Long term medical leave

[Vivian1234]

Any advise applying for long term medical leave? Did you incur any challenges?

[Jerseygirl45]

Hi

It depends on how old you are. I was still working at 71 when diagnosed in 2016 with mbc. I needed radiation and was not really in good condition. I went on state disability for 1 yr. then my job asked me to decide if I was going back to work. At that point I was already collecting social security. So I decided I would enjoy the time I had left not working. I think state disability gives you longer if you are not at retirement age. It would be social security disability.You should call or go on line and check it out.

😉

[Bailey3266]

Went on disability @ age 45; I believe you can still work certain # of hours but I believe it’s automatic eligibility with stage 4 Mets! They give you Medicare part A option for part B (costs $$) & prescription benefits; best thing is no copay and so far Carten Blanche they pay everything on SSDI—you may also qualify for SDI (goes by income). But you can use your company’s short term/long term disability plans if u got them 1st while the SSDI PROCESS GETS GOMPLETES. Good luck. If I skipped anything let me know. Your primary doc or INC will have to fill out “functionaliru” report! You prob won’t need lawyer—tho websites will lead you to them—kinda like “ambulance chasers”!

Nite all! Luvs & best wishes!

[friesianfan]

Thanks for posting this question as I was just about to post something similar. My wife will be 62 late this year and is considering retiring soon, but also has long term disability insurance at her work. Wondering whether others have had success qualifying for same and any pros and cons? Thank you!

[Burgerde]

Age does effect it. Stage 4 mbc pretty much gives you an automatic in. I was 62 when diagnosed 10 years after my original lumpectomy. I was encouraged to seek out SSD and also had a longer-term disability plan through work. I was approved for SSD and long term disability with in a couple weeks with no problem due to diagnosis. It is on the quick approval list. I am doing ok financially and am glad I didn't try to keep working. Unfortunately my long term disability stops at age 65 You also have to be 65 or 2 years on SSD before you can qualify for Medicare. Right now I have to wait till I'm 65 as that will be 2 years. Health care costs are huge. You can work some and still collect SSD but I'd talk to someone who knows the system first if you want to do this. Private disability plans vary a lot. Hope this helps some.

[Bubbles001]

My private LTD insurance just approved me without too much hassle except for paperwork. However, they cap payouts and net other earnings such as social security and pensions with the payout, so I essentially get the minimum payout for a year and then no more. Also, they require forms with medical records completed every 3 months recertifying my disability status. There is not an automatic approval for MBC under my insurance. I had to be certified by my doctor as permanently disabled and it had to be a date prior to my disability retirement from work. I don’t trust the private insurance companies and wish I had read the fine print on the policy thoroughly before signing up and paying all these years as my benefit is next to nothing. Your plan may be different.

[Bangorbea]

I live in the US, was 52 1/2 at time of MBC diagnosis and my experience is similar to Burgerde’s. I was on short-term disability through my employer which paid 100% of my monthly wages. Paperwork was cumbersome at the beginning. After 1 year, my employer requested a return to work at full-time (no gradual start and build-up to full time) or a move to long term disability which paid 66 2/3% of monthly wages. So I moved to LTD and that insurance co (UNUM) required me to apply for SSDI. The paperwork looked cumbersome but ultimately with Stage VI MBC diagnosis, that is an automatic qualifier. My claim, which was completely filed by me and and my oncologist, was approved in less than 2 weeks. When my therapist called for some clarification, she was told that her paperwork was not needed because the claim had already been approved. Pretty amazing! Can’t say your claim will go as quickly and smoothly.

So Social Security paid my allowed SSDI amount and UNUM paid the difference between my 66 2/3 wages and what SSDI paid. Then, at age 55 I could start collecting retirement from my employer so I did. Again there was a reduction in my long term disability benefits but my financial situation is essentially the same. And none of my husband’s income has been considered for a further reduction in benefits. Good luck. PM me if I can help.