ASPFI - Asperger Foundation International :: Information

The following may seem like an overwhelming amount of information, but we have gone to a great deal of effort to break it down and make it as user friendly as possible so that you are armed with everything that is required if you decide to apply. Right now, the only alternative to this extensive application process is losing out on benefits to which you and your family may be legally entitled.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits are needs-based benefits to help with living expenses for individuals who have disabilities than prevent them from working or for low-income parents raising children with disabilities. There is no requirement for past work, but because it is financially needs-based, there are (very tight) limits to earned and unearned income and asset holdings (including assets recently given away or sold below market value). Some assets, such as ownership of the home where the individual with the disability lives and some special needs trusts, may be exempt, so do not necessarily assume that you or your loved one is ineligible.

Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits are social security benefits, like those that elderly individuals can receive, except they are for individuals who can no longer work due to disabilities to help them with living expenses. One type of recipient of SSDI benefits would be someone who has earned a certain amount of money over a period of time in jobs where they contributed paid social security withholdings before becoming disabled. However, benefits can also be paid to an adult with a disability that began before the age of 22 whose parents (or in some cases grandparents) are eligible for social security benefits or deceased. SSDI benefits typically pay more than SSI benefits.

If you think that you or someone you love may qualify for SSI or SSDI, you should give serious consideration to applying. These benefits exist for a reason. Below is some more detailed information on eligibility as well as how to apply and what information you will need for the application process. This information comes mainly from SSA's own website, and has been synthesized and summarized with the specific needs of the Autism Spectrum Disorder community in mind. Asperger Foundation International did not retain an attorney or any other legal advisor to compile this information, and this guide is not meant as a substitute for legal counsel or other advocacy services.

1) Are you eligible? This screening tool on the Social Security Administration (SSA) website will help you determine whether you (or your loved one with a disability) might be eligible for SSI or SSD benefits. The questions are worded as if the person filling out the questionnaire is the individual with the disability, even if that individual is a minor; you must enter their information if you are a parent or loved one filling it out on someone else's behalf, not your own information. Click here to begin: http://best.ssa.gov/

2) If you think you or your loved one might be eligible, you may need these documents and information when you apply:

For SSI benefits for children:

· Social security card or number
· Proof of date of birth, such as a birth record or other document
· Proof of citizenship or legal immigration status. If your child is a citizen, this might be a birth certificate showing they were born in the United States; a religious record of birth or baptism showing their place of birth in the United States; naturalization certificate; certificate of citizenship; or U.S. passport. If not a citizen, you will need a current immigration document, such as an I-551 (Permanent Resident Card) or I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record).
· Proof of earned income for child and any family members living in the household, such as payroll stubs or most recent tax return
· Any records you have of unearned income for child and any family members living in the household (for example--award letters, bank statements, court orders, receipts) showing how much you receive, how often, and the source of the payment
· Accounting of any work expenses - see http://www.ssa.gov/notices/supplemental-security-income/text-work-ussi.htm for more details if applicable
· Proof of any resources in child, parent, or legal guardian's name (including bank statements for all checking and savings accounts; deed or tax appraisal statement for any property you own besides the house you live in; life or disability insurance policies; burial contracts, plots, etc.; certificates of deposit, stocks, or bonds; car titles or registrations)
· Proof of living arrangements: lease or rent receipt; names, dates of births, medical assistance cards or Social Security numbers for all household members; deed or property tax bill; and information about household costs, food, utilities, etc.
· Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any doctors, therapists, hospitals, clinics, and other providers of medical services that have seen or treated the child in the past year
· Medical reports, if you have them, including the dates the child was evaluated/treated and the patient ID number, if known. Note: If the child has not had the tests that are deemed to be required for eligibility, SSA is supposed to pay for those mandatory evaluations; in some states, you may be able to reimbursed for travel to those providers as well.
· Child's height and weight
· Names of any medication the child is taken and the prescribing physician(s) for each of them, from the label on the container
· Child's medical assistance number, if any
· Child's height and weight
· Names, addresses, and telephone numbers of people (teachers, caregivers) who can provide information about how your (the disabled child's) medical condition affects his or her day-to-day activities.
· Names, addresses and phone numbers of any schools the child attended in the past 12 months, including the names of teachers, psychologists, counselors, speech and other therapists who have seen or treated the child.
· Names, dates, and schools for any testing the child has had done for learning or behavioral challenges
· Names, addresses and phone numbers of any social service programs and the name of caseworkers that have information about the child.
· Name, address and phone number of another adult who helps care for the child and can help us get information, if necessary.
· Names, addresses and phone numbers of any employers the child has had.
· The child's Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) or Individualized Education Program (IEP), if the child has one; and any other school records that you may have.
· This worksheet may also help you think about how you will answer the free-response questions that will likely be asked in the interview, though all of the factual information should already be included in the other records listed above: www.ssa.gov/disability/Child_StarterKit_Worksheet.pdf

