What government assistance do you get, how did you get it ?

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I cannot figure out how to get any type of government services since I left my parents and school. How do I get government assistance for my Autism. I don't make much money and have not been able to figure out how to get health insurance.

So I am curious, what kind of government assistance do you get? And how, who did you see to get it? I have an official dx.

Thanks,

Idaho Aspie

I wouldn't have been able to get it without my mother (I don't speak on the phone, nor am I able to "execute" the many functions required; I'd go and hunt stuff to eat...).

I'm on a disability pension that I'm currently working on to remove myself from; I have a government job lined up and everything, I just need to work more on my "people" skills (taking orders, trying to curb my defiance to perceived orders, talking to people, etcetera).

My mother called up...uh, the disability place and got them to send the forms out; I filled them out with my GP, who assessed me at the time and saw that I was/am unable to work; she wrote out all of my troubles and stuff, diagnoses, etcetera (as well as listing all of the professionals I see--the one who diagnosed me with autism for example). Handed it all in. Got called up to see a government psychologist to assess me (interesting note, her daughter has AS, and that's why she became a psycho, to try and help her daughter. She said it didn't help her), deemed as unfit to work. Get some money every fortnight that buys food/fuel/bills (for the most part).

We have a decent health care system over here (Oz), so seeing professionals is of no bother and requires hardly any assistance.

Can you go to your local Autism Assoiciation and ask for thier help? Ask a member of your family to be a Support Person to help you with forms and getting assistance. Also ask you doctor or pyschologist.
I'm in NZ and my social worker filled out forms to get my son's disability allowance. I could have done it tho lol. My son needed his Paediatrician to fill out a section.
All the best!! !! !!

You need to contact the Social Security Administration. Tell them you want to apply for disability. They will be able to assist you.

I was denied disability on my initial application, which took 6 months. At that time, my caseworker told me that, If I appealed it, I would win, but it would take another year to get approved. I was broke at the end of the first 6 months. There was no way I could wait another year, so I decided not, to appeal my case, and was forced to find work.

My advice to you is, be ready to wait the 18 months, if you decide to file. Hopefully, you have family or friends that can help you out. Best of luck.

Can't yu work part time and get the benifiets? I am really only in need of health insurance. I make just enough to get by, but I can only do it for so long.

Thanks,

Idaho Aspie

Which country do you live in? It's easier to give more specific help if we know which government you're asking from. XD In the UK there's a Disabled Living Allowance which (I think) you apply for through your local council, and which is really depressing to fill out.

Move to Oregon and qualify for the Oregon Health Plan, which is a universal health care plan. It includes dental and medical. In the meantime, apply at SSI. While you are applying, you will have your health care. If you finally qualify (and it took my son just a few months [less than 3 or 4, I think]), then I think you can get the PLUS variety of the Oregon Health Plan which has no copays at all for anything and I think covers more, too. All drugs are free. My daughter needs $600/mo of meds for her seizures and I pay exactly zero for them. Plus food stamps of course, but the 'cash' variety, which means you can literally exchange your food stamps for dollars, if you want them.

If you haven't qualified for SSI, though, the Oregon Health Plan is means-tested so you need a low enough income. But it doesn't sound as though that is a problem for you.

Jon

Last edited by jonk on 11 Feb 2008, 4:12 am, edited 2 times in total.

Thanks for the advice but, I refuse to make just enough to get by. I have been earning 45K+ yearly, and now I am used to that style of living. I will only have to work a couple more years. I plan to retire before age 40. Full disability + Ebay sales would have meant an even earlier retirement but, since I stuck it out for 13 years already, I guess I can do another 4 or 5. Thank god for meds, I couldn't do it without them.

Oops, double-post!

Last edited by Odin on 11 Feb 2008, 8:56 am, edited 1 time in total.

I receive rent subsidies through Section 8 Housing Assistance, food stamps, as well as Social Security Disability Income because I have a lot of trouble holding a low-pay service industry "McJob." I also get free health benefits through Minnesota-care, my state's free healthcare program of poor families and the disabled.

To get SSDI you must convince the bureaucrats at Social Security as well as your city or county officials that your Dx limits your ability to work. Section 8 is mainly based on being low-income, especially if one is low income with kids and/or disabled. Be advised that section 8 waiting lists tend to be very long, it took me a year and a half to get on it. Food stamps is based on income; here in Minnesota you don't get actual stamps but instead you get a special debit card.

Last edited by Odin on 11 Feb 2008, 8:57 am, edited 1 time in total.

Congratulations, Daniel! Government job = good job security, benefits, and union support, at least that is how it is over here in the US.

Thanks. Job security and the structured environment is what appeals to me, as well as the job itself (trainee park ranger; not many people).

Interesting note, the job was lined up for me by the autism clinic I go to; that alone makes all of the "therapy" and social training worth it.

My mom and I swear that my late maternal grandfather Kennith had AS and he was an accountant for the city government of Fergus Falls, Minnesota. It was a very structured job that was free of sensory distractions according to my grandmother.

Most states offer health insurance to anyone. I get health insurance from my state. Each state has different health insurance available. I'm assuming you're from Idaho. I looked up Idaho and it looks like everyone, regardless of income, is eligible to buy health insurance. You can contact an insurance company to buy a policy. If you aren't approved, you can buy a high-risk policy at a discount. http://healthinsurance.idaho.gov/health ... chase.aspx

Other government assistance that is available is SSI (if you're disabled), food stamps, section 8 housing (you rent an apt and pay 30% of income), energy assistance (to pay for heat), and medicaid (health insurance for the extremely poor). If you get SSI, I think you get health insurance with it from medicaid.

Last edited by zendell on 11 Feb 2008, 12:28 pm, edited 2 times in total.

I am 14, 15 in less than 2 weeks, and me and my dad are working to try to find a way to have the government pay for, or at least assist in paying for, an aspie-only private school for me.

Whilst I do understand that autism can be debulitating, I also know that I have a decent case of AS and looking ba0k on it - praise my father for pushing me foeward and into life and accepting no excuses.

Work is still a challenge foe me at fifty four. But I have grown while in the workplace. Nad I would truly be less a person without the experience of making it on my own. I would be so less if assistance had allowed me to take the easy route and remain alone and isolated and live off unearned money. And earned money stokes my aspie fragile ego.

Get assistance only if you really must. Otherwise gwt out there and play the game and earn for yourself a life.