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From: Pandora.Nigh@f3.n157.z1.fidonet.org (Pandora Nigh)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Disability
Message-ID: <15644@handicap.news>
Date: 14 May 91 20:14:45 GMT
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Index Number: 15644

  Hi Bill, did you also aply for SSA (straight Social Security
Disability)? I had thought that's what you are waiting on. SSA allows
you to get Medicare and that comes out of your SSA check. SSI is a
combination of State and Federal Funds. The Social Security Offices
handle the SSI checks, but the medical coverage (medicaid is handled by
the state.) and is subject for the rules governing income that all low
income and poor are subjecto. If you have a pension or a good sized SSA
check you may be disqualified in most states from collecting not only
SSI but also medicaid. I missed what state your from. California is more
leanient than most others on the amount that you can earn per month.
Earn in the sense that the SS administration means, ie. any income that
you get including SSA or SSI, not necessarily a paycheck type of income.
  Most of us on the echo can relate to your medical coverage problems.
One of the changes that will occur in 1982 under ADA is that companies
that offer medical insurance will also have to cover the disabled
employee or a disabled spouse even if it is at a high risk premium. The
restriction on this is if the company is very small and doesn't earn a
lot of money.
  Another thing that you may find intresting is : A new l, effective
July 1 1990 allows former disability beneficiares (who lost premium free
Medicare hospital insurance coverage because of work) to puchase this
coverage, as well as the medical insurance coverage. The beneficiary has
to be under age 65 and still have a disability. He does not have to be
working at the time of filing. Previously the law allowed people to
retain Medicare coverage, even though the were working, for up to four
years after beginning work. Under the new ruld, the person may elect to
buy Medicare protection once they are no longer eligible for this
extended coverage. The combined premium for this new coverage is $206.90
per month in 1991, with requirements that states pay all or part of this
amount for people with limited income and resources. You can get more
info on this from you SS office. Hope some of this info could give you a
hand.
                            Pandora

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