Director
04-13-2004, 06:03 PM
In the past, I have read posts from individuals who were denied Social Security Disability claims associated with chronic pain conditions. I have heard for some time almost no one has their claim approved the first time they submit it.
I am a chronic pain patient and have been for about four years. I suffer from IBS, but also from reoccuring tumors in my lungs. I am on steroid therapy now to retard the growth of the tumors. About a year and a half ago, I had surgery on the top lobe of my left lung and they removed a non malignant tumor the size of an orange. That's good news, but I have been suffering from nerve pain ever since the surgery and the doctors say I will most likely be this way the rest of my life. Because of this, I can't work. Presently, I am on 180 mgs. of Methadone a day to control the pain. Some days it does and other days are not too good in the pain department.
My question is, how many of you that are on Social Security Disability had to file several times before your claim was approved. I just received notice about a month ago my claim had been accepted and I'm receiving full SS benefits on my first try. I was stunned, because I had always heard this almost never happened. I'm not sure what I did that was different from others, but I was all set to hire an attorney to help when I got the first rejection notice. It never came and I will be getting benefits for seven years before a review.
Those of you that have been reluctant to file because you think your claim will be rejected might give it a try. I did and mine went through.
Director
I am a chronic pain patient and have been for about four years. I suffer from IBS, but also from reoccuring tumors in my lungs. I am on steroid therapy now to retard the growth of the tumors. About a year and a half ago, I had surgery on the top lobe of my left lung and they removed a non malignant tumor the size of an orange. That's good news, but I have been suffering from nerve pain ever since the surgery and the doctors say I will most likely be this way the rest of my life. Because of this, I can't work. Presently, I am on 180 mgs. of Methadone a day to control the pain. Some days it does and other days are not too good in the pain department.
My question is, how many of you that are on Social Security Disability had to file several times before your claim was approved. I just received notice about a month ago my claim had been accepted and I'm receiving full SS benefits on my first try. I was stunned, because I had always heard this almost never happened. I'm not sure what I did that was different from others, but I was all set to hire an attorney to help when I got the first rejection notice. It never came and I will be getting benefits for seven years before a review.
Those of you that have been reluctant to file because you think your claim will be rejected might give it a try. I did and mine went through.
Director
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countrygal
04-14-2004, 12:13 AM
Congradulations Director.... From what i have read you are one of the lucky lucky ones.. It makes me even afraid to even try from all i have read.... Maybe your story will encourage others to go for it!!!!
katkat
04-14-2004, 01:34 AM
Having dealt with nerve pain I'd think you would want to find a doctor that knows how to treat your nerve pain rather than dope you up with methadone. Then you could possibly return to the work force. I would give anything if I could have my feet fixed and was able to go back to work.
But back to your nerve pain. Ask your doc about a drug called Neurontin. It works miracles on the nerve pain. I was having so much burning, slicing, stabbing type pain......I mean severe pain. I started on the Neurontin and within a few weeks I noticed a difference. Neurontin has side effects that will go away after the first two or three weeks and its best to start at 100mg per day and work your way up to about 300 mg x 3 per day. If you don't notice a difference/improvement you can go up a lot further. Your doc would have to guide you but it does help. There are other drugs besides Neurontin to treat nerve pain too but they have more side effects.
Good luck.
But back to your nerve pain. Ask your doc about a drug called Neurontin. It works miracles on the nerve pain. I was having so much burning, slicing, stabbing type pain......I mean severe pain. I started on the Neurontin and within a few weeks I noticed a difference. Neurontin has side effects that will go away after the first two or three weeks and its best to start at 100mg per day and work your way up to about 300 mg x 3 per day. If you don't notice a difference/improvement you can go up a lot further. Your doc would have to guide you but it does help. There are other drugs besides Neurontin to treat nerve pain too but they have more side effects.
Good luck.
rlcowboy
04-14-2004, 02:43 AM
I have to second what Kat just wrote. I take methadone for chronic back pain and I also take neurontin for nerve pain that goes down my left leg. The methadone does'nt really do very much for the nerve pain but the neurontin really helps. I cant believe a doctor has you taking so much methadone and not neurontin for nerve pain?
feelbad
04-14-2004, 09:48 AM
A big congrats to you on getting it on your first try.I am currently in the "holding" pattern just waiting to hear ANYTHING from them.I filed about two months ago and still have heard nothing.
