USA, South Carolina

[carolinagirl]

Holly
Greenville South Carolina USA
State of South Carolina

Social Security Office: (Possible disability check for your disabled Angelman child (must fill out tons of paperwork and have Dr. note to certify in-home care) and your total family income under the roof is counted. There are income guidelines and many people are denied initially..so be persistent.
Also, if your home situation changes and you go from couple to single try again! Also, try each and every year because the denials/approvals can be kept in a file and can be helpful in the future.
Check www.ssa.gov and look under the index for SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

DSS (Department of Social Services) In Greenville this is located at University Ridge right across from Family Court.: Even if you have NEVER stepped a foot in here..do so now! A talk with a Social Worker may be the most enlightening conversation when it comes to what your disabled angelman child may have access to in terms of help. This is why we've been paying taxes into a system for people like our kids!

Medical Help: MEDICAID DSS-Department of Social Services located at University Ridge Government Office Center across from family court.Just off Church Street. Bring your social security card, your child's social security card, any healthcare insurance you may have/not, and proof of income for the last four weeks (paystubs), also any checking/savings account information. Be prepared to answer income questions/support questions about each individual living in your home and have their social security numbers with you as the more information you are forthcoming with and the more complete the paperwork the faster the process goes. They open at 8am and accept the first 20 people each morning to set-up for a new evaluation. Make sure you are there about 7:30am so your situation will be evaluated. I have two jobs and I have to take time off each year to do this BUT it is THAT important!

Medicaid is primarily based on low-income. Before you ASSUME you won't qualify...go and find out! I was shocked when I qualified for the first several years of Aden's life and the coverage was excellent and I was pleased to say that with Medicaid it was simple after you actually got it.

State Children's Health Insurance Program-SCHIP In SC, If you earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but can't afford to purchase private insurance. (A lot of us fall into this category.) There are some limits and if you work for the State/County/Local you can not get this coverage.

TEFRA (Katie Beckett) program in Medicaid South Carolina Medicaid TEFRA (Katie Beckett) Application FM 3290 ME (English)-can be of assistance to families who make too much for medicaid, have purchased private insurance but are suffering from the co-pays and the additional costs that are NOT covered by their insurance and need help so they don't go bankrupt from their child's medical co-pays. The Medicaid office has the packet to fill out and send to the state office in Columbia, SC. You will need: Copies of medical records for one year, recent IEP and School Psychological Evaluation, Proof of any income your child receives, proof of any resources available to your child such as bank accounts, savings accounts, trust accounts, life insurance policies, copies of health insurance card front and back that shows your child is covered, you will fill out a long and detailed application and will need social security numbers, fullnames and addresses and phone numbers of all doctors, educators, carers, etc. and PROOF of In-Home Certification DHHS Form 3291 ME, DISABILITY REPORT- Child under 19 DHHS Form 3218-D ME, and Request for Medical Records DHHS Form 921 (You will need to make multiple copies of this for every provider you list for your child. When you've done all that you send it to the
South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Division of Central Eligibility Processing - Attn: TEFRA
Post Office Box 100101
Columbia, South Carolina 29202-3101
If, for any reason, this TOTALLY overwhelms the snarl out of you..there is help from other parents to fill it out and get you over that overwhelmed feeling.

South Carolina has Family Connection of South Carolina, Inc. They provide a support network for families like yours. Contact them at Family Connection at 1-800-578-8750 They know lots of information for financial help for special families...ask them!
You have to re-apply each year and fill out tons of paperwork and get a in-home care certification letter from your doctor BUT well worth the time.

It is possible to have a child with severe medical problems and still NOT meet TEFRA requirements. It is frequently the lack of need for continuous institutional care that disqualifies a child. Still TRY!!~!!

Websites to browse:

www.hhs.gov (US Dept. of Health and Human Services)

www.dhhs.state.sc.us (SC Dept. of Health and Human Services) My favorite!

www.ssa.gov

This is what I have found out thus far in my journey with my four year old angel. If there are South Carolina parents/carers of older children and can offer insight for assistance with respite, continuum of care, etc..please post and let us know about resources. Half the time it is knowing what question to ask! Hope this helps in South Carolina!
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Carolinagirl and the A-Team (Angel Aden is EIGHT!!!!!)

[carolinagirl]

Easter Seals may also be available to help with special ramps or wheelchairs...each situation is evaluated.

The United Way....state what your need is and there just might be a group they can connect you with whose sole purpose is to help you with that need.


Don't ask and nothing will happen. You must be active in your seeking and have a willingness to fill out tons of paperwork!

Good luck!
_________________
Carolinagirl and the A-Team (Angel Aden is EIGHT!!!!!)

[carolinagirl]

Quick addendum: Be sure to have birth certificates with all the other tons of paperwork!

Holly
_________________
Carolinagirl and the A-Team (Angel Aden is EIGHT!!!!!)