Disability Determination

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Hello everyone... My daughter was diagnosed at age 11 with Autism, Speech delay and Cognitive delay. Love her to the moon and back, wouldn't change a thing about her ! She was approved for SSI benefits as a child, but now that she has become an Adult she has been denied. My daughter still has Autism, she has very little eye contact with people, very limited speech and does not interact with people at all much less people of her own age. She is in her own little world and as hard as I have tried to get her to come out of her shell its almost impossible. I have a disability hearing meeting with a disability hearing officer next week. Has anyone ever been to one of these types of meetings before? If so, could you explain to me what will take place ? Have they already made up there mind when they denied her that she will not get any more assistance ? Do I need an attorney for this ? Any input would be greatly appreciated.. Thank you !

That's because you changed from SSI to SSD. Totally different process. Depending on where you live, they will routinely deny on the first, second or even third attempts at filing. Just to weed out the 'squeaky wheels' that are just baiting the system. Unfortunately, this is worse for those who need it. Many of us just get beat down by this type of thing. Have you tried finding a social worker to help with this? What services are available (helper of some type to navigate the travesty that is our governmental system)? Maybe you need to call those disability lawyers we have all seen the commercials for. I have no idea how they get paid. SSD is not a lot of money. I had it at one point. Lawyers have to be paid. I have no idea where they get their money from. From you? The government? I dunno.

I got denied three times. I had to go to an administrative judge about it. What happened was actually funny.

It took two years to get approved. By the time I got to the administrative judge, I had returned to work by way of my rehab program getting me back on my feet. He looks at me and starts off assuming I am there to continue the SSD. I'm in my suit. All collected and fierce. I was ticked off.

He starts admonishing me and I stop him quickly and inform him that I was looking at a closed period of time while I was actually disabled and unable to function while I recovered. I reminded him that was what it was for and that I was living proof it works. I had already returned to work.

He just looked at me for a second and then just said,
"This is for just this period of time?"
"Yes sir."
"Are you still in your program?"
"Yes sir."
"Approved...NEXT!!"

But, really, two years to get that after filling the first time?

They make a lot of assumptions. Many of them based on statistical 'proof' that a certain number of people will be faking it on any level. Especially on things that are hard to 'prove' i.e. Mental issues, bad backs, those types of 'invisible' maladies that can be faked. I have seen it, so, this is not something I read about only.

But, it is something you will have to deal with. Sorry I couldn't help you more.

Ty zkydz for your reply I live in Florida

I got SSD. They deny you at least once. I had to go to an administrative law judge as well. I then cleared up an error from my 1'st lawyer who was removed as unethical. But, that error fell between the cracks and the judge saw it. When I explained the mistake, he gave me my SSD. SSD lawyers take the case for a percentage of the first award. Since it takes time for the process to work through, the award is retroactive to when you first applied. So, the lawyer gets the percentage from that award. It will take time, but you should win. Interview some SSD lawyers until you find one who is ethical and someone who seems good.