Social Security Disability

[Jackpine]

Just wondering if any of our US members have applied for and received social security disability benefits? From what I can understand, it looks like metastatic recurrence of prostate cancer should qualify. While we maybe fairly mobile, fatigue from treatments, large number Dr. appointments does impede being able to work.

[redbank]

yes it is a qualifying illness . you can request ssdi.

[Jimhoy]

How old are you?!

Jc

[Jackpine in reply to Jimhoy]

I’m 61. Recurrent at 24 months.

[Jimhoy in reply to Jackpine]

I was 62 last year and received Ss. It is prorated subtracting $ per year from my 67.33yo full retirement date. About -$500.

I then applied for SSDI and got it first shot!! Mostly unheard of!! Everyone says to get a lawyer. I did talk to one who said try it and if you get sacked, then call him!! So at 62yo, I get full SS as if I were of age!!

Jc

[Jackpine in reply to Jimhoy]

Great information Jim!

How do you determine the day you became disabled? Not sure how to answer that.

[Jimhoy in reply to Jackpine]

Simple!!! I got fired!!! Justifiably so (in my opinion)!!

ADT kicked me in the head!! Lost most cognitive and executive abilities over about a years time! Got to the point where I was a mistake looking for a place to happen.

Long story but I convinced my Dr to sign paperwork for RI - TDI and that was accepted by the state! SS used that as a start date!!

[Jimhoy in reply to Jimhoy]

trying to put some thoughts together in lieu of short answers for you!! Give me until tomorrow please!! I’m beat!!!

Jc

[Jimhoy in reply to Jackpine]

Jack

In my diminished mental state, In don’t feel comfortable giving you reliable advice!! I’ve got so many thoughts kicking around between my ears but I can’t round them up and articulate (?) them!!

I’ll give you some facts and memories regarding my case for your use as you see fit!!

History;

I knew I had issues for about 6 months into ADT and had been in touch with my Dr who was making adjustments in meds (cut out the Bicalutamide)! When I was fired on June 2nd (as stated) I had a clear sight that things were terribly wrong. Knowing I was unemployable, I could not in good conscience apply for unemployment because the disclaimer said something to the effect of I am “able” for and looking for work? I clearly not!!!

Fortunately, I had a follow up appointment scheduled (within weeks) That I used to insist that he STOP my Eligard immediately!! Make a long story short.... I agreed to more Eligard (ADT) in exchange for his sponsoring my Rhode Island Temporary Disability Insurance claim.

This claim was retroactive to my last day of work minus a one week grace(?), wait(?) penalty(?) period. There’s a Prid-Pro-Quo for you!!!!

Social Security used that start date June 10th for their claim!!!

I receive the max of my benefits which were to be exhausted at the end of Nov. +/-!!! While still not employable, and TDI expiring, I looked into SSDI.

This unfortunately for you, is where it starts going gray!!!

I want to say that they talked me out of SSDI and into SS alone. As I stated there was a penalty for early retirement but it was still much more money than SSDI alone!! I signed up for SS alone!!

Gray, Gray, Gray (6 month wait?????) Gray Gray then I applied for SSDI!!!! This is where everyone said you’ll need a lawyer, you will be denied, bla, bla, gloom, doom, bla!!

Didn’t hear anything for a long time while receiving SS checks in the meantime. Finally got a letter directing me to see a Dr to certify my disability.

This is when I talked to a lawyer (advertised as a Social Security Expert (who’s office is actually upstairs from the local SS office))!

Once again, the had that initial “free” first meeting here he told me a lot about the process and told me to just let it run its course for now and see what happens. If denied, come back to see him!!

I did just that, did all they said, completely honest and forthcoming and was approved first round. They never said a word, the money just showed up in my account. Gray Gray Gray Retro active including the 6 months ? GRAY GRAY GRAY!!!!

The lawyer would have been entitled to 1/2 of any money that was added.

The jest of this info is solid but I don’t want to unintentionally mislead you with some surrounding facts!! It will be good to use this info in conjunction with the other comments you’ll receive here!!

Good luck and shout out If needed

Jc

[addicted2cycling in reply to Jimhoy]

In awe of your perseverance!!! Reading about your reaction from ADT and having spoken with others, I feel that my bilateral orchiectomy procedure was grounded in avoiding side effects not often mentioned when consulting with medical professionals. Wishing only the best in your future.

[Jimhoy in reply to addicted2cycling]

Thank you

[Jimhoy in reply to Jackpine]

Brain fart!!!!

Whereas, you may be approved to receive SS$, Medicare is not available until 65 or until you’ve been on SSDI for two years!

Jc

[Hidden]

I got SSDI and they backdated my payments to the date of diagnosis. The problem for me was that I was self-emplyed at the time and had continued to work after I was diagnosed although I had to do much less because of pain and chemotherapy, doctor visits, tests, etc. They really gave me a lot of crap about working which totally pissed me since I was trying to survive fincancially and pay the damn medical bills. The way they were fighting me I didn't think they were going to give me the backpay to diagnosis. But in the end, they did. I did save money without an attorney, but I paid with stress and spent a rediculous amount time providing them with every detail of my meager earnings for that year. Really pisses me off to have to go through that. I would have gotten a lawyer had I known. They can only charge a reasonable percentage up to a limit of what they get for you.

[Jackpine in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Greg I’m weighing goning with a lawyer or doing it myself.

