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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by TiredofChemicals on April 19, 2012, at 11:41:05
In reply to Disability? How do you survive?, posted by Phil on April 17, 2012, at 12:27:17
> I read about a lady, whose husband made $85,000 a year, that got benefits which helped them buy a bigger house. I hope I read that wrong.
>
> I'll be calling a few lawyers in the next day or so to discuss disability. But to be honest, with what it pays, waiting for Medicare, finding a doctor(s), dealing with their formulary, and all the bs that goes along with it, I really hope I drop dead first. I know that sounds drastic but do you want to live that way?
>
> How do single people get by on this stuff? I know one that quit meds and just stays drunk. Not sure about you, but I don't want to live like that.
>
> This is a scary proposition. I could make a cardboard sign and stand on a street corner and make more money. All I would have to do is swallow my pride and dignity, just like disability.
^^^
It is not easy. Luckily for me, I have a loving sister and brother-in-law that are helping me to survive presently. Not much else to add unless direct questions were asked of me I guess, *shrugs.Regards
Posted by Phil on April 19, 2012, at 12:01:34
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive?, posted by TiredofChemicals on April 19, 2012, at 11:41:05
I'm just going to have to find a way to get better and back to work. I'm not sure what that will be but I can't live on SS.
Maybe it's pride but I won't do well on food stamps and free clinics for the homeless.
Zyprexa, my doc thinks, is what put me in the hospital for 6 days trying to control a very high fever(NMS) What if that happened again?
I am trying to stay hopeful but it's very hard to picture a happy ending to this scenario.
Posted by Phillipa on April 19, 2012, at 20:13:52
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive? » Phillipa, posted by herpills on April 19, 2012, at 10:22:42
Herpills first talked to neighbor who worked with SSDI and he said that they wouldn't do anything once approved. He said the teachers would be the way to go so I also know one of the Superintendants of the school system here. I told her of all the pics on facebook showing her doing all this stuff. She said leave a name in her mailbox as met her bike riding and we have talked a few time. I gave her an envelop with my name and password for facebook left in mailbox for her. Haven't heard I think. Now she has company from Florida visiting and out galavanting all day. Makes me ill. And it's the docs that are at fault. What I don't understand is why she didn't have to undergo an exam by the SSDI to qualify. Gee I could use some of that money. Phillipa
Posted by zazenducke on April 20, 2012, at 7:45:56
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive? » herpills, posted by Phillipa on April 19, 2012, at 20:13:52
Maybe she turned state's evidence? Did she have any pics of you riding your bike while you were on disability?
> Herpills first talked to neighbor who worked with SSDI and he said that they wouldn't do anything once approved. He said the teachers would be the way to go so I also know one of the Superintendants of the school system here. I told her of all the pics on facebook showing her doing all this stuff. She said leave a name in her mailbox as met her bike riding and we have talked a few time. I gave her an envelop with my name and password for facebook left in mailbox for her. Haven't heard I think. Now she has company from Florida visiting and out galavanting all day. Makes me ill. And it's the docs that are at fault. What I don't understand is why she didn't have to undergo an exam by the SSDI to qualify. Gee I could use some of that money. Phillipa
Posted by zazenducke on April 20, 2012, at 7:52:52
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive?, posted by Phil on April 19, 2012, at 12:01:34
I'm sorry about your brother. I hope you'll be ok whatever path you take.
Posted by Phil on April 20, 2012, at 11:02:48
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive? » Phil, posted by zazenducke on April 20, 2012, at 7:52:52
Thanks, I miss my bro, much. I talked to a lawyer. I've been in sales a long time. I can walk in an office and make a judgement about them pretty fast. It's just common sense. No way I'd use them and I'm now leaning to doing it myself. What the heck.
I told this guy after a year I'd be homeless(like, hurry) He had a blank expression and said 50% of his clients were homeless.
Posted by Roslynn on April 20, 2012, at 11:48:02
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive?, posted by Zyprexa on April 17, 2012, at 19:36:15
Dear Zyprexa,
I hope you don't mind me asking a couple questions? I saw that you work part-time. I am thinking about working part-time and I'm wondering what to tell SSA. When you start your job, do they want details of what you are doing and how many hours per week? Do you have to stay below a certain dollar amount? (to continue to receive SSDI.)
