Social Security Questions and Answers

I believe that any type of long term disability is meant to bridge the gap (the required waiting period) until SSDI starts up.  Then it depends on your policy whether there is an offset. 

Ann - you're not cheating at all.  This is exactly how it's supposed to work.

Thanks.  This isn't a long term disability as such though.  Well , maybe it is but they don't call it that.  Legally, I don't know what it is.  It's a negotiated union benefit called a terminal illness disability leave benefit and I get my full pay for an entire year.  My doctor certified that I had an illness that would lead to death and so then I get a year of pay.  Oddly enough, if I don't die in the year and I feel better, I can go back to work (just not my particular job.)  I thought that was very odd!  If you have an illness that leads to death and quit because you can't work anymore, as I have, why would you ever be able to go back?  So strange.....  

What my workplace has done is put me on sick leave in their system but it isn't real sick leave - this is a union benefit.  My understanding was that a benefit shouldn't count towards SSDI and I didn't worry about it, until I saw they put me on sick leave, so I'm wondering if they are still considering me an employee?  They have cancelled my email and everything else, so it's weird what is going on.

Even though I am getting my pay, I still wanted the SSDI benefit so that I can pay off all my bills with it before I die,  and use my regular salary to live as we had.  I don't really think I'll be alive in a year so I wanted to get everything set.  When I die, my salary is gone, so I wanted to tide my family over as they adjust.

I do want that benefit for my son.  I didn't know he could get it while I was alive.

I hope the attorney responds, I would like to hear from him as it's confusing.  

I guess I can call the SSA too, it's just extremely difficult to call a government agency. 

Cool, when we were talking to the rep about the last date she worked and how she was only left with vac time as her sick time (accrued) was gone, the rep said that only pay for time worked would come into play to determine her benefit.  Hopefully since you are not "working" for that money that's a negotiated benefit it may not count.  There are income limits that do factor in.  I don't know for sure if matters because you are not working or earning anything.  Good luck.

Thanks to all.

I guess I'll try to call them on Monday.  I hate spending all day on hold and getting the runaround.  

I thought there was an atty here who answered questions but he's long gone, yeah?

Singleton, yes there is a waiting period, regardless of when you apply.  It starts from the day the SSA determines to be your date of disability.  Apply now, no reason to wait.  Your unemployment or STD payments are irrelevant to the determination date.

Ann - the attorny who has been helping us out has a wife who is struggling with her BC.  He pops in periodically, as time allows.    There is no harm in calling your union benefits administrator and you may get a quicker answer.  You can still try to call the SSA, put your phone on speaker, and do other things while you wait for your turn.  Or go in person.  I had to help one of my direct reports get set up with LTD and SSDI, and I found our company's benefits administrator to be well-versed in this area.

congrats, coolbreeze and I also found out I got accepted about two weeks ago. It was a shock to me. I thought for sure, knowing how they operate especially with the economy as it is, I would be rejected and have to appeal. I applied in May online. I went to see their doctors the 1st week of August and got the acceptance letter the 3rd week of August... 2 days later I had the 12 month retro check. I must say I was pleasantly surprised in one way but it was scary to think the government thinks I'm sicker than I thought they would lol. Am I sicker than I thought?

Crystal - There is nothing to lose but not trying.  If I remember right, you can save the application as you go, so if you are having a hard time with it, you can do it in pieces.  You will need your doctor's names and contact info.  They will get the records from the dr if they need them.  If you really feel you can't handle it, you can try ALLSOP, I think is what it is called.  They can help you.  It's not free, but if it helps you, it may be worth it.

Bev - you were approved for SSDI being Stage 1?  I am interested to know how that worked.

Steven, Just a note to let you know you and your wife are in my prayers and I always appreciate hearing how she is doing.

A sincere thank you for all you do for us here!

I was just on the ssa website and I read that it was from start of decision

I was just on the ssa website and I read that it was from start of decision

Hi Steven, 

I am stage IIB and also have lupus. The tumor was very close to my chest wall and surgeon had to taKe part of my chest muscle to get clear margins. Because of the lupus, I cannot do radiation treatments. I am starting chemo on Tuesday and was wondering if I should apply for disability and what my chances for being approved are.

Thank you so much for your time, and I hope your wife and children are all well.

Carla 

You may get approved without having to see "their" doctor.  It just depends on individual circumstances.  They did not send me to their doctor.  I was approved in less than two months.

I have dealt with osteoarthritis since my early 30s. I'm now almost 62. I applied for ss disability in 1990 and was denied. Their reason was, that I was a high school grad.

In January 1993 I applied again. This time they sent me to their Dr who tried to get me denied, but 2 weeks after seeing her I was approved. Surprising thing is, SS said because of the severity of my diagnosis and their experience with it, they went back 1 year before I actually applied. Meaning that when I got my retro check it was for 18 months rather than for the 6 months since I had applied. I did not get attorney, because they didn't deny it.



I have a 24 year old son who was diagnosed with Type I diabetes when he was 6 years old, taking 4 insulin shots a day. When he was 11 his growth flat lined. He didn't grow at all for 2 years, so on top of the shots he was already taking, he also took a growth hormone shot every night for 3 years. At age 17 they discovered he had enlarged liver. When he was 20 we received the worst news of all...an HIV diagnosis! This effects his kidneys and blood pressure. He also has frequent debilitating migraines, but with all of this he was turned down for SSI. So we got an attorney and appealed. He finally was approved, but for none of the physical issues. They approved him because of all the mental stress that these other things cause. Because he was approved before age 22 he draws Social Security Disabilty as an adult child of a disabled parent. He also gets SSI to suppliment his income.



If you are applying for benefits...DON'T GIVE UP!!!!!!!



Blessings

Paula