Has any one applied and if so been granted disability benefits? The reason I ask is because my 17 yr old DD is in a residential treatment facility and has been there 2 months tomorrow. The cost is roughly 15K a month. The 1st 3 month are covered by insurance and then we will be responsible. At that point we were going to give custody to the state so that the state would pay for treatment because we are unable to afford it. Two weeks ago I was informed by the treatment facility to apply for medicaid for her to pay for treatment and then all we would be responsible for was room and board (a mere $100 a day ).

Yesterday I was referred to the Federation of Families for mental health. In talking with the director she asked if we had applied for disability benefits. Obviously not because I didn't know that mental health would be considered a disablity. She also informed me that even if she did not qualify it was the gatekeeper to buy into the medicaid program in our state. That way if she doesn't qualify for medicaid or disability benefits we could buy into the medicaid program and still keep our private insurance for her. Then we would have dual coverage and make this process a little less unaffordable.

Contact your local Social Security office - you can also call the 1-800# and get started. They will take your claim over the phone and then send you the documents. Do it quickly, as it can take about 5 months for approval, although once approved, they will pay you retroactively. It also takes time to qualify for Medicaid.

I would also appeal to your current insurance, as this is an ongoing need.

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Make sure to tell them you want to apply for Supplimental Security Insurance, NOT Social security/disability! SSI is for minor children with a disability. It is based on your income. If you get SSI, you will also get medicaid. You can still get medicaid without qualifying for SSI.

Social security/disability is for someone who is in the workforce and pays into social security out of their paycheck. Once they become disabled, social security pays what they've put into the system. Their children and caregivers can also collect benefits. It is not based on your income, but what you've paid in and how long you were in the workforce.

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You can call and make a telephone appt or an appt for the office. Be sure to fill out the online information that they ask for, they mailed this to us as well as some papers to sign and return by mail. Said that it would be up to 3 months before we get an answer about SSI for our daughter. Good luck!