Fibromyalgia Support Group
You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.
I'm not sure if this is the right board to ask this question, but my daughter has fibromyalgia, along with POTS and other illnesses. She just turned 18 and is unable to work as she is not able to stand for more than a few minutes at a time without getting dizzy (from the POTS). I need to file for SSI for her, but finding an attorney that handles this type of case is difficult. They all work the SSDI cases, but since my daughter has not worked she doesn't qualify for that.
Also - does anyone know of any programs to help with medical bills (copays, deductibles)? We have insurance, but the out of pocket expenses are high. I make too much money to qualify for any low income programs, but don't make enough to pay her medical bills and still pay for living expenses.
Any help that anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated - I feel like I'm drowning.
Also - does anyone know of any programs to help with medical bills (copays, deductibles)? We have insurance, but the out of pocket expenses are high. I make too much money to qualify for any low income programs, but don't make enough to pay her medical bills and still pay for living expenses.
Any help that anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated - I feel like I'm drowning.
http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dapply.htm
I tried Allsup, but they told me they would only do SSDI cases, not SSI. Thank you for the referral though!! I appreciate the help!
Medicaid is for low income people.
http://klnivenlaw.iarbiz.com/SHlI1hFpPs0=
This looks like a good site here : http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pgm/ssi.htm#a0=0
Here you can actually file and they will help you! I hope the 2nd web page works for you!!!!!!!!
The criteria a dr uses to start a patient can't work isn't the same as what SSA uses. The drs don't consider age, education, jobs in the national economy, ect when they state a patient can't work. Her medical records need diagnostic test results, treatments tried and their outcome, meds, etc. There has to be a direct connection between her disabilities and her not being able to work. She may not be able to stand, but that doesn't mean she can't do a job that requires her to not stand. Since her being able to stand must have impacted her ability to attend school, she will also need proof of that which will be in her school records and any home schooling or special accommodations she had to have in order to attend school. It isn't having a disability that determines if someone can work or not it is the level of severity that is proven by the medical evidence as well as age, education, etc. ALso, with SSI, there are non medical requirements. Those are income or lack of it. If she isn't paying her fair share of rent utilities, food, etc then her SSI will be reduced by one third if she is approved. The max Federal Monthly amount for 2014 is $721.00.
She really doesn't need an attorney unless she is denied at the initial phase. Then she will need one for the ALJ Hearing, if she decides to appeal the denial. The attorney is paid out of the back pay, if she is approved. Sometimes it is a little harder to find an attorney who will take SSI because it doesn't pay as much as SSDI.
Disability Determination Process-
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/determination.htm