Most people have limited or no experience with ALTCS. The ALTCS application process stuns many due to its incredible bureaucratic nature and volume. The amount of information ALTCS requires overwhelms many, which often leads to paralysis and the feeling that obtaining benefits will be too hard. This paralysis causes a disproportionate number of denials for people who genuinely need assistance and should otherwise be eligible.
Recently Ken came to see us regarding ALTCS for his wife. He started the ALTCS process himself and talked with an ALTCS worker. The worker informed him he would be receiving a “Request for Information” and everything had to be returned by the date on the letter (15 days later). Ken was overwhelmed when he received a 38-page document with requests (actually demands) for information and a multiple-page list of old financial statements ALTCS wanted. He was dismayed when he saw ALTCS asking him to explain things that, according to Ken, never occurred. He was just about to throw his hands up in despair and forget the whole thing.
Ken reached out to us and after a short initial call, signed up for a consultation. After sitting down with Ken and reviewing the documents he received, we broke down the language on the “Request for Information” into understandable English. We provided Ken a clear understanding of what ALTCS needed to complete the application. He did not need us to take over the case; once he understood what ALTCS wanted he was able to obtain, organize and submit the paperwork himself. In this case we were able to help Ken achieve benefits for merely the cost of an initial consultation.