jillio

Excuse me, cloggy, but SSI and SSDI require documentation of "disability that intereferes with one or more of life activities." SSI is Supplemental Security Income, and is temporary assistance that allows one with a disability to train for employment, and to receive income while they train. As it is a temporary assistance designed to gain and maintain employment in the disabled population, one does not need to pay into the system in order to qualify (i.e. awards made to children with disabilities to insure that they are educated and receive additional services allowing for them to become productive adults.) However, it is temporary, and no one "lives off of "SSI for a lifetime.

SSDI Social Security Disablility Income and one must have worked and paid into the system in order to qualify for benefits. It is only used in cases of severe disability when working would create a situation of making the disabiltiy worse. Few under the age of 50 qualify for SSDI, and even if they did, their limited payments into the system via paychecks would limit the amount that they can draw. Payments are made in an amount determined by the amount that has been contributed over a period of time. One must go through numerous medical exams, and legal hearings in order to qualify. The average payment made through SSDI to disabled individuals is less than $700.00 a month.....hardly enough to allow one to live with necessities, let alone any form of luxury.

And the terminolgy used here in the states is "disability", not "handicap".

Deafness

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vallee

To me there is a big differences between handicapped and a disability. I don't see myself as handicapped.

I have a step-sister who gets SSI and she has seizures from years of drug uses. She also moved from New Jeresy to Tennessee because of Tennessee's insurance (TennCare). That is someone who abuses the system.

I helped a family this last year get SSI for their son who is mentally retarded. They need the assistances so they can provide a good home for him. This family did not know that they had an option.

on the other hand

I also had a family years ago that had 9 children. The mom was teaching her children to act "dumb" so they can get tested for Special education and get SSI. She would come daily to ask if I would get her test so she could get her money. None of them are deaf or HOH. That is an abuse of the system.

In any program, people abuse the system. Also in any program, people who need it, get it and make the best of it. We can't make generalizations that all deaf/HOH people do this.

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RosesNY

some hearing people who is not a disabity or hasnoicap do collcet SSI
some people who is on drugs or alcoholic do collect SSI

jillio

If someone has a history of drug or alcohol addiction, they can collect SSI while they are undergoing addiction treatment. However, if they are currently using alcohol or drugs, they cannot collect SSI. The SSI is provided only during the time that they are undergoing rehabilitation and return to work training. And as alcohol and drug addiction is considered to be a disease, and it does affect one or more of life's functions as determined by SS criteria, it is also considered to be a disability.

If anyone who does not have a disability is collecting SSI, they have managed to completely hoodwink the medical doctors, the rehabilitation counselors, the psychologists, and the legal system. You can't just go in and say, I have a disability" and collect money. You have to have documentation from several sources. People can apply at any time and for any reason, but to receive an award, documentation must be provided proving disability. And many more people are turned down at the application level than go on to receive an award.

jillio

It would take more than a kid acting "dumb" to receive an SSI award.

vallee

That is true, but in all programs, there are people who abuse it. I do believe that the majority really need it and it is there for them.

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vallee

Thats true, but you had to have meet this mom. Oh my, she was in a get rich quick. She thought of everything. Of course even when we said that to her, just like you are saying - it takes more than to act dumb. She just moved them from school to school. What is sad is the children in that terrible household.

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RosesNY

OK i understand that, I hate when some people think deaf person always collect SSI it not ture some are look for job and some job out there don't wants to work with deaf person

jillio

There will always be abuses. But it is extremely difficult to abuse the Social Security system. Doesn't mean it can't be done, but there are too amny safequards in place for it to happen frequently. I agree with you. I would go so far as to say that I know of at least one individual that deserved the SSDI that he had applied for, was turned down 3 times, eventually had to sue, and after medical testimony from several doctors and rehab counselors, finally received his award. But he was unable to work for 3 years with no income before he was given his award. The reason it was so hard for him to collect.....he was only 48 years old, and they automatically turn down any application for a person under 50. However, he had several heart attacks, and has a pacemaker/defibrillator, takes several medications. Despite that, he continued to work until his defibrillator began to go off on a regular basis, causing him to become unconscious. The last time it happened, he ended up in the ER with a gash to his head that required 17 stitches. His doctor ordered him to give up driving, and to apply for SSDI, due to several other limitations in what he could safely do. Despite that fact that he had worked steadily since he was 16, and had paid into the system for 32 years, he had to sue to get approved. My whole point is, the vast majority of those receiving SSI or SSDI are well qualified to be receiving that minimal amount of assistance.

jillio

I agree with you.

vallee

I agree with you. It does not stop others from trying to get it. My dad had an early warning stroke at 57. He had to fight for his disability. He was in a wheelchair unable to work or even move one side, but they had to sue for it.