Thank you for any help!
Roslynn
> You can get medicaid while you wait. Or do what I did and get a insurance plan for people with disabilities, state run, in NC its called inclusive health, cheap plans with good coverage. I filled out all the forms online for SSDI myself and got it right away first time. No lawyers.
Posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2012, at 21:03:31
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive? » Phillipa, posted by zazenducke on April 20, 2012, at 7:45:56
Mine was for mental not physical. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2012, at 21:07:19
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive? » Zyprexa, posted by Roslynn on April 20, 2012, at 11:48:02
Not Zyprexa but yes you can only earn a certain amount of money per month and also a time period involved as wanted to do some RNing but all full time strange but true. License was current still have it inactive but now since SSRI I can work full time and earn any amount of money I desire. But if retired I say no to that. Phillipa something says $800 a month?
Posted by Zyprexa on April 24, 2012, at 21:54:51
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive? » Zyprexa, posted by Roslynn on April 20, 2012, at 11:48:02
You have to tell them soon as you start a job. How much you make a month. Hours. Salary. If you want to keep your SSDI you have to make less than $1000/month. And you have to tell them all the time what you make each month, when they ask. If you are blind you can make more. For the first 9 months you can make any amount. This is the trial period, which you stay in for as long as you don't have 9 months of making $720/month or more. Any 9 months within 5 years. But once you have 9 months you are in the extended period, where you can't make more than $1000/m or you will lose it. After 3 years in this stage if you ever make for than $1000 in one month you lose it all together.
Basicaly what I'm saying is you can make up to $1000/m and keep the payments. Forever.
Posted by Roslynn on April 25, 2012, at 15:03:49
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive?, posted by Zyprexa on April 24, 2012, at 21:54:51
Zyprexa,
Thank you SO much for our reply to me. This is very helpful info. One last thing, if you can bear with me: Do they ask what kind of work you are doing?
Like if the job is complex to a certain degree, are they going to come back at you and say, well, if you can handle that, you must not be depressed anymore?
Or they could say, if you can do that one or two days a week, why not full time?Thank you for any answers, I really appreciate this!
Roslynn
> You have to tell them soon as you start a job. How much you make a month. Hours. Salary. If you want to keep your SSDI you have to make less than $1000/month. And you have to tell them all the time what you make each month, when they ask. If you are blind you can make more. For the first 9 months you can make any amount. This is the trial period, which you stay in for as long as you don't have 9 months of making $720/month or more. Any 9 months within 5 years. But once you have 9 months you are in the extended period, where you can't make more than $1000/m or you will lose it. After 3 years in this stage if you ever make for than $1000 in one month you lose it all together.
>
> Basicaly what I'm saying is you can make up to $1000/m and keep the payments. Forever.
Posted by Malori33 on April 26, 2012, at 13:11:03
In reply to Disability? How do you survive?, posted by Phil on April 17, 2012, at 12:27:17
Hi Phil - We seem to be walking the same path right now. I thought since this whole scenario is new to both of us, we might help each other out thru it. My name is Lori, age 53, and I live in NC. Just let me know.
Posted by JohnLA on April 26, 2012, at 22:48:40
In reply to Disability? How do you survive?, posted by Phil on April 17, 2012, at 12:27:17
phil-
very sorry to hear about your work problems. unfortunately i am in the same boat.
i was just put on 'early retirement' at age 49 after being a teacher since i was 22. i rarely missed work. (yes, i know teachers get a lot of time off.) i, too, started working when i was 12 delivering newspapers. then, on to high school jobs. i even had 2 jobs during college. i never realized how much self-esteem comes from work until i stopped working. argh!
i was on long-term disability for 24 months before my 'retirement.'
i will say this; if there is anyway possible that you can stay in the workplace, even part-time, my recommendation is do it.
i can't tell you how worse i think i am mentally/physically from not going to work each day. let alone the drastic drop in income/benefits.
still, if you can't work that is totally understandable. but, please keep a seed of hope that you'll be able to work again. that's what i'm hoping and praying for.
john
ps if you do go for ssdi i recommend using a lawyer.
