I have two doctors, an orthopedic and a neurologist who tell me I could easily be on and probably should go on disability. I have a degenerative spine where I have arthritis up and down my spine and stenosis. The stenosis is causing all kind of nerve problems. There is pain in my back and up and down my left leg. I also have MS which causes me to randomly fall at any given time plus seizures. But I hear that you don't get much and it is taxed. Plus, you can only make a certain amount on a part time job if you are even capable or working. Does anyone know or is on disability if you would be willing to share? I don't really think this is a feasible option for me or I would have to sell my house. I've been working in pain and discomfort this long I never thought about doing this. I'm only 46 so being the home the rest of my life or only working part time sounds boring.
SSD is not an easy thing to get accomplished on your own and almost everybody gets denied on the first attempt to enroll for it.
My wife has a similar back issue and has gone through 4 back surgeries in the last year and is on slow mend recovering from a double fusion in April.
She had to quit her job working in child care back in October 2015 because she could no longer perform the job safely or comfortably. She has tremendous pain tolerance and could not do it any longer. May 2016 to April 2017 she had 4 surgeries to correct the issue.
So we filed in November 2016 for her to receive benefits with a date of October 31,2015 as the first disabled date being that was the last day of work.
You have to give up 5 months with no benefits once approved.
So that would be from your initial date.
my wife is meticulous with paper work and we have everything documented. The SS interviewer was impressed with the level of detail she provided them, records and all.
we thought no problem getting approved, but we were wrong.
We were denied for both benefits. One we knew we would.. because that is for low income people.. to provide food and immediate relief. (our household income was too high) We understood that.
The other denial was because they said she could still be working. It was like they didn't even check into the documentation. It was like an automatic denial.
So now we filed for a hearing on Jan 13th. We are still waiting and I hear it takes a year to get a hearing date.
We are only looking to cover the time she cannot work..hopefully she will be able to get well enough and go back to work soon. She misses working with the kids.
Log into ssa.gov.
You can see what your benefits would be if disabled. you can file from there.
Good luck to you!
Get a SSD lawyer to do it for you. It's worth the money as you will get it the first time through. You still will have to do much of the work. The fee isn't that much considering.
The lawyer set us up an appointment. We went in the the interviewer asked if we had a lawyer and we said yes, so and so. He actually pulled out a different form. She was approved in under a month.
Be advised there is a time limit on when you can apply. It was 5 years from the on set of your disability. I do believe since you are still working it doesn't apply to you.
I can't stress getting a SSD lawyer enough if you want to avoid the horse and pony show. After all you're dealing with the federal government.
Good luck
The process can take up to 2 years. If you are working during that time, it won't help your case. If approved, you will receive an initial lump sum covering the duration of time while you applied, and they can even go back 18 months from your initial application date if they determine the condition existed before.
Your monthly SSD will likely place you at or near the poverty level. If you have another income earner, then you will be fine. If you opt to work while earning SSD, then you will need to ensure the work doesn't impact your disability. i.e. If you state that you are unable to lift 20 lbs, and then with your part-time job are found to be lifting 21 lbs, then your disability claim may be revoked and they can pursue back-pay for all money received.
It's all very confusing
I will reach out to him and then post what he says.
Good Luck
Bottom line was that I was able, with the help of epidural injections and medications, to keep working until I was 55 years old. I was also being told that I should think about the possibility of going on disability, they knew how bad it was.
Bottom line was that my company was having a layoff, I went into human resources, told them about my situation and asked if they would be willing to give me an early retirement package, they got back to me and offered me 9 months full pay and since I had 29 .5 years of service, they gave me a 1 year add on, so I could get full retirement, I could start to collect that immediately since I was 55. So I had 9 months of full pay, plus my retirement, which is about 1/2 of my base pay, not quite but close.
So I took the chance and put in for disability without a lawyer, my main problem with work was that I was in a lab, and on my feet almost constantly, I was not able to stand for more then 15-20 minutes at a time without being in severe pain, and that is exactly what I told them.
I also had all my past records, which I did have to contact all the past surgeons and doctors I had worked with. I only asked them to fill out the questions that the social security office asked them honestly, period, nothing more.
I was approved for disability in 5 months. I want to give you one warning though, adjusting from working full time my entire life, I worked unstopped for 35 years, since I was 20 years old, I went to high school, then a 2 year program for medical lab tech. Then worked for 35 years in the plastics field, got a job offer as a medical lab tech after a company that hired me for chemical lab tech offered me a great position with a good salary and future, so I stuck with it, for 35 years in the field.
My point is I never realized how hard it would be, I have done volunteer work, I worked as a consultant for 5 years for the company that I worked full time for the 30 years. I was pretty depressed for a long while, I traveled, I taught, I was at the top of my field, I was the company trouble shooter. So I had a great position, think long and hard before you make this decision, going to a lawyer is a safe way to go, but the way for them to make more money is to drag out the case longer then you would like, if they wrapped your case up in 5 months, they would not make much money at all, and they are under strict guidelines as to what they're fee is, so dragging the case out is the only way to increase their fee.
I only tell you these things to give you a picture of my situation, your situation sounds different than mine, so think carefully, talk to your loved ones about your decision, talk to your doctors, you will need their help when the time comes, and above all, make the decision that is right for you, if you wanted to contact me for more help, I would be happy to help you in any way I can. Good luck to you my friend.
Back in 2013 I had stage 3 cancer. within a two year span I had 3 surgeries and 3 different rounds of Immunotherapy (similar to chemo). I was so weak and knocked out from treatments I could barely get out of bed some days, let alone work a job.
I was in between jobs upon diagnosis and was denied over and over again for disability. I got an attorney, had a hearing before a judge about 10 months later and received my first check March 2016. I was lucky enough to move back in with my parents and not have to worry about paying rent/mortgage. For those who do not have that option I have no clue what they do.
It unfortunately is a flawed system. The attorney I had told me that because so many abuse the system they almost deny everyone the first time around to weed out who really needs it and follows up.
There was a great piece on 60 minutes years ago about entire towns that were collecting SSD. I've linked to it below.
60 Minutes - SSD - ( New Window )
but the fee for my wife was a % not to exceed a certain amount and was in the contract she signed The end amount was less than cut off amount. It's taken out of your first check. Also the fee is contingent on you receiving SSD.
Get the firm in your area that specializes in SSD. The people in the SS office know them and work with them all the time. If they are going to take your case it is a winner in their eyes. They didn't build their reputation backing losers.
Welcome to retirement.
Everyone goes through it. You are not unique. I took a buy out at 58. That was 7 years ago.
It's all very confusing
Spousal income does not effect SSDI payment levels. It effects SSI payment, which is a different program.
Thanks everyone!