I am suffering with some rather significant damage to my sympathetic nervous system do to a surgery done inside of my spinal cord.I have central pain syndrome in the L arm and up through the shoulder and across both shoulder blades.I also have RSD in the R knee down into the foot.I am currently trying various methods to try and relieve this really intense spasticity i have in both of my legs.It is so tight sometimes that I have to walk on my toes as the muscles will not let go until i am up and walking for about a half an hour some days.I really really need the income from disability as my son also has many medical issues as well.Between the two of us, with hospital stays, therepy ,tests and meds,even with the really good insurance that we have(my son had a liver transplant in 2000,and we only ended up paying the 200.00 hosp co-pay on an almost 400,000.00 bill)we are not doing well financially.It really makes me so angry when you hear about some people just looking for a free ride and abusing the system.It just makes it that much more difficult for people like us who really need it.I am really hoping to hear something soon.This all makes me feel sooo depressed sometimes.I wanted so badly to go back to work.I was an medic/FF for almost fifteen years and soo miss that feeling of satisfaction i used to feel after helping someone through a very rough time.There is nothing that can possibly replace that feeling of accomplishment that I used to feel and just feeling needed,you know?please send out some positive energy for a quick and positive decision,maybe your luck will rub off,lol.
I am really happy for you.Take care, Marcia
I am suffering with some rather significant damage to my sympathetic nervous system do to a surgery done inside of my spinal cord.I have central pain syndrome in the L arm and up through the shoulder and across both shoulder blades.I also have RSD in the R knee down into the foot.I am currently trying various methods to try and relieve this really intense spasticity i have in both of my legs.It is so tight sometimes that I have to walk on my toes as the muscles will not let go until i am up and walking for about a half an hour some days.I really really need the income from disability as my son also has many medical issues as well.Between the two of us, with hospital stays, therepy ,tests and meds,even with the really good insurance that we have(my son had a liver transplant in 2000,and we only ended up paying the 200.00 hosp co-pay on an almost 400,000.00 bill)we are not doing well financially.It really makes me so angry when you hear about some people just looking for a free ride and abusing the system.It just makes it that much more difficult for people like us who really need it.I am really hoping to hear something soon.This all makes me feel sooo depressed sometimes.I wanted so badly to go back to work.I was an medic/FF for almost fifteen years and soo miss that feeling of satisfaction i used to feel after helping someone through a very rough time.There is nothing that can possibly replace that feeling of accomplishment that I used to feel and just feeling needed,you know?please send out some positive energy for a quick and positive decision,maybe your luck will rub off,lol.
I am really happy for you.Take care, Marcia
Director
04-14-2004, 11:32 AM
I'm sorry, I guess I didn't make myself clear as to my situation and the medications I take for my chronic pain problem. True, I am on a high dose of methadone, but I am not drugged up. Prior to methadone I was on Oxy and went to a pretty high dose on that before switching to meth. As far as the doctor putting me on neurontin, I am on gabitril, which is a "new and improved" (according to the docs) version of neurontin. I also take elavil and klonopin at night along with ambien. The doctors have tested and checked pretty much everything. In fact I have another CT scan (I think this is number seven) in the first part of May to see if the tumors have returned. I am on steroids to keep them in check.
To Marcia, try to be patient in waiting for Social Security to make a decision. In case they didn't tell you, they have a five month waiting period and they rarely deviate from that. Once you are approved though, things move very quickly and the first check (at least for me) arrived in a matter of days.
If I can be of any help to anyone concerning the Social Security Disability program, please let me know and I'll do my best to help. Also, questions on meds I will gladly try to answer any questions you might have.
I hope this clears up some misinformation, mostly on my part, because I omitted telling about the other medications I'm on besides methadone. There are a few others too, which I haven't included, so let me know if I can help in any way.
Director
To Marcia, try to be patient in waiting for Social Security to make a decision. In case they didn't tell you, they have a five month waiting period and they rarely deviate from that. Once you are approved though, things move very quickly and the first check (at least for me) arrived in a matter of days.
If I can be of any help to anyone concerning the Social Security Disability program, please let me know and I'll do my best to help. Also, questions on meds I will gladly try to answer any questions you might have.
I hope this clears up some misinformation, mostly on my part, because I omitted telling about the other medications I'm on besides methadone. There are a few others too, which I haven't included, so let me know if I can help in any way.
Director
katkat
04-14-2004, 11:40 AM
wow sounds like they have tried many drugs that should help with the nerve pain. It can be the worst pain. I've had what felt like a red hot knife slicing across the back of my heel (foot). Thank God the Neurontin does help with that pain for me. Now if they could just help the other pain I have.
Anyway its good to see you got your SSD. Good luck at treating your pain.
Anyway its good to see you got your SSD. Good luck at treating your pain.
Shoreline
04-14-2004, 02:44 PM
Hey Director, I was denied the first application, then denied the appeal. At that point I interviewed attorneys, THey are not all the same regardless of what their TV add says. If your attorney is not willing to take depo's from doctors he needs depo's from, than the lawyer isn't doing anything you can't. You do have to pay for your docs time to give the depo. My PM doc charged like 150 and my shrink charged 200. My NS wanted his surgical rate for a half hour on the phone, 1500 bucks, we decided we didn't need him.
I was told when we asked for an admin hearing there was a 1 year back log on hearings with administrative law judges. About 11 months later I recieved a letter that my application had been aproved and the previous denials overturned by the judge without having to go to a hearing.
