IBC and Soc Sec Disability?

cherneski

kwhite I hear ya!  When it rains it pours.  Sorry about just one more thing.  We had already gone through our savings as we thought we would start a business a few years ago and are still bailing ourselves out.  We both got regular jobs, hubby was laid off last November, and I am out of work with this lovely DISease since May.  IDK what we are gonna do.  Bills just keep coming,  somehow we seem to just keep getting by.  I spoke with the social worker at the cancer center about getting some assistance.  They gave me a bunch of forms, I will return them on Monday and wait and see what if anything we get.  I never much liked hand outs but it seems like that is all I do lately walk around with my hand out.

One thing they have in the paperwork that I would suggest we all check into is a cancer wish.  It is called onegift, granting wishes for adults with cancer.  The paper I have is located in north Jersey, so check to see if they have something for you local.  There is no website.  They say they will grant you a special wish like going to the shore with DH, or go out of town to see new grandchildren.  Not sure about it yet and not sure what I am going to ask for.  But I will ask for something.  I need a get away.  Less than a month left of chemo 2 more TX.  Thank God, as I cant do much more of this.  So maybe inbetween chemo and rads I will get to get away.

I hate to sound stupid but is inflammatory breast cancer?  Is it the same as invasive breast cancer?  I have DCIS, IDC, and LDC.  Would I qualify?

Hugs to all!  We will get through this!

cherneski

Thanks Bonnie

cheers247

KWhite, Please get all your frustrations out!!! You'll feel better!  It looks like your were diagnosed with IBC in 2006, I believe that the 5 month waiting period pertains to the 5 month immediately preceeding your diagnosis.  I'm not sure but I would think that means if you were diagnosed in 12/06, then your waiting period would be until 5/07, then you would get payments from 5/07-on...  I'm not 100% sure, but I think that's the way the paperwork reads.  Check online at the SSDI website.  You can fill out the app there, and it really does not take to long to hear back.  Best of Luck!!!  I'm sorry your car was hit, that really sucks!  Much Love, Jessica

germangal

Some info from another thread on another Forum ....

Karen

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I checked the COBRA website and found there are situations in which COBRA can be extended:

Q9: Can individuals qualify for longer periods of COBRA continuation coverage?
Yes, disability can extend the 18 month period of continuation coverage for a qualifying event that is a termination of employment or reduction of hours. To qualify for additional months of COBRA continuation coverage, the qualified beneficiary must:

• - Have a ruling from the Social Security Administration that he or she became disabled within the first 60 days of COBRA continuation coverage
• - Send the plan a copy of the Social Security ruling letter within 60 days of receipt, but prior to expiration of the 18-month period of coverage

If these requirements are met, the entire family qualifies for an additional 11 months of COBRA continuation coverage. Plans can charge 150% of the premium cost for the extended period of coverage.

huntersmom

I was told no on getting anything for the waiting period - I don't know what they expect people to do.  But on a good note I live in Fla and I know some people were concerned that Fla was a slow state as far as getting any responce.  My last day of work was Oct 2 and I got notice that I was approved for disabilty about 1 mo later so I was happy went so fast...

huntersmom

I too am from Fla and I got approved in about a month from the last day I worked...pretty fast considering.

leisaparis

Sorry to jump in, but I have a question. When they first dx me they told me it was IBC. When I asked for a complete dx they then said it was IDC/Inflamitory/fast growing, stage III, grade 3,ER-/PR-,HER2+,BRACA1-/BRACA2-. Does anyone know if IBC & IDC/Inflamitory are considered the same thing according to the SSD? I am 45yrs. old, am still working at the moment. It's getting harder, taking taxotere & herceptin. However in January when I have to take off for surgery, I will go on part-time disability. They just changed it from 12 weeks down to 6 weeks that you are allowed to be off. After surgery, then I'll have to start radiation (for 5 days a week) for 6 weeks. So the radiation will last longer than the 6 weeks allowed. I also will have to drive an hour (one way) for treatment everyday. Besides the gas $ it will take for a daily trip, I understand from some people that radiation is harder on you than the chemo. Has anyone found this to be true. Any information on this subject would be appreciated. Thank you in advance. Leisa

cheers247

Hello Leisa, IDC and IBC are not the same, but some women with IBC have/had a mass that tested as IDC.  The SSA will evaluate your medical records to make their determination, so it can't hurt to apply.  I had 5mos chemo, and now am 22/35 in rads.  I'm finding rads to be much easier than chemo, (I was hospitalized 4 times during chemo).  I do have lots of burns on my skin and it is somewhat painful; however, it varies for each person.  I have been on (unpaid) medical leave since April when I was dx.  I hope everything goes well for you!  Much Love, Jessica

