I am getting really close to this point. I just posted to ahava31 about how hard it is for me to work right now,but I feel like I have too.
My work week starts on thurs and goes through mon. I am so sick right now and still have a day left.
I don’t know how I am supposed to quit my job. I am providing for my family of 4 right now, my husband cannot work.
I make really good money, and I used to really enjoy work. My fibro is becoming debilitating. The pain and fatigue is overwhelming. Of course my family suffers so much. I cannot do much of anything at home.
This is just ridiculous.
I am so ill right now almost in tears. I try to have a good attitude and look at my many joys in life but it is just too much sometimes, a lot of the time.
Does anyone have advice? I am curious as to how long it may take to get disability and because I haven’t shown much income from being a waitress, I wonder if I could even survive on what I would get.
I also heard rumours that my children would recieve money also because they have a disabled parent. Does anyone know this to be true.
Please help. Any advice or comments ate very welcomed.
I also don’t know how long I would have to quit my nob?Would I get backpay? I am so scared:(
Mommyslove, I'm sorry to hear this but not terribly surprise. Fibro seems to do a complete number on most of us. I think it's extremely wise of you to ready yourself for the SSDI/SSI application process. I am not sure I can answer all of your questions but have included some info from the official SSDI site for you.
Also, I highly recommend getting an SSDI atty who can help to fill out the paperwork, navigate through it, and contact the necessary medical people as well as Social Security people. You don't pay anything unless you win, and in that case it's 1/4 of your settlement.
If you don't qualify for SSDI due to your time worked, then you can try for SSI, which is based upon your pay rather than the number of hours worked. Also, you could apply for unemployment while you wait for SSDI and see if you're eligible for it.
It took me about 8 months to get my SSDI claim approved. I was told that my chances of being approved by using my lawyer was 50 percent the 1st time and 80 percent after the appeal. It can take months to years to be approved. That's why i feel it's important to use an atty who only deals with SSDI cases and who can get all of your ducks in a row.
You can work while filing for disability but can only make about $1,100 a month, and working while applying might not be to your benefit. You might get backpay but it seems to me that SSDI likes to deny it or most of it.
Here's the info from SSDI official page:
Do You Qualify
Qualifying for Social Security Disability
In order to be eligible for Social Security Disability, individuals must fit several qualification criteria put forth by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
First, any potential claimant must be able to prove to the SSA that he or she is “permanently disabled,” or suffering from a condition that has lasted, or is expected to last, more than 12 calendar months. Because of this time guideline, it is important that claimants keep their medical records and other paperwork organized and up to date to prevent any confusion or question about the extent of a disability.
In addition, the SSA will attempt to make a judgment as to whether or not a claimant’s disabling condition prevents the individual from achieving any type of “substantial gainful activity.” The condition must not only prevent the claimant from performing the duties of his or her previous employment, but also make it impossible to find a new line of work due to age, education, or impairment.
SSDI
There are two federal programs which provide assistance to disabled individuals, one of which is Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is funded by the Social Security tax fund, so individuals who qualify as disabled under the above criteria must also have sufficient work credits in order to qualify for payments. Basically, an individual must have paid Social Security taxes on his or her wages long enough to qualify for benefits. Generally, this means that claimants must have a fairly consistent work history, and have worked a minimum of five of the ten years previous to the onset of disability. The work credit requirement can be somewhat less for younger applicants, as parents’ work credits can be applied to applicants under the age of 22.
More SSDI Qualification Criteria...SSI
In the case of need-based Supplemental Security Income (SSI), there are no work requirements because the program is financed through general tax revenues and not by the Social Security tax. In order to qualify for SSI, individuals must be over 65 years old, by legally blind, or be disabled, and have total family assets amounting to less than $3000. Assets, as determined by the SSA, include income (wages, pensions, other benefits programs, etc.) and resources (stock holdings, real estate, cash savings, etc.). Individuals who meet these requirements may be eligible for SSI payments regardless of previous work history.
More SSI Qualification Criteria...Reasons for Denial
Due mostly to the ever increasing volume of Social Security disability claims, denial rates for applications at the initial stage are currently upwards of 60%. In the reconsideration stage, or first level of appeal, that number jumps to more than 80%.The most common reasons for denial are the inability of a claimant to prove the severity of a disability due to insufficient medical records or other documentation, or insufficient work history to meet the work credit requirements of the SSA. In addition, many claimants are unfamiliar with the Social Security appeals process, and are unaware of the proper procedures to pursue their claim in the case of a denial.
In order to avoid such problems, it is extremely advisable that claimants continuously seek treatment from medical professionals and keep all records organized and complete. In addition, the experience of a Social Security attorney or advocate can be invaluable in the fairly common case of a denial at the initial stage.
Thank You Petunia Girl that answered some questions I had.
You're welcome, Purple. It's important info. As for anyone wondering if you can get SSDI or not, an SSDI lawyer could figure out if you qualify or not. And some things aren't cut and dried, like if you're still working part-time. So it's good to get a qualified helping hand on board to figure this stuff out.
Hi Mommyslove - I am so sorry you are having such a hard time. I can so relate. I went through this in 2008 and had to give up my administrative business. It was heartbreaking because I did love my work. I filed the first time on my own and my advice would be to get help. There are many alternatives such as advocates and attorneys. I used a group called Allsup and they were just awesome! I put so many hours into the first filing and it was devastating when I was denied. I was approved on the third try and Allsup did all of the work with the 2nd and 3rd filings. Children under the age of 18 will also receive benefits as long as you are on SSDI or until they turn 18. There is a ton of information to be found on this topic here and online as well. The most important thing is have support and speak with your doctor - they can be so helpful in this process. Take care and good luck!!! Keep us posted.
Sending Big Hugs!
Linnie
Keep trying and don’t give up. It took me 3 times and a really good Dr before I finally received disability. Best of luck to you!