Ro & Social Securtiy Disability...anyone else?

Always Hopeful
Always Hopeful Member Posts: 234
edited March 2014 in Uterine/Endometrial Cancer #1
Hi,

Ro, I just read in another posting that you have been receiving Social Security Disability. I applied for it about a month ago. After surgery I was Stage 3B Grade 2...the monster has metasticized further since then in spite of my 18 weeks of taxol and 6 carbo treatments, leading my med onc to say that it is a Stage 4 now (but not reviewed by pathologists).

I was wondering how long it took for your approval...and then how long it took for the $$$ to reach you? I am currently trying to balance the "approval wait time" with filing my retirement papers. Once I run out of sick days, I'll have no choice but to retire, hoping the disability comes through at about the same time. I am aware that there is a 5 month waiting period...my surgery was in March so I was told, if approved, it would be effective starting this past September.

I'd very much appreciate hearing from anyone else who has applied and is receiving Social Security Disability? What was the timeframe involved for approval etc.

Thanks so much for any light you can shed on this.

Peace and hope,

JJ

Comments

  • Ro10
    Ro10 Member Posts: 1,561 Member
    #2
    I went through a lawyer that specializes in disability
    I had my abnormal PAP in October 08 that was highly suggestive of adenocarcinoma. I had my robotic surgery in Jan 09, which showed UPSC. I went to the lawyer in April 09. He applied for a "compassionate something" to file the paperwork. Because I was a nurse and unable to be around the sick people in the hospital, and I was in the middle of treatment, I think it was approved. I heard in May already that it was approved. Because he used the October date, I was approved to get payments beginning in April. You are right that you have to be disabled for 6 months before you get payment from Social Security. So in May I got payment for April/ May. They took the lawyers fee out of that payment. The lawyer only charged if approval was given.
    I know Deanna was on disability (she too is a nurse), but she said she was given a time frame for her disability. She was only 39 when diagnosed though. My paperwork did not have a timeframe, but I was 60 when I applied. Good luck with approval. In peace and caring.
  • Always Hopeful
    Always Hopeful Member Posts: 234
    #3
    Ro10 said:

    I went through a lawyer that specializes in disability
    I had my abnormal PAP in October 08 that was highly suggestive of adenocarcinoma. I had my robotic surgery in Jan 09, which showed UPSC. I went to the lawyer in April 09. He applied for a "compassionate something" to file the paperwork. Because I was a nurse and unable to be around the sick people in the hospital, and I was in the middle of treatment, I think it was approved. I heard in May already that it was approved. Because he used the October date, I was approved to get payments beginning in April. You are right that you have to be disabled for 6 months before you get payment from Social Security. So in May I got payment for April/ May. They took the lawyers fee out of that payment. The lawyer only charged if approval was given.
    I know Deanna was on disability (she too is a nurse), but she said she was given a time frame for her disability. She was only 39 when diagnosed though. My paperwork did not have a timeframe, but I was 60 when I applied. Good luck with approval. In peace and caring.

    Thanks for the info
    Dear Ro,

    Thank you for sharing the process you followed. Since I am a teacher, my docs recommended I apply because of the "germ pool" I would be exposed to each day.

    If I am denied disability, I will locate a lawyer and file an appeal. I am 61 and will apply in January for regular social security which I am entitled to when I turn 62 in April. Of course, it is a lower amount but it will have to do while an appeal is in process.
    I can only hope that I hear from them soon.

    Peace and hope, JJ
  • lindaprocopio
    lindaprocopio Member Posts: 1,980 Member
    #4
    Always Hopeful said:

    Thanks for the info
    Dear Ro,

    Thank you for sharing the process you followed. Since I am a teacher, my docs recommended I apply because of the "germ pool" I would be exposed to each day.

    If I am denied disability, I will locate a lawyer and file an appeal. I am 61 and will apply in January for regular social security which I am entitled to when I turn 62 in April. Of course, it is a lower amount but it will have to do while an appeal is in process.
    I can only hope that I hear from them soon.

