Social Security Questions and Answers

BevG - I know how you feel, putting down all that stuff.  I thought, it might be easier to write what's NOT wrong with me. LOL  

I had my interview with them on the phone about getting SSDI of mine for my kids.  The SS Rep said it would be better to have the money for the kids be under my husband as receiver of the kids money because if something happened to me (DUH) then he would have to have a hassle to reapply and get them death benefits.  Since 3 of my kids are adopted internationally, we have to submit additional paperwork showing I did adopt them.  And since my older son is 18 but a junior in HS, he has to go in and show his ID and fill out some paperwork.  But it's way less painful than I thought it would be. 

Steven, thank you so much for the help you're providing to those who are preoccupied at this time. It is really appreciated. I am totally confused about a couple of things. I just looked at the site you provided. For NY, it says avg. processing time 355 days; avg. wait for hearing 11 months... are those 2 separate things? Meaning the wait will be close to 2 years? Also, in my application, it asked if I wanted to apply for retirement SS... I am 62 and 10 months. It said something like "the amount will be less if you get the reg. ss.... so I opted out. The difference is about $300 per month. Are you saying I can also apply for retirement money and get that in the meantime while my app for dib is pending and if approved, then switch to the higher amount? What do they mean, the amount will be permanently less? So sorry, this is not very coherent but the application wasn't, to me, anyway . Thank you again.

The whole purpose of SSDI is that someone is no longer able to work due to disability.

The application will ask you what date you were no longer able to work.

Weirdly, when my DH was turning 62 and applying for regular SS the rep said that not only was our minor son entitled to a payment, roughly half of what my husband had earned but that I would receive a similar amount because I was caretaker. For two years until he was 18 we both receive funds.



Totally don't understand that and totally wonder how we can justify that sort of payment under normal SS. No wonder the funding is stressed.



Now disability is another can of worms, I don't know if that same thing applies.

It's called a trial work period. There is also the Ticket to Work program. The intent of these programs is to return someone to the workforce hopefully to get them off benefits. The trial work period is 9 months(does not have to be consecutive). If you earn less than $720 per month while receiving benefits you do not have to report earnings. After 9 months of earning more than $720 there is an extended 3 year period. If you earn more than $1010 monthly for that period you will likely find them re evaluating your disability to see if it can be discontinued. These dollar figures are current for this year and can change.



So you can supplement your benefits after you are approved. IMHO I wouldn't exceed the $720. No sense in risking reevaluation.

Steven Help!!!

I was diagnosed back in November 3rd 2010, stage 3 breast cancer, Did all the treatments and got on short term disability at work from January 1 2011 thru July 5th 2011. Returned to work due to financial hardship (DH working part time). House payments,  bills etc. and running out of FMLA, STD.  Upon my return to work, Management started treating me differently, I was given a lot of hardship as to how I was going to continue treatment and continue working with the balance of time that I had left. Only 80 hours PTO and I had Radiation to start.  Needless to say, I succeeded my treatments without having to compromise my alloted hours at work.  I would use 1 or 2 to go to treatments or Radiation, so I was Blessed for my side effects from Chemo that continued and Radiation that lasted a month and a half to not use all the time with out getting negative reactions from management. With the New Year I was given my full time due- Vac 160 hours, PTO Etc.  Did my reconstruct Surgery in March of this year,took STD and returned Mid May 2012.  Management just adviced me that  they are placing me on review for 60 days..you know as well as I know how this story is going to end.  I have been with the company for 21 years and they are treating me like I choose to get Cancer, I feel like they are punishing me for it.  Is it too late to try to apply for Disability now? I am 48. Sorry so long.

Thanks for letting me vent.  

Oh....I should add...I was Stage IV at initial diagnosis and I have worked for my company for 23 years. I am 45 years old.

I read my MetLife LTD plan summary and it does pay until I am 65 but I am sure that they try to find any way possible to not pay, hence my fears as I am currently NED.

Dunno if any of the above matters in my case.

Thank you, Terri.



My LTD is 65% and, yes, it pays much more than SSDI (almost double). I was already receiving benefits up until April, although only the 10% minimum monthly benefit as my CA SDI was high enough that the difference between the STD and LTD was less than 10% of what my benefit would be, hence the 10% minimum monthly benefit which is the minimum they pay out.



My real questions are whether or not I will have a difficult time being approved permanently as I am currently stage IV-NED though experiencing side effects from treatment. This morning, I can barely move, my bones ache so friggin much from letrozole. Also, chemo fog, cording, numbness and tingling in my chest and left arm (my dominant hand), insomnia and extreme fatigue. Oh, and to top it off, a panic attack every once in awhile.



My other question is whether or not my employer and the LTD company speak with each other. I want to give my work a medical leave form with a return to work date approx. 6-7 months out as they will continue to pay my medical benefits for 6 months and then ater that time tell them I will be requesting a permanent disability retirement. If i tell them i want the permanent disability right off the bat, they wont give me the 6months of medical benefits coverage. That is 6 months I don't have to pay for COBRA benefits.



At the same time, I want to submit a perm. disability request to MetLife LTD to make sure I get approval. I can't risk leaving my job only to not be approved permanently for the LTD. I would be screwed.



I am "young" (45) and worry that if I go for the permanent disability retirement that either now, or in a few years, if I'm still alive (fingers crossed) that they will deny me and I will lose everything I've worked so hard for (ie: my condo, my car, a decent standard of living). So long as I get the LTD (I know that they deduct any SSDI), I will be a-okay financially. I don't want to walk away from my 23 years long job, even though I don't particularly like it to wind up with no income, or only SSDI which won't cover my bills. But I also don't want to spend what is most likely the last years of my life at a job when i could be trying to enjoy them instead and, at the same time, prolonging my life with better health that comes with less stress and more rest that permanent disability would allow.



I am just getting nervous as I read on these boards that some women are facing reviews and approval difficulties with SSDI and I am pretty sure that my private LTD is even more stringent.



Even a little peace of mind is nice....I'm sure you can all agree!

Ok.....so I just checked my status of my claim/application on the website and it said that a decsion has been made. I am supposed to get something in the mail.......should I dare and call the ssa number.........i'll wait....it may be bad news!

Sharon

Sharon

I actually received a letter talking about setting up a PIN number for the website before I actually received my award letter two days later, so if that should happen to you, it means you were approved.

Also, when I went to the local office, the gal there had never heard of compassionate allowance.  I think they should make their people READ the website before turning them loose on the public!

Good luck

Amy 

I also had the bank deposit before getting the letter.  It was a most pleasant surprise and I was worried that it was a mistake until I saw the letter!