Medicaid properly denied, as evidence was not sufficient to show blindness or disability

A woman suffering from partial blindness applied for Medicaid benefits under the Aged, Blind, and Disabled category.  The state’s Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) denied the application, and on appeal the Court sided with the agency.  The Court concluded the woman failed to present sufficient prima facie evidence that she qualified for benefits under the “Blind” or “Disabled” categories.  Prima facie evidence includes receipt of SSI benefits, RSDI benefits, Railroad Retirement disability benefits, or Medicare.  The Court also found that DFCS correctly referred the woman to the Social Security Administration for a determination of disability—rather than conduct the determination in DFCS’s own disability unit—as she appeared to be eligible for SSI.