Posted 11/18/2015 5:25 AM (GMT 0)
Greg, sorry to hear about your situation. I was an engineer and had worked 20 at a job I was very good at. As time went on though just getting out of bed was more than I could handle. I rarely made it through the day, usually leaving at lunch time to take a nap and frequently not returning.
You need to make sure that your medical record shows the progression of your disease. Especially given you have motor issues. You need to make sure that your record reflects all of your symptoms and the extent to which they prevent you from doing even the normal day to day activities. Fatigue also figures in.
If you eventually file for SocSec Disability you want everything documented even if it is self reports. When determining eligibility, SSA must put equal weight to your reports of your symptoms and abilities by law.
There are two types of benefits. The first is SSDI which is what everyone thinks of. They look at your medical records and determine if you are able to work at ANY job that will make a specific monthly income. When I did this about a decade ago, it was something like $880 a month. It is not your job, its any job. So documenting all your symptoms is important. For example, I could not stand, walk or sit for more than 15min without a break and change in position of at least 20 minutes. That makes it hard to do any job.
To be eligible you must have been unable to work for a period of 12 months or a doctor must state that your condition is not likely to change in 12 months. Timing of the application is important because if you win and you are awarded back benefits, how far back they pay will be dependent on the date of your application.
There is a second type of benefit, SSI that is based on income. I don't know much about it because there is maximum family income limit. My husband makes to much for me to be eligible. I don't know if the 12 month wait period applies to SSI.
I also don't know how collecting unemployment would effect things. I would suggest that if you think you may file for either SSI or SSDI, you make an appointment with a SocSec Disability Lawyer to ask what the process is and what you need to do. You may be able to find one that will answer your questions by paying an hourly rate.
I had a situation where I stopped working and filed for private disability through my employer and they didn't like that so they decided to fire me. It was totally illegal but I did get a settlement out of it. Not much but it helped. I worked with an Employment lawyer and he walked me through the process of what I needed to do for my private disability case. It was invaluable and only cost me $180.
You can also go to the local SSA and ask questions. If you decide to do that (or if decide to file and application), you should call the local office and make an appointment. Otherwise, you have to take a number like in the deli and it can be hours. There are also silly rules about what you can and can't do. No electronics, no food or drink (even a baby bottled), no phone conversations, etc. They will take your number and kick you out and they don't like being questioned.
The important thing is to make sure you continue to see your doctor all through the process. If you aren't seeing a doctor, they will reject your application outright.
Even though it is a federal program, it is the state that makes the disability determination. That means the length of time it takes to process and application is different from state to state. If you do decide to file for disability benefits, don't be surprised if they deny you. They won't tell you why other than to say they have determined that you can make X amount each month. Appeal. They will also deny you a second time. Request a hearing. Make sure you request a copy of your case file and go through it. They basically play games. After the first denial, people drop out because they figure they must not meet the criteria. Actually, they hope you will go away. Each time more people drop out. Eventually, (after requesting a hearing) you should retain a lawyer. They know the law and the judges. If you are approved, the lawyer will get 25% of the award but it is limited. So for me even though my award included more than 3 years of back pay, my lawyer still only received $5300. That was the amount about 10 years ago but it wouldn't be too much more now because there have not been too many Cost of Living adjustments to benefits.
The good thing about this is that you will have time to take care of yourself. When I stopped working, I was sleeping for 18-20 hours a day. I slept for months before I was able to start functioning. I learned to manage my energy and that was the best thing all around.
Sorry to go on and on. It's just that SSA and private disability companies make if very difficult and after spending 5 years of fighting for both, i want to pass on the very hard lessons learned.
Kim