Social Security Disability You can apply on line or local office

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Viewing 14 posts - 16 through 29 (of 29 total)
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  • #18051
    jeffg
    Member

    CjFrancis… Sorry to here about your ordeal with SSDI, But unfortunately you have to be unable to work. I’m sure with the dx of terminal cancel would qualify your husband. He Just can’t be physicall or mentally able to hold a job. I worked full time for quite a few years while DX as I felt I could. But now with all the treatments I just don’t have the energy. It sounds like SSDI left the door open and I guess your husband needs to determine when he feels it getting to be to much for him to work. They just can’t make a decsion if he is still working. Also remember SSI you will get a denial letter automatically if there is suffient income from all sources in house hold. I really think SSDI would most likely be approved, but you can’t request disability income if you out bringing in the in come. Plus remember SSDI may not be close to what your husband is making. It is usual based on your last annual inconcome divided by 12, plus so much for andditional dependent children. It is difficult I’m sure as a lot of people don’t have the nest egg to keep going until SSDI starts. Infact a big NY times article a few days ago talked about the backlog and appeals taking so long people have actually lost their homes. But a terminal illness/ DX put you ahead of the line I would think. Again it is all so individual. We all have different circumstances. Iwish you all the best whatever way you decide to go.
    God Bless,
    Jeff G.

    #18050
    cjfrancis
    Spectator

    my husband filed for SSDI last week and two days later recieved a letter denying the claim because he’s still working and making too much. They said he could ask for an appeal within 60 days. Also, if he stops working within this time to let them know. They did not even look at the health problem when they saw he was working. Sure wish we would have known about applying when he was off work for surgery and Chemo. It’s just that when youre going thru all that, the last thing you want to think about is filing paperwork. Wish we had though.

    #18049
    jeffg
    Member

    Good for you girl! Remember to have an alternative plan to keep active as staying positive and motivated within your limits makes a big difference. I just started my own little business. My first little honey do job was today. I call my little business or I should say hobby, Disabled but Able (Minor Home Repairs). It’s what I like to do and it’s at my own pace and I still feel I can help someone and be useful. Helps my frame of mind tremendously.
    Bless ya!
    jeff G.

    #18048
    lisa
    Spectator

    Thanks, Jeff. Good advice. I will apply and do as you suggested.

    #18047
    jeffg
    Member

    Lisa…… Please do apply. It does not take that much of your time to get what your entitiled too. The day you started Chemo is enough reason to apply. The SSDI approval works extremely quickly with a diagnosis such as this. Less than 3 weeks from the day I applied I was approved and payment retroactive was in my bank account today. Don’t torture yourself anymore than you have to. They will establish your retroactive payment base on when you stop working. I worked over seven years before I said to myself I’m entiled to a break after working and contributing for 30 years. If you feel you want to work to stay busy then that is surely an individual choice. Some people may not be financially in a position to quit work immediately. I guess it all adds up to how your retirement portfolio will support you and/or children. SSDI can figure your monthly entitlement.
    God Bless You!
    Jeff G.

    #18046
    lisa
    Spectator

    I’m still working full time and feel pretty good. My energy level is low, appetitite down due to chemo, but otherwise ok.

    Is it worth it for me to apply and “get in line” so to speak in case the disease progresses to the point where I can’t work anymore?

    #18045
    grafsj
    Member

    I just submitted the online application for SSDI and previously had submitted the medical reports data. I dropped off all the test data, hospital reports, doctor reports, etc that I had collected since my wife, Lana, was diagnosed 12 Oct this year. It’s important that everyone keeps a copy of test results and such. She is cashing in her small 401K as we await the disability income from SS.

    God give strength to everyone affected by this terrible disease.

