LymeNet Flash: Disability

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Disability

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Author

Topic: Disability

Tick N' Tired
Member
Member # 184

posted

I have a long term disability policy thru and old employer - which starts paying 6 months after the disability is approved - my question is what can I file to get short term disability in the mean time -- and how should I start this process - should I ask my LLMD(dr.J in NC) to fill out the paperwork or should I get an attorney ? thanks very much !!!

Posts: 80 | From atlanta, georgia | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged |

Tick N' Tired
Member
Member # 184

posted

Also, I have been suffering from lyme for 10 years, however, I was able to earn a good living in my 100% based commission job in 2000,2001 & 2002, due to declining brain function,fatiggue and vision problems - my income was cut by over 2/3 in 2003 -- and this year has been reduced to $0 !!!!! I still go into the office - but cant function - my question is before filing for disability do I need to resign from my job -- or could I wait to do that - when and if I am approved !!! thanks

Posts: 80 | From atlanta, georgia | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged |

SentByHim
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3998

posted

Best I can say is I'll keep you in my prayers.

Good news is if you are unable to work because of illness you become eligable for unemployment insurance. Don't know if you want to go this route but it is cash "right now" and in good old FL it is just about the only way you are goning to get it.

Hope this helps

Sent

Posts: 1574 | From Port St Lucie, Florida, USA | Registered: May 2003 | IP: Logged |

graneet
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 3112

posted

I dont know about your jobs disablity.
But you might can get ssi of coarse you will have to do tons of paper work to prove you are disable. Then it will go over to perminate. However not sure how it will go with you having Dis Insurance.

If you file for disablity SS. Then you will have to not be working but the day you go quit i would go in and apply so when they do give it to you they will pay you back pay to that date. Expect it to take up to two years and go threw possibly at least two turndowns. I think they do that just to cause people to not keep filling thinking they will never get it. Go all the way with it. SSI is suppose to help you until then But your disablity will have to be proved.

Oh one more thing cute name

Graneet

[This message has been edited by graneet (edited 04 August 2004).]

Posts: 655 | Registered: Sep 2002 | IP: Logged |

SpdDrv
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 5861

posted

I guess disability SSI is different in any state but I know in Louisiana you have to be not working for 6 months before you can apply for Disability through the social security office. You have to prove that you are not going to be able to work for an extended period of time not just for a few months or so. Also in Louisiana you can't draw unemployment insurance and still "legally" file for disability because one of the questions on the form states "have you been available for work this week" and technically we are not available because we can't work because of our physical problems. As for how they do it here in Louisiana they go by if you have paid in enough quarters to qualify for DSSI and they go by your highest 3 quarters you paid. I get a statement every year around my birthday stating how much I would make if I continue to work like I am until 62 and how much I would make if I went on disability. don't know if they do that everywhere but I have gotten one the last 3 years or so.
As for you Disability through the company you work with you should be able to apply for it now if you are NOT working at all. But I would talk to your boss about how you need to go about it because if you just quit the job you might be just quitting and using you not feeling well as why just to get some money.. Maybe if you have a boss higher up you can get him to help you with that. They are so picky on all that stuff. There is so much red tape in disability social security and even disability through insurance companies they think if they put you off long enough you will have to go back to work because you are broke.
I had a friend who just went through getting DSSI and it took him a year and half after he first signed up which was 6 months after he lost his job. He also had disability insurance through work and they kept giving him the run around even after the doctor the company sent him to said he couldn't work they still denied his claim. He got his Disability through Social security after being denied first just when he turned the papers in and finally he got a lawyer and got it approved even with that the insurance company's disability is still trying to deny him the money he had to get a lawyer for that now. The SSI wants you to get the company money because that would be less government has to pay you which will help in the long run. Cause you insurance will only pay you until you are old enough to retire and during the time they are paying you the SSI will pay less money and they will pick up when you reach retirment age and the company insurance quits paying.
I guess the government expects you to starve until you go through all their red tape to get DSSI or any other type assistance.
I am to the point I am going to have to do something because I can no longer work but I dread going through that process you have to go through.
Check with your state social security office and find out exactly what you have to do. I would think if you haven't made any money what so ever from your job you go into you should be able to apply after 6 months if not earlier it is just according to if there is a difference in how the state's SSI works.
I would think they all work the same but you never can tell these days.

Hope this helps,
Stacie

Posts: 220 | From Louisiana | Registered: Jun 2004 | IP: Logged |

rosesisland2000
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2001

posted

To my knowledge, there is no short-term disability from the Government. It takes either not working for a year or that your doctor predicts that you will not be working for a year to get SSD. Now, SSDI, is the same, except it is for folks who would normally be eligible for Medicaid.

The process for SSD and SSDI are the same and can and does more than not, take over a year to get approved. The majority are tuned down the firt time that they apply...then they apply for a reconsideration, and then the appeal. Mine took me from April 2001 to December 2004 to get my first check...was approved in August of 2004....so even with being approved, there is a wait for the money.

ONCE AGAIN, THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SSD AND SSDI. Tthe first one you get Medicare, like the seniors get, after being on disability for 2 years...the other, SSDI, you do not get Medicare, but your states Medicaid.

The Government's programs whether it is SSD or SSDI criteria is the same in all 50 states and it's territories.

Go to www.ssa.gov and start reading....it's a long process, and

to answer your question....you can not be working full time to apply. You must be off work.

BTW, SENTBYHIM, that's just not true statement. If you quit you job for health reasons you are eligible for Unemployment. Unemployment is very hard to get if you quit your job. You must prove that there was a job related reason for you to have quit and it can't be your health.

If you were enjured on the job, then worker's comp would come into play...that's another thing all together.

Good luck and I wish you well. It's hard, but, alot of us have done it...gone long periods of time without the financial support we truly need. It's tough, but, where there's a will you'll find a way.

Another good thing is that you are seeking a solution and answers, so you'll know what to expect.

Also, do a search...here's how to do one:

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum5/HTML/000464.html

that will allow you to see the pertinent information posted here about disability in past posts.

Rosemary

Posts: 6191 | From Arkansas | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged |

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