Social Security Administration

I know someone who is on Social Security disability and he does not look a bit disabled. Why do they give benefits to all these people that dont deserve them? When it comes to disability, looks can be very deceiving. There are many people who look quite healthy but who are quite disabled by anyones standard. For instance, many individuals who suffe... r from very severe psychiatric illnesses are physically healthy and able to do things such as outdoor chores and other physical activities. Who decides if I am disabled? After an individual files a Social Security disability claim, the case is sent to a disability examiner at the Disability Determination Service agency in your state. This individual, working with a doctor, makes the initial decision on the claim. If the claim is denied and you request reconsideration, the case is then sent to another disability examiner at the Disability Determination Service agency, where it goes through the same process. If a claim is denied at reconsideration, you then request a hearing. At this point, the case is sent to an Administrative Law Judge who works for Social Security and holds an in-person or video teleconference hearing. The Administrative Law Judge makes an independent decision upon the claim. This is the only level at which you and the decision-maker get to see each other. What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid? Medicaid is a poverty program and Medicare isnt. Many disabled people who get Medicaid get it because they are on Supplemental Security Income (SSI). To get SSI and thereby get Medicaid, you have to be very low income and disabled. Medicaid pays doctors at very low rates. People who only have Medicaid can have a hard time finding doctors willing to take them on as patients. Medicaid does pay for prescription medications. Medicaid can go back up to three months prior to the date of a Medicaid claim. It is possible to apply for Medicaid directly through a local Medicaid office without having to apply for SSI. For Medicare, it does not matter ...Read More