Your experience with going on SS disability

[Pianodude]

I am looking into leaving my day job and going on SS disability. The cancer center that I go to has a guy who is fairly new in his position as a disability specialist. When I talked to him, he told me that because of the nature of my diagnosis and treatments (stage 4 metastatic pCa, Gleason 9), I would definitely qualify for SSD and they would be able to expidite the approval. But, the payments may not start until 6 months after the approval. Of course, that is pretty much a deal breaker for me. I don't have money sitting around to live on for 6 months. 2-3 I could probably squeeze by, not 6. Has anyone here dealt with SSDI, and what was your experience?

[EdBacon]

It was a bit of a pain in the tail for me, mainly because I was self-employed. You're right, there is a waiting period and it was also hard for me to get through it. I did, however, get back pay to my time of diagnosis. That was a big chunk of change that came in one deposit. So if that is the situation, you might consider borrowing the money to get you through and then paying it off when the back pay comes in. The back pay is limited to a year as far as I know so waiting any longer than that is money you won't get back. I ended up with a deposit for around $20K.

Nolo Press has some valuable info on the process, benefits, etc. They also have a good book on the subject if you are going to do it without an attorney.

nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia...

[mrscruffy]

Here is my experience. I applied for SSDI and was rejected. I then hired an attorney, went through a bunch of functional tests and a telephonic hearing with SSDI and my attorney and was granted SSDI as well as back pay. Financially, I was preparing for retirement so no house payments, car payments etc. making my financial load pretty small. However, I didn't want to dip into my savings. Here was my solution. Got a 0% credit card designated for bills only that became known as the "card of no consequences" because I was playing with house money so to speak. My back pay was about 20K also with I think 25% going to attorney. Also, I simultaneously retired with a great pension so I still had a decent income stream. I took a COBRA from work which provided great insurance and go on Medicare in September. From first application to SSDI award was right at 12 months. It can be done just takes some strategic financial planning knowing you will be approved. Had a great law office that specializes in SSDI if you are interested, everything done over phone and I think they can do nation wide representation. I do hear that some people are approved first go around but I think it is rare. Good luck my friend

[EdBacon in reply to mrscruffy]

If I had to do it again, I would get an attorney. It was so stressful and you really have to be careful what you tell them or you won't be approved. It felt like they were just trying to get something on me where they could disqualify me. The attorneys can only get paid out of what they get for you and the amount is capped to something reasonable. Well worth the aggravation IMO.

[Hidden]

Hey pianodude! Got on ssdi due to metzs on my bladder ; tubes and a foley for 18 months. They fast tracked me and I got it right away at age 53. Not Although it is not the place I’d ever imagined to be be .I never made big money so my payout is not that large. But Thanks Uncle Sam , it’s kept the lights on so far . They say ss is doomed by 2035 but I won’t be here to see that . I hope you get on it. They owe you this if like me, you worked under Ss for an entire life? Good luck

[Javelin18]

I went on short term disability with my employer on February 1. I applied for SSDI at that time. After a few months I got a questionnaire asking about my skef care ability; did I cook my own food, clean my house, work on my car.

After I returned that I was approved, but the approval says benefits begin after six months, with the first payment at seven months.

[MarkBC]

I can't respond to American SSDI as I am in Canada. Getting disability benefits is easier here. I can, however, comment on leaving your day job. If you can figure out a way to do it financially, I highly recommend it. I missed my job during the first year but not any more. I credit the lack of work stress and the added time to focus on healthy living with how well I am doing with my cancer treatment.

Best of luck on your road ahead. Early retirement has been great for me.

[wat380bjw]

When I started to apply for SSDI I first went on State disability. This carried me until the SSDI started. I believe that state disability is good for six months. Do state first.

[Rocketman1960 in reply to wat380bjw]

Or at the same time because of the lag in coverage.

[wat380bjw in reply to Rocketman1960]

I got on state first then applied for SSDI. After the state approved my disability then SSDI followed

[Cooolone]

I'm a bit of a special case... Lol, aren't we all ;)I've been WTC HP Certified as to my condition, having worked in the area for 18 months post 9-11, with 11 of those in Ground Zero.

Anyways, retirement, or even SSDI wasn't even on my radar when this all began. I was 53 at diagnosis, and first treatment, even my 2nd round at 54... And then metastatic progression at 56... I wasn't thinking about retirement. Until I was about halfway through my 6 Docetaxel treatments and having my butt kicked by it! Lol... I then began to think, What am I waiting for?

Anyways... Stage IV malignant neoplasm of the Prostate (mets) is a qualification for SSDI. You don't need an attorney, but sometimes it's beneficial to have one as the process can be convoluted for some. An attorney's fee is capped at a maximum of $6k, regardless of the award. SSDI will back date your claim up to 2 years, but you lose that 5 month waiting period regardless (from retro payments). So you may need to foot the bill, but you get that $ back in a way. Additionally, you may apply for Compassionate Allowance which accelerates the decision process. I applied and was approved in 2 weeks to my utter astonishment! Typical application process can take 4-5 months and typically be rejected/denied. Only 20% of applicants are approved. But not sure how that statistic applies to StageIV patients.

In any event, just apply, get an attorney if you don't want to deal with the lunacy red tape and have someone who knows how to navigate the system should you be denied. I think it's well worth it! But everyone is different!

Good Luck & Best Regards

[EdBar]

I had no problem being approved for it, I did have to wait several months for payments to start if I recall. Fortunately my employer had a good LTD plan that I utilize. The worst part was waiting on Medicare to kick in and paying for COBRA while on disability. If I recall correctly the waiting period was 2 years.

Ed

[Hidden]

When I was diagnosed 5 years ago, to use the compassionate use allowance (stage 4 metastic) you had to file within the first year from diagnosis. I filed at the 9 month mark and was able to get approved after a few months of forms as well as a doctor follow-up. They back dated to diagnosis with a six month waiting period and I received a lump check to start. It also starts the clock ticking for the 24 month waiting period for Medicare.

It looks like you are passed that first year in which case you may need to invoke someone/attorney to help move the process faster. I believe the attorneys are capped at taking 25% of back pay and most people end up going that route in this situation. Each SSDI office can be different in how they handle these type of claims as well.

Good luck!

[Hidden]

Good luck, though I was diagnosed high risk stage 4 with mets to bone, lymph nodes, and lungs, my claim was denied. It even says in their own handbook (blue book ) lung metastasis is an automatic fast track approval with payments as soon as 5 weeks. I ended up getting a lawyer to help me, he said he's never heard of someone with lung metastasis being denied. I had waited just less than a year after initial diagnosis , because I wanted to continue working, as I was afraid if I gave up on work, the cancer would consume me. Thank God it didn't. I finally got the approval about 13 months after applying the second time with a lawyer.

[Jackpine]

I hired a lawyer before I talked to SSDI. He gave me a number to call I do then was given a phone interview. I was approved within 10 days and had my back pay in. That time as well. I found it fast and simple.

[j-o-h-n]

Wait six months? They're fucking crazy......

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 07/04/2022 7:34 PM DST - God Bless America

[Hidden]

Can you get short term disability at your job? That is what my husband did as he was applying for SS. We also used the Social Worker from our clinic. My husband was approved in about 3 weeks. You are correct about the 6 months till you get a payment. You also do not receive Medicare for 2 years for the approval date or by age, what ever is first. Good Luck.

[groundhogy]

Can you guys reveal any of the lawyers you used?Need help with my autistic daughter.