We did not have any trouble at all getting SS disability the first time applied. Here is what I did (as best I can remember from a year ago): 1) started the process online. When it asks "Will you die of this condition" say YES. Then they gave a number to call. They sent me phone meeting appt AND how to complete info online. I did the 'online' which was VERY extensive....pretty much all past jobs, all medical testing (incl who/when'/what, which I did based on my BC/BS EOBs from the past 18 mo we were on the testing journey). I printed EACH page so if I needed the info again, I had it in one place. It took me approx 11 hours, but we spent 15 minutes on the 'phone interview' ! If I had it to do again, I would do one entry from each category, then do a Word doc so I could open that and just copy&paste into online forms...need to be aware you might get 'timed out' if you take too long looking up info and thus 'lose' info you already had input into SS site.
Then they sent me a form re: what I had noticed in various categories of functionality. I completed AND made a PDF. Because I had to have at least 2-3 others complete as well. Send to kids and included my PDF so they knew the words to use.
That was it....best I can recall. My husband went on medical leave from his work in January, and 'retired' for medical reasons July 2008. SS started July 2008, but we did not push the "January'" as I have medical insurance through my work so the 24 mo for Medicare was not a concern at that time. Looking back, since I''m not assured I will keep my job, I might have pushed for the January 'disabled', but that's water under the bridge for now.
I think the key is the 'wording' and the thoroughness, easier to do with online app at your own speed rather than 'in person' or 'phone' interview.
Libby, if you do decide you need the January date you can apply for a request for reconsideration. Kathryn's doctor wrote a letter stating that she could say with a reasonable medical certainty how far back Kathryn's ALZ dated. Social Security can go back for one year prior to the date of first refusal the way I understand it. Not only would this help with the Medicare it would get you a check dating back to whatever date they agreed to. Both would come in handy in the future.
I have applied for a reconsideration using an attorney that specializes in SSN disability and he arranged to get this letter from the doctor and told me it makes a big difference. He said a lot of times when they see this letter they just go ahead and give the reconsideration without having to do anything else.
Reminder - there is a new section on the left side of my website - Applying for SS Disability. Everything you ever wanted to know.
For some reason, and I don't have any idea why - I didn't have to gather all those documents - I gave an EXTENSIVE phone interview - at least 2 hours - and I gave SS the name of every doctor treating every condition, and SS got the documentation from the doctors. As I said, I have no idea why. Sid was approved right away. Oh, well, right away, AFTER 7 months of waiting to find out they never got the approvals we signed allowing them to contact the doctors. After we re-signed in front of them, he was approved in less than 6 weeks.
You both are perfected examples of the importance of keeping a record. When you are home and have time to "think" about this date, that date. Trust me! You will need them. The Neurologist (on first visit) was firing questions at ME so fast about when he first did this or that, when he had this surgery or that, and more and more..my head was swimming. Now, she asks questions and I have my little book with each and every date in it. I was convinced she was trying to 'trip me up', because I was having to remember, - at the same time I was learning he had AD based on all the tests run before the visit. It was a nightmare.
Make a note file of every surgery date, (if you remember), when you first noticed he was behaving differently, when he first demonstrated confusion reading maps, or following directions, etc. His doctor is in Research Projects and he is one of the subjects. I wish she had sent me the questions before we got to her office and I would have been able to recall the dates and information more clearly. KEEP as many records as you can. I have one 5 x 8 spiral notebook where I keep everything...and I have his meds on file in Works.. so I can keep it updated and print it prior to every visit.
My husband stopped working last July, 2008 and his disability date is December, 2008. You need to be off of work for 5 months before SS Disability would kick in. You can file for SS Disability before the five months but the actual date from which SS will pay is five months from the last day you were able to work due to the disability. My husband-who has FTD-was approved on the first application in two months. He will be eligible for Medicare in two years from the December date.
When I filed for my husband, I did it online which took hours. I hand delivered to the SS Office all copies I had of his medical records and as FTD had just been placed on the compasssionate allowances list, I also printed out the information regarding the press release and Social Security's definition of the disease. I also wrote a short to the point letter outlining all the attachments I had enclosed. MAKE SURE YOU KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING FOR YOURSELF IN CASE IT GETS LOST OR MISPLACED.
