Hickman & Lowder Weblog

Social Security Disability News

Tuesday, 14 February 2012 11:54

In the "Good News" category:  Here is a copy of what our local hearing offices are sending out—for years, the letter used to warn claimants that their hearing would likely be scheduled 18-24 months from the time they requested one, but Social Security now says you can expect to wait only 9-12 months for your hearing. A delay still hard for claimants to bear, but a step in the right direction!

In the “Just News” category:  One:  Claimants and their attorneys will no longer be told the identity of the judge who will be holding their hearing.

Read more: Social Security Disability News

But...Hey! I Wash My Face First!

Tuesday, 31 January 2012 08:46

Click here to view the vlog version

Years ago, I read a rather thought provoking book by Robert Fulghum titled From Beginning to End:  The Rituals of Our Lives.  I was working in the world of long term care at the time.  While reading, I realized that I’d never thought much about my own rituals.  Actually, I hadn’t thought much about anyone’s rituals, including those of the nursing home and assisted living residents whom I had the privilege of serving each day.

The book addresses the importance of rituals in our daily lives – which side of the bed we sleep on, if we brush our teeth before we eat breakfast or after, if we use a two fluffy bed pillows or one flat one…   We all have our own daily habits which, when disrupted, such as when we are away on vacation, can make us irritable or a bit disoriented.  These rituals are a part of who we are and help us feel in control of our day, our schedules, ourselves.

I wondered how different my life would be if I were admitted to a long term care facility.  Would I still be able to stay in my PJs on a cold winter morning reading a good book until noon if I wished?   Would I still be able to shower each morning to help start my day with a fresh outlook and, even more important, with clean hair?   Would I still be able to have a cup of herbal tea before going to bed to help me relax and dream sweet dreams?  And how would anyone know who I am and what my daily rituals are if I couldn’t tell them?  And would anyone really care …?

Read more: But...Hey! I Wash My Face First!

The Family Home: Is it in Jeopardy if I Turn to Medicaid for Help?

Thursday, 19 January 2012 11:44

Medicaid rules define the home is as “... any property in which an individual has an ownership interest in and which serves as the individual's principal place of residence. Home includes the structures and land appertaining to the home property.  Appertaining land must be contiguous to adjoin the land on which the home property is located and must not be separated by intervening land property owned by others.”  Thus, my home includes any property that is adjacent or even across the street.

The word “individual” in the definition includes my spouse if I’m married.  It does not include my trust so, strangely, if my home is titled to my trust it is not my home for Medicaid purposes.

If I am unmarried and living there, then the first $525,000 in my home’s equity is exempt for Medicaid eligibility purposes.  The exemption amount is unlimited if my child who is under age 21 or blind or disabled lives there or, if I’m married, my spouse lives at the home.

If I move to a nursing home and then qualify for Medicaid benefits, the home loses its exemption 13 months later unless any of the following still live there:

Read more: The Family Home: Is it in Jeopardy if I Turn to Medicaid for Help?