| Author |
Message |
    
Martha Briones
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, August 30, 2001 - 2:25 pm: | 
|
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. |
VickieBurns
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2001 - 6:35 am: |
|
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! |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 01, 2001 - 5:34 am: |
|
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. |
SARAH
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, June 14, 2001 - 11:41 pm: |
|
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 |
Meredith Chase
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2002 - 7:27 am: |
|
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? |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 08, 2002 - 10:53 am: |
|
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. |
JODEE
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 02, 2002 - 7:28 pm: |
|
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.. |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, March 16, 2002 - 5:54 am: |
|
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. |
Lisa Tise
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 22, 2002 - 6:28 pm: |
|
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. |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 24, 2002 - 6:28 am: |
|
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. |
JUDI BROWN
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 09, 2002 - 6:27 pm: |
|
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? |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 20, 2002 - 7:36 am: |
|
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. |
Pat
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 18, 2002 - 7:21 pm: |
|
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. |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, July 20, 2002 - 9:53 am: |
|
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.
|
Nancy D
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 20, 2002 - 9:29 am: |
|
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. |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 25, 2002 - 1:45 pm: |
|
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. |
Robert White
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 3:09 pm: |
|
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. |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, April 18, 2003 - 6:27 am: |
|
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. |
Cindy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 09, 2003 - 1:56 pm: |
|
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 |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 6:35 pm: |
|
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. |
DarlaLott
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, July 11, 2003 - 3:10 pm: |
|
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? |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 13, 2003 - 7:30 pm: |
|
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. |
Dee
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 11:26 am: |
|
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? |
Dee
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, August 20, 2003 - 5:37 pm: |
|
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? |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, August 23, 2003 - 6:38 am: |
|
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. |
francis x boyle
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 17, 2003 - 3:49 pm: |
|
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 |
Paul McChesney (Admin)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, October 24, 2003 - 6:33 am: |
|
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. |
cynthiawood
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 ( | |