Posted by JohnLA on April 26, 2012, at 23:05:21
In reply to Disability? How do you survive?, posted by Phil on April 17, 2012, at 12:27:17
phil-
very sorry to hear about your work problems. unfortunately i am in the same boat.
i was just put on 'early retirement' at age 49 after being a teacher since i was 22. i rarely missed work. (yes, i know teachers get a lot of time off.) i, too, started working when i was 12 delivering newspapers. then, on to high school jobs. i even had 2 jobs during college. i never realized how much self-esteem comes from work until i stopped working. argh!
i was on long-term disability for 24 months before my 'retirement.'
i will say this; if there is anyway possible that you can stay in the workplace, even part-time, my recommendation is do it.
i can't tell you how worse i think i am mentally/physically from not going to work each day. let alone the drastic drop in income/benefits.
still, if you can't work that is totally understandable. but, please keep a seed of hope that you'll be able to work again. that's what i'm hoping and praying for.
john
ps if you do go for ssdi i recommend using a lawyer.
Posted by Phil on April 26, 2012, at 23:22:25
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive?, posted by JohnLA on April 26, 2012, at 23:05:21
Thanks John, I filed today using the biggest SSDI firm in Austin. Doesn't really matter but things are finally started. I can see several homeless scenarios but I'll get through this.
I agree about work but when my brother died shortly before I was laid off something died in me. I've had many jobs and still managed to find the next one pretty fast. Not this time. Laid off 1/11 and haven't even gotten my mind together to do a resume.
Maybe I'll move to South Texas and get a job driving a tractor. That was my first job. Ten hours a day on a two row stalk-cutter with no shade in close to 100 degree heat. My stepfather got rich farming 6000 acres by not buying an umbrella for my tractor. My skin cancer thanks him.
I could just play drums but nobody is making money in Austin. Too many bands here.
4-6 months to see if I'm approved the first time. If it ends up going to a judge, I'm homeless. That wasn't in my life plan.
Posted by JohnLA on April 26, 2012, at 23:47:07
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive? » JohnLA, posted by Phil on April 26, 2012, at 23:22:25
oh phil, your post both breaks my heart and makes me smile. god bless and don't mess with texas!
talk about life plans. i hear you brother.
am really sorry to hear about your loss.
i think it's great though that you are thinking some type of plan for down the road. hang in there. i am hoping/praying something good comes both our ways.
never been to austin. though the last female contact i had was a gorgeous austin girl. that was over 2 years ago right before i went down with depression...
not surprised you play music. can you tell me how austin originally became such a hot-bed of culture?
i once drove fro LA to houston and back. hell of a drive. going thru west teaxs was brutal. good place to see a ufo or drop off a dead body! lol.
phil, again, hang in there.
john
Posted by Phil on April 27, 2012, at 0:25:33
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive? » Phil, posted by JohnLA on April 26, 2012, at 23:47:07
Austin is an Oasis in Texas, both nature and political. Beautiful hill country, huge lakes, spring fed swimming holes everywhere and a clothing optional park on Lake Travis called Hippie Hollow.
It was called something else till the hippies hit in the '60's and didn't like clothes. The name was eventually changed.
In the '60's, Austin was a sleepy college town, UT, cheap to live and musician's were moving in. Go swimmin' in Barton Springs pool all day and go play music at night...repeat.
A venue called the Armadillo World Headquarters had every act you can imagine filtering through, many early in their careers. Springsteen, Zappa, Gino Vanelli and hundreds more. There were a few really hot bands here that opened for them, one called Too Smooth was probably the best unsigned band in rock history. Lots of bad luck.
I'll cut this short. More people came. High tech hit here big time and mostly people we don't like were moving from, oh...California. They could buy big houses here so I guess they told everyone they knew to come to Austin.
Last summer we had 100 days straight over 100 degrees and some of those people left. Traffic here is some of the worst in the country. 20 years behind on roads.
It's got a lot to offer but I wouldn't miss it much if I moved. I'm 58 and broke, I had my fun.
Posted by Zyprexa on April 28, 2012, at 16:24:08
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive? » Zyprexa, posted by Roslynn on April 25, 2012, at 15:03:49
They ask what kind of work and job title. They don't ask if you could work more. I don't know if the kind of work is important.
