Stage 3 and social security disability benefits

bak94

I know this has been brought up many times but I can't find the thread! How many stage 3 sisters applied for social security disability benefits and received them? I read the ssdi website and it said if you have a certain number of positive nodes or have internal mammary nodes positive (which I have) that you should qualify for ssdi. I want to apply, but it terrifies me that my cancer is considered bad enough to receive disability, but I have a very physical job and have a hard time working and we are heading to the poor house! I know payments don't start for 5 months and you have to be off for at least a year. I feel like if I go on ssdi I am giving in to how serious all this is, and right now the little bit of denial I have is protecting me from major anxiety! I don't know what to do, my hubby wants me to apply asap.

jennyboog

I'm not much help because I did apply but pulled my application.  I'm planning on going back to work and would be back at work before I got anything.  I feel the same as you, is my cancer really this serious & I don't feel disabled enough to get benefits.  It was also a long process, have all your records ready with dates and meds, etc, that's another reason I said forget it.  Good luck I hope it all works out for you. 

Fearless_One

They look at more than that.   You can't have made more than 1K a month for 6 months.   So if you work full-time, you will be disqualified.   Unless the job paid less than 1K a month.   If you are not working and your husband supports you, yes, stage III with internal mammary nodes does qualify you (I've read up a lot on this).   It's all on their website, they are very specific.

jdootoo

I was approved for SSDI at stage IIIA. I was thrilled that they approved me, but still a little freaked out about how easy it was... what does that mean? Don't let that stop you from applying, though, and the earlier you apply, the better. From what I understand, as long as you are unable to work now, it shouldn't matter how much money you making at the job (the Fearless One could be right about that). 

You should automatically qualify, and I think that knowledge will be helpful for you at the interview. When you do go in, make sure you have all of your paperwork in order and talk to your doctors in advance, since Social Security will be interviewing them. I did this, and I think that is why I was approved so easily. The thing you will want to do is to convince Social Security that you cannot work right now due to pain, side affects from medication, or mental illness. 

Good luck, and let me know if you have more questions.

One love, Jackie 

Fearless_One

Jackie, yes, I am right about that.    If I was diagnosed with stage IV tomorrow, I would still be disqualified because I would be unable to quit my job right away.   And even if I could, you can't have made more than 1K a month for 6 months (which they deem "gainful employment").    It's not as simple as just having a qualifying illness.   I wish it were, because if mine progesses, I am scr****ed.

It's all on their website. 

bak94

Thanks everyone, I will have to look at the website again. I have only worked part time for the past few years, also because I am not able to do the job fulltime-sensitive to the chemicals and my arm is sore from my last breast cancer 8 years ago, although I do not suffer from lymphedema.I have not been working since this diagnoses, but I am going to start again(I have to), but I will not be able to work enough to make more than 1,000. So if i don't make more than 1.000 from April-september, then I might qualify? That is just one extra month from their rule of having to be off for 5 months before a payment is made.

So, do you get the paperwork (about diganoses) from the doctor, or does the doctor provide it directly to them? ANd there is always an in person interview? I appreciate the info, it is helping with my decision, which I will probably apply. Is it true that you can still work a little on ssdi?

Kezzie62

Fearless_One you statement about earning under 1K for the 6months before you apply is not correct.  My Nice was in a very well paid job earning just over 3k a month. She was hit by a teen driver who was texting while driving and has been left unable to walk or do much for herself.  She applied for SSDI 2 months after her accident and while she was on STD from her job.  She was approved within 3 months and has just started getting her payments last month. She has to wait 24 months from her approval date to get Medicare and she has been told that if she does anywork that has income of more than 1k a month she has to notify SSA.  They never asked about how much she was earning prior to her acident or how much she was getting in STD/LTD.

I would advise anyone who is thinking of applying for SSDI to check out there situation with the SSA before you apply.  There are also loads of lawyers who will help you get SSDI and they charge a % of any back dated money you get.

Kezzie

jdootoo

In New York they always do an interview, though they can do it over the phone under special circumstances. You should apply right away since I think they start your 5 month waiting period from application date. You can apply online. 

I remember giving a form to my doctor... I chose which doctor, and spoke with him about my situation. I think it is a good idea to do this so you are sure your doctor is on your side. My medical oncologist was not interested in helping me get the SSDI as her feeling was that I would be fine after treatment. My radiation oncologist, however, was more than happy to help me out since he felt it would be better for me not to work for a while.

