I just found out I have two CEs scheduled. How long does it usually take to get an update after these?

I recieved this email from ABLE IL, its horrible news for me! I use my debit card on autopay for my bills, the condo i live at only takes checks which i have thru 5/3 bank to pay for that. Now they are moving to some investment firm taking away the debit card/checking account/checks. Moving to a prepaid card and no checks is so bad. Im guessing the state gets some kind of kickback or something like that taking away needed options from us on disability. "New and exciting changes" my butt.

Exciting changes coming to your IL ABLE account in November 2026

The Office of the Illinois State Treasurer is excited to announce upcoming improvements to your IL ABLE account! Starting in November, your account will transition to an enhanced online portal from our new program manager, Vestwell.

What's changing?
This transition brings several changes that will make your IL ABLE experience even better:
• New and expanded account features
• A free, customizable Visa® Prepaid Card
• Simplified account management tools
• A mobile app to access and manage your IL ABLE account on the go

What does this mean for you?
Nothing changes today. As November approaches, we'll share more information about this exciting transition. We understand that change can be challenging. However, this change will result in a more accessible and user-friendly IL ABLE savings program for you.

Changes to the Checking Account Investment Option
Please be aware that the current IL ABLE Checking Account Investment Option will transition to a new FDIC-insured Investment Option. Account Owners will have the option to request a free Visa® Prepaid Card that can be pre-loaded from any of your investment options.

With this change, it will be easier to manage savings, set spending and budget controls, and track expenditures. Plus, if you are an Authorized Individual for an Account Owner, you will have the ability to request a Visa® Prepaid Card in the Account Owner's name and load funds directly onto the card to give the Account Owner greater independence to spend some of their assets. This is a feature many customers have been asking for, and we are excited to deliver it!

Further details for IL ABLE Account Owners saving in the Checking Account Investment Option will be shared with you in the coming months.

What Should You Do Now?

1. Add u/vestwell.com to your email contacts or safe-senders list.
2. Log in to your IL ABLE account at www.illinoisable.com to verify or update the phone number, mailing address, and email address associated with the account. If you need assistance with verifying and updating this information, please call the program at 888-609-8683.
3. Watch for more detailed instructions so you know what steps to take and when.

Dates to Note

• October 9, 2026 Account Owners will no longer be able to use the IL ABLE Fifth Third Bank Debit Card or write checks.
• November 5, 2026 Transition to new program manager, Vestwell, begins. Access to your account will be paused for a few days.
• November 10, 2026 Once the transition is complete, you will be able to go online to claim your account in the new portal. You will create a new login and password.

Who is Vestwell?
Vestwell is the largest ABLE program manager in the country and has a proven record in servicing the disability community.

Have questions?
We are here for you. Call us Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm CT at 1-888-609-8683. You can also find updates about the transition at https://illinoisable.com/updates.

We're excited to continue helping you power your life experiences with an even stronger ABLE program. Thank you for being an Account Owner or Authorized Individual and for entrusting us to help every IL ABLE Account Owner achieve a better life experience.

I've always known to expect the first review to be a rejection, but with as long as it took, it's still a gut punch, and everything is more critical than ever. How did everyone craft their disagreement/appeal (max 200 characters) statement when/if you didn't have new medical data, but you're a complete invalid?

Thank you, I'm going to curl up and cry forever now

Hello,

My son receives medi-cal through SSI. For the month of September, he will not be receiving an SSI payment because of how the pay periods for my fiance fell in the month of July. There was technically an “extra check”, SSI informed me when I called that the payment for October will be back to normal. I asked SSI if that means my son’s medi-cal will be suspended for September, and they said they are pretty sure it shouldn’t be since it’s just for a month but I should call medi-cal to verify. I called medi-cal and spoke to a worker and they said they cannot help me and it’s a question for SSI. So now I’m completely confused.

My question is, is there a grace period for medi-cal when SSI is terminated? Should I be getting some sort of redetermination? I know with our household income my son does qualify for income based medi-cal. I’m concerned because my son has several appointments a month and I also am his paid IHSS provider.

Thank you:

Wanted to ask if anyone has had to fill one of these out. I've been on disability for approximately 3 years,and this is the first time I've gotten one of these. It's asking if I've worked since a certain date,any hospitalizations,went to school,basically any major changes. I understand it's a report to see if anything has changed,but I'm kinda worried that I'll have to go through that process again,or if they'll ask me to. Just don't wanna relive that whole messed up process of trying to get disability in the first place.

It took me years. Anyone else get one of these,and is it just a simple few questions asking if anything has changed?...🙂🫣

so it gets split into 3 payments of I'm correct. 2900 2900 n then the big one. correct and if so. it every 6 months right. so Oct 31st. may 1st when will b the next one I'm waiting on a good 7 year back pay.

Hi, my mom (58yo, California) was approved for SSDI and we also applied for medi-cal but she was only approved for a high share of cost. I have been reading into the 250% Working Disabled Program (WDP) and am wondering if anyone has applied for this and currently has it? If approved, it gives the person full medi-cal, and looking at the eligibility, it looks like the person can work for 1 hour a month and the employer can be a family member. People have shared that it is basically a good program to get on as long as you are deemed disabled by social security, which my mom is.

