O-H I-O social security disability

[rsudock]

In January I left my job and applied for social security disablity. well I have been calling to figure out what is going on with the status of my application and finally yesterday I get a call back. They said my application was approved but my first check will be coming in 5 months!!! They will cut me a check in August. I said, "Well why does it take so long?"  Rep, "well that is the law that congress wrote that sets the wait times." me, "Well am I going to get retroactive back pay for all these months I wait?" Rep, "No, the first check will come in August for July."

 

I mean cripe what the heck do people do when they are waiting for this money?!?!? How are people suppose to survive and pay their bills...f*ck f*ck f*ck I hate money and I hate being sick in this country. When the hell did the bottom line and making money become more important then helping people and being charitable? This is what pisses me off...employers don't want sick people on their insurance, then the government drags their heels to help, then people make nasty comments like, "Gawd people on welfare and abusing the system and taking advantage are bleeding our govt dry." I mean sh*t I guess all us unfortunate smucks who are chronically ill should just be shot out back!!!!!

ok sorry I'm back.....anyway my QUESTIONS are is this idiot from social security office right? Is their anyway to move up the process faster? Also I did not quality for Social security supplemental insurance because I have 6,000 dollars in my retirement account. If I take it out I am going to take a 20% fine for drawing out early and 10% in taxes. Then the idiot said I would have to show what I used the money for and prove I didn't have that as a resource anymore to be approved for supplemental income. Is their a way to gift this money to someone ....I mean I am young I am going to go back to the work force after I get another transplant I am just hit a rough patch...why do I have to surrender all I have worked for so far.....guess I should just draw it out huh? I mean I am (thisclose) to getting a transplant I guess I should run out and get some mindless full time job and hope they are understanding in 3 to 4 months when I need time off?!?!

What should I do friends?

xo,
R

[Hazmat35]

I am in the same boat in Florida. 

I am working currently, but it literally sucks the life out of me.  And there is NO WAY in the world, I can be out of work w/ no income for 5 months.  It's GREAT that you qualify immediately because you have ESRD, but the 5 months w/ no income sucks.  I've been dealing with the same isssues, and have hit the same brick wall as you! 

[cloud393]

I was in the same boat as you.  It really does suck.  Fortunately, my husband has an income so we didn't starve.  Although we got behind on some things.
Do you have any other income in the household?  If not, you should be able to get help thru Medicaid, food stamps, maybe even some cash.  Unfortrunately for me, my hubbys income was too high for any of that (even though it's not enough to pay all our bills).  Like you, I don't understand the waiting period.  If ESRD automatically entitles you to SS why make us wait? 

[cookie2008]

Your retirement is a 401k there is exceptions were you dont get penalized for withdrawl early and disabled is one of them call and ask them just in case.

[paris]

It upsets me that there is confusion with different SS offices.  ESRD is an automatic approval.  I had to stop teaching. I applied online for SSdisabliity.  The called me 3 days later, then sent me forms for all the doctors to sign.  The docs mailed them back . About 3 months later, I had my approval. Before I even got my first check (within 3 months) I received backpay for a year in one lump sum.  I was stunned. The lady I was working with at SS said she was sorry it wasn't for a longer period. They deemed I was disabled 3 years before I applied, but can only give back pay for one year.   I never had to go into the SS office - did everything online or by phone. 

I think the guy you talked to wasn't totally informed on ESRD disability.  Others I know in different states have had similar stories as mine.  I do think I got approved quickly.    I would ask this person what they determined your disability date to be.  That is what decides back pay or not.  Now I want to go to their site and research this again.  I hate this is happening to you.   This should all be so much easier -- we have enough to do staying well without fighting for what we worked for all these years.   

[sullidog]

I also got some backpay but only for a year. I'm in ohio.

