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PCa and Social Security ?

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Posted 9/19/2019 6:03 PM (GMT 0)
Just coming up on age 62 and with my Dx and impending Tx I’m considering retirement. I was told to file three months early but then someone told me with the big “C” you can get SSDI which provides Medicare and full SS benefit as if I’d retired at 67. That said, I’m wondering if any of you have experience with this? I’ve heard SSDI can take years to get and I’m lucky if I have years much less the energy to fight for years. Money isn’t my highest priority and I’ve always worked for anything I’ve earned but if there are benefits I’d qualify for why not ask? I’ll be paying $800/mo for individual health insurance for the next three years until I’m Medicare eligible otherwise. Would like to hear from anyone with knowledge or experience with this.
Posted 9/19/2019 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
SSDI is very difficult to get as it requires one to be totally and permanently disabled or expected to die within one year. If you are and have been working, then clearly you do not meet the requirements.

The Compassionate Allowance section provides that for people certain very serious conditions, their applications go to the front of the line in the application process. For PCa it basically requires one to be significantly metastatic, which you do not appear to be. Qualification formCompassionate Allowance does not guarantee benefits as you must prove you are unable to work.

Medicare is only granted once you have been on SSDI for two years.

In your case the decision to retire and begin SS retirement benefits is yours to consider and make. But, based on your signature, your PCa does not have any bearing on your benefits. You can collect SS retirement and accept the limitations it imposes on earned income until you reach Full Retirement Age. Regarding Medicare, you will become eligible at age 65.

Electing SS retirement benefits is done within 90 days of commencement of the benefits and then the payment is the next month. So if you are within 90 days of turning 62 and you want the benefits to start at 62, then you can apply now. If you want to start the benefits on 1-1-2020, then you would not make application until October 2019. Remember that once you start the benefit you will be limited to the amount of earned income you can receive before it starts reducing your SS retirement benefit. Consider that very carefully before you enroll. I always encourage my clients to visit their SS office to get all the specifics and often accompany them. Don’t rely on me or any other non-expert, like the one that said cancer qualifies for SSDI. Go directly to the expert source at Social Security.
Posted 9/19/2019 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks JNF. That is extremely helpful information and very much appreciated. It sounded way to easy if that were true and obviously there’s a lot to it. I’m not sure how much longer I will chose to work but my retirement is secured and I can go at anytime I chose. Choice versus cannot work, two very different things. Again, thanks for the very thorough response.
Posted 9/19/2019 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
You are welcome and glad you are in good shape to retire.
Posted 9/20/2019 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
JNF is correct in that "cancer" does not qualify you for SSDI.

PCa does, when there are relapses (I think 3 is the starting point), and you are no longer able to work.
I applied, since I went through 4 cycles by the time I could hope to afford not working. With the compassionate allowance, I was put in SS disability after 6 months waiting. The normal is two years, I think. And no, there is no retroactive payment.

There had to be many visits, letters, and forms prepared by my doctors / oncologists, and hundreds of pages of medical records sent off by them. And the fact that I was strongly invited to retire for inability to do any job by my employer (which they admitted) helped greatly. If I had just decided to retire on my own, the decision would have been less certain.

But I still had to pay COBRA insurance until I turned 65. That was the biggest reason I stayed as long as I did, even though I already at least partially qualified for SSDI. The company insurance was very good and reasonable.
Posted 9/20/2019 11:13 AM (GMT 0)

JNF said...
SSDI is very difficult to get as it requires one to be totally and permanently disabled or expected to die within one year. If you are and have been working, then clearly you do not meet the requirements..

I have 2 questions...

1). If one must be permanently disabled in order to qualify for SSDI, why does SS provide paths for getting back to work once on SSDI?

2). If one must be permanently disabled in order to qualify for SSDI, why does SS require periodic updates on one’s condition once they are on SSDI?

Thanks
Posted 9/20/2019 11:53 AM (GMT 0)
The descriptors and definitions in Social Security are not, nor can they be, absolutes. One might be in a condition that meets the definition of total and permanent disability and through new treatment breakthroughs or act of God make a recovery such that they can return to work. This happens often after physical injury disabilities where people recover to the point they return to gainful employment and the SSDI payments and/or other disability payments will stop. Thus there has to be allowances in the statute and regulations for such eventualities. Most all people inherently want to improve and recovery from illness and injury. Most people would rather be employed than not. Active rather than sedentary. All disability insurance and benefits plans have programs that can be used where appropriate to aid the person in recovering and returning to gainful employment. This is good for the person, financially responsible and positive for society.

Regarding the frequent reassessment this has always been in all disability insurance and benefit plans whether commercial, employer sponsored, union or governmental. Conditions change, people recover, the situation becomes not as bad as first assessed, and a few people lie cheat steal and malinger. All of these are necessary in any risk management program to ensure proper benefits payments are made to those who qualify and to exercise proper financial management so the benefits program stay solvent.
Posted 9/20/2019 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
True that you must be on SSDI for 2 years before being put on Medicare. Cancer should qualify you for SSDI I believe. https://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/13.00-NeoplasticDiseases-Malignant-Adult.htm#13_24. I remember seeing something about it in their description of qualifying ailments. You do not have to be permanently disabled to receive SSDI. I went on with a heart problem and bad knees. It took me about 2 months of my time gathering everything for the adjudicator. My cancer came 8 years later. I also hired one of those package lawyers to handle things. You know the ones who don’t get paid unless you win your case. Give one of them a call to explore. One other plus for you is your age. The closer you are to full retirement age, the easier it is to get accepted on SSDI. I was 58 and a friend was 57 when she was approved for migraines. I’m just giving you my experience. YMMV. If you stay on top of your doctors for paperwork , even with a lawyer, the SS office loves it. I stayed on top of mine and gathered whatever they needed as soon as they requested it. Made their job easier and my approval quicker.
Island time is correct. There are programs designed to get you back to work if you are capable, so you don’t need to be permanently disabled. They also say they will do periodic check to make sure you are still disabled, although I never had one done.
Good luck
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