Friday, November 2, 2012
Social Security
I have applied for Social Security for MaKenna but have been denied because of family income. However, one of my friends told me last week that his son may be eligible for money each month due to being born with a low birth weight. Not sure of the details, but I will be looking into this funding source as soon as I can. I have been told that going into the Social Security office in person to get better service. I know that calling the Washington DC number isn't a fun or fruitful experience (and this is remembering a phone call that occurred over 4 years ago!). I think they have to do a security check when you go in, so be prepared for that, travel lightly as if going to the DMV for your driver's license or car registration. Also, bring your child's and your social security cards just to be safe, they will probably want to see those.
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Here's some resources (some are specific to Southeast Idaho):
ReplyDeleteBannock County Resource Guide 2012 - http://www.familycourtservices.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Bannock-County-Resource-Guide-20122.pdf
Summer Foods Program - https://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/cnp/summerFoods/
Covered Preventive Services for Children under the the Affordable Care Act - http://www.healthcare.gov/news/factsheets/2010/07/preventive-services-list.html#CoveredPreventiveServicesforChildren
Southeastern Idaho Public Health Fluoride Varnish Clinics - http://www.sdhdidaho.org/events.php
InfantSEE (Free vision screenings up to age 1) - http://www.infantsee.org/
Costco Member Prescription Program (for prescriptions that aren't covered by insurance or medicaid/medicare) - http://www.envisionrx.com/costco/cmpp.aspx
SouthEastern Idaho Community Action Agency - http://www.seicaa.org/
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) - http://liheap.ncat.org/profiles/Idaho.htm
Prescription Assistance Programs, Discount Cards, & Coupons - http://www.rxidaho.org/, http://www.needymeds.org/index.htm, http://www.pparx.org/, http://www.togetherrxaccess.com/, http://www.internetdrugcoupons.com/all-categories
BabySteps - http://www.byfhome.com/family-resource-center.html
UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation - https://www.uhccf.org/
Pocatello School District #25 Head Start Program - http://www.pochs.org/
Early Intervention Preschool (in Pocatello) - http://web3.d25.k12.id.us/PDF/B_Office/early.pdf
Oley Foundation - http://oley.org/EquipExchage_completelist.html
Federal Lifeline Assistance program (Medicaid participants are categorically eligible) - https://www.assurancewireless.com/Public/FAQs.aspx#faq4
Awesome list, thank you!
DeleteYou're welcome. :)
DeleteI would be interested in any resources that you know of specific to southeast Idaho.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the Idaho Smiles program which is part of Medicaid. The handbook can be viewed at https://www.dentaquestgov.com/getattachment/State-Plans/Regions/Idaho/IDMemberPage/Member-Documents/Idaho-Smile-Member-Guide.pdf
Here's some information from the SSA.gov about low birth weight:
ReplyDeleteWe may make immediate SSI payments to your child
It can take three to five months for the state agency to decide if your child is disabled. However, for some medical conditions, we make SSI payments right away and for up to six months while the state agency decides if your child is disabled.
Following are some conditions that may qualify:
HIV infection;
Total blindness;
Total deafness;
Cerebral palsy;
Down syndrome;
Muscular dystrophy;
Severe intellectual disorder (child age 7 or older); and
Birth weight below 2 pounds, 10 ounces.
If your child has one of the qualifying conditions, he or she will get SSI payments right away. However, the state agency may finally decide that your child’s disability is not severe enough for SSI. If that happens, you will not have to pay back the SSI payments that your child got.
I copied the information from http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10026.html#a0=0 under the heading "Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for children with disabilities".
I don't think this is true that on these conditions they will pay right away. We have applied 4 times for Jacob (Down syndrome), are way below poverty level, but unfortunately, the land we live on has a strip going through it owned by someone else, so our assets are too high-----I guess our only solution is to sell the land, but they told us if we sold it at this point that it would look like we were trying to qualify for SSI and that would be counted against us. Very frustrated!
DeleteDo you have Jacob on the free diapers from Medicaid after age 4? There is a post about that on this blog called Free Diapers!
DeleteA couple of other things:
ReplyDeleteYou can get a library cards for BOTH Portneuf & Marshall libraries, and many others. See details at http://portneuflibrary.org/?p=60, http://www.marshallpl.org/library-information/get-library-card.html, and http://libraries.idaho.gov/blogs/ginapersichini/lili-express-growing.
