Will I qualify for Social Security Disability?

[OldGuysRule]

I am 62 years old with advanced PCa in the prostate bed and Mets on spine. I am considered low volume. I’m on Lupron and Zytiga. I’m considering filing for disability.

Will I qualify? Is there anyone that has experience with this?

Thanks in advance

[mrscruffy]

I went on disability at 55. I applied on my own and was rejected as is very common. I then hired an attorney specializing in SSDI and was granted disability. I have a great attorney if you need one, he was with me at my phone conference and asked great questions. He took 33% I think. My retro check was 14k after expenses. From start to finish the process took a year and a half. Any questions let me know

[OldGuysRule in reply to mrscruffy]

thanks for the input

[KocoPr in reply to OldGuysRule]

mrscruffy is exactly correct. Key is to file right away, then wait tilll your rejected, then get an ssdi lawyer. I got lucky and filled out an online lawyer referral and got a good lawyer. You will be rejected right away and will need to appeal, but i think I would get the lawyer that will help fill out the appeal. Be advised they will get about a third of your settlement payout from when you filed to when you get approved so the longer the lawyer can string it out the larger their payout.

[rogerandme]

I applied for and got state disability pretty fast process 2-3 months. Your doctor should be able to fill out paper work… exhausted my disability in one year received about 60,00 overall

[Fightinghard]

advanced prostate cancer should be automatically in the approved category

[EdBacon in reply to Fightinghard]

That's correct. Stage 4 prostate cancer qualifies you. I got it at age 59. I would also suggest using an attorney. Their fees are capped at a reasonable amount and they can only get paid out of what they get for you. Mine took around 4 months, but was super stressful because I did it myself.

[OldGuysRule in reply to EdBacon]

Thanks

[Djangler]

I applied online when I progressed to mCRPC which is on the Compassionate Allowance list. Took 3-4 months before they started to review my file. They said it could be 7 more months from that point, but it only took 3 days to be approved and have a transfer to my bank account.

[Boywonder56]

Yes, the first time they'll reject you before you get home just go ahead and sign up again and they'll give it to you no problem they'll do it so that you can get MediCare at 64 cuz there's a two-year waiting period for the Medicare but I know that I was just like you in the first time they turn me down second time I got a phone interview and they even back paid me from when I first tried to get in it

[OldGuysRule in reply to Boywonder56]

what did you do about insurance coverage during the two year waiting period?

[Zengal79]

My guy applied right away without a lawyer and was approved. He was around 55-56.

[TrashPanda72]

It can be a long fight. I applied under compassionate allowance. It took 30 months (was just approved about 20 days ago). In Georgia, lawyers will not get involved until after the 2nd denial - but they do help with the last appeal through an admin tray I’ve law judge.

Since I was dx’d at 48, my fight was tougher. They consider me young enough to be “re-trained” in a new career…. I have an automatic 3 year review of my disability- so my stress will come back in 2026…

My main issues is the debilitating exhaustion. I hoped it would go away when the testosterone started to return, but no such luck.

[OldGuysRule]

Thanks for good practical advice

[Blueribbon63]

I applied and was advised by a SS agent to withdraw because I had not made contributions for the last 5 years.

[EdBar]

I filed when I was 55 and was approved without any problem. I think going for my SSA interview shortly after going through chemo helped. She even put a rush on it, lol.

Ed

[dadzone43]

It is a legal question bound by the rules. Not automatic. You have to build a case and your doctors' notes have to indicate clearly how your illness affects your ability to work and how your treatment (side effects of meds, etc,) affects your work. Most physicians are woefully unaware of this. These write their standard medical notes and expect the a judge

[dadzone43]

(sorry) ...judge or hearing officer to interpret. That does not happen. Many Cases are lost because of lousy notes written by ignorant doctors. This is the work I do in my practice and I had to learn it on my own.

[OldGuysRule in reply to dadzone43]

Thanks for your input

[turkeyjoe1]

I was approved in 3 months. I did it myself. I documented every doctor appointments, tests, scans,determinations and findings. Kinda a pain but it worked. You have to have at least 1 doctor, 2 is better to say you will be disabled from work 1 year or more. I made a appointment to go right in to the SS office with a caseworker.

[OldGuysRule in reply to turkeyjoe1]

Thanks! Where did you find a case worker? Social worker from the hospital?

[turkeyjoe1 in reply to OldGuysRule]

Right at the SS administration building. Fill out the online application and request an appointment for review. Bring everything with you to submit to your case file. All evidence of disability. Doctor visits,Dx. Tests. EVERYTHING. SMALLEST detail. Caseworker will review your file and you should receive a answer in a few months by letter.

[OldGuysRule in reply to turkeyjoe1]

thanks

[j-o-h-n]

Take a trip to Mexico and come back in to the US as a wetback..... and Tio Sam will give you everything you want.....( Please - I am not mean, I'm just a Hippogator)...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Monday 03/06/2023 7:20 PM EST

[Rev214]

Stage 4 is considered terminal. We all hope to beat that diagnosis, but few do.

I had no problem getting full SSDI abd when full retirement age arrive switch to equal SS benefits. I am have an oligio-metastic dx in my pelvis bone. I am only sorry I waited two years before applying. They can go back only 1 year and cover it with full benefits, not 2 years.

Good luck, have all your Dr. Info handy when you apply.

Prayers for success with them and in your fight against this disease.

[CocoTheAlphaCat]

So much of what SSA is doing is by phone these days; at least some offices are not even offering in-person appointments --contact them and see if you can make a phone appointment to apply. If you have not yet applied for Social Security, since you are at least 62, you can apply for regular Social Security Benefits and SSDI at the same time. You'll get your reduced age-62 benefits first, and then the larger SSDI when the review process is completed and approved. If you are considered Stage IV, this should all be possible. Be sure to fill out all the application forms and, of course very importantly, the health release forms so they can get at all your medical info.

[Survivor1965]

I was 51 and got approved fairly easily, did it over the phone. The guy said "oh you have a teri" to which I replied what is that? He said terminal illness. Got approved for 7 years.

Stage 4 metastatic

[RMontana]

I retired in Dec22...definitely you will quality BUT if you dont choose 'original,' full Medicare and opt for an Advantage Plan you will not be able to choose full Medicare in the future without undergoing medical testing. That will raise your premiums. So I opted right away, first time in, for full Medicare. Its the best option for you and I as we have PCa...TNX

[groundhogy]

when you file for SS disability, isn’t it resource tested? Like don’t you have to spend all assets to like zero dollars first?

[EdBacon in reply to groundhogy]

That's SSI, not SSDI. They are two different things.

[groundhogy]

hmm..

I am currently calling around for an 8 year old girl who is autistic and non-verbal. Trying to see if I can get her some dollars to help. I was told by one lady at a lawyers office that I could not have more than $2000 to my name.

Am i barking up the wrong tree?