I am assisting my brother in finding out what financial steps to take while dealing with his insurance and applying for Social Security Disability.
I understand his company will provide him with 6 months sick leave. He then has an insurance policy that will pay some once he is totally disabled. When do we need to apply for Social Security Disability? After this six months? Now? What about Medicaid. Someone told me that Medicaid might pick up some of the medical expenses even if he has a job and insurance.
Buy the way, he is doing well. He just finished his lifetime max of chemo Friday. He was still exhausted on Saturday, but Sunday he was able to go to the Pro Bass Shop and to a movie. I was so excited for him. We're still trying to get him into MD Anderson and hope for a better outlook there. Thanks to everyone on this board. You are a group of very special people and you provide a much needed light in this dark, dreary world of oral cancer. You are all in my thoughts.

Tonya,

Sign him up for Social Security Disability as soon as possible. Make an appointment and bring with you everything you can carry. Doctors notes and reports. Test results. Last pay chek stub. Know his exact last date of work, etc. It can take up to 120 days for their decision. If approved he will receive benefits after the first 5 months of disability. Can he cobra his insurance? If so, my advice would be to do that. Also, if Social Security deems him disabled, at the end of the 18 month COBRA insurance period, it can be extended another 11 months. Hope this helps.


Keep the Faith,

VickieM

Yes, he has the cobra option. thanks so much!

I was just worried they won't approve him right now because he is still employed. He hasn't been able to work the last couple of months, but his employers have graciously continued to pay him, waiting to see if he can return soon. However, they called last week and needed to know if he was going to be able to return soon. He says yes, but I'm not so sure. Once his sick leave starts he will have that pay for 6 months. Again, I was afraid SS Disabilty might turn him down right now. Any ideas?

Tonya,
I may be wrong but we were told by SSI that they would not pay while he was still receiving a paycheck.The timeline of 5 months starts from the day he was diagnosed. Is it private disability insurance that he has? We had taken out AM/EX disability insurance but they would not pay out for 6 months because it had not quite been 2 years between taking out the policy and my husband becoming sick. Not that I remember the agent telling us that when selling us the policy!! If he has the type of job that is not too strenuous maybe he WILL be able to go back, even part time.
Good luck
Marica

He is suppose to get a 90 day sick leave from the company, then private disability insurance - when he is totally disabled. He is a toolpusher in the oilfield, so while alot of his work is done with computers, he also has to go on the floor and work when there are problems. I would say it's pretty strenuous at times. He is planning to go back in about a week - he just finished radiation Friday. He's pretty tough, but I'm not sure he's as tough as he thinks. Anyway, he would have to be declared total disabled by SS to get the private insurance. I just want to keep a close eye on the timelines and make sure we take care of everything as needed.
Thanks for the advice.
Tonya

Technically, SSDI is not based on what you are earning but rather "total disability" as verifed by a medical doctor.

Ed

He can get SSDI while he is getting paid, as long as he is not working(sick pay/vacation time). It is, as Ed writes, based on your employment history and being disabled. I think SSI is income/asset based and that may not work if you are getting paid. The 5 months is from the last day you worked and if you go back during that 5 months you statrt the clock over.