I'm a type 1 diabetic that has survived on short terms without insulin. However, if I wished to travel, I would need to get SSI along with medicaid in order to get the medication I require to survive.
Does anyone have advice on what I should do to head in this direction?
Take your time to prepare for your application and interview, have all of your medical records and read/memorize as much as you can. Cross-reference things you're not familiar with. Be sure to complete the work activity questionnaire (3033 & 821) in full, esp. if it's not that great/blue collar- Work history and education are important... For example if you have neuropathy in your feet but you're twenty-eight with a college degree who has always worked in an office, your chances are far worse than a fifty year old high-school drop out that's only ever worked construction... When you fill out the paperwork, be as detailed as possible- Every doctor you've seen, every medicine you've taken, etc.
Not an "expert" expert, but I help a lot of folks with their disability applications/hearings in my job. Be sure to list all of the other problems you have as a result of the diabetes when you apply and emphasize them in your interview.
If insulin dependency is your only deal, you're going to have a hard time being declared disabled, since there are lots of insulin-dependent folks who hold down jobs just fine, and thus capable of working/not disabled. I'd start by looking at the
SS "blue" book chapter on endocrine disorders and go from there as you do your application and prepare for your interview. You pretty much have to be unable to work (Substantial Gainful Activity) irrespective of treatment for an anticipated period of 12 months to get approved.
You'll see most of how they determine if you're disabled is based on the chapters about
other parts of your body- This is why it's critical to be prepared before you apply.... Most of what would qualify someone as unable to work surrounding diabetes is based on how it's affected your other systems.. Uncontrollable, multiple episodes of DKA, permanent vision loss, brain issues, amputation of feet etc. It sucks that insulin isn't just free since so many depend on it.
Good luck to you!