Medical Disability Retirement

[Kwinholt]

Hi there friends, Just wondering if any one has retired with a medical disability retirement with their PD. I’m going to see how the next school year goes but is looking at that but don’t know how difficult it is to be approved. I would be 57 almost 58 at the time I’m thinking . I do exercise and try to maintain a “normal” day to day life but is getting difficult some days and trying to hide some symptoms is no longer as easy to do. Just wondering . Thank you for any input. Karen

[justhavefun2]

Hi Karen,

I had applied for SSDI last year.

Honestly, if I had to go out and find a job in my skill set I would be unemployable due to my job skills suffering from PD. I am Personal Assistant. My slow typing (100 wpm was down to maybe 40?) illegible handwriting, mobility issues and a 50% hearing loss have made working very difficult. I was turned down for SSDI because I was still working. That upset me because I was being penalized for being responsible/tenacious (I have never not worked since I was about 10 years old, never been on public assistance, etc.) and my boss is so very gracious to not kick me to the curb. I love him for that!

In order to qualify, you have to be on PD meds (6 months I think?) and 100% unemployed for a year (how is a person supposed to survive without any income)? Then they will consider helping a person. Ridiculous system...

So, I contacted two different attorney’s offices and their first question was, “Are you still working?” Since I am they said, “Sorry we can’t help you!” Even if you can greet at Walmart, take tickets at a theater, etc. they don’t consider a person disabled. You CAN work doing something even if you aren’t necessarily skilled at that job or you can’t meet living/medical expenses on the, likely, lower salary.

Fortunately, I am blessed with a strong faith in God and a good integrative neurologist who has been able to coach me so I can currently function pretty well enough most days. Last year I was a train wreck. I just do the best I can and I am praying my “better health” and work arounds will hold on at least until I turn 65 and I can qualify for Medicare (I live in the US). I am 59 now, so 6 more years...

I wish you all the best and hope you are able to get a better answer! If you live in a country with socialized medicine/early retirement options you are very fortunate. I hope this is of some kind of help. Maybe it will save you some time and/or heartache.

[Kwinholt in reply to justhavefun2]

Thank you so much for your reply. I’m in California , and I’ve been doing some research and wasn’t sure how it all works. But to be unemployed for a year to even be considered isn’t acceptable to me either nor can we afford not having some income . I also have a pension too so I guess I will have to schedule some meetings and talk to my dr too. Thanks again. Karen

[justhavefun2 in reply to Kwinholt]

I would love to hear how things work out for you! Would you consider please keeping me in the loop? You may very well have greater success than I did. I am about a year and a half post diagnosis and I’ve been on meds for about eight or nine months now. Without the meds, supplements and exercise I would be 100% unable to function. My brother-in-law, who has heart issues, was 60 years old and was able to get on SSDI within about 6 months because of the severity of his issue. He had to live without any income for that six months and it was horrible for he and my sister. You give me hope that I can keep working for the next 6 years. Thanks for that!! 💕💕 Hope to hear more as you work through the process.

[Kwinholt in reply to justhavefun2]

One more thing , I was diagnosed 6 years ago and been on meds since day 1. Not sure if that’s a positive for this situation or not 😊. K

[Airlog414]

I did. It is tough....be prepared to get disapproved in the beginning. I hired a lawyer. Finally got it.

[Jebbie12 in reply to Airlog414]

Same here

[Jebbie12]

I also worked in a school system for 20 years. 8:years after my diagnosis I was having difficulties many days getting through a work day. I was approved for my disability pension and filed for social security disability. They had their own doctor examine me, and he said he would recommend approval based on my symptoms. I was turned down anyway. I couldn’t believe it! So I got a lawyer who took my case for a percentage of my back pay due me. Within 2 months I was approved. I highly recommend you get a lawyer off the get go. Unlike the person who could not get a lawyer because they were still working, I too was still on payroll, using up my sick days. But they didn’t seem concerned if I was or wasn’t working. Good luck! Btw, I live in NJ.