The idea of case files piled up on an admin law judges desk for a year is a bit hard to comprehend but it took 2 years from the time of the surgery that disabled me to the time I recieved my back pay, this made me imedietely eligable for medicare and I pay the extra 20 or so bucks for Part B, the part that covers the doctor vists, part A is strictly hopitalization.
CP alone is a hard case to fight, especially if they can't pinpoint the cause, Psych problems like depression go hand in hand with CP and are considered more disabling than physical limitations. Many things are considered when aproving disability, your age, education, ability to change jobs etc. It's the only govt office that gets away with age discrimination. The younger you are the more they expect you to be able to be retrained and change professions.
Depression causes many things like inability to concentrate, inability to complete tasks in a timely manor, Inability to multi task and orginaizational skills etc. It would be easier if you simply had a DX of Profound depression or bipolar disorder than a DX of simple CP. So include everything and when you are denied, on apeal address only the reasons they denied your initial app. If they sugested you could do X explain in detail why you can't do X Y or Z.
I met one lady at the PM clinic that was bed ridden following strokes in both hemispheres, was legally blind, couldn't use her dominant side of her body and that can't feed herself get dennied on initial ap and on apeal. It's a crazy system
Once you go through the initial process of applying and getting denied, then find an attorney, there is a cap on what he can charge, he collects a portion of your back pay, but back in 2001 the cap was 4k plus expenses like depos and record copying fees.
Occaisionally you meet someone that won first time around but that's the exception, not the rule.
Good luck, Figure out a stradagy that will get you through this perriod of time, Credit cards, debt consolidation, second mortgages etc.
You will win eventually, I think the system is set up to make it so tough on malingering people that they return to work when the money runs out and they can't afford to stay home. It was never a choice for me, so we did what we had to.
Cost us our home, our credit and things are still tough because regardless of what you made before, there is a cap on what SSD will pay. It was 2400 a month back when I aplied and I made more than twice that, so it takes some major changes to get used to living on what they consider help. At 2400 a month, unless you have 12 kids you won't qualify for anything else either. No food stamps, medicaid, welfare etc. You will make to much money for additional help.
Perhaps while your waiting and have 0 income state agencies like social services can help with medicaid, food stamps ect.
It's a humbling experience and when you do something intellegent, like stop having kids you can't afford,or change to less expensive meds it actually decreases your chances for any state aid.
Good luck, Dave
I was told when we asked for an admin hearing there was a 1 year back log on hearings with administrative law judges. About 11 months later I recieved a letter that my application had been aproved and the previous denials overturned by the judge without having to go to a hearing.
The idea of case files piled up on an admin law judges desk for a year is a bit hard to comprehend but it took 2 years from the time of the surgery that disabled me to the time I recieved my back pay, this made me imedietely eligable for medicare and I pay the extra 20 or so bucks for Part B, the part that covers the doctor vists, part A is strictly hopitalization.
CP alone is a hard case to fight, especially if they can't pinpoint the cause, Psych problems like depression go hand in hand with CP and are considered more disabling than physical limitations. Many things are considered when aproving disability, your age, education, ability to change jobs etc. It's the only govt office that gets away with age discrimination. The younger you are the more they expect you to be able to be retrained and change professions.
Depression causes many things like inability to concentrate, inability to complete tasks in a timely manor, Inability to multi task and orginaizational skills etc. It would be easier if you simply had a DX of Profound depression or bipolar disorder than a DX of simple CP. So include everything and when you are denied, on apeal address only the reasons they denied your initial app. If they sugested you could do X explain in detail why you can't do X Y or Z.
I met one lady at the PM clinic that was bed ridden following strokes in both hemispheres, was legally blind, couldn't use her dominant side of her body and that can't feed herself get dennied on initial ap and on apeal. It's a crazy system
Once you go through the initial process of applying and getting denied, then find an attorney, there is a cap on what he can charge, he collects a portion of your back pay, but back in 2001 the cap was 4k plus expenses like depos and record copying fees.
Occaisionally you meet someone that won first time around but that's the exception, not the rule.
Good luck, Figure out a stradagy that will get you through this perriod of time, Credit cards, debt consolidation, second mortgages etc.
You will win eventually, I think the system is set up to make it so tough on malingering people that they return to work when the money runs out and they can't afford to stay home. It was never a choice for me, so we did what we had to.
Cost us our home, our credit and things are still tough because regardless of what you made before, there is a cap on what SSD will pay. It was 2400 a month back when I aplied and I made more than twice that, so it takes some major changes to get used to living on what they consider help. At 2400 a month, unless you have 12 kids you won't qualify for anything else either. No food stamps, medicaid, welfare etc. You will make to much money for additional help.
Perhaps while your waiting and have 0 income state agencies like social services can help with medicaid, food stamps ect.
It's a humbling experience and when you do something intellegent, like stop having kids you can't afford,or change to less expensive meds it actually decreases your chances for any state aid.
