Columbia MO Social Security Disability Law Blog

"It's as if she left the room." For many people in Missouri suffering from audio hallucinations brought on by schizophrenia, having the voice in their head stop tormenting them would make a world of difference in their quality of life. Many people with schizophrenia have hallucinations that keep "talking" in their heads virtually all the time, often encouraging them to engage in self-destructive behavior.

While the majority of schizophrenic hallucinations can be managed with medication, about a quarter of cases do not respond to drugs. Besides preventing them from working, not getting treatment for the voices can cause grave harm: about 10 percent of schizophrenia patients commit suicide.

The Missouri General Assembly has begun the final week of its 2013 legislative session. Barring a special session, the House and state Senate have until May 17 to complete the state's legislative business for the year. Among the items yet to be determined is funding for First Steps, an early intervention program for young children with developmental disabilities that may qualify them to receive Supplemental Security Income benefits.

First Steps provides educational resources for parents of children with developmental disabilities or delays. It also gets parents in touch with resources in their communities to help with therapy and other interventions.

A committee in the Missouri House is considering a plan to have some recipients of welfare and Medicaid in the state taken off those state-managed programs and put them on Social Security Disability benefits instead. The proposal is intended to save millions of dollars in state funds, but critics are questioning whether this is an appropriate use of the SSD program, which is intended for people who are unable to work due to a disability.

The proposal comes from the Missouri Department of Social Services has negotiated a deal with an outside company that would administer the transfers if the Legislature approves the plan. The company, Public Consulting Group, would examine Missouri residents currently receiving benefits under Medicaid for their children or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The recipients would then be divided in three categories based on how likely they would be approved for SSD for Social Security Income benefits. For each person who is approved for federal disability benefits, PCG would be paid a fee by the state ranging from $500 to $2,300.

Nobody in Missouri plans to become disabled. Most of us hope to work and be independent for the rest of our lives. Unfortunately, it does not always work out that way. Whether due to an accident, illness or the worsening of a pre-existing condition, some people become disabled to the point that they cannot support themselves through work.

While Social Security disability exists to help disabled adults, if there were warning signs of disability down the road, lifestyle changes and preventative medicine perhaps would be able to reduce or even eliminate the impact that a condition would have on our lives.