stagelll, I don't think I'm disabled

I think only Stage IV is an automatic yes for SSDI.  You may have to jump through some hoops to get it and prove you are disabled.  I am no expert though.

If you want to work, I wouldn't give that up.  I am back to working, and I had half my liver removed back in October and then a terrible bout of C-diff where I almost lost my colon in November.  I'm back half days and it's really nice to have something to take your mind off yourself.

I'm trying to work my way up to full-time - that is up in the air but I'm hoping I can.  

I am not sure why your husband is arguing - you are going to make 10x more as a nurse than on SSDI, and you will feel better as time goes by. If he's worried you won't improve - you will. 

Hi Fredntan,

I briefly considered filing for "disability retirement", which is not the same as SSDI and was told that it might be an uphill battle for stage IIIers.  In the end, I knew I still wanted to work, but not continue working in my stressful public education administration position.  If I left on disability, I would have to reapply annually (jumping through unknown hoops) as well as have a cap on my potentional earnings as a part-time college professor.  I was told that SSDI might also be difficult to project for future years simply because drugs such as Tomaxifen are so promising.

I just wasn't up for the annual crapshoot and potential headaches involved when I am truly capable of working with accomodations my employer was willing to give.  I am instead "buying" my last two years of work experience required by South Carolina for full retirement benefits for state employees and then work part time teaching graduate classes.

I don't know if any of this helps, but I have had to wrangle with the same issues.

Meredith 

I went back to work about 7 weeks ago. Full time first grade teacher in a public school. I am beyond happy. It is hectic, energizing and where I belong. It restored a great deal of normalcy to my life. I am exhausted by 9:00 pm, but so are most teachers. I sleep like a log. There will be a day when I truly need disability but I'm not going there one day sooner than I need to. Your husband means well but do what feels right for you.

Caryn

This thread is somewhat old but wanted to say you need to be ready to quit your job if you want to apply for SSDI. You cannot keep working because the whole point is that your disabilities have or will prevent you from working for at least 12 months. The application asks you for your last day of work.



Stage IV will get an expedited review due to the compassionate allowance because it is considered a terminal disability, not an automatic approval. Documentation of your disability is what will get the approval. Stage III does have an uphill battle but it's not impossible.



After you have been on SSDI for some time there is a program to assist you to return to work or train for other work. Called Ticket to Work. In addition after you have been disabled for awhile you can work on a limited basis but it is $$ based not hours. Currently anything under $720 a month is not reported. 9 months of earnings over that and there is another 3 year period where you can earn up to $1010 without penalty. Amounts over will likely trigger a review of your ability to engage in SGA or substantial gainful activity.



Your best information is on the SS site. Verify anything you are told here because there is a lot of misinformation. That includes from the horses mouth at the local SS office.