Posted by Roslynn on April 28, 2012, at 16:50:46
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive? » Roslynn, posted by Zyprexa on April 28, 2012, at 16:24:08
Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question! Very helpful.
Roslynn
> They ask what kind of work and job title. They don't ask if you could work more. I don't know if the kind of work is important.
Posted by Novelagent on May 6, 2012, at 23:00:14
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive? » Zyprexa, posted by Roslynn on April 25, 2012, at 15:03:49
Not true-- a friend who did a fellowship on disability policy let me in on a little secret: Yes, it's 9 months before you get kicked off, but after that, there's three grace period months where you continue getting checks. So in this sense, it's technically 12 months if you add this to the 9.
He explained this is on purpose: when policymakers duke it out about increasing benefits, during the neogotiations, they purposefully add a layer of complexity that discourages use of the expansion of benefits altogether-- in this case, everyone hears "nine months," so they don't exceed nine months, and hence never enter the grace period months.
Î
Also, google "Cornell PASS." While on SSDI, you can set aside your SSDI, and then receive SSI as a result of this special system-- you save the SSDI for a work goal or starting a business, and then live off of the SSI that kicks in, for the duration of the plan (usually 2-4 years). You'll want to work with a vocational rehabilitation counselor before applying, or else they will likely reject your plan.> Zyprexa,
>
> Thank you SO much for our reply to me. This is very helpful info. One last thing, if you can bear with me: Do they ask what kind of work you are doing?
> Like if the job is complex to a certain degree, are they going to come back at you and say, well, if you can handle that, you must not be depressed anymore?
> Or they could say, if you can do that one or two days a week, why not full time?
>
> Thank you for any answers, I really appreciate this!
>
> Roslynn
>
>
>
> > You have to tell them soon as you start a job. How much you make a month. Hours. Salary. If you want to keep your SSDI you have to make less than $1000/month. And you have to tell them all the time what you make each month, when they ask. If you are blind you can make more. For the first 9 months you can make any amount. This is the trial period, which you stay in for as long as you don't have 9 months of making $720/month or more. Any 9 months within 5 years. But once you have 9 months you are in the extended period, where you can't make more than $1000/m or you will lose it. After 3 years in this stage if you ever make for than $1000 in one month you lose it all together.
> >
> > Basicaly what I'm saying is you can make up to $1000/m and keep the payments. Forever.
>
>
Posted by Novelagent on May 7, 2012, at 6:22:37
In reply to Disability? How do you survive?, posted by Phil on April 17, 2012, at 12:27:17
It's no life. If you can get work, stick with it. Any work beats not working, not even to speak of finances-- not working is simply depressing. Take all the energy you'd put into getting disability and divert that energy to getting a decent job, and you'll thank me later. Use whatever savings you have to start a modest business if keeping work is tough for you, or ask others to invest in a modest business. If you have no ideas, buy bulk items on eBay and then sell them individually.
It takes 2 years before Medicare kicks in. If health insurance is the issue, move to Massachusetts, or better yet, if you have depression, move to Hawaii. You'll be limited to basically having to see residents, as they'll be the only psychiatrists really that will see you on medicaid, but if you're in massachusetts, those residents will often be Harvard Med docs, and supervised by Harvard docs. I see them; they don't do things I would get like ask my insurance for prior authorization for Desoxyn or write million dollar letters of accomodation like they did when they were the director of McLean and cost $300 an appt, but they get by. It's sort of like getting a public defender assigned to you-- no frills.
Disability is not means-tested, which is what you're implying. You have to have paid into Disability (SSDI) to get it. SSI is means-tested. Why would the lady's husband's finances matter? She's not getting Disability because she's poor; she's getting it because she's disabled. The media makes every innocous thing sound like a scandal these days. If she were getting SSI, she can't own more than $2000 in assets.
Don't pay a lawyer; they'll get 25% of the check for life. Mine was a pro bono. Contact your local Catholic Charities and ask for them to connect you with a lawyer willing to do it pro bono.
I make $800 a month in Disability, and $800 a month goes to a rooming house to pay my rent. I live off of $100 a week from my family, and $200 a month in food stamps. My situation will improve once I receive public Housing finally, after 3 years of waiting, in a few months. I'm also starting a business. If I did this as a long-term strategy I would go insane-- no one plans to do this for life; that would be sad. People do it, but i like to think they don't -plan- on doing it for life.
