Medicaid Services for Children with Disabilities

It is the time of year when we are enrolling young people in MA waiver services for children and young adults with disabilities. There are always a lot of young disabled adults who are finishing school. Support services that they received while in school will end.

Parents cannot work unless their young adult is enrolled in something to do during the day. Here are some tips:

Prepare:

1. Don’t wait until the last minute. If your child is graduating in June, start the process now. Waiver applications are taking up to 5 weeks to be approved.
2. If you have copies of testing such as IQ tests or the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) find them. In the same folder, add identity documents (photo ID, Social Security card, birth certificate). Get a copy of your child’s Social Security award letter.
3. Talk to your child’s supports coordinator to get the application done and start thinking about the services they need. Make sure you are taking advantage of all services funded through MA, such as therapies. If your child has behavioral health needs, contact your county behavioral health agency.
4. Your child should have a current physical listing their accurate diagnosis.

Finances:

1. Current bank statements: If your child has been receiving SSI for a while, the County Assistance Office (CAO) will want to know where the money goes. The CAO will ask for up to five years of bank statements or from the date that SSI started if it has not been five years.
2. Hopefully, you have separated your accounts from your child’s. If everything is mingled, you will have to provide the bank statements anyway, and you may not be comfortable with that. (Special note: do not ink out the account numbers.) You can still be the representative payee and have separate accounts. Online banking is a great way of avoiding bank fees for statement copies.
3. If your child is under 21 and they don’t receive SSI, you don’t have to worry about bank statements.. Very young children have fewer resources and the process is easier.
4. If you use a debit card for SSI withdraws, get the latest statement.
5. If you have a life insurance plan or a burial plan, you will need those statements too.
6. If there are legal documents like guardianship or power of attorney, have copies ready.
7. If your child has wages, gather three consecutive pay stubs.
8. Finally, if your child has an Able account, you will need the current statement.

Submission:

1. Call the supports coordinator if you receive any communications about the status of the application.
2. If additional information is requested, respond promptly. It is a good idea to use online submission because there will be a record, or you can take documents to your local CAO. Get a receipt. Ask questions if there is something that needs additional explanation.
3. It is not uncommon to be asked to provide a letter of explanation for financial transactions over $500.

 

Over 21:

1. Be prepared to submit a yearly renewal/reapplication.
2. If your child doesn’t have SSI, they are required to apply. Keep the decision letter. Even if turned down, the decision letter should be attached to the yearly renewal.
3. If your child has employment goals, they should get an appointment with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR).
4. Last but not least, keep your child’s residential address up to date with the support coordination agency, OVR, and the CAO.

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