Good luck, Dave
Director
04-14-2004, 04:13 PM
Hey Shore, thanks for all the info on SSD, hopefully there are a lot of people out there that can use the expertise you have gained about the system and how it works. Maybe I didn't make myself clear on my first post, but I was approved on the initial application. I couldn't believe it, because all I've heard is how everyone is turned down initially and it takes one or two (and sometimes more) appeals before your claim is approved. I guess I'm just lucky, or the right people said the right things in their reports, because I really didn't expect it to go through without the help of attorneys I had lined up to take my case. One thing I might pass along as to attorneys fees in these disability claims, is they are a fixed amount. Here in the state of Washington, it is 25% of all the back pay you receive. If it takes six months in addition to the waiting period, you pay 25% of the six months back pay you receive.
I think you're right on about the age thing too. If a person goes in and files a claim at age 25, he or she is less like to win the case than a older person would. I'm in my late 50s and I'm sure that had something to do with the fact I won on the first go around.
For most people it's a long hard road, like Shoreline pointed out, but if you're determined enough and play your cards right, you can win. It just takes some time. More for some, less for others. Good luck to everyone who are trying to win their case.
Director
I think you're right on about the age thing too. If a person goes in and files a claim at age 25, he or she is less like to win the case than a older person would. I'm in my late 50s and I'm sure that had something to do with the fact I won on the first go around.
For most people it's a long hard road, like Shoreline pointed out, but if you're determined enough and play your cards right, you can win. It just takes some time. More for some, less for others. Good luck to everyone who are trying to win their case.
Director
katkat
04-14-2004, 05:18 PM
I oftened wonder what would have happened to me if I wasn't married to a man with an income. I collected sick pay for a year and started taking college courses are our local college. I did not want to go on ssd and do nothing for the rest of my life, I was 46 at the time. I figured I could learn to do something with a sit down job. Then the opportunity came up to buy my own business (campground) so I changed my major to business management. The vocational rehabilitation is paying for my education since I was disabled from my job but wanted to continue working. I made the Deans list the last two sememesters. Even with the good things happening to me its is hard to fight off depression because of the pain.
Before I started school I had to go on antidepressants and found Welbutrin to be very helpful. I took it for a year and a half and just went off of it in January. Its hard to stay on top of the depression when you are in constant pain.
If your depression meds don't work maybe you could try another kind.
Before I started school I had to go on antidepressants and found Welbutrin to be very helpful. I took it for a year and a half and just went off of it in January. Its hard to stay on top of the depression when you are in constant pain.
If your depression meds don't work maybe you could try another kind.
rlcowboy
04-14-2004, 07:30 PM
I am 33yr. old male and I have had 4 back surgerys in the past year. After surgery number 2 I could no longer work and I was let go after I told them I was going to be out for a while for more surgery. I think they let me go because of the workers comp. lawsuit I filed against them because they refused to pay for anything. I did give them a letter from my orthopedic doctor stating that I could not work untill further notice and the personel lady said ok, and that I would just have to file for my short term disability again. Well two days after giving them the letter from my doctor the store manager called me at home to say I was terminated. I think that violates the Family medical leave act.So all that is being handled by the attorneys. I also got them to file for my Social Security.I was wondering if they will tax my back pay if and when I finally get it?
Director
04-14-2004, 08:13 PM
Hi Cowboy...On Social Security Disability you have to pay Federal Income Tax only. You can request they withhold a certain percentage or you can take the entire amount each month, but you will have to pay come April 15th. Actually, I think they will require you to make quarterly payments. I am having them withhold on mine, so I don't get hit so hard next April. I hope this answers your question.
Director
Director
Kaylbe
04-14-2004, 08:27 PM
I also got them to file for my Social Security.I was wondering if they will tax my back pay if and when I finally get it?
Some people who get Social Security have to pay taxes on their benefits. You will be affected only if you have substantial income in addition to your Social Security benefits.
If you file a federal tax return as an "individual", and your combined income* is between $25,000 and $34,000, you may have to pay taxes on 50 percent of your Social Security benefits. If your combined income is above $34,000, up to 85 percent of your Social Security benefits is subject to income tax.
If you file a joint return, you may have to pay taxes on 50 percent of your benefits if you and your spouse have a combined income* that is between $32,000 and $44,000. If your combined income* is more than $44,000, up to 85 percent of your Social Security benefits is subject to income tax.
If you are a member of a couple and file a separate return, you probably will pay taxes on your benefits.
*On the 1040 tax return, your "combined income" is the sum of your adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest plus one-half of your Social Security benefits.
Hope this info helps. -- Kayble
Some people who get Social Security have to pay taxes on their benefits. You will be affected only if you have substantial income in addition to your Social Security benefits.
If you file a federal tax return as an "individual", and your combined income* is between $25,000 and $34,000, you may have to pay taxes on 50 percent of your Social Security benefits. If your combined income is above $34,000, up to 85 percent of your Social Security benefits is subject to income tax.
