medicaid for my son.

[onofre 1]

I'm not sure if this situation affects our case. My wife got her permanent residence last year and it will last 10yrs now. Like many of us, we signed an agreement that the immigrant will not be a public charge, such as food stamps etc.

My concern is my 3 yr old son was diagnosed with autism. We're taking him to therapy and he's improving. But the medical bills are piling up and my works insurance doesn't cover almost nothing of his therapy. So my question is can my son, a US citizen, can I apply for the medicaid card for him only because of his condition? And if so will this be a bad thing for my wife's residency, even if it's not directly for her?

Thanks in advance.

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

Your son getting Medicaid or TEFRA will not affect your wife's immigration, as the son is a US citizen.

Good luck, early intervention is key.

[SingleDad2usc 71]

You can't imagine the number of programs available for your son. Some are means tested and some are not, i.e. universal. Like Penguin said:

1. Don't waste a minute, he needs immediate help and will need it continuously. Never stop and think that either you or any level of government have any other priority than getting him ALL help there is.

2. Never forget the rule above.

3. Once Medicaid is approved, make an appointment to discuss Medicaid waiver - there are a lot of programs covered under it, including in-home (sometimes daily) professional.

4. Medically, he qualifies for SSI - but that's means-tested, and you likely don't qualify to be Payee.

5. "Early Intervention" offers tons of professional help, and is not means-tested.

6. Pediatricians may or may not have a clue about programs. They run their own private business, which is removed from any programs except for "insurance" itself - that's their living. You must attend appointments with a few child or autism advocates - to get better ideas about programs.

7. Not sure from what age, but keep alert and keep pushing doctors about ADHD. They don't like to diagnose it and prescribe ADHD medicine - but it may be key. Both autism and ADHD are relatively new, and doctors are tentative in terms of controlling their own liability. Only you have interest in long-term results, doctors' priority is sometimes more to just be covering their behind, business as usual.

8. Lastly, remember rule 1: the earlier, the better. Learning delays accummulate. Lost time can't be made up

[Ihavequestions 419]

You can't imagine the number of programs available for your son. Some are means tested and some are not, i.e. universal. Like Penguin said:

1. Don't waste a minute, he needs immediate help and will need it continuously. Never stop and think that either you or any level of government have any other priority than getting him ALL help there is.

2. Never forget the rule above.

3. Once Medicaid is approved, make an appointment to discuss Medicaid waiver - there are a lot of programs covered under it, including in-home (sometimes daily) professional.

4. Medically, he qualifies for SSI - but that's means-tested, and you likely don't qualify to be Payee.

5. "Early Intervention" offers tons of professional help, and is not means-tested.

6. Pediatricians may or may not have a clue about programs. They run their own private business, which is removed from any programs except for "insurance" itself - that's their living. You must attend appointments with a few child or autism advocates - to get better ideas about programs.

7. Not sure from what age, but keep alert and keep pushing doctors about ADHD. They don't like to diagnose it and prescribe ADHD medicine - but it may be key. Both autism and ADHD are relatively new, and doctors are tentative in terms of controlling their own liability. Only you have interest in long-term results, doctors' priority is sometimes more to just be covering their behind, business as usual.

8. Lastly, remember rule 1: the earlier, the better. Learning delays accummulate. Lost time can't be made up

AGAIN, where do you get this garbage?

YOU can't diagnose anyone. Nor can YOU determine or decide which benefits someone will or will not be eligible for.

The immigration related question was asked and answered. YOUR experience with this is irrelevant as YOU have never filed for or been subject to immigration.

Stop behaving like a benefit expert because YOU ARE NOT.

[SingleDad2usc 71]

Alas, many of us are less expertly - and appreciate the info that they can be a judge of, as applicable to them.

I admit: I have little knowledge on immigration, and that's why I'm here.

Edited August 22, 2012 by SingleDad2usc

[ceadsearc 516]

AGAIN, where do you get this garbage?

YOU can't diagnose anyone. Nor can YOU determine or decide which benefits someone will or will not be eligible for.

The immigration related question was asked and answered. YOUR experience with this is irrelevant as YOU have never filed for or been subject to immigration.

Stop behaving like a benefit expert because YOU ARE NOT.

The OP already said his son was diagnosed. The next poster made some valid suggestions about obtaining services for a child with autism. Where is the issue?

[ceadsearc 516]

.... you know, never mind. While I don't think tr autism-related advice was out of line here, after reading some other posts with blatant misinformation, I definitely see where you are coming from.

[HuklerYenny 21]

I'm not sure if this situation affects our case. My wife got her permanent residence last year and it will last 10yrs now. Like many of us, we signed an agreement that the immigrant will not be a public charge, such as food stamps etc.

My concern is my 3 yr old son was diagnosed with autism. We're taking him to therapy and he's improving. But the medical bills are piling up and my works insurance doesn't cover almost nothing of his therapy. So my question is can my son, a US citizen, can I apply for the medicaid card for him only because of his condition? And if so will this be a bad thing for my wife's residency, even if it's not directly for her?

Thanks in advance.

You can try to apply for Medicaid but I highly doubt you will be approved. You already have private insurance for him. Not counting your total household income. You have to qualify for Medicaid. It's not automatic!

Your son is a USC so he's entitled to any assistance programs allowed by law, ie. Medicaid, WIC, as long as his guardians/parents' income falls within the guideline.

Edited August 23, 2012 by HuklerYenny

[AF-Wife 181]

.... you know, never mind. While I don't think tr autism-related advice was out of line here, after reading some other posts with blatant misinformation, I definitely see where you are coming from.

True, more speculations than real facts!

[SingleDad2usc 71]

you got a call from "relationship disaster"

[Ihavequestions 419]

.... you know, never mind. While I don't think tr autism-related advice was out of line here, after reading some other posts with blatant misinformation, I definitely see where you are coming from.

That's my point.

OP, as someone else already pointed out, your son's Medicaid will not effect your wife's immigration status. Do apply soon as many times Medicaid will retroactively cover medical expenses, going back three months. Know that different states have different rules, so there is no guarantee, but it is certainly possible. Upon approval, Medicaid will be your son's secondary insurer, meaning it should pick up expenses not covered by your family's insurance policy and relieve your financial burden.

The GARBAGE about SSI being a means-tested benefit "and you likely don't qualify to be Payee" is simply not true. If a business entity can be a payee for SSI recipients, lawfully present parents surely can.

I do hope you apply for SSI on your son's behalf as SSI eligibility opens doors to other supportive benefits, including other Medicaid programs that are not available to the non-fragile population.

I wish you and your family the best.

[SingleDad2usc 71]

It would be fantastic if OP qualified to be the Payee. Kindly produce reference that household income and assets don't count

[Ihavequestions 419]

Here, on an immigration discussion board - which not a public benefits discussion board - "means tested benefits" refers to the immigrant's inability to obtain "means tested benefits" for five years after their legal residency begins, which makes it relevant for discussion.

[SingleDad2usc 71]

thank you for that explanation. so correctly phrased, OP won't qualify to be Payee if household income/assets are over certain threshold. The threshold is quite low; so 90% probability is unfortunate outcome. sorry OP. sorry ihavequestions for confusion

[Ihavequestions 419]

thank you for that explanation. so correctly phrased, OP won't qualify to be Payee if household income/assets are over certain threshold. The threshold is quite low; so 90% probability is unfortunate outcome. sorry OP. sorry ihavequestions for confusion

Woah, talk about misinterpreting.

Income and assets have nothing to do with qualifying as a payee.

More information here. As I've told you before, Google is your friend.

http://www.ssa.gov/payee/faqrep.htm