> I read about a lady, whose husband made $85,000 a year, that got benefits which helped them buy a bigger house. I hope I read that wrong.
>
> I'll be calling a few lawyers in the next day or so to discuss disability. But to be honest, with what it pays, waiting for Medicare, finding a doctor(s), dealing with their formulary, and all the bs that goes along with it, I really hope I drop dead first. I know that sounds drastic but do you want to live that way?
>
> How do single people get by on this stuff? I know one that quit meds and just stays drunk. Not sure about you, but I don't want to live like that.
>
> This is a scary proposition. I could make a cardboard sign and stand on a street corner and make more money. All I would have to do is swallow my pride and dignity, just like disability.
Posted by Novelagent on May 7, 2012, at 6:30:47
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive?, posted by JohnLA on April 26, 2012, at 22:48:40
John--
You may benefit, if you have SSDI, by googling "clubhouse mental health" and contacting someone there about becoming a client. They can connect you with employers that are willing to hire someone for, say, 3 hours a day for 3 days, or something that adds up to rather little, like that-- maybe a couple of 4 hour shifts or so. It would be under $1000 a month, so you keep your benefits, but the key point is, you have something to do... Just an option. One caveat is that they may require that you have a state social caseworker assigned to you (at least that's the case with my state).
> phil-
>
> very sorry to hear about your work problems. unfortunately i am in the same boat.
>
> i was just put on 'early retirement' at age 49 after being a teacher since i was 22. i rarely missed work. (yes, i know teachers get a lot of time off.) i, too, started working when i was 12 delivering newspapers. then, on to high school jobs. i even had 2 jobs during college. i never realized how much self-esteem comes from work until i stopped working. argh!
>
> i was on long-term disability for 24 months before my 'retirement.'
>
> i will say this; if there is anyway possible that you can stay in the workplace, even part-time, my recommendation is do it.
>
> i can't tell you how worse i think i am mentally/physically from not going to work each day. let alone the drastic drop in income/benefits.
>
> still, if you can't work that is totally understandable. but, please keep a seed of hope that you'll be able to work again. that's what i'm hoping and praying for.
>
> john
>
> ps if you do go for ssdi i recommend using a lawyer.
Posted by Novelagent on May 7, 2012, at 6:39:47
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive?, posted by Zyprexa on April 17, 2012, at 19:36:15
> You can get medicaid while you wait. Or do what I did and get a insurance plan for people with disabilities, state run, in NC its called inclusive health, cheap plans with good coverage. I filled out all the forms online for SSDI myself and got it right away first time. No lawyers.
>90% of cases are rejected-- it's called a rubber stamp denial. The system is designed to discourage applications.
I had a lawyer pro bono, but she never had to appeal it, so I effectively may as well not had one-- but I also had a doc who never got a rejection in his career when it came to disability claims, so that was why. It's not the forms that you use a lawyer for-- you have to fill out your forms either way- the lawyer is only used for the appeals process. So what prevents it going to the appeals process is a good doc. If you've ever had a claim denied by your insurance for something your psychiatrist did, like a prior authorization that was rejected, that's a bad sign ; )
Also, my case was an exception as well; my doc cost $300 an appointment and he ran the hospital. You need a lawyer, but get one pro bono if you can.
Posted by Phillipa on May 7, 2012, at 19:52:17
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive?, posted by Novelagent on May 7, 2012, at 6:39:47
When I got it my pdoc had me admitted to a hospital and filled out forms and I got when short term disability from work ran out in six months. Just got it. No idea what he said I had but I know he worked with a lot of Vets and also got them all on for PTSd. Phillipa
Posted by JohnLA on May 9, 2012, at 20:12:20
In reply to Re: Disability? How do you survive? » JohnLA, posted by Phil on April 27, 2012, at 0:25:33
phil-
thanks so much for the 'history lesson' about austin's cultural aspects.
i taught music history to 12th graders for 26+ years. i covered all sorts of music; classical, blues, jazz, rock, etc. if i ever get back in the classroom i'll be sure to use your info.
the only texan i ever really hit hard was buddy holly. ;) i'm sure there are many others...
thanks again.
john
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