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Q. about Applying For Benefits - How ...

Social-Security-Disability-Forum » Q. about Applying For Benefits - How Do I? Should I? When?  

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Medical DisabilityAnonymous6-04-06  7:22 pm
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Martha Briones

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Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2001 - 2:25 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

My mother is 60 years old, when can she apply for social security benefits. What is the process and what documentation will be requested from her?

Reply by Paul She should apply about 3 months before she is eligible, if it is retirement she is applying for. She is eligible for retirement on her own record, if she has worked enough, at age 62. She will get more per month if she retires later, though.

She is entitled to retirement on her spouse's record, if she is a widow, at age 60. If she is not a widow, she can retire on his record at age 62, or whenever he retires, whichever is later.

If she is applying for disability, she should apply as soon as she realizes that she is disabled. The eligibility rules for disability are complicated; it is simplest to apply, and consult with an attorney as soon as she is denied for any reason.

The paperwork varies a lot depending on her situation. It is simplest to ask.

You can always go down to your local office to apply, but it is usually easier to start by calling the toll free number, 1 800 772 1213.

Take care.
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VickieBurns

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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2001 - 6:35 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

My Mother has several chronic auto-immune conditions, including Lupus, Fibromyalgia and Sojgren's syndrom. She is 59 years old and lives in Florida. She is in constant pain and has not been able to work since 1994. She did not apply for disability before because she and her husband were doing well financially and she had medical insurance. She now is without insurance & lives on a somewhat small fixed income. She applied for disability in January 2001 at the advice of one of her physicians, and was denied because of a "lack of evidence of her medical condition prior to 1999". We found out that her physician prior to 1999 (In Illinois) never responded to the SSA's requests for information. She reapplied and got the same response. Both she & I have called the physician's office and were both told that her records have been destroyed and that there was nothing that they could do. They told us that her last visit to him was in early 1995 and that the law requires them to destroy patient's records after 5 years. We have evidence that she was seen by this doctor well into 1996 and that it has not been 5 years. I have attempted to contact the doctor himself, both by telephone and email and have gotten no response. Is there anything that we can do?

Thanks so much!
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Paul McChesney (Admin)

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Posted on Friday, June 01, 2001 - 5:34 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Vickie, there is some law that indicates that medical evidence from after a period of time can have a bearing on your condition during that period; and I have had some limited succes with cases where evidence existed but had been destroyed, as opposed to situations where there was no evidence to begin with. You should try to get a good attorney for your mother. The attorney should be near where she lives. You should also try to get a statement from the doctor, a nurse, etc., who might be able to remember anything about her treatment. You only have a limited amount of time to appeal, so hurry. It might be a difficult case.

One great moral of this for others is that most people should work enough to qualify for benefits, even if they do not need the money at that time; and, if you become disabled, you must apply for benefits, even if you do not need the money at that time. It is difficult, though not always impossible, to prove that you were disabled at some point in the past, and that is what you might have to do if you file years after you become disabled.

Good luck.
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SARAH

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Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2001 - 11:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I LIVE IN UNION SOUTH CAROLINA I HAVE SLE,RAYNARDS,AND PLUSARY. I HAVE BEEN OUT OF WORK SINCE 12-15-2000. I WORK IN A PLANT AS A MACHINE OPERATOR WHERE WE MAKE BEARINGS FOR INGERSOLL-RAND I AM 37 YEARS OLD AND WAS FIRST DIAGNOSED WITH LUPUS IN AUGUST OF LAST YEAR. THIS HAS REALLY CHANGED MY LIFE. I HAVE A FEW GOOD DAYS BUT A LOT OF BADS ONES. THERE ARE DAYS THAT I CAN HARDLY GET OUT OF BED. MY DR IS GOING TO DECIDED IN JULY IF HE THINKS I CAN RETURN TO WORK. I ALSO HAVE ANOTHER DR. BECAUSE I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY LUNGS. THE FOUND A SPOT ON MY LUNGS BUT SEEMS TO THINK THAT IT'S JUST COMING FROM THE LUPUS. MY PROBLEM IS THAT I DON'T MIND WORKING BUT I KNOW THAT RIGHT NOW THERE IS NO WAY THAT I CAN RETURN TO WORK AND PERFORM MY JOB. I AM HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING MY SHORT TERM DISABILITY FROM MY JOB. DO YOU THINK THAT I'LL HAVE THIS MUCH TROUBLE IF I HAVE TO APPLY FOR MY SSI? DO I GO ON AND TRY TO APPLY OR WAIT FOR MY DOCTOR TO DO IT?

