Vicki's thoughts on navigating Social Security benefits
As the mother of a son with developmental disabilities, I well remember the confusion and uncertainty I felt when trying to navigate what benefits he was entitled to and how to go about applying for them. I knew nothing about Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Medicare or Mainecare.
Eventually my career lead me to become a SHIP counselor, Maine State Health Insurance Assistance Program. I am retired now but still feel confident explaining how Medicare and Mainecare work but to learn more about SSI and SSDI I encourage you to visit www.ssa.gov.
The Social Security website is extremely helpful in answering most of your questions and applying for benefits. Here are a few websites.
Benefits For Children With Disabilities
https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10026.pdf
www.ssa.gov/redbook. Or call 1-800-772-1213
My son has been on Medicare since he was 25 years old. He is also on Mainecare which is a secondary payer. DHHS should automatically enroll everyone on Medicare and Mainecare in a program called Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB). QMB pays for the Medicare part B premium and a prescription drug plan premium plus helps pay most of the co-pay on medications. You should call the State Pharmacy Help Desk with your child’s SSN and ask them to check. Their number is 866-796-2463. They can see all the benefits someone has.
I recently enrolled my son in a Special Needs Advantage Plan which is available to anyone who has Medicare and Mainecare. Advantage plans replace Medicare but offer excellent additional benefits. He now has a yearly $2000 dental benefit; a free pair of glasses a year; a $30 voucher for healthy food every month; $90 a quarter of free goods from CVS.
To learn about these programs you can call your area Agency on Aging. The number for the office for Cumberland and York counties is 207-396-6500.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Vicki Durrell
207-409-8379