Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,969
Jun 25, 2014 23:13:23 GMT
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Post by Nanner on Jul 12, 2017 2:41:05 GMT
Good luck, Donna. I have no advice on this, as I'm in Canada, and it works differently here.
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Post by danalz on Jul 12, 2017 2:55:17 GMT
Social security has a"compassionate allowances" list and I believe that your diagnosis is on the list. It should expedite the SSDI process if that's the route you want to go.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 17:45:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2017 3:25:44 GMT
This is some info I posted in another thread earlier this year. I work for a company that helps people file for SSDI. We are non-attorney representatives.
Do check with your HR and insurance company. Are you on short term disability now? Many insurance companies require their clients to file for SSDI after 180 days. The insurance company normally pays our fees for their clients.
Normally the initial level usually takes between 3-6 months, but there are certain illnesses that SSA will fast track but there is a 5 month mandatory waiting period for everyone. It does not get waived for anyone, no matter what the condition. Say your AOD (alleged onset date) is July 15, 2016, you would not be eligible for benefits until Jan 1, 2017. (If your AOD falls after the 1st of the month, your waiting period begins the 1st of the next month.) Even if you are approved early, you are not eligible for SSDI payment until after the 5 month waiting period.
If you feel capable of filling out the forms yourself, there’s no reason you can’t file yourself. As long as you have good medical evidence and a supportive doctor, your chances are good for winning your case.
The case goes to the local SSA office first, once all the initial forms are received, it then goes to the DDS office where it is medically developed. (If you file online, SSA will contact you to verify that you want to file. This is to help prevent identity theft and fraud. Normally they will send you a summary of your information that you have to sign and return. Once in a while SSA will call and do a verbal attestation but usually they mail it. You have to sign and return the summary and an SSA-827 or your case will not be developed. It will sit at SSA until they technically deny it. The 827 is a consent form that allows SSA to gather medical records and information to determine your disability. Our biggest problem is getting clients to return the summary to SSA) When a decision is made, it goes back to the local office.
If you are denied, you have 60 days to file an appeal. There are a handful of states that skip level 2 altogether and go straight to level 3. The denial letter will specify if you need to file a 561 or a 501. (A 561 is for the recon level and a 501 is for the ALJ level)
The recon level is usually decided within a few months. It is the hardest level to get approved. Basically the case gets assigned to a different examiner who looks at the evidence again. They may ask for additional information but they are really just looking over the initial information.
If SSA schedules a dr’s appointment, go to it! 9 times out of 10, SSA denies people who do not go those exams. They may be looking for additional information or see something in your medical records that they have a question on. Don’t be upset if they schedule you for a mental exam, it is extremely common. Many times people with chronic pain also develop depression, so SSA wants to check on their mental health.
Level 3 is where you go before an administrative law judge and argue your case. It is the most successful level to be awarded but it also takes the longest amount of time. It can take anywhere from 13 – 22 months, depending on what state you live in and how backlog their office is.
SSI and SSDI are not the same thing. SSI is Supplemental Security Income, it comes out of a different pool of money and goes to help lower income people who are disabled. My stepdaughter is developmentally disabled and she receives SSI.
SSDI is Social Security Disability Insurance and is based on your earnings and what you have paid into SSDI. It fills the gap from when you became disable until you reach retirement age.
Filing and receiving SSDI also protects your SS retirement benefits. If you just stop working without receiving SSDI, when you get to retirement age to draw SS, the years you didn’t work are counted as years with zero earnings. If you receive SSDI, your earnings records are frozen and the years you didn’t work while receiving SSDI are not counted when figuring out what your SS will be. Otherwise all the years with a zero are averaged in and your monthly amount for Social Security will be lower.
Good luck!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 17:45:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2017 3:28:13 GMT
You can always substitute. My neighbor worked full time in the other 2 districts. She could work as much as she wanted or as little.
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Post by scrapmaven on Jul 12, 2017 3:47:10 GMT
I would contact your hr department first and find out what they can do or recommend. If it doesn't seem like they have your best interests in mind then you might consider a disability or employment lawyer. I'm sorry that you have to take this time, because I know you love teaching, but right now you have to take care of yourself and chemo is a more than full time fight.