From Paul:

Sarah, you will probably have even more trouble getting SSI or Social Security Disability than you will short term. Nevertheless, you must file for it if you are not going to be able to return to work. I would file as qickly as possible, and not wait for the doctor. The process takes long enough as it is.

Good luck
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Meredith Chase

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Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2002 - 7:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I live in Wilmington, NC and have both grand mal and petite mal seizures about twice a month. I am almost 21 years old and in college. I have been having problems in all of my classes because of memory problems and other mental problems due to my seizures. It has been hard for me to hold down simple jobs. I have tried several medications and other forms of treatment. I now live with my parents and am under my parents insurance. I am afraid that I will not be able to support myself once I get out on my own. I am trying to find out if I will be able to receive disibility or any other kind of help from our government. Does it look like I will be able to find some kind of help from our state or will I have to look elsewhere?
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Paul McChesney (Admin)

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Posted on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 10:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

If a person can prove that he or she is having siezures at that rate, a disability claim is a real possibility. There are a number of special things you need to do to have your best chance in a siezure case.

If you have no income or resources, you might get SSI, which is at best less than $600 per month. Social Security Disability can be more. At your young age, you do not have to have worked much to qualify.

You should try desperately to work enough to get enough quarters of coverage to qualify for Social Security Disability. If you find you cannot succeed, you should file. Get an attorney and make sure your doctor supports you; in a siezure case in particular I would get an attorney involved from the start. Do everything the doctor tells you to do unless it doesn't make sense; in that case get another doctor and do what he or she tells you. Be sure your blood levels reflect appropriate amounts of medications have been taken. Get an EEG if you haven't yet. Keep a detailed record of your siezures.

Take care and good luck.
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JODEE

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Posted on Saturday, March 02, 2002 - 7:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

COULD YOU TELL ME IF THEIR IS A SOCIAL SECURITY PROGRAM FOR PERSONS SUFFERING FROM COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING A HEMMORAGHIC STROKE..I HAD MY STROKE IN MAY OF 2001,AND HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO BACK TO WORK SINCE,AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS FROM EXTREME MENTAL/EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS, TO LOSING FEELING IN MY EXTREMITIES,AND OCCASIONAL LOSS OF SIGHT NOT TOTAL BUT MORE LIKE A TUNNEL VISION.I AM IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA..IF THERE IS A PROGRAM FOR PERSONS LIKE MY SELF PLEASE EMAIL ME,AND IF ANYONE COULD TELL ME HOW I GET STARTED IN THIS PROCESS,I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT..
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Paul McChesney (Admin)

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Posted on Saturday, March 16, 2002 - 5:54 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Jodee, to answer as best I can:

1. Is there a program? Yes, all SS programs potentially apply to stroke victims. For SSI, you also have to show that you are poor enough; if you are told you are not you must sit down with an attorney and see if the problem is something like the old truck that they consider an excess asset; sell it and you qualify. For the other program, Social Security Disability, you have to show you have worked enough; if you are told you have not, again there are often things you can do to fix that.

2. Am I disabled? When someone gives me a list of symptoms it is almost always difficult for me to have a real feel for whether he or she might be disabled under the Administration's standards. But I would be able to say better if I knew more specifics. For example, if extreme meant that you had to miss work because of your symptoms more than 3 days a month on an unpredictable basis, or if the tunnel vision occurred for several hours a day and meant that you had trouble locating objects to work with them, or your loss of feeling meant that you had difficulty using a pen or keyboard, vocational experts might say you are disabled. If you don't meet these two tests, don't worry, there are a lot more.

A more practical test for you is a different question: Can I get a job? If the answer is no, or even if you are having difficulty hanging on to work, you must sit down and talk to someone about pursuing a claim, in order to help protect your financial security.

