Do bc patients qualify for disability?

ailenroc

Do bc patients qualify for disability? How about a disabled parking permit? Anyone know?

terrij152

I am currently out on disability after my mastectomies, but I am not permanently disabled and definitel don't qualigy for disabled parking permit.  It depends on the state that you live in and their requirements for disability qualifications and also if your physician will write you out on disability.

Skyrat

I don't know about Stage 0-III, but Stage IV does qualify for disability.  If at any time you feel that you are not able to work, talk to SS.  As far as the disability hanger goes, I got one while having to take Neupogen shots.  The bone pain in my legs was so bad that I was not able to walk through the grocery store - let alone from across the parking lot too.  I asked my doctor if I could qualify for one, he filled out the paperwork right then, I took it to DMV and had two hangers the same day.  The onc didn't specify a time limit, so my hanger is good through 2012.  If I live that long, it will continue since I am also on SSDI.

NatureGrrl

As far as I can tell, some states have short term disability, and cancer qualifies (at least in some states).  Not here (Indiana).  Long term is different but to qualify for that (at least in IN) you  really have to be permanently and severely disabled.  I don't want that.  I don't know who to tell you to check with but if someone else doesn't post the proper department/agency to call, start checking around with 2-1-1 (if you have it) or your local United Way or some place like that.  They should be able to direct you to the proper agency.

I'm pretty sure in IN if your dr. will write you a letter, the DMV will give you a parking permit.  Check your DMV website -- rules should be posted there.

Hang in there!

Brenda_R

SSD requirements for BC-

 13.10 Breast (except sarcoma—13.04) (See 13.00K4.)

A. Locally advanced carcinoma (inflammatory carcinoma, tumor of any size with direct extension to the chest wall or skin, tumor of any size with metastases to the ipsilateral internal mammary nodes.

B. Carcinoma with distant metastases.

OR

C. Recurrent carcinoma

I was eligible for SSD, but I looked at the requirements for disabled parking permits and I did not qualify. You have to be unable to walk a certain distance. I don't recall the specifics, but it was very stringent.  

bluedasher

In California, I think all employees are suppose to have either the state short term disability insurance or a private alternative. Generally, you have to be unable to work for a week for it to kick in. If your doctor says you need to not work, you should be able to qualify.

You can find more information on the California SDI here:
http://www.edd.ca.gov/disability/DI_Eligibility.htm

On the other hand, you are stage I, hormone postive and HER2-. Therefore, you may not need chemo. Depending on the nature of your job, you might not need much time off. Surgery can affect your range of motion of your arm and ability to lift heavy objects for a while so if your job requires reaching over your head or a lot of lifting or other physical labor, you might need time off.

I looked into whether I could qualify for part time disability for the days off I needed during chemo, but it is complicated to set up when you don't know how much time off you will need and while my private SDI plan would have paid 70% of my salary, I wouldn't accrue my stock bonus during it so my total income would be closer to 50% of my usual earnings. I ended up just using occasional sick days and some comp time.

For a lumpectomy, I didn't need any days off because it was done on a Saturday morning and I was able to do my desk job by Monday morning. During rads I didn't need any days off and I'm an exempt employee so there was no time off needed for the daily rads appointments. If you are an hourly employee, reduced work schedule SDI might apply for that. 

Even during the depths of chemo, there was never a time when I was unable to walk parking lot distances and some exercise from walking is good so I never felt any need for a disabled parking pass.