Disability

Twiceasnice

Has anyone on the listserve had experience with applying for or receiving social security disability (SSDI) with Stage III breast cancer? My understanding from a social worker at my hospital was that anyone with this diagnosis automatically received it. Thanks for your input and contact me offline if you prefer--

 Geminihalf

angelsabove

I would be curious about this also. I was DX with stage IIB....I now do not work and have wondered......HUH....do I qualify for that...I have any achy body and going to lympadema Dr. the end of this month. Dont know if I have that....but I DO HAVE PAIN....

Sue-61

Geminihalf, from what I undertand from reading on these boards is that only stage IV automatically qualifies for SSDI.

My husband had a cardiac condition which was horrid. He has since passed away. He did apply and did get, immediately, SSDI. There is a 6 months wait FROM THE TIME the doctor says you are disabled.......until you get any $ and it took about 3 mos to process his application.

You need to get your docs on board. They have to sign paperwork that says you are disabled.

Check it out on line at www.socialsecurity.gov or call your local office. Good luck, Sue

(and anyone please feel free to correct me if I am wrong; I won't be offended)

Twiceasnice

Thanks for the comments, ladies. Sue-61. You are right, Stage IV is automatic but I was told by the social worker at the first hospital where I was treated that it is common for Stage III to qualify for SSDI if your doctors confirm a 12-month treatment plan. I understand it takes 5 months to receive the first check from the point the dr.'s say you were disabled.  Thx for the reply Jennifer

Sue-61

Well you are most welcome, Gemini......There is a lot of paperwork that the patient has to fill out. BE SURE to NOT give too many doctors names as they, SS, have to contact ALL of them.

There is an intial 12 page form for the patient. (as best I can recall, and my DH did this several yrs ago) We listed his pcp, his surgeon  and his cardiologist. The surgeon was not helpful AT ALL. (the surgery was NOT successful.) I brought all the forms IN PERSON to the other docs, I had filled out tihe codes that they wanted and everything went smoothly.  I wish you all the best in this endeavor, Sue