Deaf Disability Benefit Specialist

A: SSA is the Social Security Admission. There are 26 local SSA offices in Wisconsin. To find the office nearest you, you can either call SSA's toll free number at (800) 772-1213 or go to the SSA website at www.ssa.gov and click on the "contact us" button.

B: SSDI stands for Social Security Disability Insurance. The SSDI program is financed by Social Security taxes paid by workers, employers or self-employers. To qualify for SSDI benefits, you must be an insured worker. In most cases, you need to have worked approximately 5 out of the last 10 years. The SSDI program also provides auxiliary and survivor benefits for certain dependent children under the age of 18, adult children with a disability and widow/ers of insured workers who have become disabled, retired or passed away.

C: SSI is the Supplemental Security Insurance program. This program pays benefits to low income elderly, blind or adults or children with a disability. SSI is a needs based program, which means that you must have limited income and assets in order to qualify. When figuring out if you are financially eligible for SSI, the Social Security Administration will count the income and assets of you and your spouse.

Yes, you can contact them directly at 1-800-325-0778 (TTY) or 1-800-772-1213. If you have specific questions about your application or benefits, you should contact your local SSA office, not the toll free number. There are 26 local SSA offices in Wisconsin. To find the office nearest you, you can call SSA’s toll free number at (800) 772-1213 or go to the SSA website at www.ssa.gov and click on the "contact us" button for information.

Yes, you can apply for Social Security online at www.ssa.gov. If you apply online, the local SSA office will still need to confirm the information on your application before you will actually start receiving benefits. The local office should contact you after the application is received online. If you don't hear from them, contact the local office directly to make sure the application is complete.

A. Medicaid is a needs-based program, which means that it's only available to low income individuals. If you receive SSI benefits, you will automatically qualify for Medicaid benefits. If you have too much money to qualify for SSI, but you are still low income, you may qualify for another type of Medicaid. In this case, you will need to go to your county social services agency to apply.

B. Medicare is the health insurance program for insured workers who have a disability or who have retired. Medicare benefits begin after an individual has received SSDI benefits for 24 months (2 years).

Part A is Hospital Insurance.

Part B is outpatient medical insurance that pays for things such as doctor visits, medical equipment and supplies.

Part C is a replacement for Parts A and B and is referred to as Medicare Advantage. It consists of a private managed care plan that covers the same benefits that would be covered under Parts A and B.

Part D is the prescription drug program.

Yes, you will become eligible for Medicare after you have received SSDI benefits for 24 months (2 years). Insured workers and spouses are also eligible for Medicare when they turn 65.

Yes, you can contact a representative directly at 1-877-486-2048 (TTY) or 1-800-633-4227. There is a Medicare website at www.medicare.gov. There is also a website for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency that administers Medicare. The CMS website is www.cms.hhs.gov.

Applications for SSDI or retirement benefits will be treated as applications for Medicare. No separate application is required. If you are selecting a Medicare Part C managed care plan, which will replace your Medicare Parts A and B, you will need to apply directly with the Part C plan. Applications for the Medicare Part D prescription drug program can be done online at www.medicare.gov or by calling the Medicare toll free number at 800-633-4227.

Benefits Specialists provide information about public and private benefits programs including Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security Disability Insurance, SSI, Food Share and much more. They can assist you with applying for benefits or appealing benefits that have been denied. Disability Benefit Specialist can also help you to better understand the benefits you are receiving and assist you if you have been notified that you have been overpaid benefits. The Disability Benefit Specialist is available to work with individuals throughout the state who are Deaf or hard of hearing who have sign language skills. There are also local Disability Benefit Specialists available at 22 county-based Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) throughout the state. Learn more about disability benefit specialist services to find out if there is a Disability Benefit Specialist in your county, or contact the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing 855-359-5252 or Fax: 608-264-9899.

In many cases you can continue to receive SSI or SSDI benefits while you are working. This will depend on the amount of money you are earning, whether you are on SSI or SSDI and how long you have been on benefits. It is important to speak with a knowledgeable work incentive benefit specialist to learn more about your specific situation. You can contact Jennifer Koehn at jennifer.koehn@wisconsin.gov at the Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, 262-347-3045 or Fax: 262-521-5314. You may be referred to a work incentive benefit counselor in your area. You must inform SSA when you are working, how many hours you are working and what you are earning. Timely reporting of your employment will help you to avoid benefit over payments.

If you think the overpayment is wrong, you have a right to appeal the decision. This is done by requesting reconsideration of the overpayment. The appeal must be filed within 60 days of the overpayment notice. If you request reconsideration within 10 days of receiving the overpayment notice, you may be eligible to receive your full monthly benefit until you receive a decision on your appeal. If you believe the overpayment is correct but you can't afford to repay the overpayment, you will need to request a waiver of the overpayment. You will need to prove that it wasn't your fault that the overpayment occurred and that you are financially unable to repay the overpayment. You will be asked to provide detailed information about your monthly income and expenses. Requests for waivers can be filed at any time, but if you have previously been found to have been at fault in causing the overpayment, a new decision will not be made.

Yes. You must report your new address to your local Social Security office.