About six months after the appeal and reinstatement of her benefits, the woman received notice that her medical review determined she was no longer disabled. Ombudsman staff contacted the county and learned that the medical review conducted did not include any additional medical paperwork since the previous denial. According to the appeal decision, the county was supposed to help the woman obtain the medical paperwork needed for a full medical review of her conditions. The woman had signed what she thought was the correct medical release, but apparently she needed to sign additional forms so that all necessary paperwork could be obtained for her review. The woman again appealed the denial of her medical coverage, and won her appeal. The state hearing officer recommended that the county send all necessary release forms and to assist the woman in collecting medical information for a full medical review of her conditions. The woman received the releases and promptly returned them to the agency.
Four months later, the woman was determined to be disabled by Social Security. Because of this action by the Social Security Administration, she no longer required a medical review by the state. The state was notified of this decision and closed her disability financial assistance, since she would now be receiving ongoing Social Security disability benefits. The woman was grateful to have the matter finally resolved.
The Ombudsman Column, a production of the Joint Office of Citizens' Complaints, summarizes selected problems that citizens have had with government services, schools and nursing homes in the Dayton area. Contact the Ombudsman by writing to the Beerman Building, 11 W. Monument Avenue, Suite 606, Dayton 45402, or telephone (937) 223-4613, or by electronic mail at ombudsman@dayton-ombudsman.org or like us on Facebook at "Dayton Ombudsman Office."
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