I have lost my job due to my inability to keep up. Now I will be attempting to file for disability.

GetItOut
GetItOut Member Posts: 10
edited May 2020 in General Cancer
I know I read on here a while back someone posted about going through this. Can anyone here tell me factual information about if we can get it, and what is required? Are there any people here that are in the legal field in their day job? I was going to go to the SS office and just start the process, I called and they told me I couldn't even get an appointment to come in until the end of May! I may not need it by then!!

Does anyone have any experience with it?

Comments

  • po18guy
    po18guy Member Posts: 329
    edited May 2020
    Easy to file online. Once you check the "Cancer" box, they will expedite your claim. It will help if you have some documentation as to ongoing treatment or treatment-related disability from your doctor. If you have any other disabilities, such as permanent partial disability from surgeries, worker's comp claims etc., throw them all in.

    If you were ever declared NED (No Evidence of Disease) but later relapsed, that also makes a difference. If you encounter difficulty or are rejected, there are numerous law firms that argue with Social Security on a daily basis. Usually, they are next door or across the street from your local SS office.
  • GregP_WN
    GregP_WN Member Posts: 742
    edited May 2020
    I am in that boat too. I have made that first call before my surgery in January. It was already looking like a nightmare, so I guess I'll have to dive into it again.
  • cllinda
    cllinda Member Posts: 153
    edited May 2020
    It took me over 2 and a half years to get social security disability. And I had to hire a lawyer. But the good news is that I got paid a lump sum from my original file date.
    I think it's terrible that you have to jump through so many hoops when you are sick and trying to get what you paid into.
    But it also depends on what stage and kind of cancer. My brother had lung cancer and got his within a month or so.
  • LiveWithCancer
    LiveWithCancer Member Posts: 470
    edited May 2020
    It took me no time at all. I have stage IV lung cancer. I got my doctor to complete the pages he needed to complete, I completed the pages I needed to complete, and I went to the SS office - just to be sure I had done everything correctly. I was still working at the time. The agent tried to get SS to pay me for the time when I was still working. Needless to say, that rightfully was turned down, but benefits for after I quit working were approved right away.

    I don't understand your comment where you say you might not even need it by May. This is not a short-term thing. If I remember correctly, I had to wait 3 months after the time I quit working to begin receiving a check.

    Here's hoping that you won't still need it by the end of May!!! That will mean you're back to on your feet, I suppose. (Have you thought of filing for unemployment? That might be a better way to go if you only need help for the short-term.)
  • LiveWithCancer
    LiveWithCancer Member Posts: 470
    edited May 2020
    My husband had a series of health-related disabilities from his service in Vietnam. He was denied benefits at first and we, too, hired an attorney. When he was approved, like cllinda, we received a lump sum payment for the time the benefit was being disputed.
  • BoiseB
    BoiseB Member Posts: 225
    edited May 2020
    Both my son and my brother are advocacy lawyers. One thing you need to know is that in most areas it is the policy of the SS department to deny all claims. There are agencies that will give free advice. Usually these are lawyers who work pro bono,ie. they are volunteers I don't know where you live but in some areas there are groups that advocate especially for cancer survivors. While you are waiting for your appointment get all your papers together. Get your personnel file back 5 years most importantly your exit interview. Next get ALL your medical records together. While you are waiting look into some other help for your basic needs. My son volunteers for the housing justice project he is working very hard to get rent relief and he has been quite successful If you are a member of a church or even if you are not go to the nearby churches for help with your basic needs .
  • andreacha
    andreacha Member Posts: 196
    I consider myself very fortunate. I was discharged from Hospital on 12/11/06 after 10 weeks in hospital. I spoke to social security and they set up a interview time to be held on the phone the second week in January. By Dec. 28th I was already back in Atlanta not doing well at all. My niece from TN was here and said she would handle the telephone interview if I wasn't home yet - and I wasn't. She took the call and explained her relationship to me, the fact that she was my POA, Executer, and was listed as the go to person on my Health Directive. She at that time, had been an RN for 30 years and coordinated and consulted with all my doctors on a daily basis. The woman agreed and I don't think it took very long for her to affirm that my niece was indeed an RN. Because of her I was approved the first time. It would have been different had she not been here. Some people get rejected 3 and 4 times. Yes, you get your retroactive monies but it's tough to get by while waiting,

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