Disability Question

Hi RCL,

Sorry to hear that you're in such pain from treatment and hope you can find relief.

Regarding disability, I'm confused about your question??  To my knowledge, state disability is temporary disability and the requirements are different for each state but in the majority of cases it does not take a lawyer to get your money. 

Social Security Disability (SSD) is permanent disability and in some cases it's best to have a lawyer on your side.

What I suggest is to search your state's website for "filing for state disability" information.  It should tell you what's involved and for how long a period of time you can collect if you're found to be temporarily disabled.  I've collected state temporary disability twice and it was no big deal.  The doctor (surgeon) filled out some forms and I mailed them to the state offfice and about four to six weeks later began receiving my checks.  When I returned to work I also had to have the same doctor certify that I was able to return.

SSD is a much longer and drawn-out process and if that's what your inquiring about you can check the SS website and also post on the Recurrence Board as many ladies here are on SSD and can give you guidance.  SSD payments (if approved) are based on the number of credits you have within SS for your entire working life.  I think what one needs is somewhere around 40 credits to be eligible to collect, but....the SSD doctors are responsible for finding a person permanently disabed (not your doctors).

I'm sorry I could not be of more help and I hope I didn't confuse you too much!!

Best to you.

Jelly

Just be aware that applying for SSD is a lengthy process. My husband became disabled just as I finished treatment for BC. It took three long years, two appeals and an attorney for him to finally get his benefits.

The SSD system needs a complete overhaul, but Congress refuses to provide funding for the people that they'd have to hire to do it. File now, because the waiting period is going to get longer, and the sooner you get started, the better.

Between our medical bills and him being out of work for three years, we went through our entire savings. I got a second job at a time I should have been taking care of myself, but even so, we ended up in bankruptcy.

I'm not trying to scare you, just let you know how frustrating and heartbreaking this process can be. Keep telling yourself you've paid into this system, and now you need to use it. That's what kept us going in spite of everything.

 The good news is that once your claim is approved, you get back pay. Also, you qualify for Medicare. Both of those turned out to be real blessings for us. It's a long, dark tunnel, but there is light at the end. 

If you are asking about PT benefits, yes you can get PT benefits from State Disability if your Dr. states that you are unable to work FT. The only problem is how long have you been working PT for now.  You might have to appeal the decision if they do not want to go back to the start of your PT work. 

 On the other side if you are talking about SSI, yes most of the times you need to get an attorney to help you, but this would be if you were unable to work at all.

 Good luck to you