Other healthcare options:
Federally-Funded Health Centers - http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx
Pocatello Free Clinic - http://pocatellofreeclinic.tripod.com/
Hill-Burton Free and Reduced-Cost Health Care - http://www.hrsa.gov/gethealthcare/affordable/hillburton/index.html
Finding Low-Cost Dental Care - http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/oralhealth/popularpublications/findinglowcostdentalcare/
Free medical and dental clinics - http://www.freemedicalcamps.com/
Also check county health districts, regional/local dental societies, and local dentists as many have annual events (usually lasting one day only) where they offer free dental care.
If you can't afford a car seat, ask the hospital if they know where to get one at an affordable price to you. Also, some organizations have a child safety seat inspection day. At these events, sometimes they will offer discounted car seats for sale.
Go to the link below for Disability Evaluation Under Social Security - Listing of Impairments - Childhood Listings (Part B):
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/ChildhoodListings.htm
Out of curiosity, are you going to keep this blog updated or write a post regularly? I enjoy your informative posts and ideas.
ReplyDeleteWhen I am getting more sleep, I will! Right now we have a six week old in the house, so that is consuming a lot of my time, if you know what I mean! Thank you for all of your great posts! I checked into Lifeline and will do a post about that once I figure more of it out. Through SEICCA and Qwest here in SE Idaho instead of Virgin Mobile.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean.
ReplyDeleteBesides Lifeline, there is another program called "Internet Basics" or something similar offered by many ISPs. Among other ISPs, CenturyLink and Comcast offer this program. The criteria to be eligible for the $10 a month Internet service is set up by the state. For instance, in Utah one qualifies for the program if one is a Medicaid recipient. For an application from CenturyLink for any state, go to www.centurylink.com/home/internetbasics/#requirements.
There is also programs for low-income people to purchase computers as mentioned in http://www.connect2compete.org/news/04-28-12/cheap-broadband-pcs-aimed-low-income-families and http://www.connect2compete.org/news/04-28-12/fcc-plans-cheap-internet-service-and-computers-connect-poor-americans. See details for the programs at http://www.goodpc.com/connect2compete-qualify/ and http://www.microsoft.com/publicsector/ww/programs/shape-the-future/Pages/index.aspx.
Another possible resource could be the Idaho Individual Development Account Program.
ReplyDeleteWhat is an IDA?
An IDA provides matching funds at a rate of $2 for every $1 saved by eligible individuals up to a maximum of $2,000. The savings account can be used to purchase a first home, attend post-secondary education or even start a small business while attending free financial education.
Participants can save a minimum of 6 months up to a maximum of 2 years to reach their savings target.
Total possible savings, including matching funds, is $6000 for the individual to use for the chosen asset goal.
IDA stands for Individual Development Accounts. IDAs are matched savings accounts that can only be used to save for a certain asset goal.
See more details (including eligibility) at http://www.211.idaho.gov/elibrary/IndividualDevelopmentAccount.html
SEICCA mentions this program at http://www.seicaa.org/uploads/2010%20Annual%20Report.pdf (page 5) and http://www.seicaa.org/uploads/2010%20Annual%20Report.pdf (page 3).
You can find a IDA Program near you at http://cfed.org/programs/idas/directory_search/
Here's more links to information about Individual Development Accounts (pay particular attention to the eligibility requirements, how adjusted gross income and net worth are calculated, and exclusions):
ReplyDeleteCHAPTER 11 IDAHO FAMILY ASSET BUILDING INITIATIVE - http://legislature.idaho.gov/idstat/Title56/T56CH11.htm
A Quick-Reference Guide: Rules and Regulations for Assets for Independence (AFI) Programs - http://www.idaresources.org/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=01570000001cnoUAAQ
AFI Project Administration - http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/resource/a-0
What are Assets For Independence (AFI) Individual Development Accounts (IDA) and Who Can Have One? - http://idaresources.org/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=01570000001dE8fAAE
Participants Forms and Instructions - http://www.idaresources.org/servlet/servlet.FileDownload?file=01570000000kF6JAAU
Any updates?
ReplyDeleteI have an update on diapers that I will post soon, but nothing else. Thank you for all of your updates!
ReplyDeleteHere is a new link I just came across: http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10026.pdf
ReplyDelete