Tomorrow I have an appt with Social Security.  I have to apply for SSI/SSD.  Insane, I have been applying and appealing for 3 and-a-half years.  HASA, a division of NYC - HRA requires that all clients, not currently receiving social security benefits, apply for benefits and appeal all negative decisions, forever! 

In order to continue receiving benefits from the city (local government) I must apply for federal benefits.  Why is this a requirement?  I may never become eligible for SSI/SSD until I am in my retirement years.  

Medically, I meet the requirements to receive benefits through HASA.  I feel it’s unconstitutional to force me to apply for a federal program that I do not qualify for in order to keep receiving the benefits that I have been getting for over three years. 

I am not looking to remain on HASA for the rest of my life.  I am employable and I hope find gainful employment someday.  Getting approved for SSI/SSD won’t make life better for me; the local government wants the feds to take me as their ward.  It’s all about money, not about the welfare of the client (me).

Her is what I found from agency providing legal service to HASA clients. (source: South Brooklyn Legal Services)

3.                  HASA clients are required to apply for SSI (and SSD) and to complete the administrative process.  This means that they are required to appeal any denials until they have had a hearing.  Therefore, as an advocate, you cannot tell a client not to pursue his/her claim for SSI.  However, it is very important to advise HASA clients if they will not financially benefit from receipt of SSI so that clients do not have the expectation of increased benefits or experience undo stress worrying about their SSI claims.

4.                  Who Benefits from Receipt of SSI?  There are still limited situations in which a HASA client might benefit financially from receiving SSI.  The two most common examples are if:

a.       the rental amount for the household is very low; or

b.      client is in scatter site housing or other subsidized housing in which client’s rental amount is a percentage of his/her income.

Please note, a & b:  Neither apply to me.

SMH