I filed in early December, 2008, got a call after New Years that everything had been forwarded to the Disability Determination Office in our state. A couple of days later I was interviewed on the phone by a nurse for about an hour regarding my husbands daily living. Less than a week later our local office called and said he was approved. The only thing they required was that I be his representative payee. I felt very lucky that we had an easy time of it--I know that most people are declined the first time. My brother who as extensive psoratic arthritis took a couple of times before he was finally approved.
deb112958, What date does your letter from list as the date of disability? Social Security does not pay during the first 5 months of disability, but that period starts from the date of disability as determined by Social Security. And, the 2 year wait for Medicare is actually 2 years and 5 months from the date of disability. PatB
My husband's disability award letters just states that he is eligible for disablity payments beginning December, 2008. That is exactly 5 months from when he stopped being able to work on July 1, 2008. He does have retiree health benefits as his company let him retire early on a disability pension. All of this is very confusing......
deb112958, You can apply for disability immediately, you don't have to wait 5 months to apply; but you will not receive payments for the first 5 months of disability. PatB
My husband was approved for SS the first time we applied. I also had a telephone interview that took about 2 hours. It was worth being able to talk to someone on the phone. We were able to explain things better than just going online or in the office. Being able to have my husband home in familiar surroundings was worth a million dollars. It gave me the opportunity to be as thorough as I needed to be. We had to send in a few things but we applied in Feb. and the acceptance letter is in the mail. I do not understand about SS and SSD. I will be learning a lot I think soon. One thing that helps me is to keep notes. I am a note taker from wayback. It helps me when my mind takes a vacation( and I am not the one with EOAD).....lol....... I don't know what we did right but thank God it was something. I was told it would take 60 more days before we would know all the details. Is this normal? Does anyone know?
My husband was also approved for SS the first time he applied. We applied on the last day of February and he received his first check mid April. That was a few years ago though.
mammie--Yes. It appears to be on track. "The acceptance letter is in the mail." you said. The 60 days is a general time frame they give for getting everything set up and information to you. The acceptance letter will tell you more.
Social Security is the part of the program that pays retirees, their spouses, and dependents. Social Security Disability is for persons under retirement age who have worked but become disabled. At the point when such a person reaches full retirement age, their case is automatically rolled over into Social Security at the same level of payment.
The case worker did say that he is accepted for SS but they have to finish everything to see about SSD. Does this make sense. Also that in 24 months he will be eligible for Medicare. If he is accepted for SSD he would get Medicaid now. Am I understanding this right?
If he gets Soc. Sec. Disability, you'll need to apply for Medicaid to cover during the 24 months until he's eligible for Medicare. If he gets Soc. Security, he should qualify for Medicare sooner. When he does qualify for Medicare be sure you signup for the Part D prescription coverage (a separate thing). If you don't do it when first qualifying for it, there will be a penalty charge added to your costs when you do sign up. Either (both Medicare and Part D) can be coordinated with Medicaid if your circumstances meet certain criteria.
I am assuming the representative will help with this right? Or do they just assume that people know about this? Who would know this disease could cripple the whole family not just now but even when the loved one is gone? I know no one said life was going to be fair but this is quite ugly......
All these acronyms can be terribly confusing. Regular social security ( SS) for retirement beginning at age 62 (reduced benefits) is based on age and Insured status only. One has to have worked and paid in long enough to qualify for a monthly check (and medicare at age 65). SSDI (Social Security Disablity Insurance) also is based on having worked and paid into the program the required length of time. It is available at any age if a person is determined to have a disability that makes him/her unable to engage in any kind of substantial activity or end in death. It can be applied for immediately when the person becomes disabled, but no payment will be due until 6 months after the determined onset of the disability. Then medicare part A and part B starts automatically after the individual has been on SSDI for two full years. The amount received is based on the AMOUNT paid in each year. The other programs administered by the SSA is called SSI (Supplemental Security Income.) It is based on the family's limited income and limited resources. It is a needs based programs and one does not have to have worked and paid in (Or be insured as they call it). They take a close look at the household income and resources to be sure one is under the inc and res limit. To be eligible for this program, in addition to limited income and resources, one has to be age 65 OR blind or disabled, same as for the SSDI. There is no 6 month waiting period for SSI to start paying, and often if the household has limited Inc/Res will pay the 6 months until the "waiting period" for regular SSDI kicks in. In many, if not all states receiving SSI automatically qualifies the person for state medicaid. Once a disabled person has been in a nursing home or care facility for 30 days the SSI only looks at that one person's income and resources to determine eligility, not the INC/RES of the entire household to determine eligibility. And, again with SSI (Supplemental Security Income) in many or all states the state medicaid will then pay regardless of the family/household income and resources. SSI is strictly a needs-based program so the $$ amount isn't very high, and can go from the full amount to maybe just a few $$, but any amount at all will qualify for medicaid through the state. Sorry to be so long winded, but Iworked for 25 years for SSA and a good share of that time was helping folks qualify for SSI. Before I retired I could have told you the exact amounts of income and resources. I pretty much knew the programs inside and out. Hope this helps clarify and doesn't add to the confusion.
