SS disability questions

ballcap8 · New User Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 8

My wife was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma and as a result of tumors in her spine, has been left paralyzed from the mid chest down. We have filed for SS disability were approved, my question is at one point we were told that the payments would be backdated to the date of her disability, now we are told we have to Waite for five months before her benefits will start and then another month for the payments to come. We have gone from a two income family to only one, and as everyone knows, we are getting buried in medical bills. Thank god we had some put in savings! Does anyone have any experience with SS out there? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 2837

Hi,

I'm so sorry you and your wife are in this position. What you have described is exactly how I've heard that the disability works. Six months. That's why it is so important for anyone with a Stage IV diagnosis to get on the ball right away.

I'm sorry and maybe someone else has some other information, but sounds like the standard drill to me.

I wish God's blessings for you and your wife.

PBJ
_________________
Husband diagnosed with NSCLC Stage IV. (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) Fought & lived 2 1/2 years with multiple lines of treatment.

Post describing our battle: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=7026&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

msdonna · Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 12:52 am Post subject: Re: SS disability questions

Ballcap8,

Im very sorry to hear about your wife. I really hate even more to tell you that you will have to wait til the beginniong of the 6 month to recieve a check. My husband was admitted to the hospital on March 23, 2008 and was given 6 - 10 months to live. I had a great social worker at the hospital that had me an interview with SS the next day after he was admitted. The doctors knew it was lung cancer mestaisized to the brain. We just didnt know how bad. Our first check arrived in Sept of 08. We went from 2 paychecks to none cause I had to stay home and take care of my husband after he got out of the hospital. We were only eligible for $360 month in food assitance and medical help. We were 3 days from getting our insurance at our new employer when he took sick and we had to quit to come home for treatment. For quite awhile he was a fall risk, had treatment everyday and couldnt drive from the brain mestasis. Also SS doesnt give back pay for those 5 months. I dont agree with this. I believe someone who is terminally ill and makes the 6 months deserves their 5 months back pay opposed to the person who the last 4 years says they cant work cause ther back is bad and finally wins the case gets 4 years back pay. Then you see them out rototilling there garden every summer. Oh Im sorry I must have been venting. You know what I mean. Hope all goes well and things get better. I will keep you both in my prayers. MsDonna
_________________
Husband diaognosed with NSCLC Stage IV 6.5CM tumor in right lung met. to the brain both right and left frontal lobes. March 2009
25 radiation treatments to the brain April 09 -Lessions all but gone
Chemo treatments since April 09 Carboplatin and Alimta - Tumor now 2.5 CM
Remission - but not cured as of October 09
No progression still as of Nov 24, 09

topazil · Posted: Tue Mar 09, 2010 1:56 pm Post subject: Re: SS disability questions

Have to ask, has she ever worked in the state you live in? I don't know if it is this way in every state but I live in California and a very wise friend helped me with the SS Disability maze.

First I applied for state disability through our EDD (Employment Development Division) (Unemployment actually) and was approved and had my first check within two weeks of them getting the Dr's statement I would be disabled for life.

While I was getting state disability I applied for social security disability and was told I was approved but would not get checks until the state disability was done.

California's state disability ends when your "money" put into the fund runs out. then government social security disability kicks in, but I did have to call them to let them know my state disability ended. Two weeks later I got a (much smaller) check from social security disability and was put on Medicare/Medical.

So I would check with your state EDD department to see if they have this also which I would assume all states do.

Hope all turns out well.
_________________
Total hysterectomy July 23 2008, mass in colon.
Colonoscopy Aug 2008
Rigid Sigmoidoscopy with a laparoscopic-assisted partial colectemy with en bloc small bowel resection Sep 2008
Diagnosed: Stage IV Colon Cancer mets to lungs and liver. (T3,N2,M1,G2) KRAS Mutation
Started chemotherapy: 09/14/09 Folfox-6 with Avastin then Avastin alone.
Next treatment 03/15/10 ~ Camptosar with Avastin every 2 weeks for 3 months then PET scan
Most recent CEA Level: 03/08/10 240 up from 68.5 on 02/22/10

brainman · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 11:28 am Post subject: Re: SS disability questions

Hi ballcap8. I am sorry about your wife's advanced cancer. My doctor also gave me a document saying that I would be disabled for life. For SS Disability this does not mean for I will never ever be able to work at something. It just means that I will never be able to return to my original profession/job-type. I had no problems getting it. I was not even asked for the doctor's letter. I believe I received my first check the very next month.... retroactive to the time the disability began. Now, Medicare coverage, which your wife will also qualify for, took a year to start. Neither are as good as having a job and group insurance but it is better than nothing.

I don't remember if they asked about my assets. It might depend on household income, saving, and other assets. However, I assume that this would only include luxury items such as having two houses or owning a luxury, imported car fleet.

Good luck.
_________________
Jim
Administrator and long-term cancer survivor
1992 Astrocytoma grade 2, left motor strip
2005 Recurrence this time said to be an Oligodendroglioma grade 3, same location.
http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2405
My Story Part 1: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=2528
My Story Part 2: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?p=7350
My Story Part 3: http://cancerforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=8029
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REB · Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 3:35 pm Post subject: Re: SS disability questions

[quote="topazil"]Have to ask, has she ever worked in the state you live in? I don't know if it is this way in every state but I live in California and a very wise friend helped me with the SS Disability maze.

First I applied for state disability through our EDD (Employment Development Division) (Unemployment actually) and was approved and had my first check within two weeks of them getting the Dr's statement I would be disabled for life.

While I was getting state disability I applied for social security disability and was told I was approved but would not get checks until the state disability was done.

California's state disability ends when your "money" put into the fund runs out. then government social security disability kicks in, but I did have to call them to let them know my state disability ended. Two weeks later I got a (much smaller) check from social security disability and was put on Medicare/Medical.

So I would check with your state EDD department to see if they have this also which I would assume all states do.

Hope all turns out well.[/quote]

Due to the poor economy, my company is teetering on bankruptcy, so my job could end. I don't think anyone will hire me. Do I have any options? Can I get unemployment and disability... and keep my home?
_________________
10/01/07 - Removal of Stage III Colon Cancer Tumor & Temporary Colostomy
11-07-07 - 04-09-08 FOLFOX regimen and Avastin.
04-28-08 Colostomy Reversal
06-02-09 3 Tumors in the adipose tissue.
06-23-09 Start FOLFIRI and ERBITUX chemo.
10-26-09 Tumors gone.
11-25-09 Finish FOLFIRI, continue ERBITUX
01-27-10 Tumors in Liver and Adrenal Gland
01-28-10 start FOLFIRI and ERBITUX chemo.
Age Diagnosed 40. Current Age:43

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