[mommystime2]

Help me understand please....
Department of health n human service DHHS says I must seek work at a minimum of 30 hrs a week because I no longer receive disability. Um hello I have in home support 13 hrs a week to help me t and I have handicap parking and I cannot use my right arm often and my feet swell horrible and I have back problems but yes people I will actively seek work and get turned down everywhere because it makes me feel good about myself, only because I need insurance will I do this. Who are they to say if I'm disabled? My doctors letter isn't enough.

[Always_Believe]

Originally Posted by mommystime2

Help me understand please....
Department of health n human service DHHS says I must seek work at a minimum of 30 hrs a week because I no longer receive disability. Um hello I have in home support 13 hrs a week to help me t and I have handicap parking and I cannot use my right arm often and my feet swell horrible and I have back problems but yes people I will actively seek work and get turned down everywhere because it makes me feel good about myself, only because I need insurance will I do this. Who are they to say if I'm disabled? My doctors letter isn't enough.

Has DHHS referred you to vocational rehab? That's what IL DHS did for me. They are helping me find something I can do from home/with my physical limitations. At least until/unless my MD says I cannot work. In IL, if you are unable to work, you do not qualify for vocational rehab.

On that note...if you don't mind me asking, why are you no longer receiving disability?

[Littlepaw]

Yes, I am confused too...can you give a little more info if you are comfortable. There are different levels of disability services. Were you on private disability insurance that ran out? Is your in home help provided by DHHS? Dept of Aging and Disability Services in Texas does not require someone be on SSDI to be eligible for services. They make the determination based on functional capacity and financial need.

[LIT LOVE]

I'm thinking I am remembering the OP is from CA and that was state short term disability???

If I'm correct, did you receive the maximum allowed benefit of 1 year?

[mommystime2]

Ok see if this helps. I was receiving social security income. Ssi. But my husband is back working so we become over income to receive my 35.00 monthly they were sending, which was fine by Us. Dhhs is the Maine state programs such as foodstamps, mainecare, and welfare cash. I was receiving mainecare. Now they want me to work 30 a week. My disabilities have gotten worse not better, but because I'm no longer receiving the ssi they figure I can work. Told them it was because of income and so I reapplied but it'll be another 5 months or so before decision is made whether I qualify based on income.

[Always_Believe]

Originally Posted by mommystime2

Ok see if this helps. I was receiving social security income. Ssi. But my husband is back working so we become over income to receive my 35.00 monthly they were sending, which was fine by Us. Dhhs is the Maine state programs such as foodstamps, mainecare, and welfare cash. I was receiving mainecare. Now they want me to work 30 a week. My disabilities have gotten worse not better, but because I'm no longer receiving the ssi they figure I can work. Told them it was because of income and so I reapplied but it'll be another 5 months or so before decision is made whether I qualify based on income.

Thank you for clarifying. SSI is a bit different than disability (SSDI), that's where I was confused.

There is a separate VR division in Maine, you can find it on the Maine gov site. I am receiving good leads/help from my VRC. I am not able to do the job I have been doing my whole life and they are helping me with training to do something else that accommodates my disabilities. Worth a try.

I understand the frustration with medicaid/mainecare. It took a few months for me to get approved as well. Then, it took from Nov to Feb before I actually was seen by a doctor. ACA really messed with the system.

Crossing my fingers for you.

[LIT LOVE]

Originally Posted by mommystime2

Ok see if this helps. I was receiving social security income. Ssi. But my husband is back working so we become over income to receive my 35.00 monthly they were sending, which was fine by Us. Dhhs is the Maine state programs such as foodstamps, mainecare, and welfare cash. I was receiving mainecare. Now they want me to work 30 a week. My disabilities have gotten worse not better, but because I'm no longer receiving the ssi they figure I can work. Told them it was because of income and so I reapplied but it'll be another 5 months or so before decision is made whether I qualify based on income.

Well, that shows how good my memory is! I must have been confusing you with someone else.

Some benefits are automatically awarded if you receive SSI. So even though your benefit was insignificant, it entitled you to Medicaid and services worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars every month.

So, it's not that they're forcing you to work. They expect your husband to pay for your insurance and other requirements based upon his income. If you are able to manage working, then you qualify for a special Medicaid program for the working disabled.

[mommystime2]

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE

Well, that shows how good my memory is! I must have been confusing you with someone else.

Some benefits are automatically awarded if you receive SSI. So even though your benefit was insignificant, it entitled you to Medicaid and services worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars every month.

So, it's not that they're forcing you to work. They expect your husband to pay for your insurance and other requirements based upon his income. If you are able to manage working, then you qualify for a special Medicaid program for the working disabled.

Problem is he is not offered health ins through work and to purchase ins for our family with my known disabilities it would be somewhere around 900 a month not including prescription coverage. So he wouldn't make enough to support family. Might as well quit working correct?

[LIT LOVE]

Originally Posted by mommystime2

Problem is he is not offered health ins through work and to purchase ins for our family with my known disabilities it would be somewhere around 900 a month not including prescription coverage. So he wouldn't make enough to support family. Might as well quit working correct?

Well, you could always divorce him!

I'm not saying I have a solution, or that I agree with the policy.

The reality of becoming disabled is that the financial hits often keep coming. As you are now finding, those that receive SSI and Medicaid often have access to services that are very valuable and not available to those that receive SSDI and Medicare. The cost of in home support services alone can cost more than many SSDI beneficiaries receive in monthly benefit...

Have you checked into your eligibility for Obamacare plans? Several people have posted about the low cost and high quality of the plans on another disability site I frequent. Since you just lost Medicaid eligibility, I believe this will allow you to qualify for a Special Enrollment.

http://obamacarefacts.com/special-enrollment-period/

http://www.healthcaremarketplace.com...w?on=OCF-inter

[mommystime2]

Originally Posted by LIT LOVE

Well, you could always divorce him!

I'm not saying I have a solution, or that I agree with the policy.

The reality of becoming disabled is that the financial hits often keep coming. As you are now finding, those that receive SSI and Medicaid often have access to services that are very valuable and not available to those that receive SSDI and Medicare. The cost of in home support services alone can cost more than many SSDI beneficiaries receive in monthly benefit...

Have you checked into your eligibility for Obamacare plans? Several people have posted about the low cost and high quality of the plans on another disability site I frequent. Since you just lost Medicaid eligibility, I believe this will allow you to qualify for a Special Enrollment.

http://obamacarefacts.com/special-enrollment-period/

http://www.healthcaremarketplace.com...w?on=OCF-inter

Hahaha yes we could divorce n live separately but I won't. I'm looking into all angles here every day. I just need to wait 4 months. I need to social security to say I'm medically eligible so I reapplied. Damn politics I say. I don't understand why my doctors letter isnt enough