ssi/disability...Losing my job | Arthritis Information

Hey all!
I could use some help here from people that have been through a similar experience.
My RA is and never has been under control. I have failed enbrel, remicaid and the newest actemra. Although I have missed a lot of work over the last 6 years and had to cut my hours, I have been able to keep my job until recently.
Now, my employer is going to be letting me go and I understand where the are coming from. They do want to help me but don't know what to do. The options right now are:
1) Family Medical Leave -- no pay but I would have insurance for 12 weeks
2) Lay me off
3) Fire me

I don't think family medical leave is going to be an option because I need some type of income and at this point really don't see myself being employable.

Regarding disability...If my papers say laid off, would they deny me because it's basically saying I'm employable?

Is it best to fire me because I cannot complete my daily tasks and am not reliable? How exactly would be the best way to word that not only to help me but keep my employer out of trouble?

Bah...I hope you can make sense of what I'm asking and hope someone can give me some insight.

Thanks in advance....Peace ~~ Neasyoh my goodness, Neasy..

I have no advice and have no experience with disability..

but, I see this and think that it could be any one of us... I am so sorry that you're having so much trouble.. and I will keep good thoughts flowing toward you for a good outcome of this situatiion by whatever you choose..

Neasy, I am sorry it has come to this point, because I know exactly how bad it feels. You should check out temporary disability insurance in your state if your doctor says you are unable to work. In NJ, you can take family medical leave simultaneously with temporary disability, so you would keep your insurance and get some pay, although not your full amount. If they lay you off or fire you, I don't think it is saying you are able to work...only your doctor can say that, not your employer.

However between the two...if you think you will be able to work again soon, then lay off would be better sounding for future employers. But if you will not be able to work for some time, and I am sorry to say that's what it sounds like (or maybe I'm basing it on how I thought I'd be better soon, and that was 2.5 years ago), it may be better if they fire you for being unable to complete tasks due to illness. I would think this would help support any disability claim you file.

BTW, you said you cut your hours...for anyone reading, temporary disability bases your pay on your hours in recent months, so it is better not to cut your hours if you can avoid it.

The way it went for me is that I got to the point of being absent and late frequently and couldn't get everything done. I went on temp disability/medical leave which got extended several times to the max amount of time (26 weeks in NJ). After that I filed a claim with my private disability insurer (if any of you ever have a chance to get long term disability insurance through your employer, grab it!!) and with Social Security Disability. My private insurer has been paying me monthly and my employer covered my health insurance during this period with me just paying the regular contribution rate. Just last month it went to COBRA and (after 2 years) Social Security finally approved me for Disability and Medicare. I am still trying different meds (getting 3rd dose of Actemra on Friday), but so far, my RA's not under control.

Neasy, I hope you get more advice here (as I'm no expert, just speaking from my experience) and take a look into what's available where you live. If you have the option for temporary disability, I think that sounds like the best choice in your situation.

babs10 thank you for your kind words.

InnerGlow thank you so much for your input from your own experience. There is no short term disability through my employer as AFLAC stated my RA would be pre-existing so I didn't get it. I do agree that if ANY of have that option through your employer "GRAB IT". I have spent many years being hard headed and believing that I would get better.

It sounds like the best thing at this point would be to be fired so that I can collect unemployment and start the disability process. I am so scared right now it's not even funny. I am trying to stay strong and take one thing at a time but I feel like this damn disease is bringing my world crashing down and I'm spinning out of control.

InnerGlow I wish you well with the Actemra & I really hope it works for you. I was so excited about it when it was approved here in the states. From what I've heard if it works, it works very well.

I hope I am making some sort of sense here...I'm beyond stressed out and am having a hard time thinking straight or being positive about this situation. Part of me wants to kick this disease in the ass and the other part of me wants to take every pain pill I have and go to sleep permanently. I'm sorry...just trying to get it out.Maybe there is an advocacy group or some organization in your state that can advise you. If you call Social Security they might at least be able to point you in the right direction. take the fmla before they fire you...12 more weeks of insurance is important..it also buys you time to figure out your next move.

I will admit that like you I was convinced that there was no way Social Security would ever say I was disabled but when I finally applied after having RA for 20+ years and 7 joint replacements I was approved in 62 days. Now I understand that is not the norm but the one thing I learned from the process is that it pays to have all your ducks in a row..starting with your doctor..talk to him

SSDI does not help you out immediately. You have to decide which is the most important to you, insurance for 12 more weeks which FMLA will give you or an almost immediate income, which filing for unemployment compensation will give you. You circumstances will determine which way you should go.
Ann

FMLA does not guarantee incomes. I took a month off using FMLA but it was without pay. I had used all my sick days(teacher).