Gmaewok, thanks for the information. It will sure help. I will go over it again and save it for future references. I appreciate all the long winded (as you call it) time you took. It is a blessing to have someone help so much. Thanks again......Have a great day....
gmaewok--Could you help Stuntgirl out re SSA/SSI benefits--she started a thread about financial help and I think you can shed some light. I am a retired SSA employee too, but my program knowledge isn't current. Thanks.
To the ssi experts: My dw filed for ssi about 2 months ago, and was declined. She filed an appeal, and that was also declined. Currently, we are awaiting for a hearing on the 3rd appeal. The problem is that my dw has not worked since 1999, and ran out of credits in 2006. We did not get a proper diagnosis until 2008, although her primary physician has just sent us a letter stating that she was totally disabled as of 2005. My question is whether she is eligible for ssi, since she has not worked since 1999. We should not have waited so long to file for ssi, but we never expected the eoad diagnosis, and thought she would eventually return to work. If she gets approved for ssi, is it retroactive to 2005, or is it only from the point she first filed? I am not too concerned about the monthly check as I am for the medicare coverage. I understand that it may take two years for medical coverage to begin, and feel that it may be too late for her....any ideas??
If she does not have the credits to be "currently insured" for Social Security Disability Insurance she will not get SSDI. The SSI is based on current household need, and even though she may be found to be disabled, it is predicated on the household having very limited income and resources. If you are found to be above the Income/Resource limit she won't get SSI even though she would be found to be disabled. And even though SSDI has some retroactivity, there is no retroactivity to SSI. It is effective with month you actually file. And if she gets SSI she would be potentially eligible for Medicaid through the State, but I don't believe she would get Medicare (unless there has been some changes in the law recently).
That is what I thought...Will they not consider that she did have enough credits back in 2005, even if we did not file till this year?? I am unclear on this...
Frank, to be "insured" for Social Security Disability one has to have worked and paid into the program for 5 of the most recent 10 years prior to being determined to be disabled. They call it 20/40. Must have 20 of the most recent 40 quarters paid in at the high enough amount to earn insured status. Sounds like the appeal should be to establish her onset of the disability as 2005, prior to the insured status running out. Since your doctor has provided a statement that the onset was early enough to establish disability back to 2005 they should approve her. Is the appeal to be before the Administrative Law Judge? If so, continue to collect all information regarding her status as of 2005. When we applied for Clyde I typed up a paper stating just specifically he was doing in the earliest stages, what he could and could not do and why it kept him from being able to work. Also if you could get statements from friends or family as to what was happening in 2005 that could help. You will want to submit all documents to the ALJ prior to the hearing. If your atty is versed in SSA law he will be able to guide you on that. And he probably will want to be at the hearing. If approved they wouldn't pay retro to 2005 but as I reacall they will pay retro one year from the time you first applied, and you would definitely get medicare. Just hang in there, AND DON'T GIVE UP!!!
gmaewok: you bring lots of hope and encouragement to me and I thank you so much for your input. I wish I had known about eoad back in 2005, and we were still investigating all the other factors that would have caused her symptoms. I will not give up, since I feel that her time left is so short... We have requested a hearing, and not an actual alj. We did it all online, and wondered if that was sufficient....the atty is still waiting for more documents to arrive...
Is it OK to apply for SSDI and SS (early retirement at 62) at the same time? He turns 62 in September and will take that unless he qualifies for SSDI. Would prefer the SSDI since it is more money than SS.
