Medicaid

Social Security Disability Insurance (or SSDI) benefits protect you and your family if you have certain disabilities that prevent work. They can provide critical support to those who are disabled permanently or long-term. Generally, the older one is, the longer he or she will have needed to work to receive benefits.

Members of your family may also receive benefits if you are injured, as well. Generally spouses over the age of 62 and children or dependents under the age of 18 have the highest chance of receiving benefits. You should apply for these benefits either online or visiting an office. It is important to submit any and all medical and employment records. The disability or medical condition is supposed to last for one year or until death.

Supplemental security income (or SSI) is a program that offers additional benefits, or financial assistance, to those who are over the age of 65, poor, blind or disabled. SSI is administered by the Social Security Administration. However, funds come from the U.S. Treasury and not Social Security funds. The amount that you can receive is partly based on the assets that you own which has monetary value and could be sold and/or turned to cash to help support yourself.

Such assets could be things like more than one car, bank accounts, stocks, bonds, property, personal insurance, land, etc. The total monetary value of your assets will be determined and added up. This is called as asset limitation. For SSI, the limitation is $2,000 for and individual and $3,000 for a couple.

Medicaid is form of social medical coverage for individuals and families who are low-income, disabled, or unable to work. States distribute Medicaid to recipients and determines eligibility on a case by case basis. Both states and the federal government fund Medicaid. Different states determine the length, the category, and the amount that recipients get within the state. It is intended to help low-income individuals and families usually. People who are eligible for one are usually eligible for the other.

It is important to note that your state or territory is in one of three categories when it comes to Medicaid. Your state may automatically enroll you after you are approved for SSI. You may have to apply for Medicaid even though the qualifications are the same for SSI and Medicaid. Lastly, your state may have different qualifications for SSI and Medicaid and another application is needed.

The following states, along with the District of Columbia, allow for SSI recipients to be entered automatically into Medicaid: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

SSI recipients in the following states and territories will need to apply for Medicaid separately: Alaska, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and the Northern Mariana Islands. These states and territories make separate decisions regarding Medicaid, even though most people will qualify for Medicaid if they also qualify for SSI.

The following states have separate qualifications for SSI and Medicaid: Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Virginia.

When filing for SSI benefits, you can apply on your own, seek out a disability representative to help, or you can contact an attorney with SSI experience. Contacting at attorney is highly recommended for many reasons; with an attorney you may get a hearing faster or you may not need one at all. Also, you may get a higher chance at a favorable rating with an attorney. Also, they can provide insight and direct you. Lastly, they will keep your claim confidential. Contacting a disability representative is a wise thing, but contacting a SSI attorney is the wisest option.