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Social Security & Disability
Is it for me?
Is it for me?
Did
you know that arthritis and
musculoskeletal disorders are the leading cause of work-related
disability among persons 18-64 years of age? Pretty scary fact for those
of us with arthritis. So, should we start planning our retirement? Naw,
with some careful planning, the right attitude and a little bit of luck
you may have many more years of employment.
I
am a firm believer in working as long as possible, without creating
further health problems. There are many benefits to being employed.
Obviously, income is at the tops of that list, but self esteem, and the
social aspects are equally important to our well-being.
But,
as much as we may want to continue working there may come a time when
that is no longer possible. It is very important that you do not view
this as failure. You havent failed at anything. You are simply
gaining another weapon in the fight against arthritis. What happens
then? We begin the sometimes difficult task of applying for Social
Security Disability Insurance. The government of the United States will
financially compensate disabled people.
According
to the government a person is disabled only if his physical or mental impairment or combination of
impairments are of such severity that he is not only unable to do his
previous work but cannot, considering his age, education and work
experience, engage in any other kind of substantial gainful work which
exists in the national economy, regardless of whether such work exists
in the immediate area in which he lives, or whether a specific job
vacancy exists for him or whether he would be hired if he applied for
work".
Notice
any kind of work. Not just the
type of work you are used to doing, or the type of work you are trained
to do, but any kind of work. Payments may range from one dollar to $1350
per month, and are based on the amount of money you have paid in during
your entire work history.
A
monitor guard is a person who sits in a room full of TV screens at a
retail store and watches for shop lifters, etc. Now a person could be
missing both legs and one arm and still do this job. It consists of
being alert and watching TV screens and dialing a phone when something
suspicious happens. No one cares if the person sits, stands or leans on
the wall. Just as long as the person can be alert for an 8 hour shift
with regular breaks is all that matters. If you can do this job you are
NOT disabled under the Social Security Regulations.
Yikes!
Why bother filing when anybody can do that job? Think about it. Can you
really do any job, even that one, for 8 hours? Many of us with
inflammatory arthritis cannot do anything for more than an hour or so.
After that hour we need to lie down. Obviously most people cannot lie
down on the job.
In
order to qualify for SSDI you must have worked and paid into the system.
In most cases employment of five years out of the last ten is required.
If you are unsure if you meet the work requirements contact your local
SSA District Office to request your earnings records. Or request one
online at https://s00dace.ssa.gov/pro/batch-pebes/bp-7004home.shtml.
I was pleasantly surprised to find I qualify for a substancial monthly
payment if I ever decide I can no longer work. I had assumed since I
worked part time most of my adult life that even if I did have enough
time in it wouldnt amount to much.
Before
you begin the process of filing for SSDI, learn about the process. Get the information straight from the horses mouth. Go to http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/ssa-hbk.htm
and read the SSA Handbook. Many of your questions will be answered.
Now
youre ready to start the fight. Be warned, it is sometimes a long and
frustrating process. Stick to it and dont get discouraged! Tomorrow
well talk about the steps of the filing procedure.
Sources:
Arthritis and Rheumatism, Volume 39, Number 1, January 1996,
BARRIERS TO RETURN TO WORK AMONG PERSONS UNEMPLOYED DUE TO ARTHRITIS AND
MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS, KARIN V.
STRAATON, RICHARD MAISIAK, J. MICHAEL WRIGLEY, MARY B. WHITE,
PHILIP JOHNSON & PHILIP R. FINE
Social Security Administrations Website
SSDisability.net,
Charles Ryan, Attorney
at Law
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