[Kwinholt in reply to Jebbie12]

Thank you for your response. You seem to have a similar situation as mine. I’ve been with the school district for 23 years going in 7 after my diagnosis. With everyone’s story it truly sounds difficult to get approved. I can be demanding and come out fighting but it sounds like I have to call in sick all the time to even be considered. I’m have over 600 hours of sick time bc I’m not that kind of person. That might be to my detriment. Karen

[Jebbie12 in reply to Kwinholt]

I also had an excellent attendance record and had almost a years worth of sick days saved. But SS didn’t ask about my attendance. What they are looking for is if you can still perform your job or something similar. One angle I went with was in the event of an evacuation I could not be depended upon to safely get children out of the building. That my meds did not work consistently. If you get a lawyer, you will likely get approved. I mean, we’re talking Parkinson’s here! It’s not like you don’t have a good reason! FYI, Since I am retired I became certified to teach yoga. I am teaching others with Parkinson’s and MS. Life does go on! Good luck!

[Kwinholt in reply to Jebbie12]

Thank you . It sounds like I will need an attorney but now I kind of know what to expect . Take care. Karen

[wifeofparky]

my husband was diagnosed at 61. We had to sell our business because he could no longer do it and I could not handle it alone. I filed myself. I documented every doctor he had been seeing and the reasons he went there. We told all his doctors what we were doing and they all cooperated. He was approved within a few months. We only had to wait a year I believe before his Medicare kicked in after he was approved.

Good luck. The more you can document, even if you feel it is not relevant will help.

[ion_ion]

Questions: 1. If I'm working like software engineer and I can no longer do my job they won't approve me because I can still work like Walmart greeter? 2. Can someone receive disability income after being retired at full retirement age?

Thank you.

[justhavefun2 in reply to ion_ion]

No, if you are retired that’s that and that’s terrific! Disability is for younger folks who can’t work.

[ion_ion in reply to justhavefun2]

So disability benefits are received only till full retirement age when the pension kicks in?

[justhavefun2 in reply to ion_ion]

When Social Security/Medicare kicks in. It appears that, basically, a person receives the same benefits...just earlier before their full retirement age. Not that I am an expert, but just how I understand it...

[Cindy27 in reply to ion_ion]

No they can’t make you become a greeter at Walmart. You have to show you can’t do your job or a similar job based on your education, training and work experience.

[justhavefun2 in reply to Cindy27]

I know of a young man with debilitating clinical depression who was denied and has no choice but to work very part time in a retail position. He has a degree and had a good job, but couldn’t keep it together to sustain his position...thus he was forced into a less than optimal situation. So, no, they don’t force you, but a person is left with a choice that may not be a good situation for them.

[PalmSprings]

Hi Karen, I was diagnosed at 55. I had gone on half time the year prior because I wasn’t feeling right. I had taught high school math for 33 years (started right out of university). My principal said if it were her she’d retire. I had essentially 2 years of accumulated sick leave. My doctor signed off and I have never looked back. I went through my sick leave and then retired. The only catch, and I know no one will feel sorry for me, is that 50% year I took prior to being diagnosed. This meant my 2 years sick leave was paid at half rate and that I couldn’t get my short or long term disability that I had paid into for 33 years. The stipulation was that you had to be working over 75% to qualify. The fine print that I never thought to read, ha, ha. I had been dragging myself to work for several years never taking a sick day without knowing why. BUT, I really don’t look back even though my income has been drastically effected because I need the time to exercise, have fun, laugh and sleep! I have come to accept my new future, which took a minute, but I am looking forward now with a smile and a tremor in my step.

[Kwinholt in reply to PalmSprings]

Thank you for your response . And it sounds like I will have a bit of a fight on my hands and that I need to get an attorney . I appreciate everyone telling me their experience . Take care . Karen

[Stevenmast]

Hang in there! When were you diagnosed?