3. How do I get started? To file a claim, call 1 800 772 1213, press "0" 20 times to clear off the menu and get put on hold to talk to someone, tell them you want to file a claim for disability, and tell them that you want a telephone appointment. But I would also read every single post on this board, and I would also sit down and talk to an attorney, or talk to one on the phone, right now. Your problem is too serious to do less. Many do and many do not wind up hiring an attorney for the initial application; whether you should do so that early is less clear; but you should talk. This is an extremely important time in your life, and you should leave no stone unturned.
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Lisa Tise

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Posted on Monday, April 22, 2002 - 6:28 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I have a sister that could easily get on disability but what I was wondering if she is married and her husband makes an average income could she still get SSI. If not what could she do. They have no insurance and she has lots of medical problems.
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Paul McChesney (Admin)

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Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 6:28 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

SSI is not available if the family income is above a certain amount. How much that is depends on whether the income is earned or not, and how many people are in the household.

Medicaid is available for somewhat higher income levels than SSI.

Social Security Disability is available whatever the household income is. But the disabled person must have paid enough into the system.
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JUDI BROWN

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Posted on Sunday, June 09, 2002 - 6:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

My Jan/2002 physical shows scoliosis + enlarged heart + spinal spur. Widowed, living alone in apt..must depend totally on myself to take care of myself but live every day w/severe back pain. Never reported this at work due to fear of being fired + afraid of not being hired by anyone else..also can no longer work at certain jobs prev worked standing on feet..cannot perform daily proceedures as before such as walking,jogging,bending,lifting..back pain while sitting but not as severe as when standing,walking..taking thyroid/blood pressure/cholesterol RX but can not walk or jog as needed..if I cannot work I cannot survive financially & must depend only on myself to rent & take care of myself..financial help needed..am I able to apply for disability?
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Paul McChesney (Admin)

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Posted on Saturday, July 20, 2002 - 7:36 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

You certainly can apply and might consider it; but of course a harder question is whether you can win, and whether you can survive while waiting for benefits to start. I would get a thorough evaluation of your claim by a local attorney now, before you have to stop working. Make sure you are doing the right things, such as lining up a sympathetic doctor, and getting yourself set for a possible time without income. Be sure to purchase long term disability insurance if you can, and consider filing before you finally have to stop working. There is a lot more; sit down and talk to an attorney before you make a final decision.

Take care and good luck.
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Pat

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Posted on Tuesday, June 18, 2002 - 7:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I am 31 years old.I have Fibromyalgia and severe depression.I have back,neck and shoulder pain constantly.My doctor also thinks I may have arthritis in my fingers on my right hand.
I am currently seeing a rheumatologist and a psychiatrist. I am on long term disability from work. My long term disability is based on the depression. My psychiatrist fills out my paperwork for that every month.I have not worked since Feb.2002.
I work at an assembly plant.I can't see being able to do that work again anytime soon. It is very stressful and physically demanding.
Before that I worked mostly in textiles.I have a G.E.D. I quit high school in the 10th grade.
I have severe pain through out my body.I can't stand to lift heavy objects. I can't stand or sit for extended periods without great back and neck pain.I have severe depression and crying episodes.I also suffer from extreme anxiety, occasional panic attacks, and have trouble sleeping.I can't get out of bed unassisted some days.
I take 1-2 Zanaflex 4MG every 12 hours,1-2 Diazepam 2MG 2 times a day, 1 Zoloft 100MG every twelve hours,1-2 Trazadone 50MG 1 at night,and Duragesic 25 patches that I change every three days.
My insurance wants me to apply for disability.The last Social Security Statement I have is dated December 18,2000.It says that I have $780. a month credit at that time.I have worked every year since then and made about $20,000 a year.
How likely is it that I will get approved? Also ,if I am approved, don't I have to be out of work for a year before I receive payments? How would you suggest I proceed from here? Has my credited amout increased since Dec.2002?
I am sorry to be so long winded but I tried to supply you with as much information as possible.
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Paul McChesney (Admin)

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Posted on Saturday, July 20, 2002 - 9:53 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Pat, here are my answers, such as they are:

Q. How likely is it that I will get approved?

A. This is hard to say. It depends on how your whole file looks, in part. You certainly have a shot at it.

Q. Also ,if I am approved, don't I have to be out of work for a year before I receive payments?

A. No. You condition must have lasted, or be expected to last, for a year. If I become suddenly disabled tomorrow, I can apply and if they agree and work fast I can be declared disabled even though a year hasn't passed, so long as I prove I will still be disabled in a year.

