I am a federal worker and their process for approval for long-term disability is fitful - they are backlogged 60,000 cases...
thank goodness for **** - say this could take up to one year.Getting information from providers is like pulling teeth - ang suggestions?
janetk
hard palate/t-2/n1/m0 - 11/11
bil malillectomy,free flap reconstrction
Janet, you're a stage IV cancer patient, apply for Social Security Disability, I applied the February I was diagnosed and was approved and had my first check in 7 or 8 months. Beats a year.
i applied for ssi without a lawyer and was approved in 4 months, first check retroactive. it seems everyone tells you to get a lawyer because they reject arbitrarily, but i had no problems. we aren't talking sprained wrists here! i recommend you apply, and if denied, definitely get a lawyer (there are so many that specialize in ssi claims) good luck
My son applied for SSI, and was denied, even though his doctor had sent a letter indicating the seriousness of his condition, that he was completely disabled and would be for some time to come. Appointments that we had lasted hours, very tiring for my son, right after surgery, and the interviewers were extremely unkind, at one point asking me, with my son sitting right next to me if he was "terminal". After many screw-ups at their office, and many interviews lasting hours, he was not approved. The denial letter also stated that even though he was not approved, that it did not mean that he was not completely disabled and that we could re-apply but only after a specified time or pursue his case with an attorney, which we could not afford. So, in view of the favorable comments above, I can only assume that perhaps it depends where you live or which SS office you go to. If you go to any that treat you in a less than extremely compassionate way, run away fast and get an attorney - one that will wait to get paid, preferably. Also, have someone go with you to run interference for you. As Mick says, "if denied, definitely get a lawyer".
Eric,
I was diagnosed with stage IV a SCC, had surgery (hemiglossectomy), and now undergoing RAD and chemotherapy. Are you saying at 58 one could qualify for SSI disability?
If so, what is the process?
I was 33 when I applied and approved for SSI disability. I was approved the first time, and my interview was over the phone, it's my understanding (therefore not necessarily fact) that a stage IV cancer diagnosis is generally approved without out much hassle.
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/There's the link, I don't remember much about the process as my wife handled it, I do remember the interview though. Memory is very "hazy" due to all of the drugs, but I remember that we didn't have to jump through too many hoops. My wife is really good at paperwork too so that probably helped.
Good luck, hope it helps
Eric
I agree. I applied for Kevin via the social worker at our CC. He had JUST started radiation. We heard back 6 weeks later that he was approved. They called and did a phone interview with him about 2 weeks after we applied. It really was very easy. I was shocked. Had heard so many horror stories.
So yes, Brenda, apply. Do you have a ss at your cc. It works well if it all comes from them. They also just print off all your records and send them along. I just gathered info and she input as I gave her answers.
Kathy
I was fired via text message about 2 weeks before my treatment ended due to an altercation with my boss (who was a jerk!!). AND I was working every day!! I would go back to work after radiation for the first couple of weeks and then I got my appointment later in the day so I could just go home afterwards. I went the unemployment route, thinking it would be quicker. He fought it and won all 3 appeals, so I was without any income for 6 months. So the I applied for SSD. All very easy to do on-line. I had to sign some forms and drop them off at the local office. With those forms, I also included all of the clinical reports from my surgeon. If I remember right, I heard from them about 4 months later. They called to let me know that I had an appointment with one of their doctors. Went and saw her, took about 10 minutes. I have all of my test reports, clinical reports, lab reports etc in a big manual with dividers. I took that with me, so when she asked certain questions, I had all of the answers at my fingertips. I was approved and they went back to my diagnosis date. They add 5 months to that date and I think they call that your "eligible date". A few weeks later, I received a check for the previous 12 months!! I got the check before I got the letter telling me I was approved. From what I read, head and neck cancers are one of the highest approved. I wouldn't suggest getting an attorney. They take about 25% of your first check. Also, 2 years from your eligible date, you go on Medicare. Which finally happened for me this last January. 2 years without insurance was soooooo scary! Good luck!
Cathi - I'm so glad to her how good it went for you in applying for SSD! Amazing! My son had such a rough time but maybe things have improved. I certainly hope they have for those applying in Tennessee.
I did receive SSD readily, directly without legal help after only 7 weeks. That will start after 5 months. It is the federal employee disability that is backed up 60,000 claims! Sorry to perpetuate confusion. Who knows when I will get the the "job disability". One would think they are related...BUT, at least I still have my health insurance as a govenment employee...On official leave without pay since Dec., but I am a believer in ***** that "pays when you can't work."
janetk
hard palate/bilateral maxillectomy 11/11 t2/n1/mo
To easily qualify for SSD, provide complete answers to every question. It will greatly help if your physician would write a letter stating what your current limitations are. That will speed things up. Also send in copies of test results, medical records, etc. Anyone who has had oral cancer more than once can easily and quickly qualify if their medical condition would make it impossible for the patient to hold a full time job. If you comply with everything SS asks, it is possible to receive SSD in only a few weeks. One hurdle is the person applying must have been out of work for at least 6 months before they applied for benefits.
Different states have their own disability programs. Some have short term disability which pays a portion of the employees wages for a limited amount of time. Many larger businesses also offer their employees short term disability, some with pay and other companies allow the time off without pay. If unsure what your company offers, check with the HR dept.
You may apply for SSD at any time, you do not need to wait for SIX months to elapse. I received my award letter seven weeks after application. The key is YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE ANY $ UNTIL SIX MONTHS into disability. It did help my anxiety & financial planning to known what $ would be coming and when. Your payment would be retroactive, but this process can be time comsuming. Obtaining legal counsel can - by law - eat up 25% of your retroactive award.
I applied for Ron when he was diagnosed with NH Lymphoma, I went down to the SS office myself and I also got him medical assistance and food stamps(started off 12 bux now up to 16 a month woo hoo...)He had no insurance and he was told he would be out of work for a long time and that was if he survived...which he did only to be kicked in the azz by OC...but he's had SSD AND Medicare/Medicaid since Dec 07 it was retroactive to the 23rd the day he was diagnosed and has been ever since. He got his SSD check pretty quick maybe 4 months or sooner. And the guy at SS had to talk to him and he was in the hospital when he talked to him and he wasn't doing good at that time but it got taken care of real quick.