Just ask one woman who has been fighting severe depression, hallucinations, and anxiety all her life. After a highly traumatic childhood, she began to suffer from psychological conditions as an adult which forced her out of her job as a nurse. For a while, she and her daughter were homeless.
]]> She says she doesn't even remember who signed her up for Social Security disability, though she suspects it may have been an employee from a mental health center. It was partially through these benefits that helped her finally get through this rough part of her life.After learning to handle the various issues that she had, she is able to offer help to other people facing similar problems. She works at a call center that helped her through the various challenges she herself faced. Because of her compassion, she is a favorite with many callers.
While her story is a successful story, she had a lot of help in order to overcome the obstacles that faced her as she faced her own disability. One of key things that helped her was Social Security disability benefits. For California residents who suffer from a mental disability, these benefits may be helpful as they confront their challenges and struggle to achieve a balanced life.
Source: Columbia Missourian, "Phone responder uses own mental illness to help her callers," Katy Bergen , April 29, 2012
]]>After the husband broke his back in three different places 10 years ago, he was not able to work and became eligible for Supplemental Security Income benefits. However, because his wife now is earning slightly over minimum wage, his benefits have been substantially reduced. For many California couples, they are facing this situation as a reality.
]]> Due to health problems, the wife lost her job in 2005. She decided to go back to school and in 2010 she received her bachelor's degree in business administration with a 3.2 GPA, even though she had an open heart surgery during the middle of her schooling. Since then, she has been able to earn $1.25 an hour over minimum wage. Because of her income, in which she takes home $1,300 per month, her husband's SSI benefits have been sharply curtailed and he has lost $700 a month in SSI benefits alone. With student loans and medical bills looming over the more traditional expenses of rent, utilities and car payments, they cannot afford not having this additional income, especially as the husband cannot work.After discussing it, they have decided that the only possible way for them to receive the full benefits he was receiving would be to divorce. In this way, they would be able to separate financially from each other and thus SSI wouldn't look at the couple's total income. Though they don't wish to take this step and would like to continue their 21-year marriage, they feel as if they have been put in a no-win situation. They are appealing the decision by Social Security, but if they do not win their appeal, they plan to divorce.
Though this story is heartbreaking, many California couples are suffering through the exact same circumstances as this couple. For these people, the story of financial loss and helplessness due to the Social Security Administration guidelines is all too familiar. For those who are petitioning to receive Supplemental Security Income benefits, it may be beneficial to learn more about the various options and rules governing these programs as they struggle to receive what is due them.
Source: The Journal-Standard, "Divorcing to survive: Couple struggles in tough economy," Nick Crow, April 21, 2012
]]>Those benefits come from the disability trust fund and represent the sums paid in by employees and employers over many years. But a recent government report indicates the fund may indeed be in trouble unless Congress acts to bail out the program.
]]> According to the annual report of the Social Security Board of Trustees, both the retirement and disability trust funds have sufficient assets to make scheduled payments over the next 20 years. But beginning in 2034, it is estimated there will no longer be enough money in the respective funds to pay estimated benefits. And concerning the disability fund, the newest projection has loped two years off a similar projection made in the board's annual report last year. That is, unless governmental intervention addresses the problem, the trust fund set aside to pay Social Security disability benefits will no longer be running in the black after 2033. Previously, the board estimated the trust funds would not be able to cover all of the disability obligations beginning in 2036.The aftereffects of the Great Recession, along with higher energy costs and more baby boomers seeking benefits are cited as potential factors for the emerging crisis. While it remains to be seen what the federal government will do to address this problem, the simple fact is that many in California rely upon Social Security disability benefit payments to survive. With the future of these payments in question, when considered together with updated estimates indicating an earlier date of collapse, legislative help may be necessary to address the issues. This issue bears following by all those in California who currently receive benefits or believe they are entitled to them.
Source: Yahoo! News, "Social Security and Medicare Could Run Out Sooner Than Expected," April 23, 2012
]]>The illness diagnosis made the man ineligible for unemployment benefits and increased the need for immediate financial relief, but the family quickly discovered that Social Security disability benefits are subject to a waiting period. The son became concerned about what he believes are shortcomings in our nation's health care system.
]]> He became so concerned that he decided to embark on a cross-country trek, beginning in California, to raise awareness and speak with anyone interested in discussing the issues. The Alzheimer's Association says there are more than 200,000 people in their 40s and 50s who have early-onset Alzheimer's. Many of these people would likely benefit from applying for Social Security disability.The wife of the ill man splits her time between taking care of her husband and looking for a job. The son recently began his journey in Santa Monica after becoming inspired that the trek would be a good way to raise awareness and talk with people about the disease and the family issues it raises.