[Kwinholt in reply to Stevenmast]

Steven, I was diagnosed in 2013. It started with Dystonia . After a hysterectomy for uterine cancer , I was having trouble walking , and my legs would freeze in place. I have always been a runner and that was unacceptable for me. Long story short , after several MRIs and other scans I finally got a DATScan and there it was . And the meds enabled me to walk and run again . However as the years pass , things are getting progressively harder , as for all of us, and I’m just tired. Thank you for asking and your kind words. Karen

[Shaky-hand]

I was an occupational therapist and went on state disability Six years after I was diagnosed with PD at the age of 50. Looking back now I wonder how I worked for six years I did, it was extremely stressful. I filed for federal disability six months after being on state disability. I have heard horror stories, but My application was accepted thanks to the support of the neurologist I had at the time. The next step was finding affordable health insurance for a year. That’s with my mortgage payment is where a big chunk of my disability went.

I was so grateful to qualify for disability but at the same time I fell into a deep depression for two years. I missed work so much and the social connections. I still feel very isolated and suffer depression but not as bad.

I also suffer chronic pain along side PD. I live alone and struggle with most activities of daily living. Realistically I know I am unable to work.

Before I Claimed for disability I consulted with Vocational rehabilitation, I think that helped as they did not find me suitable for job training or career change.

Good luck.

[Kwinholt in reply to Shaky-hand]

Thank you for your response . I’m sorry that you feel isolated . We all are always here to listen . Take care Karen

[Pelley]

be ready to get rejected but contest it. Find legal representation, It helps!

[Kwinholt in reply to Pelley]

Thank you for the response . Getting an attorney seems to be the concensis. Karen

[laglag]

Hi. I was thinking like you, I might as well get a lawyer to start with & maybe it will help speed up the process. But I did it, with a little help from my husband & a social worker that I knew from Rock Steady Boxing. I was diagnosed in 2003 at 46, worked until I was 56 & then went on long term disability through work for a year then started receiving SSDI in 2014, got approved 1st time. Here are a few pointers.

1) Have your doctor write a letter saying you are disabled & what your diagnosis is & you would not be a candidate for vocational rehabilitation.

2) When filling out the paperwork, make sure you have someone help you because they will ask you if you had help when completing the application. It is a little confusing, so I really did need help from my husband.

3) When answering the questions, think about & describe one of your worst days. Also remind them this is a progressive disease & you won't get better. A lot of the S.S. people know very littke about PD so bringing these things up will help them understand what you are going through.

4) This may seem trivial, but make a binder up with several tabs & keep copies of everything. Be organized, it will come in handy when you have to look something up and/or answer questions.

5) Your spouse & your boss will be receiving paperwork to complete also so let them know that in advance to prepare them.

6) When completing the application on-line, you can save it & go back & review and/or revise. It's best to browse thru the whole thing first to know what's ahead of you.

7) It may be helpful to do a timeline of your symptoms & how they have changed in the last 10, 5, or 1 year. Like speed of completing tasks, multi-tasking, organizing, accuracy, fatigue, etc.

8) Check with your company & see if you are eligible for LTD. I was & didn't realize it & ended up getting a nice extra monthly amount until I'm 65.

This isn't the easiest thing to do. It can be emotional at times. Take your time & it will be worth it.

If you have questions let me know on here or thru the personal email.

Debbie

[Kwinholt in reply to laglag]

Debbie, Thank you so much for all that information , I really appreciate it . I was starting to get a little discouraged and I felt like I had to stop working in order to even be considered , and hire an attorney . You have been so helpful . Take care . I may reach out to you when I start the process to get your opinion . 😊. Karen

[laglag in reply to Kwinholt]

You do need to be off work for 6 months before applying. I was off a year & was paid thru work. You can go to the SS website to get the specifics on that. I feel your age may help you some because your close to retirement but not too close. Make sure you do a little research on the website beforehand.