Disability for son,borderline retarded

[angel1954]

Hi
I have a son who is borderline retarded,has cognitive disorder,has social phobia plus other problems.He is 24. He was in special ed classes ever since he started school and he was held back in kindergarten.Hes always had learning problems. He quit school at 16 as he told me it was just too hard for him .Kids made fun of him. Kids are very cruel. He just couldnt take it. Ive always supported him and he did try to work at a couple different jobs but just couldnt do the work . I did try to get disability for him several times and once got a lawyer. He said there is no reason my son should be denied disability but he was. I had lots of evaluations on him at the time. Anyhow ,that was when he was maybe 19 not sure. My place of employment has closed.It is hard for me to support him with no money especially when I am partially disabled now myself with rsd in my left arm,wrist and hand. I am trying agian for disability for him but have no recent evaluations and he refuses to go to the dr. He just wont go .I told him he needs a recent evaluation done but he says no .So what do I do. I am sure that social securtiy will want something recent. I explained to them he just will not go to a dr. He will never be able to actually hold down a job making enough money to support him. He doesnt drive,functions on a very low level. Any advice. Thanks. Angel

[DiMarie]

You may want to contact legal aide or an atorney onhis behalf. If he is unable to participate in the process he needs a guardian assigned to help this. If you can be appointed that is good. Also, having the attonrey supports his innability to participate in a process may support his needs.

Also, I would if you can, online start an applciation for Dept of weelfare benefits. This would have him in the system for health needs, mental needs, if awarded SSI then they would take any forwarded monies out as a lien to pay theirself back. When my daughter was disabled at 16 she tried to work until 19. Applied for benefits while awaiting SSSI/SSDi.

She had to show from SSi/SSDi what her portion of the household contribution was. I beleive it came to $270 and they sent me a check for taht portion. Also, for some reason with SSI, In PA, they gave ehr a portion of her back award, then the next nione months or 18 months sent a last portion. They also paid the attorney out of the award.

Check the application online at ssa.gov and read what it relateds to a person inccapable for mental reasons how to proceed with the application process. You could call your local office also.

Good luck,
Dianne

[Lara]

Hi Angel, (and Hi DiMarie!)

I'm not in your country so am not sure of how it all works there but where I live I am able to make office visits or phone on behalf of my son. In fact all paperwork is duplicated. I receive one copy and he receives the other. That was arranged with special consent, but it's been very helpful over the years. Social Security might need some more recent information but if you're having difficulty getting your son to see a doctor for evaluation again, then phone them up and tell them the situation. Well, that's what I'd do here, but as I said I'm not sure of how it all works over there in US. We also have schemes which try to help people who have been out of the workforce for whatever reason, or people with disabilities of varied types, to find suitable employment whether that be part-time, casual or permanent. My son is now 19 and I've always worried about his future if something happened to me. Thankfully he's studying which has been great, but if he was 24 and still not either studying or in employment of some type, I'd be very worried about him. I hope you can get something sorted out for both your sakes. If you have a doctor or general practitioner who knows you or your son well then I'd also talk with them.

There is this site that might help answer some of your questions.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10029.html
Disability Benefits

All the best, hope you're able to get something sorted out soon.
Lara

[angel1954]

thanks for the replies.I do appreciate it.Angel