I recently just took on my 23 year old niece that has a traumatic brain injury, blind, deaf, cannot walk, and incontinent amongst alot of other injuries. She was deemed temporarily disabled by social security until they finish collecting paperwork. They did it basically for insurance reasons. I have no clue what benefits are available out there for her or for us to elevate some of the costs of having her here. Has anyone ever dealt with a disabled family member
that can pass along some advice? Makes me mad the hospital offers no Casework to lead us in the right direction. I feel so lost :( 

She should be eligible for Social Security checks every month if she cannot work. My sister has Aspergers Syndrome and she stayed with me while my husband was deployed and she got a check every month. I would call with Social Security and aplly for medicaide (sp?) For her medical. Do you have her as a dependant? You should ask Deers how to get her enrolled. 

I cant get her enrolled. Shes not a qualifying family member. She gets social security. About 400. A month. I spend double that taking care of her. Due to her injuries she has some strange issue that require alot of things. Not to mention 3 types of therapies daily, 2 types of counceling every other day, specialists she sees on a regular and then multiple trips up and back to Md from KY to see a IR doc. There is alot of expense and 400 doesnt cut it. 

Torri, I don't have any advice with services but I wanted you to know that I'm praying for you to find the answers you need and that you have have the strength and energy to take care of your family member. Taking care of someone is a labor of love. 

http://www.giclocalsupport.org/bop_statefactsheets/fact_sheets/Kansas%20State%20Benefits.pdf

I hope the link works.

Considering she is blind and low income she should qualify for social security as well as supplemental social security. Medicare and possibly food assistance.

I do not see anything that would help with travel costs, but maybe there is a place similar to a Ronald McDonald house where you have to take her to that you can stay at for free or low cost.

Because each disability is unique, caseworkers try not to give direct answers and will give you a broad statement, but they should at least be giving you a stepping stone!

I hate how it is difficult for those who truly need such services to get enrolled into them and they are picked apart; whereas, there are plenty of people taking advantage of the system that need to be reevaluated and benefits pulled. 

Brianna, you are so right and you gave some great advice :).

Torri, blessings to you and your niece; I will pray for both of you. 

Thank you everyone! She gets a 400.00 check from social security but i swear she eats that up. Her brain injury has affected her eating badly, docs say let her eat but I have gone healthier to try a curb a weight issue. And healthier is more expensive it seems. So what you are saying is she can get two different social security checks?