Those affected by Alzheimer's or other debilitating illnesses may find that filing a Social Security disability claim as early as possible is an important consideration. Since a waiting period is applicable, families will likely want to investigate the best approach to obtain all necessary benefits as quickly as possible by completing and submitting all required paperwork in an expeditious fashion.
Source: Las Vegas Sun, "As Alzheimer's ravages father's mind, son takes off on cross-country journey in support," Jackie Valley, April 17, 2012
]]>The woman receives disability benefits concerning various documented ailments, such as multiple sclerosis, COPD, high blood pressure and a heart murmur. These benefits have allowed her to maintain a relatively normal, though difficult life. With her disability income, she also supports her 15-year-old granddaughter. Money has always been tight in the household, and they understandably have been living as modest as possible.
]]> In 2012, she had received a $33 increase to her monthly benefits, which caused the payment to increase from $923 to $956. However, the new monthly benefit payment caused her to be $5 over the limit of full Medicaid coverage. As a result, Medicaid has demanded that she pay a mandatory deductible of $2,082 quarterly in order for her to receive her multiple sclerosis medicine, an amount that she can't possibly afford. She is now working with the Social Security Administration to hopefully set things right.While this is only one woman's story, it is likely that many more California residents relying on both Social Security disability and Medicaid may be affected in similar circumstances. For those affected, they should know that there is hope, though it may be necessary to seek support that can work directly with the agencies. With time and patience, it is hoped that this woman and all other people suffering from a similar situation will be able to find a reasonable solution.
Source: WCNC, "Local woman's increase in Social Security hinders health care," Bill McGinty, April 2, 2012
]]>For one man who was diagnosed with schizophrenia and who regularly hears voices talking in his head, he is grateful for any of the help he has. Though he has tried to work several places before, his illness finally caught up with him as he approached the age of 30. After he started yelling at himself while he was stocking shelves, he was fired. When he realized the problem he had been trying to ignore since he was a boy had finally caught up with him, he left work in order to concentrate more fully on treating his illness.
]]> After being diagnosed with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and borderline intellectual functioning, a physician at a mental hospital he checked into recommended that he apply for Social Security disability. He was denied initially by the Social Security Administration, but later was approved.A month after receiving Social Security disability payments, the government unemployment agency accused him of collecting duplicate funds and demanded $3,000 back. Now the man is caught between two government agencies and is worried about losing any funds that he may have already received.
Though his case is particularly notable, he is far from the first who has been accused of these types of charges. The relationship between Social Security disability agencies and government unemployment agencies can many times complex. Though it can be confusing to navigate, with the right support it may be possible for California residents struggling to navigate through the agencies to finally receive their earned benefits.
Source: St. Louis Today, "Mentally ill Dardenne Prairie man challenges unemployment bureaucracy," Steve Giegerich, March 23, 2012
]]>For one woman, it could have meant that she would have lost thousands of dollars from a combination of her pension and Social Security benefits when the federal government mistakenly reported her dead. While her circumstances are different from the many people receiving Social Security disability income, those who receive disability benefits should take note, as the same mistake can happen when it comes to benefits for the disabled.
]]> The woman, a 92-year-old retired clerk, lives on an annual income of about $25,000. The income is partly from her late husband's federal civil service pension and partly because of Social Security benefits that she receives. In early March, her bank informed her that the government demanded nearly $17,000 from her account, including about $3,000 in Social Security benefits that she had collected since July, the month of her supposed death.To stop the transfer, she had to contact the Social Security Administration to reassure them that she was still alive. After a barrage of questions to the woman, the Social Security Administration finally realized that she was alive and apologized, promising to fix the mistake. The mistake had been caused by someone who pressed the wrong button.
When living on a small income that Social Security benefits provide, every dollar counts and can mean the difference between surviving one month and not. This makes the government's mistake that much more difficult to swallow. While this particular instance did not concern Social Security disability income, the same computerized process is used for disability income.
Though the Social Security Administration maintains that they have a low error rate and reportedly cancel only one in 83,000 benefits checks, this is still too much of a mistake, as they admitted themselves. California residents who believe that their disability benefits have been unfairly stopped should seek help from those who can navigate the complex Social Security hierarchy.
Source: New York Daily News, "Woman, 92, tells feds: I'm not dead!," Brian Browdie, March 17, 2012
]]>However, Social Security is far more than just a retirement program for people who are 62-years-old or older and have paid into the Social Security system. For those who are struggling with a disability, Social Security often provides the main income for a household.