[Hazmat35]

It upsets me that there is confusion with different SS offices.  ESRD is an automatic approval.  I had to stop teaching. I applied online for SSdisabliity.  The called me 3 days later, then sent me forms for all the doctors to sign.  The docs mailed them back . About 3 months later, I had my approval. Before I even got my first check (within 3 months) I received backpay for a year in one lump sum.  I was stunned. The lady I was working with at SS said she was sorry it wasn't for a longer period. They deemed I was disabled 3 years before I applied, but can only give back pay for one year.   I never had to go into the SS office - did everything online or by phone. 

I think the guy you talked to wasn't totally informed on ESRD disability.  Others I know in different states have had similar stories as mine.  I do think I got approved quickly.    I would ask this person what they determined your disability date to be.  That is what decides back pay or not.  Now I want to go to their site and research this again.  I hate this is happening to you.   This should all be so much easier -- we have enough to do staying well without fighting for what we worked for all these years.   

Thanks for the info.  Like I said, I've been working FULL TIME, since I was around 13.  35 years!!!!!  I should be entitled to something w/o a waiting period I would think anyway.  But, I know that that is not how the system works. 

[rsudock]

Paris what state are you in?

[paris]

Paris what state are you in?

Raised in Ohio, entire family lives there. I am in North Carolina.  My sister in New Concord, Ohio is on disablility (not ESRD) and her process took longer but the outcome was the same. One year back pay (the max they can give) and in 3 months she got her first check.   The back pay gets you though until the disabiity checks start coming. It helped with some medical bills, etc. I didn't know anything about back pay and it was like a gift from the heavens when it came in the mail!!  I hope this can be worked out quickly for you.  I agree that we work for decades and when we become disabled, we shouldn't have to wait and wait for benefits.  I am sure so much of it has to do with paperwork and checking that you qualify (you qualify!!) .     We wear ourselves out keeping up with doctors, medical bills and disability!!   Please let us know when you hear anything.   

[lmunchkin]

Same here in Tennessee! Husband worked through all his ESRD since 2004.  Stopped working Jan 14, 20ll, filled for S.S.Disabiltiy.  Havent heard anything yet, but it hasnt been long enough I suppose. We are patiently waiting!

lmunchkin

[rsudock]

Well I talked to another person at Social Security Office.....I told her what you said Paris and the lady told me that, "coudn't possible be right. everyone has to wait 5 months for social security disablity. She might have gotten her SSI (social security supplemental income) in 3 months."

Anyway what the hell ever I am not going to worry about it anymore....If I a truly sick person undergoing life saving treatments can't get help then who can?

SO here is my dilemma...I have bills to pay, my first disablity check comes in August, I can't get SSI because I have $6,000 in my retirement, I got a part time job but the lady told me that if I start working before it has been a year since I applied to disability, then they will revoke my disabiltiy and disqualify me. I don't want to take out the $6,000 bucks b/c I AM going back to work next year and I don't want to have to start at 0 again. So I guess I am saying f**k you to disability and taking a leap of faith that the living donor is going to work out so, I will have a transplant soon and be in the workforce again.

This is really going to be a gamble. I feel like I am juggling all these delicate glass vases hoping that none of them go crashing to the ground....please please let the living donor go through!

xo,
R

[paris]

Well, I can only say what my situation was.  I think I got lucky with the person from SS, I was working with. I had the same lady from first phone call all the way through the process.  The reason I know the dates so well is I was a teacher, so everything for me went by school schedule. I applied the end of May.   My last check from school came the middle of August and my first SS check came the 2nd Wed of Sept.  That check was for August (they are always for the past month).   That does add up to 5 months.  I remember posting here when I got the first one because I was so excited.  I didn't have to go from teacher salary to nothing because the checks came so fast.      I am not sure why there is so many different situations. It shouldn't differ so much.  I don't get SSI; my husband has retirement income plus a full time job.  Mine is strickly disability.   

I wish you weren't having such a hard time.  I know my situation went smoother than others and I have been very grateful.  I also think that it is a government agency and 10 people there will give you 10 different answers.   lol

[cloud393]

I'm from Ohio too and was told there's a 5 month waiting period.  I was off work the end of Nov. 08 but wasn't considered disabled until mid Feb. 09 when I started dialysis so that when my disability started.  It really does stink.  Changes need to be made.