For SSI benefits for adults:

· Social security card or number
· Proof of date of birth, such as a birth record or other document
· Proof of citizenship or legal immigration status. If you (or your loved one who is applying) is a citizen, this might be a birth certificate showing you were born in the United States; a religious record of birth or baptism showing your place of birth in the United States; naturalization certificate; certificate of citizenship; or U.S. passport. If not a citizen, you will need a current immigration document, such as an I-551 (Permanent Resident Card) or I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record).
· Proof of any earned income, such as payroll stubs or most recent tax return
· Any records you have of unearned income (for example--award letters, bank statements, court orders, receipts) showing how much you receive, how often, and the source of the payment
· Accounting of any work expenses - see http://www.ssa.gov/notices/supplemental-security-income/text-work-ussi.htm for more details if applicable
· Proof of any resources (including bank statements for all checking and savings accounts; deed or tax appraisal statement for any property you own besides the house you live in; life or disability insurance policies; burial contracts, plots, etc.; certificates of deposit, stocks, or bonds; car titles or registrations)
· Proof of living arrangements: lease or rent receipt; names, dates of births, medical assistance cards or Social Security numbers for all household members; deed or property tax bill; and information about household costs, food, utilities, etc. Note: Being homeless is not supposed to make anyone less eligible for SSI benefits. Click here for more information on how to apply for and collect benefits without a home address: http://www.ssa.gov/notices/supplemental-security-income/spotlights/spot-homeless.htm
· Your medical reports, if you have them; and names, addresses, and telephone numbers of doctors and other providers of medical services to you.
· Work history, including: job titles, type of business, names of employers, dates worked, hours worked per day, hours worked per week, days worked per week, and rates of pay for work you did in the 15 years before you last worked. With an Autism Spectrum diagnosis, you may need to be prepared to explain why benefits are needed now if there is a work history, since ASDs are of course lifelong and they are used to dealing with disabilities with a sudden onset that immediately makes finding/doing paid work difficult.
· In addition, if you are acting on behalf of the person with a disability and they are an adult, you will need to call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) and ask for a representative appointment form (Form SSA-1696) for them to sign, giving you the right to act as their representative.

For SSDI benefits:

· Names, addresses and phone numbers of all doctors, hospitals and clinics; patient ID number(s); dates seen;
· Names(s) of medicine(s) you are taking, why you take them, and prescribing physician(s)
· Names of any medical tests given, and dates, locations, and name(s) of doctor(s) or other provider(s) who referred them
· Any medical records in your (or your loved one who is applying) possession
· An original or certified copy of your (or your loved one who is applying) birth certificate. If born in another country, SSA needs proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency.
· If you (or your loved one who is applying) were in the military service, the original or a certified copy of your military discharge papers (Form DD 214) for all periods of active duty.
· W-2 Form from last year; or if were self-employed, federal tax return IRS 1040 and Schedules C and SE).
· If applicable - workers' compensation information, including date of injury, claim number and proof of payment amounts.
· Social Security Number(s) of spouse or any minor children.
· Your (or your loved one who is applying) checking or savings account number if you have one.
· Name, address and phone number of a person who we can contact if we are unable to get in touch with you.
· Kinds of jobs and dates worked, if any, in the 15 years before current period of being unable to (find) work
· This worksheet may also help you think about how you will answer the free-response questions that will likely be asked in the interview, though all of the factual information should already be included in the other records listed above: www.ssa.gov/disability/Adult_StarterKit_Checklist.pdf

The SSA requires originals of all documents submitted - they will return them, which should take no longer than a month. You should keep copies of everything you send to the SSA.

3) You can begin your application by calling 1-800-772-1213 or by finding your local social security office and contacting them directly at www.ssa.gov/locator/. Depending on your location and the types of benefits you apply for, you may apply over the phone or be asked to come in for an in-person interview.

4) The best resource when applying for benefits can be the wisdom of someone who has already gone through the process. If there is a support group in your area listed in our links section, you might want to keep up with them regardless of what you decide to do about SSI/SSDI benefits; but they may also be able to help you prepare for what you may encounter when you apply to your local social security office.

5) If you are applying for SSI benefits, your state may also offer supplemental benefits. In some states, these benefits are administered by the SSA itself, while other states administer those benefits themselves through their social services departments. Click here to find out what, if any, supplemental benefits are available in your state - http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/ssa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?&p_lva=&p_faqid=85. If you do need to find your state's social services department, you should definitely ask when you apply for federal benefits for a referral to the appropriate place, but you can also find state social services departments at the NICHCY website - www.nichcy.org/states.htm

Long-Term Care Issues for People with Pervasive Developmental Disorders - by Susan Lesco