tabbytamer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3159
posted
Kam,
My understanding is that if a person has paid enough into the system (via social security taxes taken from paychecks) and they are determined to be disabled, they qualify for SSDI.
After two years from the magical date Social Security determines that the person became disabled (I had applied two years prior to their accepting my claim. They went back 18 months from the date they granted my case. In other words, I lost six months worth of back payments.) Anyway, after the person has been disabled per social security for 24 months, they qualify for Medicare.
If the person is poverty level, and they qualify for Medicare, they also can get Medi Cal as their secondary.
Medi Cal does go with SSI. But from my understanding, SSI was only for disabled persons who had not paid enough into the system via working to have enough credits to qualify for SSDI.
SSDI and Social Security Retirement (age 62 or 65?) draw from the same account. Have you ever received any notice from Social Security that said something like:
"If you continue working at this same (number of hours per week) until age 65(?) we determine your monthly benefit at age 65 to be $x.xx. If you become disabled before age 65(?) your monthly benefit would be $x.xx." ???
If you have gotten those notices, you should qualify for some SSDI and once "disabled" for 2 years then also Medicare.
Maybe it has to do with whether your doctor put you down as temporary or permanently disabled? **
Kam, by the way, are you intersted in moving down to San Diego? I know of a Lymie looking for a room mate.
[This message has been edited by tabbytamer (edited 26 December 2004).]
Posts: 2098 | From San Diego, CA, USA | Registered: Sep 2002
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
Tammy,
I haven't read all of your post but I wanted to respond to the first part.
I learned that SSDI just goes by the last 10 years of your work record.
I have had taxes taken out of pay check since I was 16, but that didn't count.
I also worked for the state of CA right before I came down sick and the state does not take out for SSDI.
Since, I came down sick with this they have changed this.
I did have a form to fill out to pay for insurance in case I became sick. I filled it out but it took 6 months to process.
I became sick during that time. I told them to continue to process as I did not plan on staying sick. So, they started taking out money. As it turned out, it was the wrong choice. I lost the money and did not regain my health.
I never understood why we were asked to donate vacation time to fellow employees who came down sick. Now I know.
I had lots of vacation time donated to me. This allowed me to keep the insurance going for longer than usual.
RE: Moving to San Diego. I sent you an email. Yes. I would like to relocate. But, renting a room from someone else is not in the financial budget. It is less expensive for me to stay where I am.
I have had others want to rent me a room and by the time I paid for storage, half utilities and rent....I was paying more than three times what I am paying now.
Even if I cut out storage, it is still more than I am paying now.
[This message has been edited by kam (edited 26 December 2004).]
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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tabbytamer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3159
posted
Hi Kam,
Sounds like you have already done your homework regarding SSI vs. SSDI.
You're right, as far as I know, about SSDI looking into the last ten years of a work record to see if enough has been paid in.
I thought you had been working (some how I thought you were a teacher?) steady before getting too sick.
As for me, I worked part-time for the last ten years. Don't know how I did it but it definately made me much worse.
I tried getting SSI for CFS/Fibro/Depression since 1988 but kept getting denied/and the run around.
Finally, with hubby becoming disabled, had to try to work some despite everything.
Couldn't do that now no matter how much we needed it!
Anyway, yes I get a little from SSDI, about $500 a month. Not as much as if I could still work part time. But at least I have the Medicare. Down here it is impossible to find a doctor that gives a mouse's patoot and takes Medi Cal.
You're probably facing the same scenario.
I've discovered that a person's best bet to finding a Medi Cal doc is to watch for docs just starting out in private practice. They are usually hurting for business and will take Medi Cal until they get their practice built up.
But, again, that still leaves the problem of finding someone that cares.
I haven't gotten an e-mail yet. I'll be looking for it I would like to know your city or zip. Maybe I could try to help you find a Medi Cal doc? Maybe our two heads together will equal nearly one?
Take good care!
------------------ Tabby
Posts: 2098 | From San Diego, CA, USA | Registered: Sep 2002
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
Tabby,
I looked in my sent box for your email and it was not there.
I recently had my ISP server go down. I assume that is why.
It is a good thing you told me that you had not received it.
But, I basically said the same as in my post here.
Even when I had an HMO and a PPO, I found it difficult to find a doctor who was willing to take the time to figure this out and help me get my health back.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
Tabby.....shh...I don't really like to mention the teacher word while I am battling this.
The 3R's have gone out the door for the most part.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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GEDEN13
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4151
posted
is what you are saying,after being on ssi for two year's,i will be picked up by medicaid? i get state funded medical ins.(pa.)
i have been told this.i will be on ssi ,2 years in febuary. my choice of doctors is limited with state med.ins. with medicaid,i think i would have a better selection of doctors.is this true?
don't mean to crash your post. this has been on my mind for awhile now.thankyou,gary
tabbytamer
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3159
posted
Hi Gary,
No, you're not crashing our post!
The best way for us to help each other is to share info from our personal experiences.
In California, once someone gets SSI they immediately have Medi Cal (Medicaid). Unless, I suppose, they have other income or other sources of income (from family they are living with) that would disqualify them for Medi Cal assistance.
In California it's pretty much based on income, not medical need, whether someone qualifies for Medi Cal or not.
Where you live, would MediCaid be better than state coverage? Here, Medi Cal is pretty much at the bottom of the barrel. Its better than nothing, though.
Posts: 2098 | From San Diego, CA, USA | Registered: Sep 2002
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GEDEN13
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4151
posted
kam,
anything (med coverage) would be better than what i have now.here in pa.
people have told me that after 2 years on s.s.i.,i would be put on medicaid.do you know if this is true?
on medicaid,there would be a larger selection of doctor's.i need a orthopedist.the med. ins. i have now is the bottem of the barrel.very few doctors take it.and those that do,know nothing about lyme.
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