social security disability

geocachelinda

I have applied for SSD because of my Stage 3C breast cancer and also being diagnosed with severe depression and Bi-polar disorder.  Has anyone applied for SSD for breast cancer and recieved it?  It looks like they are tough even with just that.  It looks like you have to have Stage 4 in order to qualify!  I am wondering if my BC and mental disorders will be enough to qualify me.  I would hate to have to get an attorney if denied.

pattibear

i have been applying for 3 months now and the run around is normal. its like they hope you will give up but dont, keep applying.i am, so expect alot of paperwork ,long forms and being put on hold alot. its your money so fight for it.......good luck

jdootoo

geocachelinda: I applied for SSDI and was approved the first time, within three weeks, and I am stage IIIA. You automatically qualify for SSDI since you are stage IIIC... let them know that you know that!

This is what I did, and I hope you find the information helpful 

You should be very prepared. Bring in all of your medical reports along with your income information and expenses. I feel that the more prepared you are, the more seriously they will take you. Also, they are interested in physical pain and mental health issues. You need to convince them that you cannot work for one of those two reasons. We all know that it is next to impossible to work a full time job when we are always keeping dr. appointments, etc. but they don't care about that... PAIN, PAIN, PAIN!

I wish you the best of luck, you deserve this, SSDI was put in place for people like you and me. Do as much research as you can and be sure they know that you know your rights... I think they tend to give benefits to people who make it clear that they will keep knocking on the door. (of course, only if you qualify!

One love, Jackie 

jdootoo

Oh, one more thing...

Make sure you talk to your doctors ahead of time. The Social Security office will ask for your doctors' input, so  be sure to give them the information for the doctor who will be most supportive to you.

Hope this helps...

One love, Jackie 

37antiques

Both depression and bipolar disorder are also automatic SSDI.  It just takes a little time until they can collect all the information.  The more complete your information on the initial application, the easier it is for them.  Hang tight, you'll get there!

1Athena1

Setting the record straight: Bipolar disorder and depression are not automatic SSDI by any means. They can be used as the BASIS for a disability but you must still prove incapacitation. There is frequent confusion about this.

Another clarifier: there is no such thing as bipolar AND depression as a diagnosis. The bipolar incorporates the depression. At most, you can have dysthymia superimposed on Bipolar, but DSM IV-TR guidelines preclude a dx of bipolar and depression as well. One or the other. And dysthymia is not as serious as bipolar. Make sure the doctor has a diagnostic code that makes sense.  

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Hi Ladies,

I was reading through the thread and was wondering, "who qualifies for a Social Security Disability?"  Thank you very much for your input.

Laureen

hopeful34

I realize this sounds silly since I am only stage I, but.....I had my BMX last May and developed MRSA, had to have my TE removed, went through chemo, had another surgery a month ago to put the TE back in, and I have dealt with Bi-polar as well.  SSI denied me three times and I finally hired an attorney.  He doesn't get paid unless I win. (25%)  I figure they wouldn't waste time with me if they didn't think I had a chance, especially if they aren't gonna get paid for it without me getting approved.  He said that if you actually go to hearing, you are more likely to get benefits.  I don't want long term benefits, but he said I should receive a check for the year I have been off.  He said although I am on Effexor and have been on other meds even before diagnosis, that it is best to see a Psychiatrist to confirm diagnosis.  He said usually they won't just take the GP or Oncologists word for it.   It just sickens me to think I am 35 years old, and I have worked since I was 13 and can't get help now that I am unable to work.  Good luck to you.  It can be done.

Fearless_One

A lot of it depends on your current income.   If you work and make over 1,000 a month, it rules you out.   So in actuality, people who don't actually have to work, may get approved easier than people that do.  

So your single mother who makes $12.00 an hour full-time with history of stage III BC, will have a harder time getting approved than a non-working person with a history of stage II (for example).

hopeful34

Fearless_One- I didn't know that about the income guidelines.  I guess for once I should be grateful I haven't worked for the last year.  Needless to say, I cannot wait to get back to school and work.  They (SSDI) did tell me, you have to be off work for 6 months before they will consider your claim.  And, you have to prove you will be off at least 12 months for approval. of temporary disability.

Fearless_One

I don't know anything about temporary disability, but for full SSDI (non-temp), you can work, but it cannot exceed 1K a month.   Doesn't mean you are automatically approved, but that they don't rule you out if you work.  

So basically, I will never be able to get it, since if I don't work, I will lose my car and can't pay rent or anything else.    My gross exceeds 1K a month, but of course, that is gross - they don't count the $340.00 my employer deducts for health insurance, etc.

I would rather go to work sick and exhausted if need be, than not be able to eat.  

hopeful34

Fearless- I am so sorry.  I cannot work right now, because I work for a surgeon, and between the MRSA infection I had on and off, and not being able to lift, it makes things a bit difficult.  I am so ready to get back and out of this house though.  I know what you mean about the money though.  Gas prices are killing us right now....my husband drives 100 miles a dat for work, so a quarter of his check is going to gas.  He keeps saying if I get another infection, I might just have to go back to work for a while and get reconstruction later, so I am hoping this time everything works out.....fingers crossed.  It is a shame we work our whole lives and when we need SSDI, we have to beg to get it.  Meanwhile, in the doctors office I work at I see 20 somethings with back pain who are on permanent disability.  Not that they couldn't truly be hurt, but I see alot of them around and they seem to be functioning just fine.  It boggles me how SSDI makes the decision to deny a cancer patient.  Sorry for my little rant.  It just upsets me.

