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    go on disability?

    So, I saw a new DR. today and she asked me "why haven't you gone on disability yet? " ..... honestly, I hadn't thought about it really, simply because I figured I would work until either 1). I got fired or 2). I was of legal retirement age(I'm only 28)...... Her point was that I should go on it NOW while I am still working? That doesnt make sense to me?! According to her, I can get disability AND work at the same time? That just doesn't seem accurate..... although, I confess, I don't know much about it. In case your wondering, numbness/tingling, fatigue, spasticity, and "brain fog" are my main symptoms. I am "clumsy", but I still walk on my own.... Until today, I had never thought about it (YET, as I knew I would someday have to)
    any ideas or comments on this?

    #2
    Disability is like porn, I can't define it but I know I got some.
    If you're not ready to quit working, by all means don't. You'll just drive yourself crazy. Basically, you'll know when its time.
    What I would highly advise is to get your ducks in a row now. Disability is not the same as being retired, you'll have to get used to getting by with a lot less even if you're doing part-time. Are you quallified for stuff like SSDI and SSI? There's more to it than a doctor's report. What about health care? What do you need to do now to make sure you're covered later?
    Use this time to pay down or pay off any debts, it helps you in many ways later on. You'll also have to start rethinking a lot of the things you take for granted now.
    It sounds like you have a cool job and a cool boss. Think about them every now and then. Are you hurting them by sticking around? I had to get fired from two temp jobs before I knew it was time.

    Comment


      #3
      You CAN go on disability (if you get approved) and you CAN work while on disability (and only make a certain amount of money without losing your disability payments), but if you feel you can still work, why would you even file? Because some doctor said you should?

      You go with what YOU think you should do, JD. You're the only one who really knows your limitations. Good luck with your decision!
      “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.” Ernest Hemingway
      Diagnosed 1979

      Comment


        #4
        I'm also not the most informed on this topic but my understanding is also that if you haven't worked for many years your payments will be less or some people aren't eligible for payments at all, I think.

        Hopefully someone will write in with how much you could make while still getting your disability but I bet it isn't much. I can't imagine how anyone can afford to live on disability income so it would make more sense to me to continue to work, save money, etc while I could.
        He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
        Anonymous

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          #5
          Jules since it is based on previous income levels it is quite possible to live on SSDI, I lived and worked in NJ for years with a fair income level, I then moved to NC lower cost are and 8 yrs later went on SSDI, I am only getting about 250 a month less than I was making while working and I have no taxes to pay on it and save alot of $ on gas not driving back and forth. I rcv my health from the VA now, but even if I go to medicare it will still be much cheaper than the insurance premium I was paying while working.

          If I am not mistaken there is a page on the SS web site that you can find out how much you will rcv while on it or if you have the sheet they used to send you every year it shows on there also.
          Plan for the future, but not too hard; it’s not your decision anyway

          Comment


            #6
            You are correct, scooter. Google ssa.gov for TONS of info on social security.
            “The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.” Ernest Hemingway
            Diagnosed 1979

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by Scooter24 View Post
              Jules since it is based on previous income levels it is quite possible to live on SSDI, I lived and worked in NJ for years with a fair income level, I then moved to NC lower cost are and 8 yrs later went on SSDI, I am only getting about 250 a month less than I was making while working and I have no taxes to pay on it and save alot of $ on gas not driving back and forth. I rcv my health from the VA now, but even if I go to medicare it will still be much cheaper than the insurance premium I was paying while working.

              If I am not mistaken there is a page on the SS web site that you can find out how much you will rcv while on it or if you have the sheet they used to send you every year it shows on there also.
              Thanks for the link. I'm wondering if you make so much because you are a veteran or you were making a good living prior to being disabled? Seems to me the most I ever hear about anyone making on SSDI is around $1,200 a month.
              He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
              Anonymous

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                #8
                Your social security benefits are based on what you have paid in. In my late 40's I started getting statements that show what I would get monthly if I were disabled, what I would get if I retired at 65, 70 etc. It is not pretty!

                I make a good living, not rich by any means, but SS is about half of what I make and the no insurance for 2 years scares me.
                .
                I can't believe a doctor would tell you to go on disability just because. Getting disability isn't that easy. I work in a high stress job and work about 50 hours a week. I can't see myself going on disability until they have to carry me out the door. Being productive and engaging my brain is what keeps me going!

                Comment


                  #9
                  Jules- Actually the 14 yrs I did in the AF causes me to get less as I was making less than 10K per year. I think I read someware that 1200 per month is average but I know someone locally that gets about 1/3 of what I do. Yes I was making decent money, mostly from commission portion of the job.

                  Being a vet has nothing to do with SSDI at all, I am waiting for decision on Service connected pesion from the VA at the moment as I had sx which were noted in my med records dating back to the late 70s.
                  Plan for the future, but not too hard; it’s not your decision anyway

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by Scooter24 View Post
                    Jules- Actually the 14 yrs I did in the AF causes me to get less as I was making less than 10K per year. I think I read someware that 1200 per month is average but I know someone locally that gets about 1/3 of what I do. Yes I was making decent money, mostly from commission portion of the job.

