6 | SSI, SSDI, Medicaid & Medicare Disability Benefits Guide for Special Needs Families with Certified Benefits Specialist Amber Lydford

If you have ever felt completely lost trying to figure out SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare, or vocational rehabilitation for your special needs child or adult loved one, this episode is going to be a game changer. Host Jenny Olson sits down with Amber Lydford, a Nationally Certified Benefits Specialist pertaining to all things social security and medicaid related. She helps with applications to appeals, and how working will impact a person’s benefits. She has over 12 years of experience helping disability families navigate the Social Security system. Amber also has three children of her own with different abilities, so she brings both professional expertise and a parent's heart to this conversation.

Amber breaks down the real difference between SSI and SSDI in plain language, explains what actually changes when your child turns 18, and shares why waiting too long to start the benefits process can cost your family critical services. She also covers the Katie Beckett and TEFRA Medicaid categories for children, why you should open an ABLE account before your child turns 18, and what the SSA Adult Blue Book actually is and how to use it when applying for benefits.

This episode also tackles one of the biggest myths in the special needs caregiver community, which is that working will automatically end your child's benefits. Amber explains exactly how SSI and SSDI work when your adult child starts earning income, what vocational rehabilitation can do to help, and why encouraging your young adult to work early could actually set them up for better benefits down the road.

You will also get practical tips on the two key Social Security forms to print out and review before applying, why you should always call your local Social Security office instead of the 800 number, and why keeping a detailed paper trail of every phone call and document submission is so important.

Amber's closing advice is something every caregiver needs to hear: a no does not mean never. It might just mean not yet, or it might mean they need more information. Do not stop fighting for your child.

Amber is nationally certified and available to help families across the United States. Her contact information will be in the show notes.

If this episode was helpful, please subscribe so you never miss a new episode and take a moment to leave a review. It helps other special needs caregivers and disability families find this community when they need it most. You are doing an amazing job. Keep going. Helpful links about Social Security Benefits and More: SSA Ticket to Work Program: Home | Choose Work! - Ticket to Work - Social SecurityOfficial website of Social Security’s Ticket to Work Program. Listing of Impairments for Adults: Listing of Impairments - Adult Listings (Part A) | Disability | SSAEntry page - Adult Medical Impairments

SSA Form 3368: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-3368-bk.pdf SSA form/PDF 3373: https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-3373-bk.pdf Amber Lydford- Nationally Certified Benefits Specialist pertaining to all things social security and medicaid related. From application to appeal, to how working will impact the benefits. For advice on benefits, email Amber at: Helperatheart86@gmail.com

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