Long term disability - Disabilities Message Board

littlelady2852 · 05-07-2006, 09:11 PM

Hello i have been receiving Long Term Disability for almost a year now what is the longest i will be able to recieve it ? Still going to doctors about artheritis in my upper back and carpel tunnel in both wrists.
Have no health insurance, lost it when my job let me go beacause i could not work.Also i need some info on health insurance because right now i am having to pay for all my medician and and doctor bills.
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Thanks so much.. Karen

Kissa · 05-07-2006, 09:43 PM

Do you mean to say you are on SSDI? If so you can be on it for as long as medically deemed necessary by your doctor and Social Security. If you are recieving LTD from your prior employer it is based on what their terms are and is different for every company.

When on SSDI you are eligible for Medicare after you have been on SS for a period of 2 years, there is a monthly premium and it is taken out of your check. Until your 2 years is up you can try to see if you qualify for Medicaid, state run welfare, but you must meet the low income eligibility requirements. At your current rate if you are the only person that you support then you most likely will not qualify. Unfortunately the only thing you can do is pay for your own medical insurance which is not cheap.

Depending on your medication there are many companies who do help low income folks recieve their medications free or for little charge. Check the Pain Management board here and you'll see a sticky notice of places who offer such a service.

littlelady2852 · 05-08-2006, 08:33 PM

I am on long term disability from my ex employer. I was on short term disability for a few weeks, then applied for long term disability.Been on it since July of last year.They say i will be able to get it for 2 years, but i have heard of people getting it longer.

Advice seeker · 05-09-2006, 06:43 AM

All kinds of different LTD policies are available. Some may have a definite end time (such as 2 years), while others (like my husband's) is for two years from his own occupation. After those two years, it becomes unable to do any job, not just your "normal" job.

Have you applied for Social Security Disability? Most LTD companies require you to apply.

Kissa · 05-09-2006, 11:23 AM

If your policy states 2 years then most likely at the end of 2 years they will terminate you. Again, every company is different, there's no state or federal laws in regards to how long an employer must provide you with LTD, it is based on what type of insurance they have purchased for their employees.

If you have not applied for SS you should do so now as it could take at least a year before you get approved depending on your condition.