If you file a joint return, you may have to pay taxes on 50 percent of your benefits if you and your spouse have a combined income* that is between $32,000 and $44,000. If your combined income* is more than $44,000, up to 85 percent of your Social Security benefits is subject to income tax.
If you are a member of a couple and file a separate return, you probably will pay taxes on your benefits.
*On the 1040 tax return, your "combined income" is the sum of your adjusted gross income plus nontaxable interest plus one-half of your Social Security benefits.
Hope this info helps. -- Kayble
lindao1
04-14-2004, 09:16 PM
Well, this has just gotten me more discouraged. I've never heard of anyone having the problem I have with Social Security.
I initially filed almost three years ago. As expected, I was denied the first time even though SS agreed I could not work!! I have had an attorney thru the whole thing. I was to the point where I was awaiting a hearing before the judge, when all of a sudden, SS tells my attorney they have LOST MY FILE! I went into shock. My attorney said our hands are tied until they find the file. I asked him if we can do ANYTHING to speed it along and he said, No! I asked him if SS is accountable to anyone for this and he said No! This attorney has now been retained for almost three years and I still I know nothing. If it weren't for my husband and a WC settlement, I would be in a real fix. I don't know what to do. How can a federal agency just lose a person's file and there is no recourse available to me? Has this ever happened to anyone else? Also, my attorney said he had two other people whom SS claims to have lost their files also. This is ridiculous! This attorney did win me a settlement from WC three years ago so he did do something for me but what about the rest of my life?
If anyone has any advice for me I would appreciate it. I've seen so many times where people have been approved on the first try, and here I am with a missing file after 3 years! Help. Love, Linda
I initially filed almost three years ago. As expected, I was denied the first time even though SS agreed I could not work!! I have had an attorney thru the whole thing. I was to the point where I was awaiting a hearing before the judge, when all of a sudden, SS tells my attorney they have LOST MY FILE! I went into shock. My attorney said our hands are tied until they find the file. I asked him if we can do ANYTHING to speed it along and he said, No! I asked him if SS is accountable to anyone for this and he said No! This attorney has now been retained for almost three years and I still I know nothing. If it weren't for my husband and a WC settlement, I would be in a real fix. I don't know what to do. How can a federal agency just lose a person's file and there is no recourse available to me? Has this ever happened to anyone else? Also, my attorney said he had two other people whom SS claims to have lost their files also. This is ridiculous! This attorney did win me a settlement from WC three years ago so he did do something for me but what about the rest of my life?
If anyone has any advice for me I would appreciate it. I've seen so many times where people have been approved on the first try, and here I am with a missing file after 3 years! Help. Love, Linda
rlcowboy
04-14-2004, 10:26 PM
OK, I have no income at this point and I am going through a divorce, so My SS would be the only income at this time. If I understand it right I wont have to pay federal taxes on this, right? because I have no additional income?
Kaylbe
04-15-2004, 02:41 AM
OK, I have no income at this point and I am going through a divorce, so My SS would be the only income at this time. If I understand it right I wont have to pay federal taxes on this, right? because I have no additional income?
The short answer:
You most likely would not owe any federal taxes.
The long answer:
It would depend upon what year you received your benefits and your filing status on that year's federal income tax return. To be able to file as "single" for a year, you must be unmarried as of December 31 of that year. Assuming your benefits were paid in 2004 and your divorce was final prior to December 30, 2004, you could file as single. If your divorce does not become final during the year you are awarded benefits, you might be impacted by any income from your wife/ex-wife.
Assuming you file single and are not affected by any income from your wife/ex-wife, and the SSD benefits were your only income, you likely would not owe any federal income tax on that money. Your income (ie. regular income from jobs, etc.) plus any non-taxable interest plus half of your SSD award would have to equal $25,000 before you would owe any taxes on your disability. With no other income and no non-taxable interest, I would doubt half of your award alone would amount to over $25,000.
I'm not sure if you would even be required to file a federal tax return. For a single person you're not required to file unless you have income over $7800. I do not know how any SSD income over that amount would fit into the equation. You would certainly need to find out about that. Someone from the IRS may be able to answer that question. Also, you could use TurboTax software/online or similar to prepare a return for that year. After plugging in your numbers, I'm sure the software would inform you if filing was not required. I do our returns with TurboTax Online every year... it ran $19.95 this year for the federal return and that included electronic filing. Again, I'm not sure what the situation would be regarding the filing of a state return.
I hope this information helps. -Kaylbe
The short answer:
You most likely would not owe any federal taxes.
The long answer:
It would depend upon what year you received your benefits and your filing status on that year's federal income tax return. To be able to file as "single" for a year, you must be unmarried as of December 31 of that year. Assuming your benefits were paid in 2004 and your divorce was final prior to December 30, 2004, you could file as single. If your divorce does not become final during the year you are awarded benefits, you might be impacted by any income from your wife/ex-wife.
