Just been approved for SSI

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I went to a hearing in front of a Administrative Law Judge. She ruled in favor for a years worth of SSI benefits with a review in 1 year. She said some paperwork should be in the mail in a few weeks. What does that mean.

Was the judges decision final or is their still paperwork I have to tend to. I know the standard SSI payment for someone living with a friend is around $500 if I'm not mistaken.

Sounds like you will have wait and see what the paperwork says. I'm only guessing it's to set up the payments and agree with the ruling ?

I would love to hear how the process went and what if any were the 'qualifiers' for it. I know people here in FLA that really struggle with AS and SSI just rejects them left and right simply because the person held a minimum wage job on and off for a few years (apparently that is proof they are not struggling.. how messed up is that?).

You can post it here of PM me if you wish.

What it means is that they've judged that you are disabled enough, and have few enough resources and family assistance, so that you need SSI payments to survive.

The one-year interval is what they call a "reevaluation". Almost all cases of disability payments have reevaluation periods. You get disability payments for that time, and then you go in for another evaluation--by a doctor, usually, or a psychologist--to confirm that you are still disabled.

There are variable periods for reevaluation; generally, one, three, or seven years. Seven years is for things that are obviously going to be permanent, like a spinal cord injury that took place five years ago with no recovery of function since. The one-year period means that they believe that in the future you may no longer be disabled enough to need SSI, so they want to check up on you every year. Most of the time, it's a formality and you're approved for another time interval, the same or longer.

Chances are, they figure that you're disabled, and you need SSI; but you have the potential to improve to become more independent and eventually to support yourself. For most autistic people, I think that's probably the case. Learning useful skills can make you employable even when you can't hold what NTs would consider "simple" jobs.

There are ways to stop the reevaluation. The main way is to get into a pre-employment training program or a supported employment program. Those postpone your reevaluation. The idea is that they want to keep you fed and housed while you learn to support yourself, with the goal of eventually getting off SSI altogether. This is what I'm doing; I'm working with my state's bureau of vocational rehabilitation to get a college degree, learn independent living skills, and become self-supporting. If it weren't for that, I would be on a three- or five-year reevaluation cycle, I think--not sure which, right now.

In general, the BVR can get you employed within anywhere from six months to six years. Six years is the extreme because it represents going through a four-year college degree slowly--and yes, they do send people to college, if they determine it's the best way for you to get sustainable employment. Ironically, college may be one of the less expensive ways to get someone employed because of how most disabled people who are eligible for BVR help to get through college are also eligible for lots of scholarships, both for being disabled and for being academically talented enough to get good grades consistently.

So--Yes, you were approved. The one-year interval just means that you, like the vast majority of SSI recipients, aren't approved for life, but are periodically reevaluated to be sure that SSI is still necessary.

Very Interesting thread.

TheSunAlsoRises

I talked to the judge via a Video Conference. She was in Orlando and I was in Ocala. The Judge asked the Vocational Expert how many low-level jobs requiring limited social interaction and repetitive tasks there was in Orlando. The expert said 1,000 in Orlando. Then the Judge asked the expert if I will be able to work at these jobs. She said no at this moment. Then the Judge made the decision to approve my case.

What was weird about me getting approved was that I didn't have a attorney. All I had was the person taking care of me as a witness. I also don't have much medical evidence. Having not been to a Doctor on a regular basis in my life. I know I should have had more medical evidence and an attorney but I am new to this. I was approved none of the less.

Oh and I am currently going to 4 year school right now via funding from Vocational Rehab.

Also, would anyone know when I should get my letter as well as start seeing checks in the mail.

No, the witness is just a friend who has been taking care of me since I was 19 when I moved away from my parents.

As far as medical records go all I have is the records issued by Vocational Rehab and the School System. As well as a psychologist I was seeing.

One thing I didn't notice in any of the posts in this thread, and something you may find important, is that a person who is collecting SSI normally does not collect the money himself or herself. You will probably have to choose a guardian (perhaps your 19-year-old friend will do) who will govern the money for you, and write checks or use the debit card in your stead. The paperwork you receive will include a form your guardian has to fill out, and your guardian will have to go to a local Social Security Administration office for an interview. (The Social Security Administration is the governmental entity that deals with SSI.) You and your guardian will have to establish a checking account or other similar entity where the money will be sent. The account will be governed by your guardian; you will have no access to it yourself. At least, this is what I had to go through a while back. - LJS

I was also reading that on SSI you can't have over $2,000 in your bank account. How does that work. Does that mean you must spend most of the back pay that they give you for past due benefits.

you do have some time to get your bank balance below $2,000 they don't expect you to get it down right away. You can call social security to get the amount. Also with SSI if the back payment is over a certain amount they divide the payment into several payments spread out over a few months so you don't have to spend a big chunk at once. I think with a full year of back payments you will probably get two separate checks 4-6 months apart.

The paperwork you will be getting in the mail will direct you to call your local social security office with information such as your bank routing number and account number. In my case my local social security office called me before I got the letter. Imagine that, a government agency getting something done early. In all it will take a month or two to start getting regular monthly checks. As long as you are not married SSI pays everyone a flat rate of a little under $700/month. Some states will add in additional money.