May 26, 2011 10:28PM txstardust wrote:

If you are referring to Social Security disability, Medicare is provided once the person has been on disability for two years.  Depending on how much the person receives in disability payments, they may qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) if the payments are below a certain dollar amount.  At that point, they would also be eligible for Medicaid.

The way she was let go from her job is awful!  I don't know how employers like that can sleep at night.  

Good luck to your friend.  She has a good friend in you! 

May 27, 2011 06:11AM Medigal wrote:

Ladies:  Thanks for the info.  My relative, unfortunately, kept her medical problems and her pain from her employer because she feared she might lose her job.  We also live in a state which allows firing and hiring "At Will".  An employer does not have to give a reason to fire someone for any thing.  She is considering Social Security Disability because she is desperate for keeping her medical coverage. She can go on COBRA for the longest period but we are concerned about it taking 2 years for Medicare to start.  She may run out of COBRA before she can get approved for SSDI and gets on Medicare.  We have to find out what she can use in between since she needs a lot of daily medications which are expensive.  This is breaking our hearts and hers because she made the highest sales for the store and was outstanding in her job even when she was in intense pain.  The reasons they have come up with for firing her are so ridiculous that they make no sense!  She was too happy about getting a day off!  Sure, so she could rest and take her pain meds without being on her feet all day!  Who, in pain, wouldn't be happy on their days off?  That company is just like most others.  Employees are "resources" for them to make money and not real people to them.  I just pray we can help her get on the disability with the help of a lawyer and she  won't have to work under such conditions ever again.  Thank you again for your advice.

May 31, 2011 05:06PM Chickadee wrote:

If she is able she should contact Social Security for an interview to explore exactly what she might be entitled to.  She should also be looking at any state/county programs locally and contact the unemployment office as well for programs that might help sooner.

You have to wait 6 months from your last day of work for SSDI benefits to start if approved in that time frame.  If she doesn't have a clear cut case it could take longer to recieve those benefits due to denials and appeals.  She needs help now.

May 31, 2011 05:20PM - edited May 31, 2011 05:22PM by Chickadee

Benefit payments will not start until 6 months from the last day of employment.  I believe you can apply while working but if you are still working you might be denied because of it.  My last day of work was January 31.   I didn't apply right away until my scans came back with progression, that's when I applied online.

My first payment won't be until Aug 3.  I'm fortunate to be covered by my husband's insurance and have savings to tide me over.

On edit: I was initially told approval might take 4-5 months because they are backed up.  I called my state disability determination office to follow up to ensure that my application being Stage IV would get expedited.  It was.  If you aren't Stage IV it may drag on.

Jun 1, 2011 12:29PM Chickadee wrote:

I don't make the rules, but I would imagine that state unemployment benefits would be one possibility for bridging the gap.   

SSDI is difficult to qualify for and requires lots of documentation.  From talking to SS reps, there are lots of fraudulent claims, and that makes it more of a maze for those of us for whom it becomes a necessity.  Thumbs down to all the deadbeats who try to game the system.