Assuming you file single and are not affected by any income from your wife/ex-wife, and the SSD benefits were your only income, you likely would not owe any federal income tax on that money. Your income (ie. regular income from jobs, etc.) plus any non-taxable interest plus half of your SSD award would have to equal $25,000 before you would owe any taxes on your disability. With no other income and no non-taxable interest, I would doubt half of your award alone would amount to over $25,000.
I'm not sure if you would even be required to file a federal tax return. For a single person you're not required to file unless you have income over $7800. I do not know how any SSD income over that amount would fit into the equation. You would certainly need to find out about that. Someone from the IRS may be able to answer that question. Also, you could use TurboTax software/online or similar to prepare a return for that year. After plugging in your numbers, I'm sure the software would inform you if filing was not required. I do our returns with TurboTax Online every year... it ran $19.95 this year for the federal return and that included electronic filing. Again, I'm not sure what the situation would be regarding the filing of a state return.
I hope this information helps. -Kaylbe
Director
04-15-2004, 08:07 PM
Thanks for all the responses to my post. I have another question concerning all the SSD rules, etc. The local guy from the Social Security office and I read it in the pamphlets they give you pertaining to how everything works and what you can expect. From what I read (or maybe was told by the guy who processed my claim) there is a two year wait before you can receive Medicare. Does anyone know why? My thoughts were maybe they're just trying to weed out individuals who only receive benefits for a short time. If anyone knows the answer, I'd appreciate a response.
Thanks.
Director
Thanks.
Director
Kaylbe
04-16-2004, 05:22 AM
From what I read (or maybe was told by the guy who processed my claim) there is a two year wait before you can receive Medicare. Does anyone know why?
Yes, there is a two year waiting period before Medicare kicks in. They start counting from the month & year your disability began. Those with ALS (Lou Gherig's disease) and I believe those with end stage renal disease (on dialysis) have the waiting period waived. Entitlement to SSI triggers entitlement to Medicaid in most states. Therefore those eligible for SSI will generally have their medical needs met through the state without a waiting period.
I was curious myself about the reason for the waiting period. It only seems logical that those who are deemed "disabled" would be the ones with the greatest need for medical care. Nearly every person and/or family who has faced the disability of one of it's members has also faced a huge pounding in the pocket book. They are among the least likely to be able to afford private medical insurance during the wait.
In order to try and answer your question, I asked about this on the [ not allowed to post other groups ] and got a helpful reply. Basically:
[ removed - do not post the material of others ]
A link was also provided to an informative article that included the above quote. It seems that various lawmakers periodically attempt to reduce or remove the Medicare waiting period for SSDI recipients. It's quite an interesting article and I hope the moderator will allow the following link:
[ removed - follow the instructions in the FAQ if you want moderator approval of a link. Do not post questions to the moderator on the boards ]
Of course with the amount of time it takes many people to win an SSDI award, they become eligible for Medicare about the same time their claim is finally approved. I was impacted by the Medicare waiting period in a different way. My claim took nearly 3 years to process therefore I was already Medicare eligible and had been for nearly a year by the time my claim was approved. I did file some medical claims with Medicare retroactively but basically lost out on a year of Medicare coverage. I was covered under my husband's health plan during that time and also ended up paying a year of premiums for private insurance when I could have used Medicare instead.
--Kaylbe
Yes, there is a two year waiting period before Medicare kicks in. They start counting from the month & year your disability began. Those with ALS (Lou Gherig's disease) and I believe those with end stage renal disease (on dialysis) have the waiting period waived. Entitlement to SSI triggers entitlement to Medicaid in most states. Therefore those eligible for SSI will generally have their medical needs met through the state without a waiting period.
I was curious myself about the reason for the waiting period. It only seems logical that those who are deemed "disabled" would be the ones with the greatest need for medical care. Nearly every person and/or family who has faced the disability of one of it's members has also faced a huge pounding in the pocket book. They are among the least likely to be able to afford private medical insurance during the wait.
In order to try and answer your question, I asked about this on the [ not allowed to post other groups ] and got a helpful reply. Basically:
[ removed - do not post the material of others ]
A link was also provided to an informative article that included the above quote. It seems that various lawmakers periodically attempt to reduce or remove the Medicare waiting period for SSDI recipients. It's quite an interesting article and I hope the moderator will allow the following link:
[ removed - follow the instructions in the FAQ if you want moderator approval of a link. Do not post questions to the moderator on the boards ]
Of course with the amount of time it takes many people to win an SSDI award, they become eligible for Medicare about the same time their claim is finally approved. I was impacted by the Medicare waiting period in a different way. My claim took nearly 3 years to process therefore I was already Medicare eligible and had been for nearly a year by the time my claim was approved. I did file some medical claims with Medicare retroactively but basically lost out on a year of Medicare coverage. I was covered under my husband's health plan during that time and also ended up paying a year of premiums for private insurance when I could have used Medicare instead.
--Kaylbe
killiangirl2004
05-06-2004, 04:57 PM
Anyone out there with an implanted morphine pump that has rec'd SSD/SSI? I've been told that due to my pump I should be able to get on SSD, but no luck yet. I live in N. Alabama so if anyone hears or knows anything that will help me please.