[monte1111 in reply to Jackpine]

My wife talked me into advocate when she was ill. Absolute best decision for most in my opinion. Don't drive yourself crazy. Advocate was paid out of back pay at rate decided by SSA. You have enough problems. Let others carry some of the stress.

[Hex40]

My MO didn’t feel I was ready for ssdi. Said I was doing too well. So he wouldn’t support it. I was still working at the time. I was self employed but decided to file for social security at 64 last January. Lawyer advised bypassing the ssdi route because I was less than a year away from Medicare and the ssdi route may be delayed or be unsuccessful.

[Hidden]

My husband was approved for Social Security Disability but only after being denied and having to appeal with the help of a lawyer. It took almost two years. Very important for your doctor to be supportive and willing to fill out forms to attest to your limitations.

Don't give up. It is worth the hassel for not only the Medicare insurance (after you are disabled for 2 years) but also his benefit was 500.00 more than just on social security retirement.

[Aynoy]

Unfortunately we didn’t have luck even after 2 appeals. Stinks after paying into the system for years

We live in CA you’d think we could get the support we need. Sooo frustrating

Good luck to you

[HopingForTheBest1]

After 18 months from my initial application and 2 rejections from NJ Dept of Labor, I had my appeal hearing in front of an administrative law judge this past Monday. Also had an excellent attorney, which I found at atticus.com , an attorney referral service.

Hearing lasted just 10 minutes. Got approved along with retroactive pay!!! Attorney will get paid up to a maximum $6000 as limited by SSA. No out of pocket cost for me. Definitely get an attorney.

[Litlerny]

The first requirement is that you be unable to perform any substantial gainful work activity (SGA) due to your work impairment.

You don’t need an attorney (or non-attorney rep) to file your initial claim. In fact, many won’t take your case until your T the recon or hearing level of appeal because they are paid out of your retroactive benefits (25% up to $6000 max).

Be careful about the info and advice you may receive in here,or from other sources, about the SSA disability program. In past post replies on SSA disability issues there has been a lot of misinformation about the rules and the process.

[EdBar]

Yes, I received SS disability in 2015 for a Stage 4 dx, I applied in person at the local office after going through CHAARTED chemo. I looked horrible, and the person I spoke to fast tracked my application.

Once on disability you still have to wait 2 years for Medicare - I relied on COBRA through my previous employer during that time - it’s expensive.

From what I’ve heard from other guys if you have skeletal or visceral mets you qualify easily, if you have mets only to nodes, it may take a while or repeated attempts.

Ed

[dadzone43]

A successful argument can be made on fatigue, on incontinence, on medication side effects, on "brain fog," on weakness of gait and standing and on drug related depression. The medical documents and physician MUST include certain language that allows a hearing officer latitude to approve. Simply providing copies of impenetrable electronic medical records is a waste of time and paper. I am a physician who does these exams, usually after the person has been denied several times.

[abmicro]

I got it in 2012 at age 60. Must show the social security worker an after visit summary with a note that you are at stage 4, and then there is no problem getting social security disability. That note happened on my first bone met.

Depending on state laws, if you are working you may have to go on 2 years of state disability first before getting social security disability. Thus you will have to extend your existing commercial insurance coverage with COBRA once you quit to go on disability. At the end of those 2 years, you automatically get medicare. (You get medicare anyway if you reach the medicare age requirement.)

On social security disability, you can still earn a little working wage W2 income without disqualifying. I think it is $1200 monthly maximum. IRA income or pension income does not count as wage income.

[monte1111 in reply to abmicro]

Wife was on CA state disability for a year or so. Paid about $400 more than SSA disability. Paid Cobra huge amount per month for 6 months before got her on my company insurance. Approved for Medicare month after she passed. What a world.

[Jackpine]

Thank you for all the information and it’s very timely as I’m having new scans and seeing my primary Onc. I’ll get his opinion as he is brutally honest ( that is why I like him).

Sounds like a long process but good if you can receive it. Thanks for all the support!!

Jack

[jmb23]

One piece of advice---Go to your local Social Security Office in person! I called SS several times and received many different answers to the same questions. Finally, I went in person and the woman who I spoke with was really, really on my side. She took all my information and doctors' information within two months I received my first check with $ 11.000 in back payments. Since I was self employed I don't know-how they determined my disability date, However as long as I had $ 11,000 in back payments, I was happy! Apply in person!

[ImaSurvivor1]

The challenge in getting SSDI is that you have to convince them that you cannot do ANY job -- not just the job you had before. If that is your situation, go for it. I got my wife's SSDI approved on my first attempt when she was in her mid-50s. But, you'll have to show them that you have a lot more disability than a many doctor appointments and a certain level of fatigue that caused you to get fired from your previous job. Good luck.

[Zetabow]

I was bit of a situation being from UK and resident in Estonia (I'm still British citizen), the pain specialist said I'm unable to work and recommended disability and sent me to Social services for an interview, they said the would contact and deal with UK social services on my behalf. UK social services refused to do anything because I was diagnosed in Estonia, fortunately Estonian social services decided to put my on full work disability and pay me. I'm not impressed with UK social services and very grateful to Estonia for looking after me, it could have been very difficult for me financially.

I worked in IT for a bank when I lived in the UK (I'm 56) they will give me my work pension early (I would of normally collected at 60). I found out last month the UK state pension I paid into most of my adult life will go back to the Gov if I don't live to collect, which is pretty likely, whereas the Estonian state pension if you die before pension age that pension goes to your children for however long they remain in full time education. UK ranked 5th or 6th richest country in the world, doesn't seem to me they give a shit about their citizens