I've been spinning my wheels for months now about whether or not to get a job. I moved from NJ to NC in March to live with my mom, who will be 85 next month, and has Alzheimers' and heart disease. When I was first here, she was in a period of frequent medical chrises and falls, and I couldn't leave her alone. Now that she's less unstable, and money has become a big issue, (thanks in part to the stock market dive) I've been in a state of flux about getting a job.
I'm an RN, but since I'd had a biateral TRAM recon 5 yrs ago, I have most of my abdominal muscles in my chest, and can't lift or transfer patients. I was working as a case manager, but that is very demanding and stressful work. I don't know that I'm up to the challenge of that kind of work with my endurance and memory issues. I'm getting a home-based business off of the ground, but it'll be a while before I can expect to be bringing in any money to speak of.
I was fortunate that yesterday, when several different incidents converged to cause me to go into meltdown phase to talk on the phone with a friend from the BCO chat room who is also living w/ st 4 disease, and who worked as a human resources director before cancer made that impossible for her. She talked to me for a couple of hours, and convinced me that the best and kindest path for me at this time in my life is to claim the disability that I'm entitled to. I'll call the disability office on Monday to schedule an appointment to get the wheels going. I feel as though a sandbag has been taken off of my shoulders.
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OK, I give up....I'll apply for SSD
- By nancyc
- Posted February 14, 2009 at 1:45 pm · 46 replies
- In Financial issues
- Shared with the public
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- By chloemom
- Posted February 14, 2009 at 3:02 pm
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Hi NancyC, I recently "gave up" and applied too. You actually don't have to go to Social Security. You can apply online, ssa.gov It's a two part process. After I finished the first part and submitted it on a Sunday, I received an email two days later with a telephone interview scheduled for the following week. I finished the 2nd part the next Sunday (it takes a LOT longer but you can stop and go back to it). The local rep had that info too when she called me. The telephone interview took a whole 15 minutes, basically she just clarified info and told me what my monthly benefits would be. I dropped off supporting documentation later that day to a drop box at the SSA office. Whole thing was done without meeting anyone in person.
Just a warning, on the first part of the application a question appears asking if your diagnosis is expected to end in death.....it's freaky to see this but the answer is YES...that expedites your application (see SSA Compassionate Allowances) and according to the SSA site, all should be completed in 6 to 7 weeks if not sooner.
It also helps to make sure you have all your info gathered and organized. You'll receive a list of what you will need for that portion.
Best wishes!
- By nancyc
- Posted February 14, 2009 at 4:32 pm
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Thank you for the helpful information. I'll do the application online now. You're a peach.
- By Paula109
- Posted February 14, 2009 at 6:45 pm
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I applied on January 27th. I was told it could take up to 90 days to hear one way or another. I've been very nervous that I would be denied. Today I received my acceptance letter. It couldn't have come at a better time. (My mother just past away yesterday and we'll have to travel to MN for the funeral).I was told that I could expect my first direct deposit by this coming Thurs. the 19th. It's already in my account. I made a deposit yesterday but didn't look at the receipt until this morning. I thought there was a mistake because I don't have that kind of money in my account. Turns out it was from SS. I hate the thought of being disabled but I'm thrilled that I can afford to go to my mom's funeral.
By all means apply.
- By nancyc
- Posted February 14, 2009 at 7:33 pm
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Oh Paula, I'm sorry about your mothers' passing. It's good to hear about how quickly the acceptance process went for you though. I applied online this afternoon, and I'm hopeful that it'll go quickly for me, too. I've had no source of income for months now, and it stinks. Safe trip hon.
- By lynnwv
- Posted February 15, 2009 at 8:27 am
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Dear nancyc,
I recently submitted my paperwork for federal retirement disability also. I'll be following that with SSD shortly (they work together, it's not two checks). It was a huge decision for me, because I'm still working, intermittenly, but I'm now convinced it the right one.
You sound like you have an extremely full plate! I hope this gives you some stability through the craziness.
- By darn
- Posted February 15, 2009 at 9:21 am
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Where did you move in NC? I live here as well and am an RN.
