State Disability, Social Security, Social Security Disability

kikz

Just thought I would pass this info on to anyone who might find it helpful. I may have mentioned some of this before.

My last day of work was 2/26/2010. I was ill but didn't know the horrible truth yet. After literally begging my doctor for more tests I was given the CT scan which forever changed my life. I applied for State Disability (I live in California) and because of my diagnosis I began receiving benefits effective 3/01/2010. I was also receiving sick pay form my job. I went through treatment and though I pretty much knew I wouldn't return to work regardless of the outcome, I waited until the end of my treatment to decide and I retired effective 11/30/2010. My doctor was releasing me 12/01/2010. I applied for Social Security (I was 63).

I applied online and a few days later received a call from a worker at the SS office. She advised me that I should be applying for Social Security Disability (SSDI) which puzzled me because I knew my doctors were releasing me to go back to work. She said she would apply for me and asked a few more questions. She then informed me that when a person is off work for five months and receiving State Disability (DIB) they are eligible to receive SSDI for the length of their disability as well. I explained that I was also receiving sick pay and she said that didn't matter.

She told me I could choose to begin receiving the SS in October. I asked how that could be since I wasn't retiring until 11/30/2010. She said because of my earnings for the year; I had only worked January and February. Well, who is going to turn money down?

So I received sick pay and DIB from 3/01/2010, began receiving SSDI (retro payments) effective 8/01/2010 and my regular SS started 10/01/2010. I was subsequently approved for permanent SSDI effective 10/01/2010 and received retro payments. This might sound muddled; I did not receive SS and SSDI at the same time. I was receiving SS and was switched to SSDI. She also informed me that I might receive the DIB for a full year even if I went back to work. I did receive the DIB through February even though I called and informed them that I had retired.

I had worked for the government at the county level issuing public benefits for 17 years and my head was still spinning. The worker called me and requested a copy of my W-2 form for 2010 when I received it because she said she may be able to increase my benefits based on the actual income I earned. The income I listed on my application was considered an estimate because the year had not ended. I did receive an increase and retro payments again.

I am writing this because even with my background I would have missed out on some of these benefits if not for an efficient worker. I couldn't believe I would be considered disabled when I could have returned to my job. I later checked on the Social Security website and ovarian cancer is listed as a compassionate allowance condition which enables a person to receive benefits.

I qualified for SSDI because of my earnings and work history but there are other SS programs. Contact the Social Security Administration for information specific to your situation.

I am sorry this went on so long but I know money issues can make this ordeal even more difficult but there may be help available.

Karen

jadav1956

Thanks for the info. I am
Thanks for the info. I am planning on applying for my ss disability soon. I was diagnosed in April 11'. I had surgery in May. I have gone through 9 chemo txs of carbo/taxol and carbo/taxotere. During the shortage of taxol I had 3 txs of the taxotere. I went back to work in July, but was only working maybe 12 hrs or so a week. I had lots of donated paid time off from other employees which helped me tremendously. I went on long term disability through the company starting in Aug 11'. I was terminated as of Nov 11' and have been drawing only disability through the company. I had heard of the compassionate allowance, but that is all I know about.I have a social worker helping me wade through all this info and she suggests actually going to SS office with an appt. SHe said they go through all the questions right there and you dont have to answer any other questions through the mail. A lot of red tape. I will probably follow her advice. I am taking my medical records with me when I go. Thanks so much for the info. It is very helpful, and you are right finances are a big part of this. Thanks Jackie

Cafewoman53

jadav1956 said:

Thanks for the info. I am
Thanks for the info. I am planning on applying for my ss disability soon. I was diagnosed in April 11'. I had surgery in May. I have gone through 9 chemo txs of carbo/taxol and carbo/taxotere. During the shortage of taxol I had 3 txs of the taxotere. I went back to work in July, but was only working maybe 12 hrs or so a week. I had lots of donated paid time off from other employees which helped me tremendously. I went on long term disability through the company starting in Aug 11'. I was terminated as of Nov 11' and have been drawing only disability through the company. I had heard of the compassionate allowance, but that is all I know about.I have a social worker helping me wade through all this info and she suggests actually going to SS office with an appt. SHe said they go through all the questions right there and you dont have to answer any other questions through the mail. A lot of red tape. I will probably follow her advice. I am taking my medical records with me when I go. Thanks so much for the info. It is very helpful, and you are right finances are a big part of this. Thanks Jackie

It is very easy
You can even go to the goverment website and apply online.
Colleen
SSA.gov

kikz

Cafewoman53 said:

It is very easy
You can even go to the goverment website and apply online.
Colleen
SSA.gov

I did apply online
as I mentioned but I would strongly suggest meeting or speaking with someone from the SSA office. There were some questions on the application I was not quite sure how to answer. This made me understand the plight of my former clients more clearly. I don't know if is normal procedure for a worker to make contact once the application is received but I would not have received all the benefits I did based on my application alone. I also lucked out with the person who handled my case. I learned at my job that not everyone does their job in the same way. There are people who go through the motions and some who go the extra mile.

It was also my fault I didn't receive the SSDI when I could have because I ignored these words on my DIB checks, "If you expect your disability to be long-term, you should contact the social security information line.....to find out about additional benefits that might be available." I figured I was getting disability payments and was unaware of other benefits I was eligible to.

Like I said I worked for the government issuing public benefits and I still had a hard time. I had a friend who was helping me with all my paperwork including getting all my "stuff" in order. At that time I was newly diagnosed and I thought I wouldn't live until the end of summer.

Karen

da1955

I am a teacher but paid ss
For many years before I started teaching (about 20). But, when I called about disability, I was told Since I have not paid in the last 10 years i am ineligible. I can collect 41% of my teachers salary through the teacher's retirement system, i am giving that some thought but wondering how i would get by. I had thought my retirement would be part teacher's retirement and part ss . I live in Illinois where they have a windfall elliminationlaw in place. Deb

garden gal

da1955 said:

I am a teacher but paid ss
For many years before I started teaching (about 20). But, when I called about disability, I was told Since I have not paid in the last 10 years i am ineligible. I can collect 41% of my teachers salary through the teacher's retirement system, i am giving that some thought but wondering how i would get by. I had thought my retirement would be part teacher's retirement and part ss . I live in Illinois where they have a windfall elliminationlaw in place. Deb

I'm a little confused
I'm on SSD because of my cancer, are saying that there is a state dissability also I might be eligible for. Like I said I'm a little confused and that doesn't take much for me. Thanks Kathy

kikz

garden gal said:

I'm a little confused
I'm on SSD because of my cancer, are saying that there is a state dissability also I might be eligible for. Like I said I'm a little confused and that doesn't take much for me. Thanks Kathy

It is confusing
but Social Security Disability (SSDI) and State Disability (SDI) are two different things. The SSDI is a federal program. In California we go through the Employment Department for the State Disability and the Social Security office for the SSDI. Everyone's case is different so you need to check into whether you are eligible or not.

Karen

AnneBehymer

garden gal said:

I'm a little confused
I'm on SSD because of my cancer, are saying that there is a state dissability also I might be eligible for. Like I said I'm a little confused and that doesn't take much for me. Thanks Kathy

In AZ you can only have less
In AZ you can only have less than 675 to get both state and fed. I receive 876 so I can not get the state on which sucks since I have to give my car up because I can not afford the 500 corba, 300 for medication, 352 for car payment, 107 for car insurance, and then the copys for doctors with rounds about 100 a month.