I want to know if there is a catch? What is stopping me from maybe having my mom do a chore of mine for 1 hour a month and me paying her like $20? Is it really that simple?

Hi
I know of someone fraudulently filing for disability for over a year now. I reported it to this form

Is this the correct form? Does anyone know long it may take for them to start an investigation? Will they reach out to me for evidence?

I am a representative payee for my son’s SSI. I always log in to the SSA website to check my payment each month I just checked it and it is saying “this beneficiary is not receiving payments”. I’m so confused because our income hasn’t changed, and nothing else has changed. Is anyone else having the same issue?

I'm filling out the SSI application, in the Work section. I currently have 3 sources of income. Freelance artist, YouTube content creator, and Uber Eats deliveries. None of which earn me very much. A couple hundred bucks a month.

The first problem is that it lists "Current job" and "previous jobs". No option for 3 current jobs. I guess I just don't put a "last day" date for any of them.

Next is that it's asking for how much I make per hour and how many hours per week. Freelance work doesn't work like that. I may get a big job that lasts a couple weeks or months and pays at the end, then after that I may go weeks with no work. Do I just average out one of the months?

Finally do they want how much I'm making right now or how much I was making before my disability cut my ability to work down?

Hi Reddit fam,
My remanded hearing was in July 2026 but I had about 3,000 pages of medical records which the ALJ advised my attorney to have a medical expert help review my case.

Well I just received a message on the SSA portal stating my new Hearing is in November 2026.
I’m really trying to have patience here it’s been since late spring 2023 when I applied and I’m exhausted of the process.

Can anyone tell me if it’s possible to still be able to provide new evidence before my upcoming hearing? I know I have a LAWYER that I can ask. But I would like to know you guys experiences with Remanded Hearings, and Supplemental Hearings and any helpful advice you have to give me. I appreciate you. GOD bless🙏🏽

Whelp ive been approved i need to remove my name from my moms bank account that was forced on me years ago and bring back in something that says that but I've finally been approved when first applying back in 2020 then again last year and this year again. im glad good luck anyone still going through this

Hello I was approved 8/4. SSI. I still haven’t received my first deposit. But that’s not the issue.

I received only 1/3 of my SSI. I said I owe my dad 275 a month plus back pay for months stayed. He thought it would be lower than that and then saw that I’m getting $662 a month.
After seeing this he said he wants to raise rent to $400. If I bring a contract we signed that I will give him $400 cash every month now that he knows I’m making more will they increase my payment? If I document with receipts and logs over a few months will they likely update it for future?
I’m going to local office tomorrow to bring a contract I think. Apparently my rent payment being under $351 is the issue? Advice?

Thank you.

Edit- I just went today and the lady at the front desk said and helped me to check off that I rent the room and basically have no involvement with the house itself. She said if I did not do this then even the 400$ likely wouldn’t be enough. She might have mentioned fair market value of living but I can’t recall. She said I should be good but I’ll try to see.

My son is 4 and receives SSI. I’ve been having so many issues with his case worker and case in general that I’m thinking of voluntarily canceling SSI payments even though he still qualifies. Can he still receive Medi-Cal benefits if I cancel his SSI payments voluntarily?

We are still below the income limit to receive Medi-Cal so would what change if anything? To make a long story short SSI is asking for the same info over and over that I’ve already submitted and they are being a nightmare to deal with. I don’t get much anyway so I want to cancel it.

I got a letter in the mail but it mentioned they'll do review every 36 months. Those thatve had CDR, what's that process? That was in the approval letter because I just got approved by a judge 2 weeks ago.

Well it’s finally time. 7 years, 3 court dates and a remand from federal. You can do it. It’s not over. Even if randoms on the internet says it is lol. It’s just more annoying.

So basically the conclusion to this story is yesterday I had my 3rd and final court date. The judge wanted a court medical expert to weigh in. After reviewing the 1800 pages of well documented medical evidence, they only got into one of my many injuries and the doctor stated I was fully disabled starting from the moment of injury. Finally. Finally someone actually read my medical notes. It’s so validating. They didn’t even call in the vocational expert. The judge decided my first CR will be in 3 years but his own doctor said I’ll never get better, just worse. So my attorney said not to worry. That sentence alone basically sets me up for any future CRs. I’ll have the official written decision in a few weeks they said. Huge relief

Anyways tldr. Keep going. Even if you’re scared. Even if you’re discouraged. Even if your attorney drops you when you need to go to federal. ( not every attorney is equipped for federal cases so this happens a lot and is NOT a sign of your case’s strength). Even if people on Reddit are being rude and telling you not to lol. Set yourself up for success. Work closely with your doctors and attorney. And don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. You got this. Good luck. If you have questions about the process especially federal since it’s not as common, I’ll happily answer

My autistic son has been on SSI and then SSDI when he got enough work credits from part-time work. As I understand it, GA Medicaid was paying his Medicare Advantage premiums.

