State Disability vs. Social Security Disability

I'm a little confused about State Disability (short term) which is what we have in California vs. Social Security Disability. I was on short terms state disability last year before I went back to work but anticipate having to be on some type of disability income permanently. I think my employer is going to run out of options for me. I used my FMLA last year and don't qualify again for now. I'm 60 and I don't quality for Social Security. But I noticed from some recent discussions that women younger than I am are on SS Dis. So ... I'm very confused. In addition, what about medical coverage? I'm single and would lose my coverage from work except I could probably go on Cobra which is very expensive - about $450 a month. I need to start planning for this as I think it will happen this year. In some respects I wouldn't mind not working anymore because it does cause me stress. My boss reminded me that the company didn't have to keep me on last year when I was going through the first line treatment, surgery, second line treatment. Nice. I'm having my first recurrence and going through chemo again so I have about 3 days every three weeks when I'm not at work. The company won't let me take time off without pay so I have to take all my vacation and sick. It will run out eventually. When I'm not at work someone has to do it for me. Fortunately, I have a back up but he already has a full time job so it puts stress on him as well. He is always more than willing and tells me not to worry but I do anyhow.

Sorry for the rambling! I'd appreciate any insight.
Lemona

By abbaschild
Posted April 14, 2009 at 12:21 pm
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Oh, Lemona...you certainly qualify for social security disability and probably for the medical, too. I am stage 3C and 56 yrs. old and qualify for SSD...my husband carries our insurance so I don't need the medical coverage. I'm sure there are ladies here who can better cover your questions about the medical....but I do know you definitely qualify for the disability :)

Blessings and hugs :)

By TvlBeach
Posted April 15, 2009 at 9:49 am
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I am 52 (soon) and due to my nature of my last job, there is no way I could go back to work. I applied for SSD and OC is on that list. Since my husband and I pay for our own health insurance it's costing $15,000 per year, but I go on Medicare around Sep/Oct (you have to wait 24 months). Of course the middle class don't get any breaks and just have to try and survive!
Take care of yourself!!!!

By Jen457
Posted April 15, 2009 at 1:28 pm
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I just received my second check for SSD. I am stage 4. I am very lucky in that I received a pension and health care coverage when I retired at 56 due to cancer coming back again. If you are stage 4, it is very simple to receive SSD. I just called Social Security. They sent me an email and papers in the mail the next day. They scheduled a phone interview which lasted over an hour. I was approved 45 days later. After you receive disability benefits for 24 months, you will be eligible for Medicare. If you have limited income, you may qualify for SSI but I understand this is hard to get. I would call social security and talk to them about any possible options.

By Lemona
Posted April 15, 2009 at 8:12 pm
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Thank you all so much for the information about SSD. I'm hoping it will be a while before I have to go down that road but once I do I want to be armed with as much information as possible. Thanks!

By ldianne
Posted April 16, 2009 at 12:01 pm
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Hi Lemona,

It seems to me that you qualify for Social Security on the federal level....I am 60 also and lost my job through budget cuts....and I received disability in a matter of weeks. I understand that Ovarian Cancer is at the
top of the list for disabilities...

Now, there are procedures and it takes about 5 months from the time of diagnosis for the qualifying period and you have to bring in documentation from your doctors, i.e. surgeon and oncologist..

When you are ready, I recommend making an appointment with your local social security office....
it is much more efficient and you are face to fact with
the individual who will help you with the paperwork..

I have my own insurance through my state but you could discuss this with social security......

I found the American Cancer Society very helpful..
They will provide you with an advocate who will advise you.....

Good luck to you.....

By abbaschild
Posted April 16, 2009 at 12:26 pm
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Actually, you can do the paperwork online very easily. You can stop any time you want to, and start right back up where you stopped....I took about 4 or 5 breaks and finished it that day. Once I stopped to look for some info on my doctor's visits...and other times I stopped to take a break and rest.

They called me the next day and talked to me about 5-10 minutes...that was it :) I couldn't download one form which was giving my permission for the doctor's office to release my info, they mailed it to me...I mailed it back with my signature and within a few weeks of that first day, there was a check deposited in my bank account :)

Quite easy. You really don't need any advocates when you have ovca. It just takes a bit of your time giving the information to them either by phone or via the internet :)

By Artemis
Posted April 16, 2009 at 3:15 pm
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Hi, Lemona,

I live in California, too, and I had the short term State disability, and then I got Social Security disability. This month will be the last payment, though, because I have been back to work for a year. They continued to pay me while I was working. As far as I can tell you have to be on Social Security Disability for two years before you can get Medicare.

The main thing I want to tell you is that your company cannot give you a hard time or let you go because of your cancer. You have a case for a lawsuit if they try that. Luckily I live in the Bay Area where people already know this, and I have been fortunate in that my work place is like a second home to me. They try to take care of me. So, please don't let them bully you. We live in California where we have rights!

By mommasbaby
Posted April 25, 2009 at 3:39 pm
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I live/work in CA. Just be careful when applying that you don't need Medi-Cal. My sister recieves this but cannot have any assests. My mom needs Medi-Cal for her to live in a skilled nursing facility to help her (she has ovaian cancer) but will not qualify until all of her $$ - including house - is gone. Medi- Cal looks at all assests and dealings with assests a few years back so look into the laws. A trust is the best way if this is ultimately the route you need to take.

Based on what I know for federal SSD you qualify and can recieve a type of payment even if you work. I believe you recieve both your full paycheck and a portion from Social Security depending on how much you earn once you are back at work. A gentleman at my fiance's work has been recieving the SSD and working as a result of his cancer. He uses FMLA and Medical leave. He doesn;t need to use it all at once but does when he has a "bad day". He has been in remission for 2 years.

The ladies above gave you great information regarding qualifying for medicare, your employer - you can sue -, etc. Unfortunatly TVLBeach is right those of us in the middle ($$ wise) need to look for loop holes. It is possible if you hit that wall so don't give up. :( I heard a story of man that had to divorce his wife so she would qualify for state aid so she could live in an alzhiemer;s home. But he did what he had to help her get help becuase they simply couldn;t pay it out of pocket all themselves. He was still very much her husband - just not on paper.

I work two jobs and know my tax dollars should go to those that need it - like you! Don't let your employer intimidate you. After all if they are "threatening you" with termination you can check the HR laws online at EDEC. Worse case scenario you lose your job, get unemployment, and go on Medi-Cal (for insurance) then sue. Also check with your hospital and doctor. Most hospitals have a foundation that raise money for those "caught in the middle".

Now that all sounded gloomy. Congrats on being back to work - even part time! You stay strong. These ladies will give you strength!

Love and light!

Welcome to Inspire!

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