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Post by scrappintoee on Jul 21, 2017 22:28:48 GMT
donna.....I've been thinking about and praying for you very often. Have you been able to get any info about getting disability? ((( hugs ))))
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Post by donna on Jul 22, 2017 1:08:35 GMT
I got all the paperwork for short and long term disability. I dropped off the forms that the doctor needs to fill out today. I still need to apply for SSDI. This is not an easy process. There is a ton of paperwork to do.
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Post by christine58 on Aug 5, 2017 0:56:36 GMT
donna how are you doing??
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 17:45:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2017 1:33:52 GMT
First of all, prayers to you. Secondly, I've been disabled since I was 13 and in a terrible accident that had me lose my eye and a portion of my face. I have metal in my head (beyond my eye socket) where I was shot. I had 33 surgeries thusfar and I was in disabled-denial from that age until I was about 46. I changed jobs, from Paralegal to weightloss counselor because I couldn't read as much and I was in pain more. Fast forward to when I realized that I couldn't be a reliable worker anymore, and I was in the middle of a divorce. I figured I'd apply for social security disability on my own (paralegal background) and see if it got approved. I was living in NJ at the time. SS disability were all extremely nice and helpful towards me. I filled out the extensive initial paperwork online. You need a LOT of time to gather your info (doctors' names, addresses, hospitals, dates of surgeries, etc...) and then proof of your ability to work diminishing. They checked out all of my information, and I did give my eye surgeon's office a heads-up, and they were very sweet to send info from my massive chart out. That helped a lot! It took a few months for SS to gather all of my info and to review it. After that, they set up an appt with one of their eye doctors to check me out, which was a joke---the doctor was about 100 years old and he had no idea what he was even looking at. I suppose it was just to make sure that I was legitimate. I got approved on the first try and I was very pleased with how smoothly it all went. They give you payment from the date you began the case, and then they'll give you the letter with the monthly date that you'll receive payment. About 1 year later I was enrolled in Medicare, which was a blessing. I hope that answered some questions. Again, getting your info in order was the hardest part. They'll check it to verify that it's legitimate. When you get your own case worker, you'll be speaking to them via phone for the whole process, and they should be helpful. Tell them what's going on and don't belittle what you're going through. Maybe they could fast-track it too. I haven't read all of the posts here, but you used to be able to apply for Medicaid right now (during a crisis). That might hold you over until you get your SS payments and full Medicare. HTH!
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Post by papercrafteradvocate on Aug 5, 2017 1:43:10 GMT
I think the consensus on previous threads about going on disability is to get a lawyer who specializes in it, as it helped to not be denied the first time out.
Hugs to you.
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843
Jul 12, 2014 21:58:10 GMT
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Post by pridemom on Aug 5, 2017 12:36:24 GMT
Since you are a teacher, do you even have to mess with Social Security? I know that our state teacher retirement is its own entity and teachers don't pay SS. You need to do what's best for you right now. My thoughts and prayers are with you donna.
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Post by mikklynn on Aug 5, 2017 12:48:56 GMT
donna, I know it will be hard to leave your students, but I think you should do it. You and your family come first. I don't know what your particular disability plan is at work, but I hope it is a great one. If you go the SSDI route, I you can do it yourself, if you feel up to it. Or, you can use a service like we did. We used Premier Disability. They were wonderful. DH answered all their questions over the phone. He signed a release so they could get the records they need. The cost was not a lot at all. We felt is was worth it. We are NOT affiliated with Premier.
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Post by Really Red on Aug 5, 2017 13:43:34 GMT
I think the consensus on previous threads about going on disability is to get a lawyer who specializes in it, as it helped to not be denied the first time out. Hugs to you. Filling out all that paperwork is a full-time job. I think finding a lawyer to help you is an excellent idea. Lots of hugs to you.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 17:45:22 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2017 13:47:04 GMT
I got all the paperwork for short and long term disability. I dropped off the forms that the doctor needs to fill out today. I still need to apply for SSDI. This is not an easy process. There is a ton of paperwork to do. A friend and I helped our other friend w/the paperwork and I remember it being very long and tedious (which was why our friend asked us to help her - she didn't really have to strength to go through it alone). But, she was approved. Hugs to you. Be supported as much as you can.
