We are adopting 3 little ones, two of whom are autistic. One is very severe, she is non verbal, doesn't respond to hardly anything, and she quietly wanders away. I have family members telling me I should check into getting SSI-disability for their disability. I am unsure how this would help, except help us pay for more therapy or needs out of pocket for her. I also am unsure if it is even possible or finanically worth trying for it. Is it alot of appointments and run around?
I guess I am wondering if anyone else already gets SSI for autism.
Sevenup,
Be sure to ask your caseworker if the children are eligible for an adoption subsidy. With 2 of them having autism, you need it! Also, look on your state's adoption website and read the subsidy rules. You can still apply for SSI even if you get the subsidy, at least that's what we were told.
We're adopting 2 kids from foster care (one with autism, but we've had him since he was born) and we get subsidy on them til they're 18.
Also, you said you're unsure how the SSI would help--well, I'll tell you--You're going to need all the money you can get. You're going to be very busy with appointments for therapy and such and you will need babysitters and gas and a reliable car and car repairs, etc, etc. Not to mention educational supplies. Plus, you may need to pay for ABA which is very expensive if you can't find funding for it.
That baby is beautiful! She looks a lot like my daughter.
Yes, ours has both--private ins and medicaid. Of course, she was placed on our insurance when she was born. So you take steps to add the children once they are adopted and in addtion, apply for medicaid and SSI. They can use all three. Our private ins pays what it pays, and medicaid picks up what it doesn't pay. Not for everything (she is on the gf/cf diet and supps and sees a DAN doctor--this is not covered)...but regular Dr visits and most meds are paid in full between both of them.
ETA She is a cutie!
Hey Sevenup-
I was trying to look up information for you on Assistive Technology. I realized that the one I look at is for just the state of Minnesota. I wonder if they have a website in your state for such programs. The Assistive Technology website is awesome. It gives you information on loans, grants and waiver programs that you may qualify for.
I totally understand the money it takes just to get kids to therapy. I am lucky, I have MA for Eric through the TEFRA option, and they reimburse me 20 cents per mile. I hope that you can get Medicaid and get reimbursed.
I wish you luck!!! Please let me know if you need any help with research too...
And btw...5 in diapers!!! WOW! You should look into food support. You need all the help you can get with that many people. And lots of expenses just for autism needs. WOW. And if you can get food support, then it would be easier to do the gcfc diet. Just thinking...
Hi Sevenup!
I wonder what state you're in? I'm in Texas and I just today found out about some services I can get that I didn't know about.
Here, if some of your family is eligible for Medicaid and you have private insurance, Medicaid may pay for the private insurance premiums FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY. I was really surprised about that! So it may really pay for you to get Medicaid. Plus, with Medicaid you will have no copays to pay which saves a bundle.
Also, here, if you're on Medicaid you can get reimbursed for gas money to get to therapy appointments. And don't forget WIC for food help. If you can stand sitting in the WIC office. I just hate it and haven't bothered for quite a while.
I've also heard that for children with disabilities Medicaid sometimes pays for diapers, so that may be something else to check on.
Are you sure you'll be able to cope with so many children and the autism? I'm sure you've thought it through carefully
Marliyn~ I am new here and saw that you have a child w/ PDD, if you don't mind my asking, do you qualify for SSI? I know it varies state to state, but I am so new to all this, I don't know much. OUr oldest daugther has a physical disablity, her bladder was on the outside of her body, so she is on SSI. I know alot about that end of it, but this PDD is all new to me. Thanks!
Melissa,
I haven't applied for SSI yet, but I do believe PDD qualifies for SSI
D is PDD-NOS and gets SSI.. So yes.. As long as there is a significant delay..I was unable to set SSI ... it was all family income based, and although we struggle, I guess per the government I make too much money (??)
I was able to get medicaid for my youngest through the waiver program with the primary autism diagnosis.
Thank you so much.
My son, Eric, is on SSI. Thoughout the tons of paperwork, I asked myself if it was worth it. I knew that I had to do it because I was separated from Eric's dad and I have 3 boys total. I only have about 00.00 coming in per month so we needed the money. He qualified without a fight and I am definitely glad I did it. I entered a majority of the information on the internet. Here is the website where you can enter the "Child Disability Report"
http://www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability/child.htm
By entering information in there, I only had to go in 2 times to get the rest of the process done.
I wish you so much luck and I must say you are wonderful people for adopting children with autism.
You can apply for SSI, but it is totally income/asset based. Unless you're pretty much broke, you won't get it. Same with Medicaid based on a disability. You can qualify based on the disability, but if you have anything above the basic in income/assets, you won't be considered eligible. You can apply for the different Medicaid waivers, but expect to wait 10 or more years to get on one. The problem with the whole government assistance process is that it is based on levels that are very outdated. It's absolutely ridiculous that the waivers are touted so highly yet they haven't kept pace with the rising rate of instance AT ALL.
It's worth financially trying for it if you're on the line financially. But the reams of paperwork, disclosure of every detail of your life and the general headache of the whole process will make anyone think twice. If you can make it somehow without the government involvement, it will mean less stress. Consider though, it doesn't take much for a family to drown financially when paying for services themselves.
The rate of instance for ASD is now 1 in 156. The rate of divorce for a couple dealing a child with a disability is somewhere around 80-85%. My guess is that the stress of dealing with a disability is high on the list of reasons. But it's my bet that some of those that divorce do it just to receive much needed services. It used to be 'stay married for the kids' sake.' Now it's 'divorce for the kids' sake.'
SSI and medicaid are absolutely worth the effort it takes to get them. Autistic children have so many needs--you will need the extra money no matter your income.
If you are adopting from foster care, the children come with a small monthly check as well--because they are considered special needs adoption. They also automatically get medicaid until they are 18.
Make sure that is in the paperwork if it is a foster-to-adopt case.
We applied for Medicaid for our youngest son. It was based solely on his assets, not our income or assets. Our son got services covered through the medicaid waiver system within about 1 1/2 years. It varies from state to state.
I have a friend who adopted their foster son. He had some developmental delays, and everything was covered through the state because he was adopted. I don't know all the specifics, but I do know the family did not have to worry about how they were going to pay for the services he needed.
Best wishes to you and your familly!