But benefits start the month of application for SSI and 5 months after you become disabled for Social Security disability.

Q. How would you suggest I proceed from here?

A. As always, hire a lawyer and line up your doctors.

Q. Has my credited amout increased since Dec.2002?

A. Almost certainly not. Occasionally they accidentally credit LTD, but they are not supposed to. You need to establish disability to protect your benefit amount. If you do not, they will start averaging all of the "$0"'s you are earning now into your earning average, and the amount of your potential disability and retirement checks will go down.
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Nancy D

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Posted on Tuesday, August 20, 2002 - 9:29 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I am a 46 year old female diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer in Oct 01. I had major surgery on 10/29 and even had congestive heart failure on 10/31 due to hospital error. I can not return to work because I didn't respond well to chemo and am taking daily meds that include prozac, tamoxifen, Xanax and sometimes Dalmane. I have two children 11 and 9. I had worked for 30 years at various positions, but did not work in 1999. I am married to a money control freak, therefore I have no money. I find it hard to believe but SSA refused to take an application for me. Any Advise
would be helpful.
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Paul McChesney (Admin)

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Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 1:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Nancy, I do not understand why they would not take an application. Generally, someone who is not now working, and has worked about 5 out of the last 10 years, or less if you are under 30, should be permitted to file an application. There could be something I am missing. Try again, or better, talk to an attorney about it. I do not give suggestions about malpractice outside South Carolina, except to say that you should get an attorney. Take care and good luck.
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Robert White

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Posted on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 3:09 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I was medically retired from the Army in 1997 due to asthma/emphysema. I was initially awarded a 70% rating from the VA. I recently went through a re-eval w/ the VA as my conditions have worsened. I'm fairly certain they will award a 100% rating this time. I am awaiting a call from a SS rep for disability. The call is scheduled for the 9th. I want to know if there are any bits of advice one could give me to ensure I have what I need and be prepared for the call. I've heard that it's almost an inevitability to be declined bennies the 1st time. I want to avoid this, if possible as I'm sure I qualify (Steroid dependent asthma, Emphysema, Major depression, Sinusitus, Hypertension, GERD, and Insomnia are all well documented since 1997)for the benefit. Thanks for any advice.
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Paul McChesney (Admin)

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Posted on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 6:27 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

The person that talks to you is just gathering exactly the information that he asks you about - who your doctors are, what your education is, what work you have done, etc. Just get that stuff as fast as possible to avoid delay.

Winning your case is a separate question; that requires that the doctor records document specific limitations sufficient to disable someone with your particular work skills.

And, as always, I suggest getting an attorney, if not immediately, whin initially denied.
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Cindy

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Posted on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 1:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I'm 33 yrs old. I've had back pain for over 10 yrs now. I recently had surgery. The doctor fused my L5 to my S1. I have severe pain most of the time in my lower back and down my right leg. I also have some numbness in my right leg. I can't sit or stand for long periods of time and at night I wake up twice an hour because of the pain is so bad. I'd say I get about a total of 4 hours sleep. I'm on pain medication and a musle relaxer but it barely dulls the pain. I haven't worked in a year. Do you think I have a good chance on getting on SSI? What do I need to do? Cindy
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Paul McChesney (Admin)

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Posted on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 6:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Cindy, anyone who has had fusion surgery must have a serious health problem, and while many people with fusions lead productive lives, many have trouble. It is more difficult to win a claim if you are as young as you are. Some of the crucial questions in your case are whether you have work skills that will let you work with your particular impairment, and whether you can attend the most sedentary work regularly.

If you were older, the questions would be different; for example, sometimes people over 50 only have to show that they cannot perform work they are skilled to do, and cannot do anything more than sedentary work.

