| Author |
Message |
    
DNewton
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 09, 2003 - 9:53 pm: | 
|
Paul:
A good friend of mine has HIV, ADHD, and has been hospitalized for Depression. He applied for Disability and was denied. He was receiving SSI and was told that it would be terminated He called the local office after receiving notifiaction and was basically told he would have to develop full blown AIDS and be in the hospital before South Carolina would award benefits. This will leave his with no way to get medication etc. Can you guide me on the appeal process and whether an attorney would be advantageous and what the cost would be? He's 29. |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 7:04 am: |
|
While it is true that HIV infection without serious symptoms is not disabling, of course someone with such an infection can be disabled from, say, depression. And the fact that he was hospitalized for it suggests that it is at a severe level; perhaps he is disabled from his depression.
After the initial denial, he has 60 days to request a reconsideration. Almost 90% of reconsiderations are denied. If his is, he will have 60 days to request a hearing. His chances are much better there.
A good attorney will considerably increase his chances of winning his case.
Attorneys usually charge 25% of the back benefits.
There are many potential sources for medication for him. Look on Needymeds.com, call your local United Way, and, since he is in South Carolina, try Communicare, whose number the United Way should have. |
|