Maybe we can get together some time.
Diane
- By peggyr
- Posted February 15, 2009 at 7:30 pm
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its not giving up, its giving yourself a chance to have a better quality of LIFE, for a long time!!!
I will receive my SSDI benefits starting in May, after my STD is done.
I still think I am getting away with something, but remind myself I have paid for this and this is what it is designed for.
Yes, I had a great time at a party that I drove to 150 miles from my home SAt nite and danced till I was ready to drop. Does that sound like someone who can't work?
Yes, it does, when I know my time to lay in bed is coming with the next treatment, and when I recall the hours I spend on the phone untangling red tape on other benefits I am applying for and qualify for.
We paid for it, we deserve it!! And if we take care of mothers or fathers, or if we have a few extra hours in our week or month to give back to an equally deserving charity or cause,
we ARE contributing to our society and the well-being of this planet.
Don't mean to rant, :-) just wanted to tell you that you have MY support!!!
Peggyr
- By chloemom
- Posted February 16, 2009 at 7:39 am
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PeggyR You mentioned that you are receiving Short Term Disability. Do you also have Long Term Disability benefits from work? If yes you might want to start that as well. If the LTD payments are more than your SSDI, the LTD provider will also pay you a monthly benefit of the difference. My LTD insurance co. is soooo determined to get people on SSDI that they also offer an incentive of an additional monthly payment of $100. once SSDI starts. LTD continues until retirement age.
Example: LTD is usually 60% of your income so if your income is 30000./year, your monthly LTD is $1500.
If your SSDI payment is $1000./mo, then LTD will also pay $500. per month(difference between the two) + $100. per month incentive. (total monthly income of $1600.)
I didn't have STD so I'm happy that you have that resource!!!
The other thing that I was surprised to learn was that my company paid life insurance policy could continue after I left my job if I was determined disabled and the premium paid by the employer is waived! For mine, the employer had to continue paying the premiums through the disability determination process by the LTD company. Once I was determined disabled, the insurance co.
is suppose to refund those premiums to my former employer and waive all future premiums.
LTD has no effect on SSDI payments.
- By Groovygirlcool
- Posted February 16, 2009 at 8:52 am
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Hey Nancyc!
You never go wrong when you go with your gut instincts. Leave reticence,guilt and doubt behind.We 'know' what's right for us, we just need to listen more carefully.
I hope you'll be free to tap dance on a few tables, now that the sandbags are off your shoulders.
I'm sure there's an angel on your shoulder watching out for you.
Cheers, xxGGC
- By nancyc
- Posted February 16, 2009 at 9:59 am
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Thanks for the good wishes......backatcha!
There was no guilt involved in my decision, or indecision. (well, at least I THINK that there wasn't, recovering Catholic here) What held me up more was the idea of having the government determine my financial future, but as a wise friend from the Breast Cancer.org chat room pointed out, this is SSD we're talking about, not SSI......BIG difference. Enjoy your week. Nancy
- By peggyr
- Posted February 17, 2009 at 12:29 pm
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yes I have LTD also , so I will continue to receive benefits from work, at a reduced rate after SSDI starts. I will continue to receive the same amount, part of it will be coming from SSDI and the other from the work LTD policy. The good thing about getting SSDI, is that I will eventually be eligible for Medicare (23 months I think) so I will not have to pay for my own health insurance thru Cobra.
And I have the same life insurance continuation too! YAY!
I was also happy to learn that my credit union loans (about $400 a month total) carried disability insurance, so they are being pd now by CUNA, and I am in the process (slow and tedious not to mention inept!!) of getting my student loan on deferment as well.
Catholic guilt, it never goes completely away, does it? :-) I just concentrate on the passage that says, I came to give you life so that you may have it to the fullest!!!! (probably misquoted!)
Amen sista!!
- By chloemom
- Posted February 17, 2009 at 1:11 pm
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Great to hear! I was delighted to read on this site about the student loan deferment as I have one from my daughter's education. I'm waiting for my SSDI determination to start that. Between all of these applications and monitoring insurance claims......I often feel like I'm working two full time jobs!!! I do appreciate having the financial support in place so I'm not complaining (well, usually not!)
