SSDI/SSI

[kaci]

I was wondering if someone could better explain to me or relate their experience with Social Security after a transplant. DH is the breadwinner, I'm a SAHM so we're a little nervous about how we're going to afford it if he needs to be off work for many months after the transplant.

He has quite a few weeks of vacation/sick leave banked, we have some savings, I'm sure our family will be very generous if asked, but I would much rather not go that route if possible. As far as going back to work he has a desk/office job that is very accommodating. When, if all things go well, is it reasonable for him to think he would go back? We had initially been under the impression he would be back at work at 6 weeks out or so (and nobody at OHSU ever said that was unreasonable) but it looks like many here didn't go back for 12 or more weeks.

Please don't get the impression that I'm going to try and send him off before he's ready! His health is our top priority and everything else will figure it's self out, just trying to be a little prepared and aware of our options.

Thanks!

[ahamner]

I don't know about SS since I was never on it.  I was on dialysis and working prior to getting my transplant.  Like your husband, I had accumulated sick leave to use when I was off work.  Everyone's experience is different but I was able to go back to work at my desk job within six weeks post transplant.

Hopefully that will be the case for your husband.  The main thing is take care of the new kidney!  The immune suppresion drugs you must take post transplant are expensive so hopefully you also have good health insurance. 

[okarol]

Ideally, you have benefits from an employer, such as paid vacation or sick leave, and personal savings to cover living expenses.
Check your insurance and employee benefits. Look at your sick pay or short-term disability coverage, long-term disability coverage, vacation time, and life insurance and make sure you have adequate coverage.
Evaluate your ability to cover out-of-pocket expenses such as lost wages, travel, child care, and housing. Make a budget for the time you'll be in surgery, and in recovery.

[kaci]

Thank you for your replys. I'm glad to hear that a 6 week recovery isn't out of the question. Frankly, I think DH would have a difficult time figuring out what to do with himself if has to be off for an extended time.

We're very lucky to have excellent health insurance through his employer and the drugs will not be a financial hardship. He actually spent the better part of 2007 on Cellcept which only cost us our regular $10 co-pay.

Dh is nearly impossible to get private disabilty insurance for, I've yet to come across an insurer that would take him. Even through his employer.

[okarol]

Patients who have ESRD automatically qualify for SSI - have you contacted your local Social Security office to apply for coverage during the time he will miss work?

[kaci]

I asked DH to do it (in my experience our SS office won't deal with spouses), he talked to his transplant co-ordinator and she said they wouldn't help him until he was post tx. I still think he should call, what will it hurt?

[okarol]

In California we had to make an appointment, they were not very helpful on the phone. I went with my daughter - even though she was 18 and they didn't want a parent there, my daughter had to sign a waiver that I be included at the meeting. It's always good for another person to go along, in my opinion, so you can be sure hubby asks any questions you need answered.

[kaci]

In California we had to make an appointment, they were not very helpful on the phone. I went with my daughter - even though she was 18 and they didn't want a parent there, my daughter had to sign a waiver that I be included at the meeting. It's always good for another person to go along, in my opinion, so you can be sure hubby asks any questions you need answered.

Good info! I'll try to get him to make us an appt.

[flip]

You can actually apply online from the Social Security. You will eventually be called in for an appointment but all the paperwork will already be done.

[kaci]

You can actually apply online from the Social Security. You will eventually be called in for an appointment but all the paperwork will already be done.

That's even better, then I can do it lol.

[flip]

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/

[kaci]

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/

[paris]

Kaci, I did all my social security disability paperwork online.  I never had a face to face meeting.  I got one phone call to validate information.  I had to send in paperwork with permission for them to contact the doctors and transplant center.  It all went very smooth, very fast.  It took about 3 months for approval.   They determined I was disabed a year before I applied, so I also got a year of back pay.  Go to the site and start the paperwork. You can fill in the information for your husband.  That at least will get things started.   Good luck and let us know if we can help.

[chris73]

hello,  here in Virginia i was approved for SSDI  the day i had the permacath inserted and in my chest but the catch is after you apply they told me it would me 6months b4 i get my first payment so i had to decline SSDI but got on medicare . I worked the time i was on dialysis and  until transplant ,i didn't want to and didn't feel like it but i had too ,i would have lost everything that i had so i had to "make " myself march on.

[flip]

They have an automatic 5 month waiting period from the time you are declared disabled. In other words, if you were determined to be disabled a year ago, you would still get 7 months back pay.

[paris]

You're right, Flip.  Kari, I hope this works out for you.

[kaci]

Technically, I think DH has qualified as disabled most of his life. The state paid for his education because of his status. But he has always chosen to work rather than go on SSD. I assume this means that he won't qualify for any back pay since he was working? How will it effect him when he goes back? If he goes back to work before the 6 month approval period would his claim be turned down?

Thanks so much for all the help!

[paris]

I taught right up to the time I got approved.  They can only pay for one year of back pay, but it was a nice surprise that I wasn't expecting.  Give it a try and see what happens. 

[skyedogrocks]

This is interesting.  So, you can get SSI/SSD when you are out of work after a transplant for like 3 months?  This is stuff I really need to find out.  He works Full Time (not working isn't even an option for him, he enjoys it too much), so he would only have to go out on SS for 3-4 months.  He gets 1 month of sick leave, but that's it.

Anyone know about this?