Thanks for any and all help!!
Thanks for any and all help!!
sgibson
05-06-2004, 09:44 PM
I'm happy for you Director, but your post just made me even more depressed. I filed for disability seven months ago and received my denial letter yesterday. I have worked in the same job since I graduated and there is no way I would have given that job up if there was any way I could continue to work. My surgeon even told me there were people a lot better off than me drawing SSD for their backs. I contacted a lawyer to handle my case from here on out. I am suffering from severe depression because of the pain and the position this has put me in. We are going to lose a vehicle and have to file bankruptcy. If there was any way I could work, I would! My PCP sent me to a psychiatrist on Tuesday. He gave me a medicine called Zyprexa to take but when I came home and looked up the med, I saw it is used to treat bi polar and schizophrenia. Its a pretty strong anti psychotic. I was scared to take it so I called my PCP and he called in Effexor for me. Now I don't know whether I should continue with the psychiatrist to help my disability case or if just letting my PCP handle my depression would be sufficient. Sorry if I'm rambling but I am so upset about being denied. I have 3 children and I don't know how we are going to make it. This just really sucks. Even with getting rid of one vehicle and filing bankruptcy, our monthly bills will still exceed what my husband makes. He lost his job of 16 years back in June due to the company closing and had to take a lower paying job. We went from making 80,000 a year to 25,000. I just don't know whats going to happen. SS should know a person wouldn't work at the same job all those years and then decide they don't want to work anymore. This world is so screwed up. God must be trying to teach me a lesson, and I hope I hurry up and learn it! If anyone has any suggestions as to what I could do to help my SSD case, I would be more than happy to listen. Thanks
God Bless,
Sherry :wave:
God Bless,
Sherry :wave:
farmboy7
05-07-2004, 01:51 AM
I finally had to quit my job last Sept. due to chronic pain. I was vomiting every morning and in agony all day. I dropped down to 139 lbs which I hadn't seen since I was 18 and was still growing taller. Had temp. disability for 6 months and now that is done. I thought my pain would improve after not having to drive as much but it has not improved much. At least the nausea and vomiting is mostly under control thanks mostly to med. marijuana. My family was urging me to look into SS and I mentioned it to my doc and he said I was too young. I'm 45 but if I can't work I don't know what age has to do with it. It's probably just because they realize I could live a lot more years and it will cost them a lot more than if I was 70. I sure wish I had all the $$$ I paid into SS over the years....I could buy a house! Now I'll probably never see a dime because I sure don't want to live to be 65.
farmboy
farmboy
feelbad
05-10-2004, 09:42 AM
I am so unbelievably depressed right now. I recieved my determination in the mail on friday and get this, they actually turned me down!!!the reasons that they gave were just insane!! they stated that I can stand, sorry can't, when i do for more than 15 min my entire r leg swells and my knee looks like the size of a grape fruit.also, they said I had full use of my hands, excuse me, but when your L hand is starting to claw, and you cannot even pinch your fingers together and have an eMG that states multiple nerve damage and significant muscle wasting,I mean come on, what in the heck were THEY reading here, it sure wasn't the paperwork on me.I am just totally shocked right now.They also said that my pain wasn't bad enough to keep me from working.I almost fell off my chair.i don't take Oxycontin 40mgs three times a day and robaxin 7.50,2,five times a day along with Gabitril and oxy iR for breakthorugh just because i like it!! it practically puts me to sleep!!i am going to a pain clinic and am being Rxed some pretty strong pain meds for not having alot of pain.Obviously, my pM doc thinks i have severe pain.even when taking all of my meds,my pain still is at around a seven.I just don't get it.we are practically drowning here in medical bills,between me and my son and we deperately need this income,I am calling them today to find out just what i need to do next.i am just in shock.how can they not see the need here, did they actually even go through my files?everything that they said that I CAN do is totally contradicted in my medical info.how can they just not see this/
I am sorry for the tirade, I really just needed to vent.i can feel my depression just creeping back in now,i was thinking of even going off of my Lexapro last week,now i will be on it forever.God, I could really use some encouragement.please help me. Marcia
I am sorry for the tirade, I really just needed to vent.i can feel my depression just creeping back in now,i was thinking of even going off of my Lexapro last week,now i will be on it forever.God, I could really use some encouragement.please help me. Marcia
StarfieldJane
05-12-2004, 11:03 PM
I'm on disability now. It took me three years to get it. But I'll tell you one thing you have to get a lawyer or I think you can kiss it goodbye unless you're terminal or paralyzed. The lawyer doesn't charge anything up front and takes his fee when the case is settled from your back pay. It's well worth it. It is almost impossible to get disability on your own.
