How does disability work?? | Arthritis Information

Question for you guys...

At my last two appointments (pain dr and rd) the word "disability" was brought up each time. I really don't think I am ready to go there yet...but I know it will happen. The concern now is that we are doing so much to keep me working (multiple sternum injections,nerve blocks, pain meds, pred...and so on..) that I will have much bigger problems down the road. I get that-but I love wrangling my middle schoolers. This is one reason why I did decide to take the Duke referral. Maybe they have some other tricks. I am really struggling right now. I am blessed in the fact that I love working with the older kids. There is no way I could be an elementary school teacher at this point.

Anyway, how does filing for disability really work? Can you not work at all while waiting for approval? If that is the case-how do you pay bills and so on? I just don't get how you are supposed to keep afloat while waiting for the hearing. I admit-I don't have much in savings. It's just my son and me. I own a house-so mortgage would obviously be a big concern. Plus-how does health insurance work? Medicare right? Does that usually cover stuff? I have worked for the school system 10+yrs so I can technically take retirement. Of course, I am only 32-so it wouldn't be much.

I may have asked these questions before-I don't remember. I cried at both appointments cause I am just not ready. Of course, I'll never be ready-nobody is.

Be honest with your answers-if you have a horror story about losing your house or living off ramen noodles-let me know...

No, you can't work while waiting. In some states they're backed up for up to 3 years so I don't know how people survive.

ALWAYS get an attorney, they represent you on contingency, only paid if you are and no more than 25% of your final settlement. MOST people who have an attorney, are truly disabled and have excellent medical records are approved.

I just don't get how you are expected to survive. I guess that is the problem everyone has-huh? Right now, I still get to work most days. As I said before-middle school is one reason why I have been able to keep up. On the really bad days-I can show a movie to each class. Good thing about science-I have some really neat movies to show. Plus, they can do work out of the book. But that gets boring-for them and me. I know I sound like a big old nerd-but I absolutely love teaching bio to my classes. Labs, activities-I feed off the kids energy. I am that strange creature who actually likes going to work. I thought about being a paraprofessional(teacher's aide), but that would be 1/3 my salary and no insurance.

But, even I know that this past year was really rough. Both the pain dr. and the RD feel that it will be the chest wall/sternum inflammation that will cause me to finally quit working. There were a few times this year that I got very dizzy while lecturing. Couldn't get a breath. The entire rib cage just tightens up. I am anti pain meds mainly cause I am scared of them. But this year I have given in and take a percocet in the morning and one in the evening. Pain dr. wants to try something stronger but I don't feel comfortable going to work and being alone with my son if I change to something else. I made a number of accomadations for myself. I really used the kids when it came to setting up labs, reading directions, getting stuff off shelves. Both dr.'s feel that unless we can slow down the progression, things are going to get worse fairly quickly. We just can't find the right med combo to work. I really really hope that the dr.'s at Duke will have another plan-but the wait to get in is about 6 months. Why is everything so hard???rocckyd2009-06-30 13:10:28http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/is-the-social-security-disability-system-fair.html

This is a good sight for info.

Do you have group disability insurance through the school? If yes and you're ready to quit working that may hold you over until your SSDI benefits are approved. I have administered leave of absences in my job and the majority of employees who are out long enough to be eligible for LTD benefits (6 months) seem to have their SSDI benefits approved fairly easily. They also have a rep from the LTD company guide them through the process on their behalf, so that's probably contributing to the timing of approval. That's just my observation, without any personal experiences.

Health Benefits - You'll want to check with Medicare on the timing and if you'd be eligible for Part A and Part B, but if I remember correctly, Medicare has a 29 month waiting period for disabled people (5 months from date of disability and then 24 months from date benefits are payable) Assuming you'll have the option of COBRA when you leave your employment that would last 18 months and if during that time, your disability is approved, you can request an 11- month extension thru COBRA, which will cover you for the 29 months before Medicare can begin.

If you do have group disability thru work, it's possible that your health benefits will continue thru your employer for a period of time before needing to elect COBRA. Check your employee handbook or ask HR about disability coverage, leave of absence and health benefits while on leave.

Tough decision, especially when you love what you do. Maybe down the road when your claim is approved, you can do some volunteering with the school?

Cathy

Rebecca, go talk to a disability attorney, he can answer most of these questions for you. Yes, you do have medicare and that can be limiting unless you have some sort of additional insurane. In my case, I have medicare as my secondary because I have a primary insurance through my DH's work.

It can take years to get approval. With all you have been through and are going through I have no doubt you will get approval...eventually. I had the lady at the SS office tell me flat out that I would be denied three times and then get my hearing. Exactly what happened!

Talk to an attorney, it is free to consult.

Good luck and, as always, you are in my thoughts!

Thanks for your help. It just seems so complicated. Right now I think I am just going to try to keep pushing until the Duke referral. Hopefully, after the surgery in July, I can put off any others for a bit. The jaw surgery took all my sick days last year so every time I was off it was without pay. I missed more last year than I ever have before. I remember one paycheck was 0 for two weeks of teaching. Not good...

Luckily, my administration is very supportive-the vice-principal's wife has RA and sees my RD. It seems that I put more money into teaching by paying copays and non-covered procedures than I actually make! Plus, I am just so tired...

Again, thanks. I will definitely go by the school board office and speak to a HR person. I just want to have all the info necessary before we make any possible medical changes/procedures. Right now I just to be thankful that I have a summer break. I admire those of you that work day in/out without a real break. It's so hard...

ttt Rebecca, don't ask me how to survive. I was struggling so hard to maintain my very parttime job then had to go on unpaid leave since Mar 08 for 2 shoulder surgeries. Suddenly, after 6mo, I found I was eligible to apply for permanent SSD so I did, last Oct. I still don't have it, I'm still unable to hold a job, I'm going to 4 specialists and we have hundreds of dollars in medical expenses monthly. What I do have in my favor is a working husband, though we never could make it on just his income before. Not in my favor, his income has plummeted due to layoffs and the recent years' economy so with mine being gone and medical expenses up, we are going bankrupt and losing our home. What I do have is him and 9 months gone of the lengthy process. I would be homeless without DL, just kidding, my wonderful sister would convert her family room into a place for me. I just don't know what to tell you. It was so scary on the days I was scheduled even to stay home on-call. And when I went in, it was really hard then I'd sleep 12-18hrs straight and feel awful for another 1-2days. Shoulder surgery may have saved me in the end. Life is harder because of finances, but at least I'm not terrified of being unable to do the job well without pain, utter fatigue and brain fog. It's a miracle I never made a medical or legal mistake(forensic nurse) and even went above and beyond as compensation for fear of it.

I agree the best action for you is to find a good disability lawyer. His pay will come out of your retroactive check and that's only if you get approved. Good luck.

...

Making sure becca sees this