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Post by CarolinaGirl71 on Aug 5, 2017 14:23:08 GMT
Donna, this is a good decision. You need every ounce of strength to battle this. You are at war with cancer and need all the strength you can get. Your finances may take a hit, but honestly, living the best life possible while undergoing treatment is more important. Your family needs you. (We need you, too.) Just keep fighting. Do whatever you need to do to take care of yourself. I wish I had answers for your questions, but I don't. (((Hugs)))
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Post by mommaho on Aug 5, 2017 15:57:54 GMT
Donna I hope all the paperwork goes smoothly for you. If you are part of a union your representative should also be able to help you navigate everything. Depending on what state you live in there are also Attorney Referral programs that give 2 30 minute free consultations that might be able to help.
Hugs
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Post by destined2bmom on Aug 5, 2017 17:17:20 GMT
Hugs Donna! Sending prayers and positive thoughts to you!
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Post by baslp on Aug 5, 2017 21:07:41 GMT
Another pea sending positive thoughts your way.
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scrappinmama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,883
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
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Post by scrappinmama on Aug 5, 2017 21:10:17 GMT
Big hugs to you! Sending positive thoughts your way as well.
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Post by donna on Aug 6, 2017 18:25:43 GMT
I am getting through the paperwork for disability. The form for SSDI was very long but it is submitted.
My colleagues go back to work this week and I have to admit that this is all harder for me than I thought it would be. I know it is the right thing to do but I am going to miss my job a lot.
Thanks for all of your support.
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Post by jenis40 on Aug 6, 2017 18:46:26 GMT
I got all the paperwork for short and long term disability. I dropped off the forms that the doctor needs to fill out today. I still need to apply for SSDI. This is not an easy process. There is a ton of paperwork to do. Your LTD company will probably handle the SSDI application or assist you with it, mine did. Essentially they hired a third party to handle the paperwork, the third party worked directly with me. LTD went into place first and then that payment was reduced by the amount of SSDI that I qualified for. You want to get the SSDI in place asap as you will have the 5 month waiting period. Additionally it starts the clock for your Medicare eligibility in 2 years. I will continue to send you good thoughts. I know how difficult this is and how exhausted you are probably feeling. You need to focus on you and not worry about teaching although I know how hard it is when you give up your job. The day I l had to tell my team that I had to quit was harder than losing my hair.
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Post by christine58 on Sept 22, 2017 0:44:59 GMT
donna How are you doing??
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Post by donna on Sept 22, 2017 0:55:53 GMT
christine58 this week has been a little rough, but overall I am doing well.
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Post by SweetieBugs on Sept 22, 2017 3:10:22 GMT
donna, I hope you are feeling better having the time to rest and focus on your health and well being. I'm sorry you miss you job but I think that is kind of special that you enjoy it enough to miss it.
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snyder
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,956
Location: Colorado
Apr 26, 2017 6:14:47 GMT
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Post by snyder on Sept 22, 2017 5:52:56 GMT
Not a subject matter expert, but now a few basics due to being a supervisor that had employees go on disability. It depends on what type of disability you are going on. Is it through work or through SS? If through work, work disabilities vary by company, so yes, HR can give you the low down, but you will have to have paperwork from your doctors indicating you are permanently disabled with no to little chance of getting better. Usually you exhaust all your paid time, there is usually a 1-2 week waiting period after depleting paid time off. Then you usually go on what they call Short Term and that is usually about 2 months. Then if you have it, it will go to Long Term and that can be up to 2 years. After that, many employee programs toss you off and you have to file under SS, but some companies will give you disability for life or what ever long term period that is needed to recover. If you file through SS, one needs to be unable to work 6 months without substantial pay before they will qualify and again, the doctors will have to submit paperwork saying you're permanently disabled. Sorry you are going through this. {{{{Hugs}}}}}
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Post by gailoh on Sept 22, 2017 9:55:38 GMT
Hugs and prayers to you and hope things go through fast for you...
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Post by mikklynn on Sept 22, 2017 13:57:57 GMT
Hey, donna. I am happy to hear that overall you are doing well. I think of you often .
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