This is exactly what we did with Sid. He took his SS early retirement at 62. It was about $200 per month LESS than if he had waited until his full retirement age of 65 and 10 months, but it came quickly with no arguments, so we had some income. THEN he applied for SSDI, which was the amount he would have received at full retirement age. As long as your husband then applies for SSDI BEFORE his actual retirement age of whatever it is, he is eligible for SSDI. I would advise not to wait too long after he starts collecting his SS to apply for SSDI, because they only give retroactive SSDI pay for 1 year. In other words, if he is collecting SS for 3 years, and then decides to apply for SSDI, he will only get one year of the extra payments as a lump sum before the SSDI starts.
To make that a little clearer - We got a check for $2400, which was equal to $200 a month x 12 months. Then his SSDI kicked in and he received the $200 extra every month. Then when he turned 65 and 10 months, they automatically switched the designation to SS instead of SSDI, but it was the same amount of money each month.
I would not recommend that. You can't file for both at the same time. Well, maybe you can, but it would get awfully messy and confusing. Get his first social security check in hand, and THEN file for SSDI. There is so much bureaucracy and red tape, that it will get confusing. You know the saying - SHOW ME THE MONEY. So get that SS check FIRST.
Charlotte, You definitely can file for SSDI and SSA reduced retirement at the same time. It is done all the time, and IF it takes a long time for the SSDI decision to be made at least you will be getting SS for the interim. And WHEN he is approved for SSDI they will go back and pay the difference retroactively. In fact, if you can establish that the Alz began prior to age 62, which it has, they will pay at the full rate farther back than age 62. A good claims rep t SSA will walk you through it. Be sure to take whatever documentation you have about how long he has been diagnosed with Alz with you when you go to file. It can all be so confusing but really, they do want to get him all the benefits he is entitled to. Don't wait! FILE FOR BOTH. Now....don't wait.
In fact, I would recommend that everyone, regardless of age, that has been diagnosed with Alz file for the SSDI now. Again, just be sure to have your duckies all in a row and take ALL documentation regarding the Alz with you when you file.Especially doctor statements and letters and results of any and all testing.
The sad thing is that both DH and I worked for SSA for years and he was receiving reduced benefits at age 62 and NEITHER of us thought to have him file for SSDI until a friend asked if he was receiving SSDI....DUH....Talk about feeling dumb!
There is an extensive topic on the boards about SSDI and SS - http://thealzheimerspouse.com/vanillaforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=20&page=3
As I mentioned, we just went through this process with Sid, and SSDI will only pay retroactively for one year prior to determination of disability. So if it is determined that he was disabled at 58 years old, and he is now 62, he will still only get one year retroactive. That is why we got $2400 instead of the $8000 I was expecting.
I don't know if I can explain this clearly, but I'll give it a try. The people who get those huge lump sums you hear about are people who were disabled before retirement age and DENIED, then approved after lawyers fought for them for a couple of years. For example - someone is disabled at age 50. Cannot work. Cannot collect social security. Applies for SSDI and gets denied. Gets denied again. By the time the lawyer gets him approved, 3 years have gone by since determination date of disability. He will get 3 years retroactive SSDI payments. (But then he has to pay the lawyer a third or whatever the deal was.)
It is possible that the law has changed since we did it, but I don't think so. So apply and get what you can, but if the law still stands, you will only get one year retroactive under the circumstances you are describing. If I am wrong, Jane will be along to correct the information. She is the one who helped us out with this process in the first place.
Joan, you are right. That is why it is so very important to get in there and get the filing started ASAP. Actually though, in your scenerio, I do believe they could get 4 years retro: the date of filing plus one year it could go retro from actual filing date.
I started filling out the online application but decided I would come here and read before finishing. I got to the question where it ask about disability and was remembering what Joan had posted. But gmaewok's post answered my question.
My other question is: he has been collecting unemployment since last December. In November is when the dr. in Vegas said probably AD. In January it was aMCI by the neuro here in Portland. Then the neuropsych just said aMCI with dementia. I don't want to have to pay back all the unemployment so think I will take the date of this last testing. Or should I go back to last fall?
