NCA Success Story: Protecting a Lifeline for Disabled Adults

The transition to adulthood can pose many challenges for disabled individuals and those who support them. Social Security Disability Insurance for Disabled Adult Children (SSDI-DAC) is often a vital lifeline for individuals who are unable to achieve substantial gainful employment and therefore lack the traditional work history required for standard SSDI benefits. SSDI-DAC provides not only essential financial support, but also access to Medicare, which is critical for managing complex medical conditions. Without these monthly payments, a disabled individual and/or their caregiver can struggle to maintain the quality of life necessary for this individual. Administrative errors and bureaucratic inefficiencies within the Social Security Administration (SSA) office can result in delays, wrongful denials, or sudden lapses in benefits. This is where a third party benefits expert, like one of National Care Advisors’ certified Nurse Consultants, can provide invaluable advocacy services.

In 2024, an individual with disabilities was referred to National Care Advisors regarding issues getting SSDI-DAC payments approved, leading to nearly 3 years of nonpayment. In March of 2022, the individual had turned 18 and the process of switching them from SSI to SSDI-DAC was initiated. The DAC benefit was approved with an entitlement date of March 2022, but a representative payee was needed. The individual’s aunt applied, went through the involved interview process and was ultimately approved. However, the payments were never initiated. The individual’s aunt called and went into the local SSA office multiple times with no resolution. She faced hostility and inaction at the SSA office with the case managers citing “delay in getting the issue addressed” and “lack of documentation of steps taken” as reasons that they could not help.

This is when National Care Advisors was referred to this client to assist. NCA’s Certified Nurse Consultant, Heather, was assigned to this case. Heather began by collecting and organizing documentation that proved the necessary steps had been taken and that the client should be receiving SSDI-DAC payments. It was determined that the process was held up at Payee Services. After several months of back and forth, Heather finally received a call back from the staff at Payee Services in early December 2024. She was told that the payment approval was being processed and should be done in 2 weeks with monthly payments beginning in January 2025. After no payments were issued in January and she was unable to reach the local SSA office, Heather knew that this issue needed to be escalated. She reached out to the office of their local Congresswoman and was contacted by one of her staff. This staff member was able to contact the SSA on the client's behalf. Finally, in March of 2025, the client received a lump sum payment of $84,444 for the last three years of nonpayment and monthly payments were initiated.

Delays, wrongful denials, sudden lapses in essential benefits and more occur all the time, leading to anxiety and reduced quality of life for those with disabilities. Regardless of whether it is local, state or federal benefits, our team of Nurse Consultants are experts in evaluating, advocating for and maximizing third-party benefits for the optimal quality of life of the beneficiary. Contact us today to discuss how National Care Advisors can help you evaluate your unique circumstances and ensure you, your loved one or client are receiving the benefits and services they are entitled to!