Jun 1, 2011 06:17PM - edited Jun 1, 2011 06:19PM by AnneWisc

Please ask for an appointment with your hospital social worker, or your state or county human services office.  Most localities have stopgap coverage that would kick in before SSDI does. Also, knowing the ropes for SSDI makes a huge difference, vs. going it alone (even with attorney).

If you are sitting on a big bank account, many of these programs expect you to "spend it down" before you draw any support, but they don't normally force you to lose your car or housing.  

You may also want to canvass your family/friend network to see what assistance, if any, you could count on there.  I don't mean in terms of financial handouts but rather a place to live, rides, and so on. 

I would hate to see you stressed unduly by these worries.  The "social safety net" is not what it used to be, but I think your fears may be feeding themselves due to lack of information.  

Jun 1, 2011 08:02PM Chickadee wrote:

You don't have to be out of work for 6 months to get approved, but sadly, you still have to wait 6 months to start receiving benefits.  Your approval is expedited due to the Stage IV diagnosis but the checks still don't start for 6 months.  Below is a copy/paste from the SS website.....maybe there is a different definition of "the date we find that your disability began", but my understanding and what is true in my case is that it is the last day I worked.  I don't think you have to wait to that day to apply but it will figure into when your checks begin.   I agree with Anne, you would be doing yourself a favor to talk directly to SS.  However, I have enough experience with them to find that they often give out bad information and I always back it up with lots of reading and research, on their website and on other disability sites.  I've been through this process twice now, once with my disabled son and now for myself.

Here is what is on the SS website:

If your application is approved, your first Social Security benefit will be paid for the sixth full month after the date we find that your disability began.

For example, if your disability began on June 15, 2010, your first benefit would be paid for the month of December 2010, the sixth full month of disability.

Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they're due. This means that the benefit due for December would be paid to you in January 2011, and so on.

Jun 1, 2011 09:26PM Chickadee wrote:

It's not approval that takes 6 months, it's the arrival of the first check.  My approval took only about 5 weeks from online application.  

Don't know how the 6 months was determined, whether procedural or legislative.  You could also review the SSI program that provides benefits based on low income.  I've never looked at the process of qualifying for that one but it might be a bridge of sorts given the loss of income while applying for SSDI.  SSI is administered by the states and also qualifies you for Medicaid, but I don't know the time frame for approval and check disbursement. 

I can understand the frustration but I also understand the need to make the program requirements stringent to try to ensure that limited Social Security funds go to those most deserving.

Your bio says that as of now you are Stage IIA.  Small comfort but at least you aren't IV and I pray you never reach this scary place.  Of course none of us wants to be any Stage, but you are wise to start asking these questions and looking for all the probabilities that might occur.  If your employer is large enough, start looking at all the possible benefits from work and then start researching any state and local programs as well as Cancer organzations that may be able to help bridge the gap.   I agree, those 6 months can be devastating financially for many of us.

I'm already retired and living off savings so the SSDI will help me stretch those savings out longer........and I hope for longer.

Jun 2, 2011 02:36AM hopeful34 wrote:

Just out of curiousity.....when you ladies have to wait six months, do they give you a check for 6 months, or do you only get a normal monthly check when the grace period is over?  Sorry if that sounds confusing.

Jun 2, 2011 09:40AM Chickadee wrote:

I had stopped working and two months later got my progression report which turned my world upside down.  That's when I applied.  I've been a temp worker when I can for the last 2 years, so technically I'm still employed, but I won't seek or accept any work until I see where this progression is going.  It just made sense for me to secure the benefits now in case this beast decides to take me to the mat.