I went to the SS office on Thursday last week to see if I can get SSI Or SSD. Basically she said I didn't have enough work credits for one and then asked how much my husband makes. She told me I couldn't get anything because he makes too much money. I left in tears! Now I am confused. Is this correct? Because at my fibro support meeting they said that was wrong. That how much he makes had nothing to do with whether I get it or not. I also want to say that my need for more money is due to all of the bills incurred by this terrible illness. My husbands pay check is garnished by the hospital. They also take out child support payments and the medicines alone are a lot of money every month. Plus we have a high needs child, she is under weight( age 8 weighs 37 or so pounds) so she gets high supplement foods and natural supplements. So don't they take any of this into consideration? Also my brother mentioned state disability. Does anyone know about this????? Thanks for any help any of you great people can give. I love you all and understand all to well this misery we all have to deal with. Hang in there! Raven

Raven, Hey Sugar, It's Oma. My sister is on SSD for her back 2 surgerys I think, and also her wrist. Her husband is working. Do you want me to ask her to get on this and find out, or I will find out for you. I think maybe the last will be be the best. I'll get back with you. The money is yours. Your husband did not make it., you did. After 20 years of military. Aughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!There, I feel much better. Oma

Hi Oma, How you doing hun? Thanks for writing, anything you can find out would be great! I just can't imagine there isn't any help for me yet my luck hasn't been too good for awhile now. I hope you are feeling better, and aren't as depressed. I am having the worst problem with my 8 yr old daughter understanding. She is so angry and wants me to play with her when I can't and says such mean things, I guess its time to go back to the counselor. I am so scared how thing may turned out, I am calling him to make an appointment tomorrow. Hugs, Raven

Hi Raven,
The problem is that you don't have enough work credits for SSDI. SSDI is based on taxes you pay in while you're working (basically, it's your social security taxes), and while you must be qualified as disabled, it doesn't matter how much money you have.

SSI, which is a financial-needs based program, still requires you to be found disabled, but in addition you must meet stringent income guidelines. Therein lies your problem, because SSI is somewhat similar to welfare in that they take into consideration your total household income; thus your husband's income can disqualify you.

This happens to many women who never work. It's a cautionary tale for everyone.

Believe me, I'm very sorry to have to tell you this!

Ruth

Raven, How many years did you work? or if you couldn't because of your high needs daughter, then I would not go down to Social Security, I would call them. That's what I did. It was painless, and I can't believe I waited to long. I would ask for a hearing with a judge and have all your income tax and doctor bills. I don't know if it would work, but you would be a real person and not another person writing in like us. OmaI love you and am so very, very sorry.

Hi Oma,
I started working at age 17(1980) mostly full time or close to it. Then in 1988 I started working two jobs and training search dogs for Search and Rescue. Thats when things started happening to me with this illness. I stopped one job and then in 91 while helping get a pt into the ER I tripped and broke my left ankle. I stopped working until 1996 I had my daughter in 94 and when I moved to VA I went back to work as a Vet Tech and doing my Pet sitting in 96. I also took a job in Loss Pervention at Walmart for three years and left there because my pain was getting bad. The last job I had was in 2000 I quit due to the numbness and pain. I could no longer train Search dogs. I still have the pet sitting job yet right now I do not make any money to claim. They said I only had 9 credits. I just can't believe it when I have worked quite alot. Does anyone know about State Disability? SamQkitty, thanks for the info. I don't know what my support group is talking about then. But I will try and find out. Hugs to all, Raven

How can you have 9 credits working over 20, or almost 20 years. I heard from SSD today, and I don't understand anything any more. What is the point system you are talking about, Raven? How do you get them, and how many do you need? Why can't they just listen to your doctor or look at you? I really don't get it. Oma

Raven -
If I understood your work history correctly, you had at least 15 years of full time work? Were all of this jobs where the employer deducted taxes? If so, you should have plenty of credits for SSDI. You may want to ask someone else at the SSDI office to review your work history and credits. Or ask them to explain why they are saying you don't have enough credits. This doesn't sound right to me.

As far as SSI, my answer is still the same...with your husband's income, you probably don't qualify.

Keep us posted! By the way, D says "hi".

Ruth

Most of us depend on SS to have all our records...they often simply don't. Some people are being disqualified because they did not keep their own records and cannot prove their work history or SS payments...let this be a warning.
Check with SS every year to make sure all your records are there, and keep your own hard copies.

My mother was ON SS and they had no record of her or my father ever having worked. Always speak to a supervisor when there is a problem, and keep going up if you know there is a problem someone is just not researching.

Also, you can always write your State representative to request help getting a problem resolved. That is what they are there for.

SS is based age or full disability and on your own earnings.

SSDI is welfare and is based on proven financial need, plus full disability...it comes out of the pocket of tax payers.

The qualifications for each is different, and the applications are different.

[This message has been edited by friend (edited 08-03-2002).]

Raven, A newbie here. My son became disabled when he was 16 due to clinical depression. Mind you, he had never worked. my husband and I both worked, owned a home, yadda, yadda, yadda. He was still eligible for ssd. All one needs is to fill out the application and have a doctor that will declare you disable. The amount you receive depends on your past work history. Not your husbands. Last I knew was that the minimum was less than 500 a month. Eight years ago my husband became disabled. We did much the same process. The SSI which stands for supplemental security income is for someone whose family doesn't meet poverty standards.You might want to check out the social security website. It us full of information about disability benefits and an application to apply for disability. It's really quite simple. It takes about six months before you receive any benefits but once you've been accepted, your benefits are retro-active to the day you became disabled. Be assertive. Once you've applied, try calling monthly to see if you've been accepted. There is also a chance that SS may want you to see one of their docs for an exam.
I was wondering, have you ever received a letter from Social Security stating what you're retirement benefits would be when you reached retirement age? I've received a couple over that past few years and I know exactly what I will get when I retire, unless I hit the lottery in the interim, and what I would receive were I to become disabled today. I get an itemized list of all the years I've worked and they use your best pay year to figure benefits.The worst part is that they keep telling me that I can't retire until I'm 67 due to my age.
I hope I've been able to help you. Bureaucratic red tape can become overwhelming at times.Good luck and I can't speak for anyone else on this board but I sure would like to know how you make out. Fibro is no fun. I was diagnosed four years ago after undergoing five surgeries.
Gentle hugs,
grannyannie

I am on SSDI now. When I was signing up they told me that even if my fiance & I get married it should not change my disability payments. Guess we will see....

Jeannlee -
It's true, if you're on SSDI, your disability payments will not change when you get married. It's only SSI that would change. SSI is a financial-needs based program, while SSDI is not financial-needs based.

Ruth