I would think going back to last fall would be the best. However, since unemployment rules seem to vary from state to state I would ask the SSA Claims Rep who takes the claim about the coordination with UC. Maybe even talk to someone at the UC office and run it by them to find out if that would mean paying them back. Might be better in your case to use the date of the last testing. Between SSA and UC they should be able to tell you. Remember, there is nothing payable through SSA during the first full 5 months from date of disability onset, so I wouldn't think there would be any problem with having to repay UC. However, do check with both SSA and UC.
Then I may go from the diagnosis in January of this year.
I won't call unemployment cause there is a question about whether you physically able to work that you have to answer yes to. Of course, it ask physically, not mentally I think..
Can't answer about vets. No idea. Sorry. Call your local SS office. They should be able to tell you.
Charlotte,
Sounds like our stories are very similar. Sid was forced to leave his job in April 04. He was turning 62 in December 04. He collected unemployment until October 04, and got his first SS check in January 05. Your husband will have to apply for SS within a certain number of months before his 62nd birthday. Not sure the number. Your local SS office can tell you. The unemployment will not interfere with SS. Probably best to set date of disability at the latest testing. You shouldn't have a problem with the unemployment. Isn't his unemployment about to run out? It's usually for 6 months.
He used up his WA unemployment in May and started on NV in June. We haven't touched his NV yet - still on the debit card. IF there is a 5 month waiting period, if we claim back to January when he was diagnosed aMCI, the 5 month would be in May. On the application it asks if you are disabled - sounds like they will process the two together and are not a separate application at this time. It says to apply 4 months before but someone here had said 3 months of which it is now. I started the application online and will finish when he gets home. I dug out all the paperwork they say they need including the medical records for disability. I guess i will click yes on disability and go from there.
You only have to wait till 3 months prior to age 62 if you are filing for reduced retirement at age 62. (It is 3 months, not 4 unless they have changed the law since I retired). For Social Security Disability, the sooner you file, the better. My advice to anybody with the dementia diagnosis, Regardless of age file for Social Security Disability Insurance Now. If you have young children they will also receive a monthly check (in a parent's name) until they are 18 (some get it longer depending on school status). I really can't stress that enough. In my career I have seen too many folks lose benefits because they thought they had to wait. That disability will kick in at ANY age, as long as the person has worked long enough to be currently insured. The younger he/she is the fewer years of work needed to be insured. It's great to pre-file the paperwork for DIB (Disability Insurance Benefits) on line but you do really want to talk with a SSA claims representative to get the answers to specific questions.
I got the online application for disability done today. I had printed out the form first and filled it out. Thought I would fill it out online so it would be neater. If I had to do over, I would mail it. But, I got it done in about 4 hours. At the end it said to take any medical records in to your local office. When we were in there Monday to sign the medical release and turn in his DD214, the woman said not to. But then she knew nothing anyway.
For those who worked for SS, will they copy them all for free or do I have to make the copies?
When we applied we signed a large quantity of releases so they could get reports from all medical sources directly. Recently, a relative applied, and took in some doc.s and signed some releases as well. The SS made copies for their files of docs., at their expense.
Art got a phone call today from SSDI saying they want him to see one of their doctors. Said they will send the info in the mail. Now we continue to wait.
gmaewok, I have a question, Phranque has stated his wife has not worked since 1999, and I was under the impression that you would have to worked 5 of the last 10 years, how then would she qualify for SSDisability?? Even though the disability started in 2005, she still has not worked 5 of the last 10 years. Please explain. Thanks for your help
If she last worked in 1999 her insured status would have run out in 2004 (5 years--40 calendar quarters-- after she last worked.) If he could establish through medical records and doctor statements that she had the AZ prior to the time insured status ran out, which ran out 5 years (40 quarters,) then she should qualify for SSDI benefits.
Another Social Security benefit that a lot of people are unaware of is the survivor benefit. If your spouse has already started drawing Social Security disability and dies you can start drawing survivor benefits as early as age 60 or age 50 if you yourself are disabled. This is Survivor Benefits and will not affect the amount you draw when you switch to a spousal benefit at regular retirement age.
Thanks Jane, I was unaware that I may be able to collect survior benefits as early as 60. As of now we live on my husband's SSD & his retirement. Since his pension has been sent to the PBGC, I am expecting it to be decreased. He had it set up where I would receive spouse benefits upon his death. I try not to think what I will do for income when he passes away, however, it does come into my thoughts once in awhile.