I would sit down and talk to an attorney, or maybe a couple of them, right now, at the start of the process.

A seperate question is whether you should hire one now. The advantage of not hiring an attorney early is that you avoid the fee if you win on your own. The advantage of hiring one is that you can better control what evidence gets in. Since an early win is unlikely at your age, the balance for you leans toward hiring one now.
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DarlaLott

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Posted on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 3:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

My son is 13. His father and I were never married. His father has never paid child support, but I recently was told by a family member that he is receiving Social Security Disability due to severe epilepsy. Would my son be entitled to a benefit from this? How would I go about getting this started?
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Paul McChesney (Admin)

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Posted on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 7:30 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Darla, you might be able to solve this problem on your own, and simply, by going down to the Administration and simply asking for the money. If that doesn't work you must get an attorney. There are many things you must show in order to establish a right to benefits for your child. Some of them include whether, since you weren't married, he supported the child (which is different from paying child support); whether he worked enough to qualify for Social Security disability, as opposed to SSI; and if so whether he worked enough to be entitled to benefits for his children.

That's the long answer. The short answers are "maybe" and "apply or talk to an attorney."

Take care.
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Dee

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Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 11:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I am 43 years old and became a bk amputee on June 2, 1999 due to deep vein thrombosis. The only medication I take is an aspirin everyday. I have since been treated for Hepatitus B and C, depression, joint and muscle pain, anxiety and stress (all unsuccessfully). I have a prosthetic and people have told me that I will not be considered disabled. I cannot be on my feet for very long at a time, it becomes painful and uncomfortable. Wearing my prosthetic all day hurts. i need to "rest" my residual limb. I have tried to work and it becomes painful to walk, sit, lift things, etc. I am currently unemployed and draw survivor's benefits. (I am widowed with a minor child.) Should I apply for disability or keep hoping things will improve?
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Dee

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Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 5:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I wrote earlier and need to add that i do not have any medical insurance, no hope of medical insurance and cannot afford to continue my medical treatments. The medication alone for Hep C is over $1300 a month. All i can afford is an aspirin a day. I cannot afford the medical attention that i need. Would disability help me? I know i need help and cannot find any. What should i do?
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Paul McChesney (Admin)

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Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 6:38 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

In general, a person with health problems should either work, or pursue Social Security disability, or both. It is dangerous to sit on your sofa and hope things will get better. If you work steadily and are over 30, once you stop work you are only eligible for Social Security Disability for about 5 years.

What you should not do is sit back and let your eligibility for Social Security Disabilty expire.

Your survivor's benefits are something of a trap. If you live off of them, when your child reaches 16 your mother's benefits will stop, and eventually his will. If you have not worked or qualified for disability in the mean time, there will be nothing for you but SSI, which is usually not as good as Social Security.

If you get Social Security disability, you will eventually get Medicare. If you get SSI, you will eventually get Medicaid.

You should search for medical help. What is available varies around the country. Some areas have lots of resources; others few. Start by calling the United Way; they usually keep a list of all available local resources. And medication can often be gotten for free. Start by searching on needymeds.com.
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francis x boyle

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Posted on Friday, October 17, 2003 - 3:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

my husband is a 100% disabled veteran

he became disabled March 4, 1968 and was medically retired from the us army feb 1969 after 11 month and 10 days in the hospital

he has tried to work and has failed at his job hand has not been kept working. he was either let go or asked to leave

we have all the medical reports and paperwork from the VA

how does he file for social security disability ?

thank you
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Paul McChesney (Admin)

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Posted on Friday, October 24, 2003 - 6:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Frances, the simplest way to file is to call 1-800-772-1213 and ask to set a telephone appointment. For this to work well, you need to be able to read and write well, or have a friend who can.

You can also apply online by going to ssa.gov. If you do that, be sure to get a PIN number, that you can use to check the status of your case.

Or you can apply in person. The best way to do that is to call the 800 number and set an in person appointment.

When you call the 800 number, if you want to speak to a real person, press 0 about 10 times, slowly; that will usually clear off the menu and you will be put on hold for a few minutes.
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cynthiawood

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