We can't help you figure out why SSA sent this amount. You need to call them. Are you expecting retroactive benefits? Do you think you are due more money? Call SSA.

A letter should come soon. Checks come from the US Treasury and letters from Payment Center disbursement centers. You will never get a letter and a check together or on the same day.

Not sure what it will do to Medicaid. I do know that SSI would disregard retroactive SS benefits for up to 9 months after receipt. Perhaps Medicaid has a similar provision. I would talk to the Medicaid worker.

Suze Orman, a TV financial planner, would probably tell you to pay off the debt with the highest interest first while making minimum payments on the other debts. Have you ever had your hospital bills submitted retroactively to Medicaid? How far back does your Medicaid coverage extend? Back to the date of this hospitalization? Sometimes, Medicaid will cover bills from three months before application. Again, talk to the Medicaid office and find out. Also talk to the hospital billing staff. They would have extensive experience in submitting retroactive bills to Medicaid. It is worth a try. Can you get any of your student loan balance canceled because you are disabled? I don't know how to do that at all, and it may not be possible in your case, but again, it is worth a try.

You have phone calls to make. Take notes. Be persistant. Pleasant but persistant.