Help with Disability

From what I understand, to
From what I understand, to qualify for disability for the cancer you have to be stage IV. As for the Stoma, there are many people who work at many jobs with it. I think you could talk to your doc or stoma nurse about options, the intestines are sewed onto the skin surrounding it. I could see getting a hernia, but not your intestines flying out.
Also, you may not qualify as the stoma does not make you disabled, but you may need a anew line of work.
Or Hire a lawyer, here in Ohio everone seems to get denied until they hire an attorney and then it takes 2 years.

Disability
The only advise I can think to offer at this time is: (1) Get with your doctor regarding exactly what you can and can't do. Make sure you are very clear with your doctor that you are looking at disability because social security will need a report from him. (2) Don't look for a lawyer on line, anyone can make a zippy web site, what you want is someone with a fairly good track record. (3) Once you have had that talk with your doctor, then talk to a lawyer that specializes in social security disability. If you know anyone who works for attorneys that is a great place to start looking for a name of a good social security attorney. Most attorneys (including the one I work for) do have special areas of practice that is why it is important that you get the right attorney. think of it this way, like with colon cancer, you want a colorectal surgeon not a doctor that specializes in breast cancer. Both are good doctors but you want the one that specializes in your cancer.

While Stage IV cancer gets you automatically approved, Stage III may not be but talking with someone, face to face, who is knowledgable will be a big step in getting approval. Stage III is not an automatic approval like Stage IV but if you are unable to do your job just might be the ticket for you.


Take care - Tina

zenmonk said:

disability
Stomas are specifically addressed in the social security disability guidelines. Meaning they in themselves do not qualify according to the rules. I have a stoma and lift things all the time. If its too heavy its not because of my stoma its because its just too heavy. There are jobs that will eliminate you because of a stoma. My military career was ended because of my stoma and I certainly would never qualify as a firefighter or police officer. I work in logistics and do a combination of admin and physical work so its never a problem. To be painfully honest, for me the worst thing I think I could do as a cancer fighter is go on disability and stop working. With that being said there are "reasonable accomodations" issues here for sure. You do have the law on your side with reasonable accomodations as long as you have documentation from your doctor not to lift anything over a certain poundage. I asked for reasonable accomodation at my place of work to have my hours adjusted to a less stressful shift. We have a union so I had to do this becuase shift changes are based on seniority. It went real smooth once I had the documentation from my doctor. Extensive information is available online on how to puruse reasonable accomodations. You can also check on the SSA website and get the exact wording of the law pertaining to stomas as potentially disabling. It is a catch 22 as you say. If you work you cant pursue disability but who has enough money to stop working and take the time to pursue a claim. Hope this helps.

Hi
Where do you live? Does your company have disability provided to you? Alot of companies do. Have you been on your job over a year, do the have 50 employees in a 75 mile radious, you are then eligible for FMLA (leave and job protection to be taken 12 weeks at once or intermittently as needed), and Cancer is now covered under ADA. Give SS a try if not. If you get hurt on the job it's worker comp..........so they don't want that to happen, they better accomodate your disabilities.

jillpls said:

what state?
In Ca I was able to get on disablility social security because I had a recurrence for rectal cancer. I'm also on private disability that I paid for through my work. If you are stage IV or had a recurrence then you qualify in CA.

The state of california had
The state of california had a mandatory state disabiility program for employers.

DDM2008 said:

Disability
I live in Texas, It looks like I will have to change jobs. The one I have is way to stressful, Makes my chest hurt some times. When I'm out walking with my wife my chest doesn't hurt and I walk for away longer time than I do at work. SO, You guys lift things? How much weight are we talking about here?

SS Disability
Perhaps I can give you some info regarding the SS disability process. I worked for SS Disability for 20 years & retired 6 months ago. I can give you general info but can't tell you any "magic formula" to get it.

Generally, the process to get a chance for a hearing is after 2 denials. The Disability Determination Section of your state reviews your records and determines if you are a possible "canidate". After their review (checking your medical records, etc) they give SS their determination as to your disability and if your case should go before an ALJ, that's the office I worked in. The Judge makes the decision after your previous denials. They usually hold a hearing, sometimes not.

You are not required to obtain a lawyer but I recommend you get one,one that is familiar with SS law. They're are many, you have to check around, read their spec ialities, etc. They know what medical evidence you need and how the process proceeds.

The ALJ's go on your medical evidence and then there is a process that is followed after reviewing them. There's several steps to the process that's why an attorney would be of great benefit to you. You don't pay the attorney if you don't win your case and if you do win there are rules as to how much they can charge you. The ALJ okays the amount.

It is a lengthy process but many people succeed. The sad part is you must have been without work so many months before applying. I can't recall the number. The hard part with most people is the wait and the loss of income due to the wait. You cannot work after applying so there's time without income. Some cases move faster than others.

As I said earlier, there's lots of factors that go into the decision by the ALJ.

I hope I gave you a little info that may help.

I have stage IV cancer, it
I have stage IV cancer, it took exactly 28 days to get on social security disability. They call it Compassionate Disability, you are pushed ahead in the system. You can do the paperwork on line, and they will get the letter from the Onc. Depending on how quickly your Doctor sends them the paperwork, the quicker you qualify. I believe you qualify for medicare within 2 months after that NOT 2 years like most.
Compassionate disability was added in 2007 or 2008, a group of Onc's got together, filed papers, spoke with officials etc., showing that patients were dying before they were able to receive medicare or checks. Thank fully that has changed!!1