]]> While many people believe that Social Security is strictly for those of retirement age, Social Security disability often helps young families as they struggle through hardship. For example, a disabled 30-year-old with a partner and two children may be able to earn $30,000 through Social Security disability income. Though this income may seem insufficient for a struggling family that has medical bills that must be paid on top of everything else, this income is calculated to be worth approximately $465,000 in disability insurance. Furthermore, if a tragedy occurred and the person earning the Social Security income died, the family may still be eligible to receive Social Security income payments to an equivalent of more than $475,000 in life insurance.These programs should come across as good news for those who have disabilities and are facing extreme financial insecurity and medical debt in this turbulent time in California. There is help available in the form of Social Security for those who are forced to cope with disability. Californians who are suffering from disabilities that prevent them from working or finding work and are struggling with looming medical bills might consider applying for the Social Security disability program as a means of meeting their essential expenses.
Source: Baltimore Sun, "Eight things you might not know about Social Security," Eileen Ambrose, March 11, 2012
]]>Those who require perennial medical care are sometimes pressured by their loved ones into going into a medical institution, which can cost a upwards of a prohibitive $55,000 annually. Fortunately, California has another option for those who are disabled and have low income in the form of its In-Home Support Services (IHSS) program.
]]> The idea behind the IHSS is to allow patients to live in their home, with the assistance of the IHSS. This program, which typically costs $10,000 per year, allows disabled patients to be independent and connected with their communities. Furthermore, this allows the patient to avoid going into a permanent medical institution and instead lets the patient live a relatively normal life in their own home without creating an extra hardship on their families. In some cases, the family may already be going through economic difficulties of their own and may not be able to afford additional medical expenses that a patient requires.For California residents who are wondering how they are going to pay for a medical institution with their Social Security Disability Income, this comes as welcome news. This program is available for those who meet certain income and resource guidelines. Those who are eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits are likely to meet these requirements. Those who are living with a disability and would like to use IHSS but are afraid they may not have sufficient income to afford the services will likely benefit from learning about the relevant laws and regulations to help them plan and obtain the essential services they need to live.
Source: The Willits News, "IHSS: Helping keep the disabled in their homes," Jennifer Poole, March 9, 2012
]]>This is especially apparent for those who are actively seeking work. One 37-year-old woman was forced out of full-time work after receiving a traumatic brain injury from a car accident in 2002. After being laid off, she tried looking for light office work, but the job hunt has been rough. In order to support her children, ages 12 and 21, she receives Social Security Disability payments as income.
]]> She is not alone. In the United States, the nationwide unemployment rate for those with disabilities in January was almost 13 percent, almost five points higher than the percentage of people unemployed that do not have disabilities, which was at 8.3 percent in January. Though individual states do not look at disability to determine unemployment rates, the higher rate of unemployment for the disabled is bad news for those in California who have a disability and are currently seeking employment.It may seem impossible to secure a job for a disabled individual. Fortunately, there are options for those suffering from disability who are struggling to make an income. Social Security Disability provides a monthly income to live on, even before reaching retirement age. Those living with a disability who are struggling to make an income may benefit from applying for the benefits to which they are entitled to cover precisely those types of circumstances.
Source: The Coloradoan, "Job market tougher on those with disabilities," Pat Ferrier, March 3, 2012
]]>The study is being conducted by the Institute of Medicine and it will first look into families receiving benefits for their disabled children. Currently, a family can claim approximately $600 a month in benefits. The Social Security Administration believes that there are families that are claiming social and behavioral problems of their children in order to get disability payments, when their children aren't disabled.
]]> The children's portion of the Supplemental Security Income program is approximately a $10 billion program. The study is looking at all claims and from what they have gathered so far, it appears that claims are being made from older cities where there are lower incomes and lack of jobs.Those working with the study results feel that some change needs to be made to the overall Social Security program. U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal of Maryland believes that Social Security must use the same criteria to review children's disability claims as it uses for adults, but the issue is that the adult benchmarks don't translate well to children. Also, he feels that Social Security has not kept its medical standards up-to-date when evaluating certain situations.
The Social Security program as a whole has other issues to contend with. Applications for disability claims and retirements rose 30 percent with the recession and budget cuts cost the Social Security Administration 7,000 workers nationwide in two years. This results in fewer Social Security offices and no more workers stationed in libraries and senior centers. More work will continue to be done online or on the phone, which may make it easier for some people to file untruthful claims.
Source: The Republican, "Social Security and Supplemental Security Income for children raise questions for U.S. Rep Richard Neal," Jim Kinney, Feb. 13, 2012
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