    Steve

    #18044
    salsarcat
    Member

    Glad you got yours Jeff G. I just wanted to add that SSDI was easy to get for my husband…he filled out the paperwork and the dr did his part with the prognosis. At the SS office they told my husband that first he would get a letter saying he did not qualify for SSI as I am still working and we have a family income…but then after that he would likely get an approval letter for SSDI and sure enough he did and it was four months retroactive. What the SSDI is for those who may not know, it is really getting your social security money now, so Tom is receiving what he would have received later after standard retirement age. He was diagnosed with unknown primary in May 06 and after his surgery of Jan 07 got a more defininite diagnosis of CC. But it is a relief to have this monthly check for him…he earned it since he started working around age 16. The paperwork we got said his case would be reviewed in 5 years…which was sad and funny at the same time as it’s another way of saying “if you’re still around, we will contact you.” But he has been receiving SSDI for a year and a half now. So I guess they will contact him in 3 1/2 years. A long shot, but we can always hope. Even though it’s upsetting to fill in the paperwork, getting the $ is worth it, gives you one little bit less worrying about as far as the bills go.

    #18043
    jeffg
    Member

    Recieved telephone call and letter of my SSDI already approved. Very quick. They basically said with a diagnosis of cancer of this type is approve due to the terminal prognosis. They asked me why I did not apply sooner. Well any hoot it’s applied for and your payed retroactive up to 12 months max. from date you apply. They said I should see funds going directly to bank account within days. Well, I say we payed in to it we deserve to be paid out of it. I should have applied at least 3 years ago when I actually started treatments. Oh well.
    God Bless,
    Jeff G.

    #18042
    cjfrancis
    Spectator

    My husband just applied for SSDI this week and since he works for the government he applied for disability retirement last week. It’s getting much harder for him to continue working and get feeling better or at least deal with symptoms away from a work environment. We previously were under the impression that he had to be not working for months before he could apply but they took his application. As soon as his disability retirement goes thru he won’t be working. He’s having blood work (CBC) done every week and had a CT scan Tuesday. Will see the oncologist Tuesday for latest results. He’s having much pain etc. Thanks for keeping us all informed Best wishes Jeff with your new treatments. Cathy

    #18041
    edith
    Member

    Hi Jeff,
    In my husband’s case, after he submitted all the application forms, medical records, etc. , Social Security set up an appt. time over the phone which they were supposed to call him but he ended up calling them because we didn’t find out that our land line was dead, a few minutes before his appt. (he power washed the house the day before). He didn’t qualify for SSI because I was still working then but he and the girls received SSDI (got paid retro). I know it’s hard, just dealing with this disease but I hope everybody will find some time to get all the financial resources that we are entitled to and Social Security is one of them! I’ve always wanted to say that being in the military is a big blessing! They took great care of my husband, medically and financially. Now that he’s gone, the military is still taking care of me and the girls. They assigned a Financial Adviser who’s going to work with me at their expense. (A great comfort but not when they make me a financial plan ’till I’m 90 yrs. old!)

    I’ve been a great fan of yours since your first posting on this site. Your courage, determination and faith is unbelievable!

    Take care, always!
    Edith

    #18040
    jeffg
    Member

    Hi Edith … You are absolutely correct. Yes it can be done over the phone but if you have a computer or live near a local office it is sometimes easier as I tried the telephone for days with extremely long waits and then never got through. What I actually did was go to the site of social security ( http://www.socialsecurity.gov )and printed off the actual application package and filled all in by hand and used their checklist to make sure I had everything they needed. I just wanted to mention that thereis two different programs SSI and SSDI. I personally did not qualify for SSI due to military retirement and my wife’s income. However SSDI does not base approval on other household income but on credits I actually earned or payed in .
    Thanks Edith for mentioning that.
    God Bless,
    JeffG.

    #18039
    edith
    Member

    Social Security also pay for minor children living at home. My husband never went to the SS office for interview appts. He had it done over the phone.

    Edith

    #911
    jeffg
    Member

    I Just wanted all to know that SSDI should be applied for as soon as you start chemo and unable to work anymore. It takes about 2 hours to fill out the paper work or on line application. I guess I’m saying that if your unable to work due to pain ,sickness, anxiety, medications, memory problems from chemo and other meds. you should apply as it is money that you have payed in or credits earned for paying in during past the years. It is retroactive from date of application up to 12 months and could be a considerable amount. I have actually seen a few cases where people did not know or could not be bothered and lost 15-17 thousand dollars in retro back pay. It’s primariy base on credits earned , date you became unable to work, and copy of medical records verifying condition. This disease and all of It’s complication is enough to keep many from being able to work. My public announcement for the day.
    God Bless ,
    Jeff G.

Viewing 14 posts - 16 through 29 (of 29 total)
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