medical evaluation forms. |
Do you possess copies of these medical evaluation forms?
Steven |
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steven
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| Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 2:20 pm Post subject: ssi/ssdi |
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| i would call ssa and speak with a rep. the possibility is there that it was an error.if he had enough work credits, he is entitled to ssdi because he paid into it.definitely look further into it because his ssdi will pay at a much higer rate, than ssi. was his application for ssi or ssdi or both? he would only be eligible for ssi if your family income in total falls below a certain determine amout. i believe it is 3000 a month, but dont quote me. check the ssa site under ssi frequently asked questions. |
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nettsworldatl
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