Fearless_One

Hopeful, that is so true - it really angers me how people can get SSDI for things like backpain and depression and I couldn't even get it when I was in cancer treatment.    Not everyone can afford to walk away from their jobs (even those that are sick), and the whole system is geared towards people who don't need to work (food stamps, SSDI, etc).

I know a guy who owns a landscape business under the table, makes a killing, gets full disability (for his "back") and they get food stamps on top of that.    The guy is in perfect health. 

jdootoo

Fearless One: I agree with what you said about the lack of common sense when it comes to the government helping people. I was turned down for food stamps, even though I am on SSDI and can't afford to buy the healthy food that we should be eating (I do my best, though, and cook from scratch every day). We have 2 young boys and that pisses me off! 

My mother in law gets food stamps and is retired with a full pension plus social security. She is always offering to share her benefits with us since she cannot use them all, but it is to difficult, with the kids, to get to her house and the supermarket to shop with her.

WTF? 

One love, Jackie 

Fearless_One

Jackie, that IS messed up.   And you have 2 little kids to feed....what a system.   

hopeful34

Jackie- Sorry to hear about your situation.  My MIL is the same way.  She gets SSDI, VA pension and food stamps.  She has helped us alot though, so I shouldn't complain, but my husband works and we are struggling big time, since I got cancer.  It is just so depressing!  I feel like I am being punished for getting cancer.

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How can I apply for an SSDI?  Is there a website I could get more information from?  I am not sure if I will qualify but it won't hurt to try.  I started disability on March 22nd and am discouraged by my medical team to go back to work until I'm done with my chemo and radiation tx.

Thanks in advance for the info!

Laureen

Fearless_One

Hopeful, you are not being punished for getting cancer.   You are being punished for working (or rather your husband is).   That is the way these systems work - SSDI, food stamps, etc - if you work, the harder it is to get them.    Unfortunately, not every sick person is able to walk away from their jobs.

jdootoo

I actually started going to food pantries to help fill in the voids. I have had some interesting conversations with people about how my husband and I both have college degrees, but still can't afford to feed our family! I have to say, though, that everyone has been very kind, and truly seem to enjoy helping people in a non-judgmental way. 

My friend and I went to one place where we were required to eat lunch there before they would give us a bag of food! Lol!

I am looking forward to going back to work, but cannot return to my field since I am a graphic designer and my back, shoulders, and arm start to ache after a couple of hours using the mouse. I need to return to school... I would love to become a librarian, but cannot take on any more debt. We are looking at filing bankruptcy as it is. Argh, I am caught in a spiral abyss 

Laureen: You probably will not qualify for SSDI at stage II unless you can convince them that you have chronic PAIN or mental illness. Unfortunately, Social Security does not want to hear about how you are constantly at the doctor's office and/or not feeling well, they just want to hear about pain, mental illness, or side effects from medication. Remember, PAIN, PAIN, PAIN!! Best of luck.

One love, Jackie 

Fearless_One

Laureen, Jackie is probably right, but since there are people that can get SSDI for things like backache and depression, I would like to think you at least have a chance of getting it for Stage II cancer.

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Jackie and Fearless_One - Thank you for the info!  I will think about SSDI, study it, and see if it's worth a try:-)

 Laureen

LindaKR

I know someone who is on it for fibromyalgia, another for back pain and another for PTSD from being harrassed at work.  I applied, we'll see how it goes - I can't work because of SE's - pain & fatigue mostly, with a few other things thrown in for good measure.  Don't get me wrong - it's great to be cancer-free!!!!  But the SE's can be a little overwhelming sometimes.

jdootoo

Linda and Laureen: Do either of you have lymphedema? Social Security is starting to recognize LE as a disability. If you do, bring in your diagnosis paperwork when you go in for your interview.

One love, Jackie 

Fearless_One

Pain factor and income are the two main factors for being considered for SSDI.    Remember, if your income exceeds 1K month, you won't qualify.   I don't know how that applies to non-working women whose husbands work, though.

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Anonymous

I get $2000 monthly in SS/SSD income.  I was approved within two months of application.  I also applied for my brother and he rec'd SSD within a month or two.  I feel happy about this since apparently only around 20 - 30 % of these original apps are approved the first time around.  That's why there are law firms advertising their services on TV. 

I would advise getting your ducks all in a row before application and if denied, appeal.   Both the app for myself and my brother were done over the phone.

Fearless_One

Stage IV is automatic SSDI, from what I understand (as it should be).   It's much different with other stages, especially stage II.   You are not automatically approved (and a lawyer may not matter), and if you make more than 1K a month (gross), you are not eligible.