Hope this helps...

One love, Jackie 

Fearless_One

Here is a link that shows current income levels allowed.  "Gainful work" is still 1K a month or more for 2011.   It did not go up from last year.   It also clearly states that if you are currently working (defined as "gainful activity", 1K a month or more ) you will most likely not be considered for SSDI.

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10029.html#part2

It can't hurt to contact them and set up an interview, though, since you have not been working.  I would advise putting off going back to work for awhile while you are in this process. 

Also, your "wait" period begins from the time you are approved, not from your application date.

Stage III (with internal mammary nodes) does meet their medical criteria and you will find it on the list on their website.

bak94

Well crap, I thought the wait period would be from diagnoses! So I have wasted 2 months by not filing yet!

Fearless_One

Just file asap.    I would think you will be approved.   You meet the criteria both financially and physically.  

jennyboog

I didn't file at dx because I was told or thought you had to be IV.  Then I found out different, I had IBC which automatically qualifies you also, mine felt so complicated, I'm on my 3rd dr & 3rd hospital since dx.  I'm also on a leave without pay status from work.  I'm worried about returning to work, I don't have LE but do have some issues with that arm and I'm a dental hygientist.  I guess time will tell whether I apply or not once I see if I can handle it.  Thanks for all the info.

hymil

Jenny, if you are off without pay at the moment, you could maybe apply anyway, then if you do get it you would not need to go back and struggle?

TiffanyF4

I have been turned down 2X am waiting on a hearing.  I was 2b but during radiation I suffered damage to the muscle that goes around to my back and I have been in treatment for that for almost 2yrs. I also developed lung problems. My issue is that the Judge that is suppose to hear my case in now under investigation. I seriously can't win for losing sometimes!  Wish you all luck! We paid into this all these years why is it such a big deal now that we need it!

bak94

Yeah, Tiffany, I sometimes wonder how it works. It seems it is not an even playing field, seems like with back issues and lung problems that you would be able to qualify.

jdootoo

The 5 month waiting period starts from the date of application. I applied in March, 2010 and my application got lost in the shuffle. When I called the SSA office in September, they set up an appointment for me right away, then approved me within 2 weeks. The first payment I received was backpaid from August, 5 months after I applied. 

Also, you are allowed to make up to 16k a year and still receive payments.

Jennyboog: you should apply right away too!

One love, Jackie

p.s. I have a good friend who is a social worker, and she told me that all they want to hear about is pain, side effects from meds, and mental illness. You will need to find a way to convince SSA that you cannot work due to one of these three reasons. Good luck everyone! Please feel free to pm me with questions. 

Fearless_One

 This is from their website:

When do my benefits start?

If your application is approved, your first Social Security disability benefits will be paid for the sixth full month after the date your disability began.

Here is an example: If the state agency decides your disability began on January 15, your first disability benefit will be paid for the month of July. Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they are due, so you will receive your July benefit in August.

Fearless_One

 This also from their website as to what is on their "list of impairments" that qualify: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 metastases to the supraclavicular or infraclavicular nodes, to 10 or more axillary nodes, or with distant metastases.

OR

C. Recurrent carcinoma, except local recurrence that remits with antineoplastic therapy.

 

 * *keep in mind you must meet certain financial criteria for them to approve you, not just physical.  

jdootoo

Thanks Fearless One... SSA decides when your disability began, usually the date they determine you are no longer able to work. I was counting backward from my 5 month waiting period. I remembered later that during my interview, SSA had determined that I was no longer able to work at the time that I applied. Keep the good information coming!

This is a great thread as it is important for everyone to know what to expect. I hope more sistahs who are on SSDI will chime in with advice! 

One love, Jackie 

Fearless_One

Jackie, so if my cancer were to progress to stage IV (for example), they would not approve me until the day I quit my job?   And then there could be a wait period of 6 months after that?   At which point I would be homeless by then.    That's messed up.    Unless that is not correct?  

Guess I still am a little confused by all this.

jdootoo

Fearless One, from what I remember (after one year of chemo brain!) SSA would consider you disabled when you can no longer work, i.e. when you quit your job or went on disability. Then there is a 5 month waiting period before benefits kick in. I have heard, however, that you can get accelerated benefits at stage IV... can anyone clarify this?

Worse yet, there is a 2 year waiting period before being eligible for Medicare. SSI is totally income based, though, and you would be eligible for that if you cannot work at all and have no income coming in. SSDI will deduct any SSI benefits from the amount you receive once that kicks in.

