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To have Dr's or not to have Dr's for SSI

eascusa
eascusa
Here is another SSI/disability question but I am throughly confused and upset about this and dont know what to do. I moved not to long ago and need to establish different Dr's. for all my different conditions. I filled out SSI application when I got here and they denied me. It was my first time. Although I gave them tons of Dr's from the past I didn't have much going with the present and wasn't on all the meds Im usually on. This is the thing, they told me they are denying me because I have my "issues" under control with the Dr's and with meds and treatment and what ever. Isn't that the point, to see a Dr.? Even though I actually wasn't even seeing any but a new primary. But if you don't have Dr's ,and this happened too which made no sense, they said you must not be in that much pain and/or disconfort because you arnt seeing anyone and it doesn't look like you have alot of problems because your not being treated for them with a bunch of meds. Yet the reason for that for me at the moment besides being new to town and havn't established that yet but is because I dont have the money right now to see a bunch of Dr's and pay for lot of meds. Hense me going to them for help for this and trying to get medical insurance through them. So which one is it though they want from me? Are you suppose to be seeing Dr's or not? And what if the reason your not going to all these different Dr's for all the different conditions is because you have NO INCOME there fore no money to pay them and to buy my meds. I have Blue Cross but under a governement plan that is actually a shitty plan and I still have to pay a good portion of it. Most of the time when I walk in the door and I dont have it. I tried to get medical from the welfare office and they denied me because I have no children in the home that I care for. What am I suppose to do and why dont they get this! Help, anyone?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I would reccomend re-applying for the medicaid, and appeal it if they deny you again.
eascusa
eascusa
You can apply for just medicaid?
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi,

I hear California is rough on disability. But not impossible. As I have said often on this forum, get an attorney. As I understand, Cal. has many indigent resources for legal aid, if that is your situation. It's no shame to use them. The more we utilize non-profit organizations, the less we rely on demon government. If the church and social organizations did their job, (which implies we participate in those charities in kind) government wouldn't be so big.

Of course, If I were In California, I'd be using MMJ and be off of narcotics. Not that I would ever suggest that to you...LOL. It works better for me than narcs, no withdrawl, but I don't use it because I don't want to risk becoming Big Rufus's "wife" in jail. But even so, I'd still be fighting for my SS and Medicare.

-Snake
deleted_user
deleted_user
appeal your ssi decision, you will have a hearing in front of a judge or adjudicant whom you will be able to ask these questions to directly, also GET A DISABILITY LAWYER, you don't have to pay them up front, and they are amazing at getting these things worked out and telling you exactly what you need. also, your doctor can't deny you treatment due to inability to pay, they have to offer you an option to be billed, it is illegal to refuse to treat you, and they swore an oath to help anyone who needs it, not just those with money, if they do refuse, report them to the insurance agency
deleted_user
deleted_user
One thing people forget about SSI and SS disability is that having a medical condition is not enough to get approved for the benefits. The benefits are not there to provide you with medical treatment. The requirement to qualify for the benefits is to have a medical condition which keeps you from being able to work and will last at least one year or end in death. This means many people who have medical conditions which can be controlled with medications will not qualify for the benefits. This is why giving more people access to health care is so important in this country. There are people who need treatment and can't get the treatment they need. So, for example, you can't argue that you have no way of getting meds for your diabetes and automatically qualify for the benefits so you can get your meds. That is not a qualifying condition. That is the law. This is why you have a much better chance of getting medicaid than SSI.
Have you ever worked and paid into Social Security for disability benefits?
eascusa
eascusa
How can I apply for just medicaid? Can you still if you have other insurance? Yes, Iv paid into social securit but not all that much. I havn't worked since 2003.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Get a lawyer, but a good one. I had trouble just getting a lawyer to take my case and I've got what could be a true horror story. I live in Calif. and can back up what Whitesnake said. But yes, a lawyer is your best shot. They wrote back to the disability company that I'm dealing with and quoted all kinds of US Code and CFRs and ERISAs, the woman who signed my last letter from this particular company is pronounced "Sue me." I've actually been lucky in some respects. I was awarded SS my first attempt. They mailed me a Medicare card without my asking; but I still paid over a 1 thousand in COBRA just to keep me insured throught the end of the year. Come January 2010, I'll re-evaluate, or I guess fall back on the Medicare. It is very confusing and upset making. Have you tried canvassing your old doctors from earlier and asking for letters and/or referals? All the best to you! Bliggy
deleted_user
deleted_user
You apply for medicaid through your county's social services office (also known as the welfare office.)

Bliggy, it amazes me when people like you say that a lawyer is required to get Social Security benefits. Do you know how little those lawyers actually do? So little in fact that you do not have to be an attorney to represent someone in their disability case with Social Security. The secret is getting all of the medical records to SSA and not applying too early and then giving up too early. That's it. (Well, that and having a condition that qualifies.)
deleted_user
deleted_user
I can tell you that when I got approved for SSD, I was out of work and unable to do jack sh*t for over 6 months.... I started my application on-line and then they send me more paper work to filled out, send paperwork to my Doc's, etc... If you are currently working, they will look at that and say; "why is she working is she needs to be on disability??" I know that you probably need to work to be able to support yourself, but when I was not working due to my first and second spinal surgeries, my LTD kicked in and I was living on that.

I never needed a lawyer. I got approved at the first try, but it was because there was enough documentation that showed that I couldn't hardly get out of bed, sit for longer than 20 Min's., stand more than 20 Min's., etc.....

I hope that you can solve your issues, good luck to you.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Tipper, you have demonstrated my point exactly. You had your medical problems long enough that it was painless to get your claim approved because it was clear that you met the one year requirement when you filed. I know people who try to file from their hospital beds after just having an accident and expect to be approved. There are very few conditions that a doctor would be able to say that quickly that will last a year unless it is a terminal condition.
But thank you for showing that an attorney is not necessary to get approved. Just medical records that support a disabling condition. That's why it is always better to have doctors treating you when applying for benefits. Otherwise, it is difficult to prove you qualify, attorney or no attorney.