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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on January 5, 2004, at 19:32:33
I REALLY don't want to do this, but It's come to it. I'm applying for SSI.
Quick background:
In the last two years, I have only been gainfully employed about 10-11 months. I've been at my current job for 6 months, which is a landmark for me, even before my symptoms got very bad. I can only work about 24 hours a week before I 1)get bad psychological consequences or 2)practically collapse from fatigue, mostly due to meds. I have not been hospitalized, but I have been in the regular ER once for fainting, graying out, etc. See: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031218/msgs/294755.html for details. Things seem to progress from bad to worse very slowly. I've had a lot of drug trials and so far I've only been stable enough not to do something stupid.Here's what it comes down to:
I can no longer afford my prescriptions. My pdoc will try to help as he can, but I can't live on samples. I can't afford to get tests for other physical problems getting worse, or a doc to administer those tests. I can't get Medicaid because the eligibility rules in Utah are <insert profanity>. Simply put, I would have to be on SSI to get Medicaid.I understand that these apps and in interviews the SSA looks for certain words or phrases. I've also been told that the fact that I'm still working is a big hurdle to getting benefits.
Is there a source of information on how to file the app and do the interview so I have the best chances? I've found plenty of people selling such info, but I can't afford it. Any freebies out there?
Any help at all is very appreciated.
Posted by fallsfall on January 5, 2004, at 20:02:46
In reply to -**SSI, SSDI application questions and concerns**-, posted by socialdeviantjeff on January 5, 2004, at 19:32:33
There is a post above about disability. My contribution is http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20031229/msgs/294791.html.
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/work/ResourcesToolkit/redbook.html describes both SSI and SSDI. At least in the case of SSDI (I don't know about SSI), you need to be unable to work for 12 consecutive months to be approved. After that, you can earn up to $580/month without it affecting your benefits. You can have 9 "trial work months" in a 60 month period where you can earn more than $580/month. After the 9 "trial work months", if you make more than $800/month they consider that you are employed and your benefits stop. You can get the details on the web page.I do believe, however, that you have to be totally disabled for 12 months in order to qualify. Sorry.
Posted by Bubbaleh on January 5, 2004, at 22:06:08
In reply to -**SSI, SSDI application questions and concerns**-, posted by socialdeviantjeff on January 5, 2004, at 19:32:33
You will probly get more money from SSD than SSI. If you get the SSD, you will get a lump sum payment at the beginning to cover the months that you were disabled (not working) but not yet receiving SSD. That way, you can go into some debt and pay it back later.
Good luck, whatever you decide to do.
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on January 6, 2004, at 1:35:09
In reply to Re: -**SSI, SSDI application questions and concerns**-, posted by Bubbaleh on January 5, 2004, at 22:06:08
Thanks for the info. I am not thinking of applying for the SSDI. I don't think I'm to that point and I hope things do get better. With SSI, I can still work, (albeit on a lmited basis) and get the Medicaid benefits I need.
utah's elgibility rules are screwy. With my current income, no SSI, I would qualify for family medicaid and disability medicaid. Here's the issue: for disability medicaid, I have to be on SSI. For family medicaid, I would have to have child support for my daughter paid to me, not the other way around as it is now, despite the fact my ex and I share joint custody.
Without Medicaid, I will have nothing to work with.
I've researched this issue a lot before deciding and the application proccess can be extraordinarily difficult and long. I do appreciate the advice. If you or anyone else who has maybe been there has any further info that could help I'd be forever grateful.
Posted by stjames on January 6, 2004, at 11:05:59
In reply to Re: -**SSI, SSDI application questions and concerns**-, posted by socialdeviantjeff on January 6, 2004, at 1:35:09
> I've researched this issue a lot before deciding and the application proccess can be extraordinarily difficult and long.
You can get your meds for free:
Posted by AntiTrust on January 6, 2004, at 12:04:24
In reply to -**SSI, SSDI application questions and concerns**-, posted by socialdeviantjeff on January 5, 2004, at 19:32:33
I just had a phone interview with social security today for SSI. I was dx w/ angoraphobia/pain/depresssion....I guess I will find out when ever if they approve my application.
I havent worked full time sense 1988 and tried working p/t jobs sense then but never could hold 'um down due to my axiety so I'd come up w/ some kind of 'excuse' and quit that job.
I have been seeing a therapist and a pdoc recently and they have been telling me to get on medicade because they have but will not supply samples for ever and some meds I need they do not have 'samples'off. that I need to be on......
so now today w/ my phone interview to SSI they told me to go to social services and apply for medicade ASAP and just tell them that I have applied for SSI. so time will tell if I will finally get help.....
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on January 6, 2004, at 17:34:00
In reply to Re: -**SSI, SSDI application questions and concerns**- » socialdeviantjeff, posted by AntiTrust on January 6, 2004, at 12:04:24
Hey, good luck! I have my phone interview in a couple of weeks. Are you working right now? If you don't mind me asking, what kinds of questions do they ask? I'm scared to death of the phone interview.
Posted by AntiTrust on January 6, 2004, at 19:43:27
In reply to Re: -**SSI, SSDI application questions and concerns**- » AntiTrust, posted by socialdeviantjeff on January 6, 2004, at 17:34:00
dont be nervious, the woman on the phone already had my paperwork I filled out and mailed at an earlier date. she asked question like, last time I worked full time and pt (dont work now btw)
my names that i have gone by now and in the past, any children in the home, if the income we have now is the only income, how many vechicles we own and who they belong too, the valve, varified my ss# my parents names, varied my disabilies and encouraged me to sign up for medicaid this week and just tell them at the office i signed up for SSI recently. I also need to sign releases in my state so soc sec can get my med records and dx's
Just be cool on the phone unless you are like me and had a panic attacked and had to hand to phone to my husband til i could calm down. !!!!!!
Posted by socialdeviantjeff on January 7, 2004, at 21:04:31
In reply to Re: -**SSI, SSDI application questions and concerns**- » socialdeviantjeff, posted by AntiTrust on January 6, 2004, at 19:43:27
Gotcha-thanks for laying some of my fears to rest.
Posted by AntiTrust on January 8, 2004, at 7:29:52
In reply to Re: -**SSI, SSDI application questions and concerns**- » AntiTrust, posted by socialdeviantjeff on January 7, 2004, at 21:04:31
http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/adultlistings.pdf
maybe this might be interesting to others??
This is the end of the thread.
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