                    Being a vet has nothing to do with SSDI at all, I am waiting for decision on Service connected pesion from the VA at the moment as I had sx which were noted in my med records dating back to the late 70s.
                    I was thinking you must be service connected because the vets I know that are do have a good disability income but not anyone in the private sector. You probably aren't the norm especially compared to someone young just starting their work career with regard to the amount of income.


                    I'm with Kikiblue, for as long as I can I'm going to work my butt off because I make way more than the pitiful statement I have received estimating what my disability or retirement income would be.
                    He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
                    Anonymous

                    Comment


                      #11
                      There is definitely a benefit calculator on the SS Admin site. Your benefit at retirement is different than your disability benefit so make sure you are looking at the right thing.

                      There is also an age chart that shows you what your eligibility is based on when you "become disabled". It is part of the Recent Work Test requirement. Here's what they say in the chart:

                      In the quarter after you turn age 24 but before the quarter you turn age 31: Work during half the time for the period beginning with the quarter after you turned 21 and ending with the quarter you became disabled.
                      Example: If you become disabled in the quarter you turned age 27, then you would need three years of work out of the six-year period ending with the quarter you became disabled.

                      My neuro has been suggesting I take a medical leave since my dx. At first I thought she was nuts too. In recent months it has become obvious to me that my disease progression is pretty scary and I need to make my health and my family a priority. I have an awesome job and happen to be the major breadwinner in our family, so this is a hard decision. I head back to the Dr. on the 19th and I am going to let her give me that life changing form :-(

                      If you feel like you can keep working and your employer is cool with it, then by all means keep doing your thing!!!
                      Melissa Goerke
                      [I]DX 7/2/10, Copaxone then Avonex, started Ty 9/13/11, JCV+ ended Ty 9/13, started Gilenya 12/13 Blood Pressure skyrocketed, started Tecifdera 4/5/14 - fatigue beyond bearable and symptoms became worse. Rituximab 8/8/14.....waiting for the miracle. I WANT MY TYSABRI BACK!!!

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Scoot, this is what I meant back in the VA forum when I wrote that you should know the answers before you sign any fed. form.
                        I did the VA pension stuff after I was sure that work wasn't going to be an option (unless someone wanted to hire me as a mattress tester).
                        Sad to say, but this Fed stuff is not for the feint of heart. You can survive, but just barely. That means re-thinking where you live, how you buy food, how you buy and use just about everything.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Melissa were you able to figure out how much you will get from disability? Is it enough to support your family?

                          Wishing you all the best. Jules
                          He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
                          Anonymous

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Maximum SSDI, and preparing for the worst

                            If you've been maxing out on FICA payments for 10 or more recent years you'll get roughly $2300 a month. I think the first $18,000 or so is not taxed by the Feds.

                            As others have written it is a lot easier to get SSDI after age 60 with a dx of MS than when you are younger, the SSDI rules are that you get it if you're not capable of working any job, not just your current job.

                            Long Term Disability (LTD) offered through many employers is often tied to being able to perform your current job and in some respects is easier to get but insurers will do their utmost to disqualify you.

                            Keep a written log. Make sure your log and dr's medical records reflect every brain fart, fall, ache, pain, vision issues, walking issues, problems urinating, defecating, etc. Put key information in writing when you see your dr if you see them frequently, if not regularly send a clearly written memo and insist it go into your records. KEEP COPIES. KEEP a written log!

                            If you ever need to get Long Term Disability from corporate insurers you'll need this even if you are bed ridden or spend your waking hours in a wheel chair. I've been there with P********l insurance, needed an agent who knew the ERISA law to get them to pay. I now receive 60% of my previous gross income from P*l and SSDI. My LTD ends when I reach 66.

                            If your employer offers Long Term Care insurance sign up for it as soon as possible. I know it is expensive but I'd rather pay for it and not use it than need it and not get it, especially with the way some rich politicians are going after Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.







                            Originally posted by Scooter24 View Post
                            Jules- Actually the 14 yrs I did in the AF causes me to get less as I was making less than 10K per year. I think I read someware that 1200 per month is average but I know someone locally that gets about 1/3 of what I do. Yes I was making decent money, mostly from commission portion of the job.

                            Being a vet has nothing to do with SSDI at all, I am waiting for decision on Service connected pesion from the VA at the moment as I had sx which were noted in my med records dating back to the late 70s.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Jules,

                              My ssdi would be $1800. Sounds like alot but I live in NJ so that is nowhere near enough money. My mortgage is 2x that :-(

                              Luckily my company has LTD which will pay me 60% of my salary less the $1800 from SS.

                              If you have minor children you get An additional SS benefit equal to half of your benefit until they turn 18.

                              No matter what benefits you will be able to get it is going to require major tightening of the belt. I know there will be no saving for college for my daughter, no retirement saving and we can kiss vacations goodbye :-(

                              Ok I've just totally depressed myself!

                              On the bright side we so not have a terminal disease, just a really sucky one. We have a family friend my age dying from an inoperable brain tumor. She has little kids. I hate to say it, but I feel lucky :-(
                              Melissa Goerke
                              [I]DX 7/2/10, Copaxone then Avonex, started Ty 9/13/11, JCV+ ended Ty 9/13, started Gilenya 12/13 Blood Pressure skyrocketed, started Tecifdera 4/5/14 - fatigue beyond bearable and symptoms became worse. Rituximab 8/8/14.....waiting for the miracle. I WANT MY TYSABRI BACK!!!

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