Do you think people make this generalization about SSI because of maybe one person they know gets it or they can't get SSI?

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Cloggy

:sure:
"if someone is not disabled then they should not have SSI.!"

(do you see yourself as disabled?)

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Angel

Right, I do see myself as a disabled but as a handicapped ? no


Cloggy you're not deaf so its easy for you to sit here and label us.

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Kaitin

From the National Association of the Deaf: According to the Social Security Administration, 67,984 persons identified as deaf were SSI and Medicaid beneficiaries, as of October 2004 (latest figures available).

vallee

Wow you really got me on that one. I see my hearing loss as a disability. I don't think of myself as disabled.

I have a skill, I have a degree, I do have a career. I guess that empowers me. I also am independent. I felt this way with HA and I feel more so with my CIs.

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jillio

There are those parents out there, I know. IMO, chidlren's services need to become involved in these sort of cases.

vallee

Thanks researcher

I wonder how many are children?

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jillio

Agree with you on that one, vallee. Having a disability and being disabled are two different concepts. Being disabled means that you allow your disability to place obstacles in your way that prevent you from achieving. Obviously, you have not done that. Therefore, you are not disabled, even though you have a disability.

vallee

been there done that - Very difficult to take children away from families. Every year I have at least 4 to 5 class to children's services. I only have had one children removed and that was a sexual abuse case. ( I teach in a very low income school, we have upward 67% free and reduce lunch so we are a title one school). This is the first year I have not had a call to children's services.

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jillio

They perhaps know of one person who collects SSI, and they don't know the difference between SSI and SSDI, nor the criteria to qualify, and think that SSI and SSDI are some sort of government support like welfare programs. I find it funny that those who work all their life certainly do not turn down their SSA payments when they retire. They feel entitled to it because they paid into the system by working. Well, disabled individuals that collect SSDI have also paid into the system, and receive benefits based on that amount. They simply receive their benefits earlier because they are unable to continue to work. It is the same as taking an early medical retirement. So I certainly don't understand all of the criticism.

And SSI is not a lifelong payment, but a temporary supplement allowing those with a disability to become independent and sef sufficient in order that they will not need to rely on assistance such as welfare programs. So I don't understand the generalizations made about SSI, either.

jillio

Yeah, I know. It is very difficult to have a child removed because Children's Services has the mission of keeping families together if at all possible. But referral in a case like this can at least result in the parent being monitored and madated through legal channels to attend parenting classes, etc. Not exactly a solution, but its better than nothing.

Cloggy

Wasn't out to "get you".
I was expecting that kind of answer. It is how I look at my daughter.

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jillio

Kaitlin comes through again!

Oh, and just because a child is deaf does not mean that they automatically qualify for SSI. Once again, the parents' combined income has to be in the lower SES category. So I would venture to say that the number of deaf children receiving SSI is not proportionate to the actual number of deaf children in the U.S.

SweetOrchid

As for me.. I have no preference. I wasn't born deaf so I feel that in the future my children will be hearing or deaf it all depends on the male genes who I marry and his family history.

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SweetOrchid

As for SSI, I would rather to work than to sit at home collecting from the government. That's way I feel.

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Maria

When expecting a child, would you want it to be deaf?

It doesn't really matter. Once this child is born... that's it and it will tell me what this child have. I will always love this child unconditionally... no matter, whether this child be deaf or hearin'. This child is MY blood and flesh and I will always accept this child. A child is a gift from LOVE in despite of " what ".

What about you, Cloggy ? When you expect a child, would YOU want this child to be deaf ? ( FYI, please do not call a deaf child " it " ... ok ? )

What if, LOVE give you a deaf child when expectin' a child - what are you gonna do with this deaf child that is born from the mother ( be it your gf/or wife ) ? There's neeever a " want ". There's always " happen ". Sooo...it's why I said earlier in this post that I will always accept this deaf child if, there's happen, not a want. Love decide, not you or me or anyone.

shel90

I see the same about my hearing loss too.

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vallee

I know Cloggy!

My mom always said I have choice how to raise you - one to be handicapped or two to use your ability not your disability.

One thing you and jillio have agreed on is you both are/have raised your children not to be handicapped. You might not agree on the ways to raise your children, but each parent is different. So hats off to the two of you for not looking at your children's disability as an inability.

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Cheri

That's correct, Look at that line where vallee said will you, Lantana.


Good post again, vallee.

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jillio

One does not "sit at home" while collecting SSI. If you will see the explanations provided elsewhere in this forum, unless you are a child who receives SSI payments through age 18, then you must either be a full time student or training for a job, or be employed at least part time while looking for full time employment. SSI is temporary assistance.