Does Disability include Medical Insurance?

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Medigal
Medigal Member Posts: 1,412
edited June 2014 in Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues

Does anyone know if being able to receive disability payments includes any type of medical insurance?  I have a relative who has a medical condition which makes it extremely painful for her to hold down a full time job.  However, she suffers constantly with the jobs because she needs the insurance which usually comes with the job.  Today she was fired and is in a lot of depression because she tried to be the best worker but her medical problem caused her such pain that they claimed "she didn't seem to be enjoying her joy enough!"  She is beginning to think she can only handle a part time job but fears she would be uninsured.  Someone told her that insurance comes with getting disability payments.  Is this true? Any information you can share will be greatly appreciated since she is very depressed about the entire situation and looking for answers.  She fears if she were able to find another job, her pain would cause her to be in the same situation and eventually get her fired again.  Thanks for your help!

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  • txstardust
    txstardust Member Posts: 599
    edited May 2011

    If you are referring to Social Security disability, Medicare is provided once the person has been on disability for two years.  Depending on how much the person receives in disability payments, they may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if the payments are below a certain dollar amount.  At that point, they would also be eligible for Medicaid.

    The way she was let go from her job is awful!  I don't know how employers like that can sleep at night.  

    Good luck to your friend.  She has a good friend in you! 

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  • Twincol
    Twincol Member Posts: 1
    edited May 2011

    Whew, Medigal, this STINKS!  You note that . . .

     "her medical problem caused her such pain that they claimed 'she didn't seem to be enjoying her joy enough!'"  Puleeeease!!

    Given your statement it appears that the termination was based on your family member's medical condition, which could be ILLEGAL.  Certainly some workplace accomodations should be worked with before considering termination, legal concerns notwithstanding.  I'd consider exploring legal remedies as well as SSDI.

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  • Medigal
    Medigal Member Posts: 1,412
    edited May 2011

    Ladies:  Thanks for the info.  My relative, unfortunately, kept her medical problems and her pain from her employer because she feared she might lose her job.  We also live in a state which allows firing and hiring "At Will".  An employer does not have to give a reason to fire someone for any thing.  She is considering Social Security Disability because she is desperate for keeping her medical coverage. She can go on COBRA for the longest period but we are concerned about it taking 2 years for Medicare to start.  She may run out of COBRA before she can get approved for SSDI and gets on Medicare.  We have to find out what she can use in between since she needs a lot of daily medications which are expensive.  This is breaking our hearts and hers because she made the highest sales for the store and was outstanding in her job even when she was in intense pain.  The reasons they have come up with for firing her are so ridiculous that they make no sense!  She was too happy about getting a day off!  Sure, so she could rest and take her pain meds without being on her feet all day!  Who, in pain, wouldn't be happy on their days off?  That company is just like most others.  Employees are "resources" for them to make money and not real people to them.  I just pray we can help her get on the disability with the help of a lawyer and she  won't have to work under such conditions ever again.  Thank you again for your advice.

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited May 2011

    She would need to meet their financial criteria, not just the physical criteria.   If she does get another job and her pay exceeds 1K a month, she will not be approved.   If it is possible for her to not work for awhile, I would advise her not to.

    1K a month is what they call SGA, "substantial gainful activity" (this amount is higher for blind people).

    I believe you can carry cobra for 18 months.   If approved for SSDI, her medicare would kick in 2 years later (from approval date).

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  • Chickadee
    Chickadee Member Posts: 4,467
    edited June 2011

    If she is able she should contact Social Security for an interview to explore exactly what she might be entitled to.  She should also be looking at any state/county programs locally and contact the unemployment office as well for programs that might help sooner.

    You have to wait 6 months from your last day of work for SSDI benefits to start if approved in that time frame.  If she doesn't have a clear cut case it could take longer to recieve those benefits due to denials and appeals.  She needs help now.

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited June 2011

    Chickadee, is that 6 months until approved, or 6 months until benes start?  I am always confused about that aspect of it.   

    So if someone gets sick while still working (say, cancer goes to stage IV), can they apply while still working (without being disqualified)?   Or do they have to have not worked for 6 months (which could be really tough to do with no benes coming in)?

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  • Chickadee
    Chickadee Member Posts: 4,467
    edited June 2011

    Benefit payments will not start until 6 months from the last day of employment.  I believe you can apply while working but if you are still working you might be denied because of it.  My last day of work was January 31.   I didn't apply right away until my scans came back with progression, that's when I applied online.

    My first payment won't be until Aug 3.  I'm fortunate to be covered by my husband's insurance and have savings to tide me over.

    On edit: I was initially told approval might take 4-5 months because they are backed up.  I called my state disability determination office to follow up to ensure that my application being Stage IV would get expedited.  It was.  If you aren't Stage IV it may drag on.

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited June 2011

    That's messed up.    How do they expect people to go 6 months with no income if they are sick/injured?

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  • Chickadee
    Chickadee Member Posts: 4,467
    edited June 2011

    I don't make the rules, but I would imagine that state unemployment benefits would be one possibility for bridging the gap.   

    SSDI is difficult to qualify for and requires lots of documentation.  From talking to SS reps, there are lots of fraudulent claims, and that makes it more of a maze for those of us for whom it becomes a necessity.  Thumbs down to all the deadbeats who try to game the system. 

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  • Fearless_One
    Fearless_One Member Posts: 3,300
    edited June 2011

    But if I had to quit my job due to cancer progression, I wouldn't be eligible for unemployment (you can't collect if you quit your job).   

    I agree with you about the fraudulent claims.   They should do jail time.

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