posted
I know that actually winning a disability case takes a longggggg time, with a lawyer usually. I helped my mom get through this long 3 year process with appeals, letters to senators, etc.
I am wondering if any of you have medicaid/medicare (which ever one it is for younger people on disability) and do they pay for Lyme treatments? I know that my mom has never had better medical care and less problems dealing with the surgeries, hepatitis C treatment (it's expensive!)...I guess what I'm getting at is she's received awesome medical care through medicaid/medicare. Do they help with Lyme or do they fight you about everything like most insurance companies do?
And I can't remember is it SSDI or SSI that is the one that is the one that DOESN'T draw from what you've made in the past (I'm fairly young and haven't worked enough to draw from that).
I feel like I need to file to bring in some income to pay for my disease. I can not work. I can barely keep up with my 2 year old, which makes me feel soooooo guilty, as I should be running and playing with him instead of being in so much pain I don't want to do ANYTHING. I simply can not work. It is out of the question.
How would I go about starting this process? It's weird because I helped my mom, but it's been years. Does anyone know of any lawyers that are Lyme friendly in FL?
I have realized that something has to give, something has to change in order for me to get better and to get an llmd....and a good one. My mom only gets like $600/mo but that would help greatly if I were able to get that to help with my Lymie fund, as we call it around my house.
Can someone help me on this? I'm so blinded by pain, so to speak, I can barely plan on what to make for dinner, let alone figure this stuff out, what steps to take next, etc.
I know everyone else here is in the same amount of pain, heartache, frustration as me...but if anyone could please spare some time to help me. I feel like my relationships with everyone who loves me to death and unconditionally are even getting strained. It is really sad and I have got to figure something out.
I used to be the rock of my family, even when I was young. Now I feel like I'm a liability and it drives me nuts to feel that way. I used to be happy, always being incredibly silly, laughing, active, and now, I'm just a mess.
Can anyone help? I can't think straight and I don't know even where to begin to try and get myself better. After the falling out with my llmd and the wasted money on him - I feel like there is no hope.
Sadly, if it weren't for my son - I don't think I'd want to be here any more. I have never been depressed, suicidal, but sometimes I dream of how I would end it all (even though I NEVER WOULD) but sometimes I find it comforting to just think about not being here. No more pain, no more frustration, no more feeling like an invalid, but I believe in Heaven and Hell....and if I can't take living hell for the time I'm on this earth, then I doubt I could accept an eternity of it.
This isn't some suicidal cry for help. I would never ever leave my son or do anything to hurt him. But sometimes it just makes me feel better oddly, to dream about having the option of not being here, and writing a nasty letter about the injustice of this disease and maybe it would bring some attention to it.
Once again - I would never ever commit suicide. I'm just so down and out - no doctors to help me, not enough money in the world to try to get better, it just seems like I'm doomed. I know some of you can relate.
-------------------- ~*~Lyme POW~*~
I will escape. Posts: 100 | From n/a | Registered: Oct 2008
| IP: Logged |
TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
To get Medicare, you first go to a Social Security office and file for Social Security disability benefits. It could take 3 years to get a decision, or longer or less time. If you haven't worked enough, you aren't even eligible for Social Security disability benefits. You could at least make an appointment and go in and ask if you worked long enough to be eligible.
If your disability application is approved, then, after a waiting period, you become eligible for Medicare. You pay a monthly charge to have Medicare Part B which covers doctors' bills. (The hospital insurance is free to you.) It is extremely difficult to find a lyme doctor who takes Medicare, based on my experience. And, the best lyme docs definitely won't take it. That's because Medicare pays the doc practically nothing.
The amount of the disability benefit is based on your earnings when you worked and paid into Social Security. To be approved, you have to be totally unable to do any kind of work. If there is a job you COULD do, then you can get denied. If you are denied, then it might be time to get a lawyer.
SSI is the government's welfare program. To get this benefit, you have to have a very low income and very few resources. You can apply for this at the Social Security office also. The SSI benefit is NOT based on your earnings when you worked. It is a standard amount for everyone based on their living arrangements (living with someone, or living alone, etc.)
I believe that you apply for Medicaid at the state welfare office. It is help with doctors' bills, etc. for low income people. They can tell you at the Social Security office where to apply for Medicaid, or you can look in the phone book.
Hope this helps you.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
| IP: Logged |
Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged |
bettyg
Unregistered
posted
TF gave you outstanding info. but that's not all of it.
i have detailed comments galore that tracy recently used for her admin law judge hearing where she was approved lately to WIN 4 yrs. back wages!
click on my newbie package link below; copy it all to ms word, and then print off pages; ALL SSDI, disability, info with MOST IMPORTANT info at beginning.
print pages 115 thru 147
do you have copies of all your medical reports from ALL drs. you've been to that DISABLED you and states your PHYSICAL DISBILITIES in them? that's the first thing.
you need dr. supported statements in medical reports. you can read rest after printing.
i'd check with a LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP LEADER and call them to find out what SSDI lawyers they would recommend to you!
bottom line; the more complete and supportive evidence you have when you SUBMIT 1ST TIME, 1ST STEP; you can be APPROVED !! it is possible.
best wishes! everything i know is in my package, and read MINOUCAT'S LINK OF OUTSTANDING LINKS TOO!
IP: Logged |
Angelica
Unregistered
posted
I don't have a printer so was wondering the best way to find those pages without one. I tried to look for them but did not see them?
Thanks I am at that point where I could really use them too.
posted
You do not get Medicare after two years if you are on SSI only regular SSD.
You might go to a library and make copies. They usually charge about a dime a copy. Also if you had trouble getting them ususally the librarin will help you.
I took Bettyg's post and converted it to a PDF file. You should be able to view it by clicking the link below. It is searchable, so you can look for what you want.
posted
steve, you indicated you were going to try again,
when you do, will you copy replies too as there is ADDITIONAL, NEW INFO there that can't be inserted in my original 144 pages! big thanks!
IP: Logged |
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
![[kiss]](graemlins/kissing.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[confused]](graemlins/confused.gif)
Printer-friendly view of this topic