OT: Disability payments

[dj2]

2 years ago, my neurologist recommended to me that i apply for disability. i don't really understand what it is at all.

i have MS. my husband supports me. i could not possibly hold a full time job anymore. i do work 3 1/2 hours per day at a minimum wage job (and come home and collapse for an hour or two). we don't "need" the money i bring in, but i feel that it's almost like physical and mental therapy to force myself to get out there and do something during the day. it's not possible for me to support myself anymore. feels weird, because for many years, i was the one with the high paying job which supported our family.

i forgot all about the doctor's suggestion, but yesterday a friend who also has MS brought it all up (she receives payments).

if anyone could help me with the following or has any other input, i'd really appreciate it....

--where should i look for more info about this? i'm really clueless.
--is it just for people who have no one else to depend on?
--would i need a lawyer?
--are there downsides?

i don't envision my DH ever leaving me, but i guess the doctor just wanted to make sure i was thinking about myself/my needs.

thanks,
dj

 

[Mike Bartenhagen]

IMO if you don't need the money you should not apply. It is to be a safety net.

Mike

 

[phorsenuf]

IMO if you don't need the money you should not apply. It is to be a safety net.

Mike

I don't agree with that. What if something happens with her husbands job? What if he gets laid off or a paycut. Then when they need the money it won't be there. Plus, with MS I'm sure her health care costs will rise and she'll need the money for that.

Apply. It's very easy to so. Go to the Social Security website and you can apply right online.

Keep in mind alot of people do not get approved right away. If so, appeal, do not reapply. There is a difference.
Also, once you do get approved benefits do not start for 6 months after so don't expect money right away. Sometimes they will even retro-active you. When I applied and got approved they determined I was disabled for the previous 1 1/2 and retro-actived me back to that point.

Its a fairly easy process. Don't bother with a lawyer at this time, its not necessary. Good luck!

 

[Mike Bartenhagen]

The program is set up to provide for people in need not people that might be in need in the future. They are to apply at the time that they are in need. The fact that someone may loose their job could apply to anyone. Remeber the money comes from your neighbors. If you would feel comfortable asking them for the money than by all means you should apply if not you may want to consider waiting and apply at a time when you are in need.

Mike

 

[kathyk2]

You may be eligible for SSDI which is based on your work history. If you put enough quarters in prior to becoming disabled you would receive a check based on your earnings. I would encourage you to apply. There are organizations which can assist with an appeal if needed.

 

[arlenesp]

2 years ago, my neurologist recommended to me that i apply for disability. i don't really understand what it is at all.

i have MS. my husband supports me. i could not possibly hold a full time job anymore. i do work 3 1/2 hours per day at a minimum wage job (and come home and collapse for an hour or two). we don't "need" the money i bring in, but i feel that it's almost like physical and mental therapy to force myself to get out there and do something during the day. it's not possible for me to support myself anymore. feels weird, because for many years, i was the one with the high paying job which supported our family.

i forgot all about the doctor's suggestion, but yesterday a friend who also has MS brought it all up (she receives payments).

if anyone could help me with the following or has any other input, i'd really appreciate it....

--where should i look for more info about this? i'm really clueless.
--is it just for people who have no one else to depend on?
--would i need a lawyer?
--are there downsides?

i don't envision my DH ever leaving me, but i guess the doctor just wanted to make sure i was thinking about myself/my needs.

thanks,
dj

my husband had a tumor taken out in 82 and ever since still had small focal seizures. He was in complete denial and due to these seizures, was usually fired from most jobs as people didn't understand what was going on.
We convinced him to apply for ssi and was turned down 3x.He never really felt he was eligible for it and finally after the 3rd turndown he agreed he was having medical issues and we hired an attorney who specialized in getting it approved.
Well long story short, he was diagnosed with a very severe malignant tumor and finally did get the disability approved and was awarded back payments from when he first applied.
Granted the operation immediately qualified him for the disability but the lawyers still had to complete their paperwork.
He is in remission now and has a weakness on his left side but thank goodness for his check every month.
SS turns everyone down. I think it is part of the whole procedure to see who really sticks with the appeals.
You have earned the right to get disability and not feel guilty about it.Go to your local office to fill out the paperwork and make sure you get documentation from your health care specialists.It is these docs that can help the process go more smoothly.My husband denied there was anything wrong and never followed thru. SS sends you to a doctor to make sure you are disabled.This is where he blew it by not being honest about his condition.
I wish you luck.................

 

[luvmyeor]

The program is set up to provide for people in need not people that might be in need in the future.

SSI is for people who are unable to work and do not have enough quarters paid in for SSDI. SSI is based on need and the amount you qualify for is based on household income.

 

[jackmac]

Working for 3 and 1/2 hours per day may put you over the "Substantial Gainful Employment" barrier for Social Security Disability. SSDI is for people that have a work history and paid into the Social Security system. SSI is a needs based program that Supplements payment from SSDI or pays if you never paid into Social Security. SSI is for indivuduals that have less than $2000 in assests. The benefits of disability payments for the most part is the health insurance. If you qualify for SSDI you can get Medicare, if you pay in to it. If you qualify for SSI you automatically get Medicaid, which covers all of your medical expenses. Your doctor may have also been referring to private disability insurance that you may have purchased through your job.