- By chloemom
- Posted February 17, 2009 at 5:23 pm
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Just had to share this, got my mail today and there was my SSDI approval! It has been two weeks to the day since my telephone interview. Needless to say I am amazed! Here's hoping everyone on this site who applies receives determinations with such speed!!
- By nancyc
- Posted February 17, 2009 at 6:36 pm
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Well that's certainly encouraging! I'll keep my fingers crossed!
- By mom2acat
- Posted February 18, 2009 at 9:57 am
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Glad to hear you were approved, that is great news!
And don't feel you are "giving up"! You have to do what feels right for you!
I had to put up with a lot of crap on my job for years, and I tried working for over a year after being diagnosed with mets before I quit working in November; I was approved for SSD in December. Whenever I start feeling guilty about not working, I remind myself how miserable I felt on that job, and how it affected my health.
- By chloemom
- Posted February 18, 2009 at 10:59 am
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thanks for the support and well wishes... it is hard to give up our jobs ... in our culture it is such a part of our identities! I too went back last year for about 7 months between chemo rounds and had worked from home for about 3 months at the end of my chemo. I was soooo exhausted and stressed out, I wonder sometimes if that stress led to the tumor growth and the next round of chemo. There was just no way I could continue, especially given the chemo cocktail I was going back on.
I know there are other ways for me to contribute once my energy is back a bit. Plus, isn't it like having a full time job now just trying to stay on top of the paperwork like our insurance claims and all the other things that come with our treatment?!? Whewwwww!
So I am very grateful to have these resources and I no longer feel badly that I couldn't seem to manage it all...finally letting go of that Superwoman must do it all mentality!
- By CSF
- Posted February 18, 2009 at 3:42 pm
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Nancy-
I'm really glad you made this decision and that it's working out well for you.
I have a question - you said "it's SSDI not SSI - big difference". I'm not able to get SSDI (not enough work credits) so my only option will be SSI once I'm totally broke (probably by Xmas this year). I know they are very different, but wonder what you were referring to there.
I don't really know what to expect with SSI. I know it won't be much $ and there are "strings" attached - frankly I find it very confusing so far, especiallly how Medicaid fits into that whole thing. I have read that you have to wait 2 yrs after being approved for SSI before you can get Medicaid, but I don't know how to cover medical expenses once I have to drop my insurance. I really wish they would make all this a little easier for us to figure out.
Any info would be very much appreciated. Thanks.
:)
Now go dance on some tables!
- By nancyc
- Posted February 18, 2009 at 5:59 pm
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Hi CSF,
SSI is a benefit for people who have very limited income. The major difference from my perspective is that you have to have "spent down" your funds before qualifying for SSI. In other words, if one has a savings account, or retirement account, those funds have to be used before qualifying for SSI. If you haven't already, get an appointment at your local Social Security office, or go to the SS site and read about it online @ ssa.gov
Good luck with your move!
- By chloemom
- Posted February 18, 2009 at 9:05 pm
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Hi CSF,
Medicare is a federal program which has the 24 month waiting period.
Medicaid is a state operated healthcare program which has immediate eligibility. You would apply to a state office for this. Since you're moving to CT check out ct.gov/dss (Department of Social Services).
In Illinois there is also a program called AABD (Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled) which people apply for after they initiate the application for SSI. This program provides medicaid and for some people, food stamps and/or a small monthly stipend during the interim while waiting for SSI determination. Other states may have something similar for people who have a disability. ( I think I saw AABD on the ssa.gov site as well so you might find it when you check out the SSI info).
It is confusing stuff ... and you certainly have a lot on your plate trying to learn all this while going through treatment and moving!
- By kleighk
- Posted February 18, 2009 at 11:58 pm
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Also, if your income is limited, you may qualify for your state to pay your medicare premiums (after your 23 month wait) and also your MedicareD insurance. It's so much easier now applying online. I have one question, though---when I was approved for disability, I had to wait 5 months from my "date of disability" until I got my first check. How did you qualify to get one immediately?
Karyn
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