It is confusing, and I think it is that way to discourage people from abusing the system. When I went in for my interview, the people at SSA were very nice to me and very helpful. I think they want to help the people who really need it.

Don't worry, there is always help available for basic living expenses. We ended up having to file bankruptcy because I could not work last summer (I worked freelance and was at doctor appointments 3-4 times a week, leaving me with no time to work). It sucks, it is frustrating, but it is what it is. 

(((hugs))))

Jackie 

Fearless_One

Thanks, Jackie....so it's what I thought - you basically have to be out of work for 5-6 months before they will approve you.   So by then, many people will have lost their homes, cars, etc.   It's a pretty screwed up system.   They should look at the individual diagnosis and be able to approve you while still working - and THEN place a wait time, so that you can get benes by the time you can no longer work.

jdootoo

Fearless One: I have a close friend who has a severe heart condition, sort of like a viral infection of the heart. She has a pacemaker and has been on death's bed 3 times. Last month she died for a few minutes and was brought back to life. She had to convince SSA that she couldn't cook for her family or do housework, because they felt if she could do these things, she could work. Really messed up, they were charging rent on credit cards before SSDI kicked in. I wish they would fix the system, too. Blah!

One love, Jackie 

AnneWisc

I think that while waiting for SSI or SSDI to apply, you may qualify for state or county supports when your income drops to a certain level.  My daughter, with some mental health issues, immediately qualified for $180 a month in food benefits.  She is able to pull in about $600 a month by working, but with rent of $400, she was falling behind every month.  I would call your state or county human services (social services) department and apply for every last program they have that you could conceivably benefit from.  Heat assistance, house repairs, etc.

Also, if you are struggling with medical bills, apply for compassionate relief with the provider directly.  A lot of them have write-off programs or foundations to help with hardship cases.  You DO have to ask for the help, otherwise it just goes to a collection agency.  

Somewhere on these boards, can't remember where, I saw somebody say they saved a lot on medical bills by paying a very small amount monthly and after a year, offering to settle the remainder for a fraction of the amount due.  Usually the provider accepted the offer.  I'll have to remember that one!

Alternatives to bankruptcy, what the hey.  As if we needed these kind of issues while we're fighting for our health. 

bak94

Lots of good information on this thread. Thank you all, keep it coming!

Fearless_One

Anne, that's true,     I take home around 1200.00 a month and was immediately sent a letter saying "denied/your income is too high".    I don't know how your daughter was making it on $600 a month, I am glad she got approved.   

I don't worry so much now, but I worry what will happen to me if I become stage IV.   It will be some time until I can quit my job, and then I don't know what will happen.  

Kezzie62

You can go on short term disability if your employer provides that and then when that runs out you can get long term disability.  You can get this while you are waiting for your SSDI claim to be approved.  My Employer has STD that pays full pay for 12 weeks then LTD that pays 60% of full pay.  If you are awarded SSDI they will deduct any amount you have been paid from your STD/LTD from any arrears of SSDI.  You can continue to get your LTD but your SSDI will be reduced by the same amount.

For stage IV you can get accelerated benefits if your doctor will confirm that you are not expected to live for more than 12 month.

Fearless_One

I don't have disablity through my work (I was stupid to not sign up for it before I got sick, and now of course, I am ineligible).

So If I were to become stage IV, I could not be approved until I had one year left to live?   I am so depressed reading all this.   But at the same time, it's better to know.

Kezzie62

Fearless_one, you can get approved for SSDI at stage IV, and you can get accelerated benefits if you have less than 12 months.  The only way for you to find out about your own situation is to go to SSA and talk to them.  They will be able to give you the answers you need for your situation.  What applies to one person here does not mean it applies to all.

Kezzie

Fearless_One

Thanks, Kezzie - I know I am getting ahead of myself, it's just a concern that weighs heavily on me. 

bak94

Well, I just did it. I applied for ssdi. I did it online and all I have to do is sign a medical release and they will obtain my medical records. I have not told my doc about this yet, so I kinda want to give him the heads up before he starts receiving papers from ssdi. I wonder if he will help me or if he might think I need to work? He is kinda a workaholic himself, so I am a bit worried he will say, oh she is fine to work without really knowing what I go through just to work a few hours a day. I don't complain much to him about how I feel, as I feel ok if I can rest, standing for 8 hours with my arms up is a whole different story!