Have SSI interview on Monday for difficult child, what should I know before?

mommy2royalty

New Member
I have never done anything like this before and one of the family support people on base has had me apply for SSI benifits for William due to his having Celiac and ADHD/ODD (and Athsma if they need to go that far into his medical issues). I am unsure what I am getting myself into though and how to do it correctly. lol! But I want to be prepared when they call on Monday.

I just opened the packet of papers they sent and found out they wanted them returned before hand (oops!) I am sure they can start things without them since really there isn't anything of importance besides his birth certificate. They say they will want the names of dr's and dates seen and stuff like that though. I can get the info on the dr's names but have no idea the specific dates seen for everything. Especially since things like the Celiac diagnosis was made 2 years ago! I have part of his records from that diagnosis (what the dr's sent me personally) but not all. I also have the report where the Dr evaluated for ADHD and said 'Probably ADD, Certainly ODD' Although virbally he told me that he has ADHD and will be labeled as ODD if we can not correct the defiant behaviour before he get's older so I have just been considering the main problem the ADHD.

Also we are in the process of figuring out how to get an IEP for him and have him evaluated to make sure he does not have any autism spectrum disorders because of his other issues. So what will happen if his diagnosis changes from ADHD/ODD to something like Aspergers? Do I need to start all over or just give them the updated 'correct' diagnosis? Should I inform them of the things we are working on, like developing an IEP for him and having him fully evaluated, or not? I was told not to give out any information not asked for but they do ask if he has an IEP in place so I am not sure if I should say, not yet but we are working on one?

I know I am full of questions. lol!

Anyone who has been through this and could give me any advice would be greatly appreciated!

TIA!
 

Fran

Former desparate mom
I'm my no means experienced enough to give advice but I think having as much official documentation as possible is important. I don't know of ADHD or possible ADHD is the first diagnosis I would go with. Make sure every evaluation done, you keep a duplicate.
As soon as you have some evaluations done regarding autistic spectrum add it to your documentation.
 
O

OTE

Guest
First I have to say that every state, in fact every social security office is different. What will be required will depend on the decision of the reviewers.

But I can shed light on a few things. First, diagnosis in the case you describe is irrelevant. The reason a child qualifies for SSI is because of his/her inability to function "normally". The child must be "severely" disabled in order to get SSI. In that set of papers they asked you to return was probably a questionnaire about what your child can and cannot do. They are looking for that questionnaire to indicate that your child is "severly" disabled as compared to other children his age.

Another point to remember about this first interview is that you have to provide info about your family income and assets. So your W-2s, prior tax returns, documentation of any assets including car registration will be looked at. In addition, you need to provide your and your husband's ss cards and proof of identity. I believe the same is required of ALL of your children and anyone else who lives with you. This is all to prove that you qualify under the income and assets tests.

If you want to get technical in terms of what you need to prove here's the law on ADHD and you can look up the other problems you describe on the second link which is the main page for definitions of specific disabilities in children.

112.11 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Manifested by developmentally inappropriate degrees of inattention, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity.

The required level of severity for these disorders is met when the requirements in both A and B are satisfied.

A. Medically documented findings of all three of the following:

1. Marked inattention; and

2. Marked impulsiveness; and

3. Marked hyperactivity;

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/profe...9 Psychoactive Substance Dependence Disorders

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/ChildhoodListings.htm

The question then is what is "marked". This is where your paperwork becomes important. It's not just doctor's evaluations that help here. eg the SSA may want your child evalutated by their doctors. They also are typically looking for your child to have been hospitalized repeatedly, to be in a self-contained class or alternative school for his issues, to have repeated reprimands from school, etc. So providing the school placement papers such as the IEP is helpful. If you're saying that your child is mainsreamed and doesn't even have an IEP you're going to have a tough time getting SSI on the basis of ADHD. I can tell you that mine was in self-contained Special Education class from pre-school through 5th and still didn't get it on the basis of ADHD.

Bring as many medical reports as you have and names, addresses and phone numbers of any other professional who has seen him. They will send a form to all those people to get more info.

Be prepared to spend hours there. Sometimes it's quick and sometimes many hours.
 
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