StarfieldJane
StarfieldJane
Director
05-13-2004, 04:03 PM
StarfieldJane is right on the money. Going into all of this when I first decided to file for disability I talked with my attorney. He advised me on how to approach the filing and what to do. Assuming I would be denied on the intial filing, he gave me the name of a local attorney who handles this type of cases. I talked with them and had things all lined up for him to step in when I lost on the first go round. I was told there is no reason to have an attorney on the first filing, because you can do everything an attorney could do for you. On the second, or first appeal, have your attorney handle things. They know what to expect and how to handle the appeal. I had them waiting in the wings, but as it turned out I didn't need them. I was shocked as anyone else when I was granted maximum SS benefits on the initial filing. I don't know how or why it happened, but on the second Wednesday of each month, my benefits are deposited in my checking account. I'm still amazed, but I'm not complaining!
Janice J.
05-14-2004, 01:15 AM
hello, It is very encouraging to know that I am not alone, i also am in the process of trying to get disability. I have been turned down the first time so now I have an attorney to help me. I suffer from herniated disks L5-S1 and the sacrrum is rotated to the right, I also have bipolar disease, panic anxiety attacks and have some phobias about being around people. I try not to feel sorry for myself but it feels like no one understands what I'm going through. I wish I could go back to work I'm not lazy but there's that stereotype people think of when your on SSI ( or trying to get it) like we want to abuse the system a free ride or so to speak. I need health insurance and some kind of income we barely make it buy on my husbands income and we are so much in debt from my medical cost for treatment. I'm crossing my fingers, I pray for some encouraging news. A quick question I know I may sound dumb but what is methadone? I am on vioxx 50mg, flexeril 3 times a day, oxycontin 10mg twice a day and neurontin 800mgs 3times a day. I wish I could get off most of these meds and just take a couple pills a day because I know the risks of dependancy to some of them. I could really use some advise. Thanks
Janice J.
Janice J.
Janice J.
05-14-2004, 01:18 AM
hello, It is very encouraging to know that I am not alone, i also am in the process of trying to get disability. I have been turned down the first time so now I have an attorney to help me. I suffer from herniated disks L5-S1 and the sacrrum is rotated to the right, I also have bipolar disease, panic anxiety attacks and have some phobias about being around people. I try not to feel sorry for myself but it feels like no one understands what I'm going through. I wish I could go back to work I'm not lazy but there's that stereotype people think of when your on SSI ( or trying to get it) like we want to abuse the system a free ride or so to speak. I need health insurance and some kind of income we barely make it buy on my husbands income and we are so much in debt from my medical cost for treatment. I'm crossing my fingers, I pray for some encouraging news. A quick question I know I may sound dumb but what is methadone? I am on vioxx 50mg, flexeril 3 times a day, oxycontin 10mg twice a day and neurontin 800mgs 3times a day. I wish I could get off most of these meds and just take a couple pills a day because I know the risks of dependancy to some of them. I could really use some advise. Thanks
Janice J.
Janice J.
Director
05-18-2004, 03:55 PM
Janice...Methadone is a synthetic opiate that has a half life of about 36 hours. It was invented by the Germans in WW II because of the short supply of Morphine. It was first used (and still is) in the US as a substitute for Herion, allowing addicts to function more normally in society. It is now used also as a painkiller and is one of the more potent ones on the market. Most people who use it for pain are in the 50-100 mg range, but it is not unusual to have people taking a much high dosage, due to their tolerance to opiates. Personally, I take 180 mgs. per day, but others are higher. It is a good painkiller to be on, because it is very cheap (compared to other opiates) and because of it's long half life you do not start to go into withdrawls at the end of your dosage time. I hope this helps you understand what Methadone is and if there are any more questions you might have, just ask and I'll do my best to answer them.
wfc33
05-20-2004, 12:47 AM
Hey-
I haven't posted in a while, but this topic caught my attention.I was very fortunate and got approved on my first try.That was 3 1/2 years ago before my liver transplant.The fact that I looked like I was at death's door my have helped me.My sister went with me because I was really too weak to drive, and had jaundice pretty good by that time so I guess they figured I was really in need. However, I was told that they deny the first attempt by most people just to drag the process out.And the fact is, if you have chronic pain, but are generally in good heath otherwise, people that have never had the problem have a hard time relating to you.Becasue you don't have something they can see,you know.
I really only know a few people who have tried for disability, but that seems to be the story. Now if I could get medicaid to lower my spenddown a little, I'd be doing ok.That spenddown is a killer.
I haven't posted in a while, but this topic caught my attention.I was very fortunate and got approved on my first try.That was 3 1/2 years ago before my liver transplant.The fact that I looked like I was at death's door my have helped me.My sister went with me because I was really too weak to drive, and had jaundice pretty good by that time so I guess they figured I was really in need. However, I was told that they deny the first attempt by most people just to drag the process out.And the fact is, if you have chronic pain, but are generally in good heath otherwise, people that have never had the problem have a hard time relating to you.Becasue you don't have something they can see,you know.
I really only know a few people who have tried for disability, but that seems to be the story. Now if I could get medicaid to lower my spenddown a little, I'd be doing ok.That spenddown is a killer.