A Social Security Nightmare

My daughter was on SSI (Social Security Insurance) since her diagnosis of a severe seizure disorder and brain damage when she was almost one year old. That was close to sixteen years ago. As a recipient of SSI, she was awarded cash assistance as well as federal medical care (Medicaid).

Events have changed our lives off and on throughout the years. I lost their father when my daughter was three years old and her brother was one year old, leaving me a single parent for several years. The SSI check was a huge help in raising my children. The amount would go up and down, depending on my own income, and as long as my daughter received at least one dollar, her medical benefits were available to her.

When I completed school and began teaching, I called the 800 telephone number to report my changes to the SSA (Social Security Administration). Due to the fact that I live seventy-five miles from the local Social Security office, making the call, even though a long call due to being put on hold for up to an hour, is much more convenient than taking time off and driving over an hour one way. So I made the call and the income changes when I finally got through to a human being.

The following SSI check we received showed the changes I had made and was reduced by a significant amount. That was fine, as long as my daughter received the medical assistance she needs. But then I was very unfortunate to lose my position and once again become unemployed in May of 2007. By June, I made the call to report the changes. This is when everything stopped making sense.