Disability Compared

I want to start by clarifying that when I am talking about disability, I am not talking about the short and long-term disability benefit you receive from your employer.  I am talking about Social Security disability.  This is a permanent benefit that provides an income for those who are unable to work.  This is provided from the Social Security Administration and is a federal program.

 I would like to compare the two disability benefits that Social Security has and explain the general process that happens to reach a decision.  These two programs are SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and SSDI (Social Security Disability Income).

Social Security Disability Income

• Only those who have paid enough social security taxes while working can receive this benefit.  The key number is 40 work credits but does vary by age.   You can earn up to four credits a year.
• There is no maximum or minimum amount for this benefit.  It is based on how much you have paid into the "system."
• There are no income limits or resource limits to qualify. 
• Family members can draw from your benefit as well (specifically children)
• Is retroactive to the date you can prove your disability began.
• The application can be done online.  Other paperwork can be done online too.
• If you return to work, you lose the benefit.

Supplemental  Security Income

• Program is available to newborns who meet weight and health requirements, young adults with no work credits, adults that don't have enough work credits, and those 65 and older who meet income requirements.
• Payout is usually based on how much income is coming into the home two months before the disability, and has a maximum payout of $674 this year for singles and $1011 for couples.
• There are income and resource limits to receive the benefit.  They usually coincide with Medicaid or are close.
• If you receive SSI you are almost automatically eligible for Medicaid.  You just need to apply and provide proof of the benefit.
• Family members should still be able to draw benefits from you.
• Is not retroactive.  Benefit begins the month of application and payment the month after application.
• The application must be done by calling 1-800-772-1213 to set up an appointment.  Social Security is moving toward allowing this to be online also like SSDI is.
• If you return to work and don't make of $674 a month, you can still receive this benefit.

The general process for applying for disability goes like this.  You call Social Security to set up an interview appointment or apply online at www.ssa.gov.  From there a "lead" is set up for you and the process begins.  Your claim is then sent to the local office.  Some preliminary paperwork is done and sent to the claimant.  Then the case is sent to DDS (Disability Determination Services) where the medical evaluation of your claim takes place.  When that is complete, it is sent back to the local office where the non-medical determination is made.  They have 30 to complete the claim from here.  From start to finish it normally takes 120 days or more to process a claim.  For more information on this process you can read my blog post from 6/22/10.

I trust this has been useful information.  There will most likely be more posts in the future that share more detail about these programs and the process for applying for them.

Helping you get the upper hand to change your life forever,

Peter Bunn
Rising Leader

Want a more stress free life and be able to be home with your family? Learn how to empower yourself with this experience: http://www.workingathome.co/19415?go

Medicaid vs. Medicare

I talk to a lot of patients in my current line of work and share with them assistance I can offer them to help apply for health benefits.  Almost every one I talk to seems not to have a clear idea what the difference is between Medicaid and Medicare, so I decided to publish this post to see if I could clear up some of that confusion.

 I have devised a chart that breaks down the differences and similarities between Medicare and Medicaid.  Below is this chart:
                                           

Medicare	Medicaid
Funded by Federal government	Funded by Federal government, but managed by the state
Applied through Social Security	Applied through Social (or Human) Services
Must be 65, disabled for at least two years or on dialysis to receive	Can be 18 or younger, 65 or older, pregnant, blind, disabled or have minor children in the home with virtually no income to receive (in most states)
Benefit is based on if you paid your Medicare taxes or not	Benefit based on income and assets according to % of poverty level (varies by state and program)
Has parts A (for inpatient & hospital stays), B (for ER/Out patient, doctor visits), D (prescription plan) and a few others for different coverages	Has different kinds of Medicaid for Medicare supplements, nursing home, families and children, disabled, adoption, pregnancy, in home care, and more (can vary by state)
Part A is free if you paid Medicare taxes, while other parts have a premium	Is free as long as you meet the requirements
Has a deductible for inpatient stay, prescriptions and maybe other services	Has little to no deductible for services

I trust this is helpful information and helps clears up some confusion about the two programs.

Helping you get the upper hand to change your life forever,

Peter Bunn
Rising Leader

Want a more stress free life and be able to be home with your family? Learn how to empower yourself with this experience: http://www.workingathome.co/19415?go

My Healthcare Background

With over seven years now of healthcare experience under my sleeve, I have seen many different things and have seen this industry change over the years too.  I started in 2003 with a company called Advanced Patient Advocacy and was placed in a local hospital to work.  My main focus has been to help patients that come through to apply for government health programs and Social Security disability so they could pay their bills and have a better life.

Over the last seven years I have been with the company, I have helped over 5,000 patients get some type of benefit to help pay their bills.  Programs included Medicaid and State and Local Hospitalization through social services, Veteran's benefits, workman's comp, COBRA, Social Security Disability Income and Supplemental Security Income to name a few.  Most of these I have done so many times I could do it in my sleep.

This experience has helped me gain extensive knowledge on especially Medicaid programs through social services and social security disability through the Social Security Administration.  I have also had the opportunity to retain acquaintances in these departments, and they have been a great ally for me in time of need.

My greatest joy in this line of work has been seeing the happy faces of those I have been able to help and having that sense of fulfillment that I had made a difference in that person's life.  So it is my pleasure to be able to share some of the insights I have drawn from the years of working in this field, and share it with the world.

Helping you get the upper hand to change your life forever,
Peter Bunn
Rising Leader

Want a more stress free life and be able to be home with your family? Learn how to empower yourself with this experience: http://www.workingathome.co/19415?go