Social Security Questions and Answers

I just printed out the "Maintain" application so I will get this sent in asap-Thanks again everyone for all your helpful suggestions, I am in tears this morning as one of our pipes that go underneath the driveway just broke and we have no water and will not have any for awhile until we come up with the money for repairs-I enjoy my creature comforts as this is the only thing I have to look forward to and now I dont even have this but I do find comfort in the the kind acts of others so thank you so much, it helps to know that there are still good and kind people to help lift your spirits when everything so amiss and bleak.

Congratulations! What a huge burden and worry lifted from  your shoulders.

Congrats Superfoob. One less thing to worry about.

Chickadee:  What do you mean you get to keep your Medicare for 93 months after your trial work period ends?  I thought once they give you the Medicare you get to keep it the entire time?  What are you supposed to do for health insurance if you are still on SSDI and they cancel out the Medicare?  Would you please explain more about this?  If you don't do a Trial Work Period, do you get to keep the Medicare until you are on it at 65?  Health insurance is a major necessity for people with medical problems.  Thanks for any info you can share about how the Medicare works.  When one gets it and how long do they get to stay on it?

Chickadee:  So if I understand you correctly, if the person doesn't do the trial work period and just tries to survive on SSDI, they get to just continue on with the Medicare until they become Medicare age (65).  Sounds like it can be a problem trying to do Trial Work thing because it can cause one to lose SSDI.  I just thought everything stayed the same and one just got a chance to earn a few extra dollars doing light part time work to supplement whatever Disability Income one gets and Medicare goes on no matter what you do.  Sure is a lot to learn about SSDI.  It is not just a simple process.  Thank goodness we have Steven to fall back on.  Thanks so much for the added input.

Not surprised....got denied.....went to lawyer.....said reconsideration will take very long time.....at least they denied me pretty quick-within 3 weeks!!!

Thanks Steven. You confirmed my suspicion based on many posts here. Some got remarkably quick approvals and checks and others not. There seemed to be an inconsistency in the process and I think you just told us.



Glad you are still checking in. Bad day for me, progression and on to harsher treatment. Hope your wife is doing well. My best to you.

I am on another MBC board and there are 3 other women that filed same time as me (Dec 2012) and had worse mets than me and were denied, I was told it had to do with the compassionate allowance changes they did it is not AUTOMATIC anymore! The SSA made changes to the Compassionate allowance R&R on Dec 12, 2012 and although they state these listings are automatic approval, they are, only IF certain conditions apply, so ladies get ready for this, they ARE taking NED into consideration! As another lady on the other MBC board stated, "Any work task-even the most minor or menial", I know this because I just received my denial letter too and I am not going to battle it alone as the stat's for denial the first time according to a Texas lawyer is 62%, reconsideration is 82%, it would take appr. 9-14 months just to get a hearing in front of an ALJ so I will let the lawyers handle all of this as I do not have the energy or the knowledge of the new trickery devices that are the new SSA norm of compliance standards. The Compassionate Allowance was updated on Dec 12, 2012 and it is not as easy to get automatic approval anymore, called the TERI-SSA decides terminal illness in 2 descriptors-1. Situation; 2. Condition....
1. Clearly defines patient as in hospice, receiving home care/nursing care; statement from doctor of terminal illness and/or specific condition of AIDS or ALS https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0411005601

and

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0411005603

also might want to check out the strategic plan going forward

http://www.ssa.gov/asp/index.html

My Attorney said because of the government cutbacks, it is the new normal, denials will occur, even for stage IV patients if they do not meet the computerized EDCS predictive models https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0411005601

Hi vacation bound,





I am waiting on my decision, and have been Ned for 2 years. The interesting thing is how long it is taking. I also filed in dec, and I know there was not a hold up in getting medical records , and I have not heard anything it. I keep calling and they keep telling me it is still under review.

I guess it is better than a quick denial, but I am getting to the point of telling them, " just deny me if you are going to so I can start the appeal".



Laurie

Compassionate allowance entitles us to an expedited review not an automatic review. That's not a change. We still have to provide documentation that our disabling condition will prevent us from working for 12 months or more.



It's actually a good thing that many who are stage IV are still able to work and that some treatments are more manageable than others. When it becomes too much then we certainly want SSDI funds to be there for those of us who need it.

There is no program or tax money currently available to provide health insurance coverage for everyone in every situation. Without going into the politics of health care, who should pay for it, and the fewer and fewer companies that provide it, we are all pretty much on our own to put together whatever we can, however we can.



Yes, it sucks.



Since SS is always in financial jeopardy, the likelihood of this changing is minuscule.

Medigal,

The situation for the uninsured waiting for SSDI acceptance is worse than you might be thinking, since you only get Medicare two years after you start getting SSDI payments.  In some cases, those payments can be back-dated as much as a year, but there is a waiting period (I think it's five months from the date your disability started and/or you stopped working) before receiving SSDI.  COBRA is often unaffordable since you're paying both the employee and employer share plus 5%, and private insurance will generally reject you for a pre-existing condition.  This will change in 2014 under Obamacare and subsidies will be available, or there may be increased access to Medicaid, depending on the state.  States often have health insurance pools for pre-existing conditions, but the premiums are even higher than COBRA.  There are some private programs that help with insurance premiums: www.cancer.org/treatment/findingandpayingfortreatment/managinginsuranceissues/healthinsuranceandfinancialassistanceforthecancerpatient/health-insurance-and-financial-assistance-toc

The link above lists some options, but meanwhile we might badger our representatives to explain why a country as rich as ours can't provide decent health care for its people.

Carp-

PCIP.Gov

Steven:  Can you tell me how long it takes to get an answer once one has had their Appeal Hearing before the Judge?  My relative had hers at the end of this January and still has not received an answer, one way or the other, and it is making her very depressed.  This has gone on over 2 years in all and her attorney says all they can do is "wait it out" since he doesn't want to aggravate the Judge by contacting him.  Is this the way it goes? 

Can you also tell me if one can try to work part time 2 or 3 days a week when possible to earn a few dollars while awaiting the Appeal response?  Would she get automatically denied if she tried to work a couple of days while awaiting their response?  Emotionally and financially this has been very difficult on her and we are trying to help her find answers for what she can or cannot do without getting herself denied.  Thanks for any advice you can share.  Much appreciation for all the help and advice you share and have shared.

Medigal