If health insurance is the major issue then check out your options with Social Security. You don't need a lawyer to file.

 

[dclfun]

Actually, SS does not automatically deny everyone. I received it immediately upon my application and didn't have to file any appeals. It sounds like the OP has always worked and thus would be eligible for SSDI- this is not a needs based program and has nothing to do with your family's other income. If you are unable to be "substantially, gainfully employed" which I believe means earning over $ 500 a month ( I can't believe $500 a month is substantial, but that used to be their rule) then you should apply. Any children under age 18 will also receive a payment from SSDI on your behalf based on your earnings record. I receive SSDI and still work under the IRWE program, meaning that impairment related expenses cause me to have under the substantial gainful amt. earned when those costs are taken into account. Once you are approved, you can earn up to $800 a month. If working while disabled you are entitled to receive assistance under Vocational Rehab. This program allowed me to have an adapted van ( I bought the van, they paid for the adaptations, an appropriate power wheelchair at a cost of $25K, a ramped entry for my home, widened doorways, and an electronic door opener. They would have paid for other home adaptations I needed to work such as an adapted bathroom and also paid for medications I needed to work, however I have health insurance through my employer and can't use the bathroom adaptations. There's lots of things to think of- since you were the main wage earner your family has already lost income due to your disability which could be mitigated by SSDI. ----Kathy

 

[dj2]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I feel pretty stupid not realizing that it would fall under social security. i sometimes wonder if my brain not being as sharp as it once was is part of my illness. (actually, unfortunately, i was told by one doctor that cognitive skills also are affected by MS....)

i've googled "social security disability" and came up with a ton of hits that seem to thoroughly explain the programs, application process, various FAQ's, etc. and i really appreciate all the information you've all given me and hearing your personal stories, too. i'll be doing a lot of research to figure out if/when i should apply. my personal monthly gross pay is about $600 (pretty sad!), so it sounds like from kathy that i do not qualify now anyway.

also, mike raises an interesting point that i've been thinking about--about whether it's fair to accept help if we can get by another way. i've been thinking about 2 things. first, if a rich person's car was stolen, she'd probably still file an insurance claim even though she could afford to buy another one. second, the qualification process seems to be extremely extensive, so if i was approved, i feel comfortable that i legitimately qualify. even so, it does feel weird to ask for help. and to be officially labeled disabled. i'm sure there'll be another big adjustment, like the first few times i needed someone to push me in a wheelchair. it feels like i'm always adjusting to the latest thing i realize i can't do anymore. sorry, i don't really want to sound "poor me." i really am a pretty happy/positive person. mind over matter, right? it just comes out once in awhile.

anyway, thanks so much for all the information. please let me know if you think of anything else i should consider, or if you have another personal example you'd like to share. i really appreciate everyone's help.

-dj

 

[Nanajo1]

SSI is different from SSDI.
SSDI is not an entitlement it is some thing you paid into while you worked. It is based on your earned income. I applied over the web, had a phone interview and was approved. All your doctors are questioned and the requirements are quite strict. Please don't let anyone's prejudices defer you from applying. If you qualify you will get it.
Good Luck.

 

[dclfun]

I agree with Nanajo and I hope I was clear in my post also- you aren't taking anything away from someone else by applying- this is a program you paid into with your earnings in the event that something happened to you that caused you to be unable to earn an income or in the event that you retire. ---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with Nanajo and I hope I was clear in my post also- you aren't taking anything away from someone else by applying- this is a program you paid into with your earnings in the event that something happened to you that caused you to be unable to earn an income or in the event that you retire. ---Kathy

And, even in our case, while our DD (who is now an adult) has not paid in herself, she is connected with what DH and I have paid in over the years. She will never be able to be gainfully employed. Without getting her hooked up with programs while we are around, there is no way she could be supported after we are gone.

 

[dclfun]

Very true Sue, there are lots of people who will never have the ability to support themselves and should receive compassion and support from those of us who can. ---Kathy

 

[Mike Bartenhagen]

Very true Sue, there are lots of people who will never have the ability to support themselves and should receive compassion and support from those of us who can. ---Kathy

What about those of us that are working very hard to insure that we control the future of our special needs children? The OP said they didn't need the money so why should they apply? IMO there are way to many people that are taking benifits just because they are available (not just disabled people). There is no doubt that there are people that need help and we should give those people compasion and support but people that are not in need should not be entilted to others money. I don't want to count on the government to be there for my child, what I want is to be able to keep more of what I earn so that I can be prepared to take care of my son in the future.

