TDI through state. Very confused

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bedo
bedo Member Posts: 1,866
edited June 2014 in Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues

NY, NJ, Hawaii Ca and PR provide individual TDI to people living in those states.  I did not have disability through work and wouldn't have been able to get it without $$$$$$$ due to another condition.(which I think is dumb, since I feel fine)

I was laid off the week before my BC diagnosis

My doctor wrote a note saying I was unable to work until after my office closes 6/30. We were all let off.  I think he said this due to my general mental status and the fact that if I make a bad decision, it could be serious.

My question is, should I apply for unemployment or disability or can I go back and forth, for instance if I feel well enough to work for a few days should I apply for unemployment?

 The Social worker at the hospital said "check with work"

The HR person said "I don't know"

I will have surgery in a week.  I changed doctors and that postponed it.

My surgeon said they usually wait 3 weeks after surgery to start chemo or radiation and I will have one or both but the tumor board is waiting until after surgery.

Does being a gibbering idiot and not being able to eat make you disabled?

PS, my health insurance runs out 7/31/11

Thank you for all your help

I hope this makes sense.

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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited June 2011

    bedo,

    Which of those states are you in? Sorry, without a bit more information it is impossible to even consider a response that is helpful.

    *susan* 

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  • bedo
    bedo Member Posts: 1,866
    edited June 2011

    Rhode Island and hello neighbor!

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  • reesie
    reesie Member Posts: 2,078
    edited June 2011

    I know in NJ you have to continually qualify. If you return to work at all during each week you don't qualify for the benefit for that week. They will send out continuing qualification paperwork periodically that has to be signed by you and be completed by your doc. Also each check has the qualifier on it and says you can't cash it if you worked.



    The initial paperwork has to be completed by you, your employer, and your doc. Also you have to apply within 30 days of your disability date. If you file later than that you have to explain why it was late and they have to appprove the reason.



    Since the benefit for the entire week is denied if you work at all during that week you need to carefully look at that. Also I'm not sure but I think you need to do the paperwork again to start it up again. So if you work off and on you could constantly be doing paperwork.



    I know this doesn't really answer your question but I hope it helps. Also if you're in a different state than NJ I have no idea.

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  • reesie
    reesie Member Posts: 2,078
    edited June 2011

    Oops sorry cross post so my answer won't help at all.

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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited June 2011

    Alright, please bear with me. You live in RI, which has no state-run disability program. You worked for a company where you were not part of the disability group. Do I have this right?

    So, what disability would you be applying for?

    If you are talking about SSDI, then this doesn't nothing for you. There is at least a 6 month waiting period, and simply being in treatment for cancer is not actually considered to be disabling. Disability is for people who can not work. Not people who feel bad for a small time, and then feel better. No. You can't bounce between them.

    I expect that the only monies that will be easy to get are your unemployment benefits which you will be entitled to by law. Personally, I would take the "free" money, and if in six months you are not able to work, then consider SSDI. The process of applying is somewhat complicated, especially if you aren't Stage IV.

    Hope I didn't totally misunderstand you.

    *susan* 

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  • bedo
    bedo Member Posts: 1,866
    edited June 2011

    No, that's ok, RI does have a  state temporary disability program. for up to 30 weeks.

    You are right, I worked 28 hours a week so did not qualify through work.  I would not qualify for private unless I paid a billion dollars

    OK I will take your advice, since I think some people do work through this so I am not sure if it would be worth it to ask for the disability, even though it is more.  and I wouldn't have a job to go back to anyway.

    I am sorry about your new diagnosis.  That does suck.

    I hope you are still able to enjoy your violin.

    Thank you for your advice.

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  • susan_02143
    susan_02143 Member Posts: 7,209
    edited June 2011

    Ah, you didn't list RI as one of the states originally, so I gave an answer without all of the available information.

    So, the state run disability will pay you more per week than unemployment? Does it open up the possibility of a state-run medical plan as well?

    Don't forget that you will be required to apply for jobs while you are on unemployment, and be available for interviews, etc.

    So to summarize, if RI has a state-run disability program, I would apply for that. If rejected, go for the unemployment. I worked through all of my treatments. Not high quality work, but work none-the-less.

    Good luck!

    *susan* 

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  • bedo
    bedo Member Posts: 1,866
    edited June 2011

    Thank you again

    You are a very level headed person.  :)

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