General Discussion

I didn't have a regular ban account when mine went through and was on Medicaid and SNAP. When I received my back pay check I did what you're supposed to do, opened a checking and savings account to deposit it in. Wammo, I was put on Medicaid and lost my SNAP benefits because when they saw that single deposit it put me over the limit. Medicare didn't pay for a lot of what the Medicaid did. Now I would qualify for the state to cover my Part B payment of now 206 dollars a month initially. But once again once the state saw that check deposited into my account they're making me pay the 200 on top of losing SNAP. I cannot get a decent Medigap policy in my state because its "technically" against state statute for any insurance in the state to write medigap policy's from with in the state to anyone under 65 thats on Medicare. The Medicaid/Snap office tried to tell me I wasn't disabled because I had Medicare but the only way you can get Medicare under 65 is to be disabled!!

Regardless, I was told, by a disability navigator after the fact, that I should've had a family member cosign that check and turn it into cash first for me. The Medicaid office confirmed this and told me to re-file in 6 months if my bank account showed little to no balance!
So thats what I did. I pulled all of the money out into a fire safe in my house. Its insane. I still have nearly 2 years before I turn 65. So I've now refiled all my Medicaid/Medicare paperwork and my SNAP application. Its pretty insane but I should begin recieving SNAP and at least get the 206 dollar copay for Part B covered now because my monthly income is more than enough to qualify. That will save me nearly 2k dollars until I turn 65 and then will be able to get a decent Medigap plan.

If this sounds crazy its more than crazy, it's insane. I have been advised by 2 different people at the Medicaid office that I should've hidden my back pay cash from them and none of this would've happened. So they expect a disabled person to keep a large sum of cash (mine was over 3 years of back pay) at home in order not to be penalized by the system. Insanity. Like I said, not sure of your situation but if youre in a similar one to mine, especially if you're 60 to 65, just be aware if you're currently recieving any type of state aid before disability. Its been a nightmare for me. That check was for 3 years of backpay yet the state counted it as 1 month of income!!

Once again congrats and I hope your situation is much better than mine!! Good Luck!!!!