Mike

 

[Mike Bartenhagen]

if a rich person's car was stolen, she'd probably still file an insurance claim even though she could afford to buy another one.
-dj

This isn't really a fair comparision becuause insurance is optional but taxes aren't. If you don't think it is fair that a rich person gets paid for a stolen car because she can afford a new one than you don't have to participate in an insurance plan. If I don't think it is fair that a family in my school district gets free school lunch when they are driving a new pickup with $500 monthly payments I still have to pay my taxes.

Mike

 

[dclfun]

In this instance, it's certainly "fair" for someone who is disabled and unable to work to apply for SSDI or SSI in the case of children or adults who could never have worked. Is it "fair" for someone to judge another person and their disability? You have no idea of the details of someone else's situation and it's not anyone's place to decide what benefits they should receive, including the family who gets free lunches. It's up to the people processing someone's application to decide if they qualify and are approved or not, not a casual observer of another person's life. Okay, off my soapbox.---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

It's fine to say the family should "budget" for care of their special needs individual, but to do that, every family would need to have enough money to take care of their basic needs and put money away for care.
It also implies that people know ahead of time that there is a need to plan. I'm sure the OP didn't plan to get MS and most people who have spinal cord injuries, brain injuries or other catastrophic illnesses/special needs don't plan to get them, so they can't plan to save for their care. Many people with special needs can't get insurance because they have a pre-exisisting condition. If they can get insurance, the insurance may exclude paying for anything related to their pre-existing condition.

If the person with special needs has few needs, the family might be able to cover it, but many special needs people need at least 24 hours supervision (ie, someone with them 24 hours a day). That has a high economic cost if someone other than family is doing it and has a high personal cost if family is doing it (plus, they are not working and contributing to care). And because of personal or health reasons, the family may not be able to provide care. As the caregivers age themselves, they have to take care of their own needs.

On the highest level of care would be someone who requires 24 hour a day Nursing Care (LPN being the least expensive). One study I found had a cost of up to $7,642 (median=$5,406) per month for a patient on a ventilator using LPN care (a person with that level of need being someone who requires a lot of care). It might be less expensive to care for these high care individuals in a group setting like a Nursing Home or skilled group home, but there is very little availability of those and I personally don't think a chronic illness should be a life sentence living away from the family if ways can be worked out to live where the disabled person wants to live. There is no way that anyone can budget for that kind of cost. Even less cost, like a PCA (Personal Care Attendent) for 7 hours a day, would cost at least $50 a day. People can't budget for those kinds of needs.
New wheelchairs (the very plain ones) may only cost a few hundred dollars, but those are not appropriate for a large number of people who are using wheelchairs. Cost of a fairly simple custom wheelchair may be $4-5,000 dollars. Again, not something easy to budget for.

Some people get insurance or legal settlements after accidents, but a $1 million dollar settlement doesn't go too far when spread out over the life of a person with medical needs. And, people with illnesses like MS (Multiple Sclerosis), MD (Muscular Dystrophy), CP (Cerebral Palsy) or any of the other conditions that don't relate to accidents don't have anyone to get settlements from.

All programs have an application process and also a process for handling fraud. But, even if their are a few people defrauding the programs, that doesn't negate the needs that other people have.

 

[dj2]

Actually, SS does not automatically deny everyone. I received it immediately upon my application and didn't have to file any appeals.

thanks Kathy, Nanajo1, and everyone for your words of encouragement -- i did it. i applied last april, w/o a lawyer, and just found out that my payments are starting right away! no back payments, but i'm not going to appeal that, for fear that they will change their minds about future payments.

I believe means earning over $ 500 a month

it's actually a little higher (800??), so i can keep my PT job as long as i can handle it.

If working while disabled you are entitled to receive assistance under Vocational Rehab. This program allowed me to have an adapted van ( I bought the van, they paid for the adaptations, an appropriate power wheelchair at a cost of $25K, a ramped entry for my home, widened doorways, and an electronic door opener. They would have paid for other home adaptations I needed to work such as an adapted bathroom and also paid for medications I needed to work, however I have health insurance through my employer and can't use the bathroom adaptations.

would you please tell me a little more about this? when i need to use the ecv full time, might this program help me pay for a way to get it in and out of a car/van w/o disassembling it, so that i can continue to work? otherwise, i can't do it myself anymore.

 

[Haley Whippet]

What about those of us that are working very hard to insure that we control the future of our special needs children? The OP said they didn't need the money so why should they apply? IMO there are way to many people that are taking benifits just because they are available (not just disabled people). There is no doubt that there are people that need help and we should give those people compasion and support but people that are not in need should not be entilted to others money. I don't want to count on the government to be there for my child, what I want is to be able to keep more of what I earn so that I can be prepared to take care of my son in the future.

Mike

Mike,
I am glad you are making enough money to care for your family. My husband and I both worked full time, I paid into SS and I feel no guilt for getting SSDI now that I can't work.
Yes,DH still works and supports us, But without my SSDI I couldn't have the ECV I now need to get around,nor could I afford the meds I need to get by.
Yes, We could scrape by without it, But with it I can live a little better,
I worked 30+ years full time, I paid into it all those years, I earned it...
Deb