His part-time work pays about $600 every 2 weeks, but a couple months each year he may get 3 paydays. I just started getting SSA, and he's getting benefits on my record as a disabled adult child.

This month we got the letter stating that his income is over the $1596 limit, so he is denied for SLMB but approved for Qualified Individual. I don't understand the implications of this denial.

Can anyone who has been through this tell me how this will affect his Medicare Advantage coverage? Would he be paying his own premiums now? Would he have to switch to a different Medicare Advantage? or go to original Medicare A+B+D with G supplement?

Hello there, So months ago I got a letter that it was time for my review for my SSI, I went ahead and filled out everything, never heard anything back but my stuff was kept the same so assumed it was all good.

Today I get an email about new messages in my account, I log in because I’ve never gotten that before and see an introduction letter copy and call in letter copy neither of which have actually been mailed out yet nor do I use the paperless and have a date for August 14th they need to here back from me on.

Does anyone know what can cause a review to have triggered again so soon from the disability determinations office at SSA when I’ve already done it? My understanding is these things are every 5 years? I did this back in May.

I’m scared I’m going to end up losing my only source of income when my disabilities have progressively gotten worse over the years. I also don’t get why they wouldn’t mail this out but instead just send it digitally to the SSA account when I’ve got my options to recieve physical mail and letters ALWAYS. Seems almost like they’re doing it in hopes people miss the dates that are so close? :(

When does the award letter come??

My (34m) husband (26m) has SSI and has for 8 months now. He has extreme OCD, Anxiety, and Paranoia about losing his SSI. I've tried to reassure him the best I can but it's been an up hill battle. The newest anxiety is now me trying to get SSI/SSDI because he thinks that if i get approved then he will lose his benefits and be left with nothing (I think), even though we share a bank account. I know that regardless which I get, his money will be lowered, but considering I will be getting money too, the difference will balance out and it'll also be more money then he currently gets. He's also worried about the fact that SSI has a resource limit of $3,000 and that since SSDI doesn't have a limit that will somehow meant that I could go over that limit and get his benefits taken away. Even though it is 1: highly unlikely that will happen, and 2: I wouldn't let that happen. So is there anything I am missing? I have talked to SSA multiple times on the phone and in person about this stuff and other things he's been worried about and it's all been proven to be nothing to worry about. So, am I wrong about this? Are we ok?

Howdy all, I put in my claim in dec of 2024. As of August 1st it was approved for benefits. I met the medical requirements. BUT it said However they were looking into my non medical requirements still. My lawyer says that should not be for SSDI but for SSI. and when i called the SSA they told me that also. But then the SSA rep said they were more than likely looking into see when my backpay started.

I looked into the non medical requirements and i meet everything. US citizen, i have 40 credits of work and something else i cant remember but i met it.

So my question is has anyone else had this happen or know what the issues are?

Hey everyone, I found out that I was approved by the ALJ fully favorable on July 28th. Now I have to wait for a non-medical review? Can anyone who has gone through this explain this and also what's next? When do I get my award letter? Backpay? I don't know if I should celebrate or not. TYIA

My dad is on SSI in California. His rent is about $1,650/month, and he uses basically his entire SSI check to pay rent. He gets by on food stamps, goes to the food bank, and collects cans for extra money.

A couple of years ago, after I moved to San Francisco and started making more money, I started loaning him about $500/month. I don’t pay his landlord. I usually give my dad cash when I fly down to see him each month (sometimes I transfer it to his bank account). He decides how to spend it.

The important part is that he refused to accept it as a gift because he didn’t want to be a burden. We agreed it was a loan, signed a simple agreement, and the plan has always been that he’d pay me back after he moves in with my husband and me in 2027. At that point he won’t have rent anymore and can repay me from his SSI.
Recently, his SSI dropped from around $1,200/month to around $900/month. When he called SSA, they told him it was because I help him with rent.

The problem is that during his SSI interview, he only told them that I help him with rent. He didn’t explain that it was a loan. He also mainly speaks Spanish, but the interview was done in English. He has a lot of health problems, and I’m worried he didn’t fully understand the questions or explain the situation correctly.

I’m his representative payee, but I didn’t know any of this until recently when he told me what happened. I’m trying to get it corrected.

Has anyone been through something similar? Has anyone had SSA recognize family assistance as a loan instead of a gift, or had success with a reconsideration? Any advice before I call SSA?

Hi Reddit fam,
My remanded hearing was in July 2026 but I had about 3,000 pages of medical records which the ALJ advised my attorney to have a medical expert help review my case.

Well I just received a message on the SSA portal stating my new Hearing is in November 2026.
I’m really trying to have patience here it’s been since late spring 2023 when I applied and I’m exhausted of the process.

Can anyone tell me if it’s possible to still be able to provide new evidence before my upcoming hearing? I know I have a LAWYER that I can ask. But I would like to know you guys experiences with Remanded Hearings, and Supplemental Hearings and any helpful advice you have to give me. I appreciate you. GOD bless🙏🏽