leisaparis

Thank you Jessica, I just want to know all my options. So if it gets to the point I think I need to apply I should talk to my dr. to make sure what he plans on putting down for my dx. My husband lost his job the day after I was dx. He has been out of work since Oct.1. He's been applying (although there are not that many jobs out there) so far, no word. Hope he finds a job before I'm out of commission. At least I'll still be able to keep my insurance while I'm on disability. After that, I'm not sure what will happen. That's why I need options. Thanks again. Sorry sometimes I ramble. leisa

leisaparis

Thank you Bonnie, I did speek with my dr. again to find out what he would put on the report if I needed to see about this kind of thing. I was told that it is IBC and that is what they would put down if needed. Thank you again I appreciate it very much. I'm hoping it will not come to this, however I'm a planner and need to know that all my ducks are in a row. I hate not knowing what's going to happen if I have a choice in the matter. Thanks for the link.

                                                              Leisa

Chaparrita

Yes, you should apply for it right now!  You can apply online or print the forms and mail them.  It takes 6 mos. after you are approved before you start to get the benefits so you need to do it right now!  The nurse actually called me and told me to apply.  Its not hard to apply the most important thing to do is to get ALL of your medical records, that is copies of them because you will  need to mail them to disability. If you dont mail the records it will take them months and months to collect all of this to review them. First you apply for Supplemental Security Income which will give you some money now, a smaller amount, then you apply for disability.

Chaparrita

Please, also check into "Charity" programs at the hospital you go to.  I was approved for one of these programs and it saved me from going bankrupt.  There are resourses out there but you really gotta look for them and apply, apply, apply.  Look at it as a job each day and set aside a certain amount of time that you are going to spend on calling places and talking to people or leaving messages.  Thats what I did and it truly was a blessing for me and it can be for you to.  Also print out all the resources you can find on the internet and contact them, then go to the phone book and begin contacting every agency that even remotely sounds like it may offer some kind of help.  I also kept a note book of all the contacts, names and numbers and I still use this two years into this fight.

Anonymous

I applied for SSADI on December 10, 2009 and received my approval letter January 3, 2010.  I did it online and submitted all of my medical records from the initial diagnosis, path, scans, notes etc through the day I completed the application online. You need your medical providers address, phone numbers and dates of service.  Same with your work history.

I received a phone call from a SSA Rep within 48 hours who asked me to either mail or drop off my medical records and medical release forms.  I dropped them off at the SSA office the next day.

I also researched the online SSADI site.  I looked over the Disability listings and found that IBC is a compassionate listing and gets your disability review expedited.   Other cancers fall into that compassionate category too.  I took sticky notes and marked the pages of my medical records that gave my diagnosis, staged it, and referred to my Pet scan for the mets part.  I know that speeded things up too.

I see they offer a 9 month trial period of working no matter what your income and you can receive benefits during that time frame.  I saw online a dollar amount I was approved for and my checking acct deposit information and the day is the 2nd of the month I should receive a payment...I just don't know the first date of the first payment.

I do not believe you have a waiting period if you actually MEET one of their disability listings, especially one with cancer projected to end in death....whether now or in 20 years.  It is the 'will end in death part' that meets the listing.

I sent the SSADI people an email and asked them to call me with details the letter didn't supply.

If you are stage 3 or better, have IBC or have any stage with mets... apply for SSADI online.  It is an easy application, but takes time and you need to have your medical records and provider info and work history handy to refer too.  You don't need an attorney and you can appeal it yourself.  The criteria is spelled out and your medical records either meet it or they don't. 

You can work with your doctors to help that along...but your scans, path reports and curability makes a big impression.  It is a 'retired' medical doctor (often retired military or a doc who has his own health problems working for SSADI) who reviews the final Disability recommendation report of the SSADI claims examiner and signs off Approved or Denied... based on that recommendation which is line item based on the standards and criteria of the SSADI listings. 

It is very black and white with cancers.  I know, I worked for SSADI in FL as a Claims Examiner for a little over a year...it is a very stressful job and there is not much glory in it...There are lots of dying and suffering people in the world who just don't ~meet~ the standards and criteria spelled out by the government to be considered 'disabled'.  Wording by your physicians and the actual medical test results make or break eligibility for folks.

Trust me...SSADI isn't big money...

I have to keep working until I can't work anymore because the $$ benefit they offer me is less than half my current salary... I also won't have medical insurance if I leave my job nor will my family.

I applied for SSADI to have it on record for when I can't work aymore....and to get the Medicare clock ticking.

I am going to spend sometime paying off debt and getting financially ready to live on much less money... 

Good Luck Folks... Joy