    Peace and hope, JJ

    I just applied for SS Disability TODAY!
    I am not supposed to be typing as I got Doxil Thursday, but will briefly. I encourage you to make an appt. w/ your local SS office. I started filling out the online form but was unsure when it came to all the questions about earnings as I am self-employed. I put into the online form that my inability to work started September 2010 when I started Doxil and now can no longer type. The person at the SS office felt my claim should go back to January 10 when I was forced to bring my sons into the business as equal partners so that we could get all the work done (since I was losing so many 'billable hours' at the doctors getting weekly chemo and had so many contractural obligations to meet.) So, because I went in and got assistance at the local office with applying (at no charge!), my benefit start date will be 8 months earlier, potentially giving me $12,000 more than had I filled out the form myself. I would never have been that aggressive in my application myself since I worked up until last month part time.
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #5
    Always Hopeful said:

    Thanks for the info
    Dear Ro,

    Thank you for sharing the process you followed. Since I am a teacher, my docs recommended I apply because of the "germ pool" I would be exposed to each day.

    If I am denied disability, I will locate a lawyer and file an appeal. I am 61 and will apply in January for regular social security which I am entitled to when I turn 62 in April. Of course, it is a lower amount but it will have to do while an appeal is in process.
    I can only hope that I hear from them soon.

    Peace and hope, JJ

    question
    I'm also going to apply for SSD. I will start online app tomorrow.

    My ques: If we apply for retirement social security does that nullify the disability claim???

    My thinking would be - if someone retires, then they don't intend to work so they shouldn't get disability. Don't know if this is how our government thinks. But I think you and I should clarify this before settling for the lower retirement benefits.

    Anyone have any info about this?

    Mary Ann
  • Always Hopeful
    Always Hopeful Member Posts: 234
    #6
    daisy366 said:

    question
    I'm also going to apply for SSD. I will start online app tomorrow.

    My ques: If we apply for retirement social security does that nullify the disability claim???

    My thinking would be - if someone retires, then they don't intend to work so they shouldn't get disability. Don't know if this is how our government thinks. But I think you and I should clarify this before settling for the lower retirement benefits.

    Anyone have any info about this?

    Mary Ann

    Mary Ann & Linda
    I was advised by the rep that assisted me to be sure to file for retirment social security in January or February (allowing for the necessary processing time since I will turn 62 in April), if I hadn't heard from Social Security Disability by then. He explained that the disability claim sometimes takes a long time to process, therefore, if you can't work and are eligible for regular soc.sec., it will at least provide you with some income. Applying for retirement social security, therefore, does not nullify the disability application.

    If you are doing your application online, be sure to input both parts of the application. I somehow missed the 2nd part that provides all the medical/doctor info and received a call from my local social security office advising me about this. I never had to actually go to the local office. After sending the info for both parts, it was reviewed and processed via a phone consultation. The rep gave me suggestions for particular items I was not sure of as if I was sitting at his desk.

    Good luck with your applications!

    Peace and hope, JJ
  • daisy366
    daisy366 Member Posts: 1,458 Member
    #7
    Always Hopeful said:

    Mary Ann & Linda
    I was advised by the rep that assisted me to be sure to file for retirment social security in January or February (allowing for the necessary processing time since I will turn 62 in April), if I hadn't heard from Social Security Disability by then. He explained that the disability claim sometimes takes a long time to process, therefore, if you can't work and are eligible for regular soc.sec., it will at least provide you with some income. Applying for retirement social security, therefore, does not nullify the disability application.

    If you are doing your application online, be sure to input both parts of the application. I somehow missed the 2nd part that provides all the medical/doctor info and received a call from my local social security office advising me about this. I never had to actually go to the local office. After sending the info for both parts, it was reviewed and processed via a phone consultation. The rep gave me suggestions for particular items I was not sure of as if I was sitting at his desk.

    Good luck with your applications!

    Peace and hope, JJ

    thanks JJ
    Good info. Thanks. I will take your suggestions. Good luck Mary Ann

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