HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Social Security Disability

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/26/2013 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
Guys,

I haven't applied for SS yet but I'm thinking about it. I've already returned to the work force after two great careers, but now that I've been diagnosised with Pca, I'm thinking its time to kick back and enjoy whatever life I have remaining.  Is it worth applying for SS Disability Benefits or just filing for regular SS benefits?  I'm sure I'm not the only Pca patient thinking of retirement after surgery.

I appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.

Berk

Posted 11/26/2013 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
You are already old enough for early Social Security, so they will never approve you for SSD. My SSD was approved back till when I was 56. I am 61 currently, on 100% Social Security Disability. Next July, on my 62nd birthday, my SSD will automatically convert to regular early SS. That's how the system works.

And, for the most part, men with PC rarely get approval for SSD because they have PC. Using me as an example, I was approved, not because I have PC, but because of all the damage that was done to my body in the name of PC treatments, treatments that were flawed and left me physically disabled and unable to work.

Plus you mention returning to work. If you are able to work, then you would have zero chance of getting disability regardless.

Sounds like you should consider taking early SS, or at worse, wait till you are 65 and take full SS. It's a trade off, each retiring person has to make. For some, it makes more sense to retire at 62, because in many cases, a person doesn't live long enough to the extra money of the later retirement to outdo the lesser money from retiring earlier.

Good luck to you.

David in SC
Posted 11/26/2013 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Dave for your thoughts. I won't waste my time looking into SSD benefits.
Berk
Posted 11/26/2013 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
SSD requires that you be unable to do any paid job (and don't get caught at a volunteer job that requires any physical effort). I had those discussions with an attorney. If you qualify to stand in a door as a Greeter at WallyWorld, you'll have a very hard time getting SSD. And as David noted, it converts to standard SS ($ amount rules are different).
Posted 11/27/2013 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
I have a question about this also. My dad filled for regular ss which they said he would be granted due to stage 4. He would receive his first check in 5 months but no medical till year 2016. He has no insurance so how is this going to work as far as medical bills?
Posted 11/27/2013 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
Dotson,

I assume 2016 is when your dad turns 65. If so, this is the minimum age for receiving medicare coverage. In the meantime he will need to buy medical insurance. Fortunately the ACA is rolling out in January - despite the messiness of the government web site etc. Your dad needs to register for coverage under the ACA. As part of the new law, he can't be denied coverage for a pre-existing condition. Depending on his income, he may qualify for a subsidized rate that could reduce his out-of-pocket insurance payments.

Also, is your dad a veteran? If so he may be eligible for medical care under the V.A.
Posted 11/27/2013 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
State Disability may be available if your doctor certifies you are temporarily unable to work.
Posted 11/27/2013 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
Dotson - you need to check with the state your in. There must be a disability program or medicaid (medical in California) that could help cover the gap.
Posted 11/27/2013 5:23 AM (GMT 0)
For whatever it's worth, I was approved for SSD at the age of 60 and received my first check at the age of 61. This all happened after a year and a half of applying, getting repeatedly denied, finally hiring a lawyer, etc.

Upon my initial interview, my lawyer told me that I WAS disabled (very significant arthritis in most of my joints from head to toe) and represented me at a hearing -- which I won.

So, depending on your overall health situation, it might still be possible to win SSD even if you are nearing regular SS age. The nice thing about it is that the clock begins ticking the day you first apply. Even if it is a couple years later before you are awarded SSD, you would receive a retroactive check to cover your benefits all the way back to day one.

I don't know if PC, by itself, would be enough to qualify for SSD, but it might still be worth looking into.

Good luck!
Chuck

Resident of Highland, Indiana just outside of Chicago, IL.
July 2011 local PSA lab reading 6.41 (from 4.1 in 2009). Mayo Clinic PSA Sept. 2011 was 5.7.
Local urologist DRE revealed significant BPH, but no lumps.
PCa Dx Aug. 2011 at age of 61.
Biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma in 3 of 20 cores (one 5%, two 20%). T2C.
Gleason score 3+3=6.
CT of abdomen, bone scan both negative.
DaVinci prostatectomy 11/1/11 at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), nerve sparing, age 62.
My surgeon was Dr. Matthew Tollefson, who I highly recommend.
Final pathology shows tumor confined to prostate.
5 lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, extraprostatic soft tissue all negative.
1.0 x 0.6 x 0.6 cm mass involving right posterior inferior,
right posterior apex & left mid posterior prostate.
Right posterior apex margin involved by tumor over a 0.2 cm length, doctor says this is insignificant.
Pathology showed Gleason 3 + 3, pT2c, N0, MX, R1
adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
Prostate 98.3 grams, tumor 2 grams. Prostate size 5.0 x 4.7 x 4.5 cm.
Abdominal drain removed the morning after surgery.
Catheter out in 7 days. No incontinence, occasional minor dripping.
Post-op exams 2/13/12, 9/10/12, 9/9/13 PSA <0.1. PSA tests now annual.
Semi-firm erections now happening 14 months post-op & VERY slowly getting a bit stronger.
Posted 11/27/2013 5:29 AM (GMT 0)
Good point, Chuck, but Berk is already 63, so he's too old to apply for SSD, but old enough to take early SS.

David
Posted 11/27/2013 12:43 PM (GMT 0)
Excellent points Chuck. Thx.
Posted 11/27/2013 12:54 PM (GMT 0)
My dad is 48, they told us he would have medical in 2016 I'm trying to get him to go for disability as he really can't work due to bone mets everywhere, shoulders, spine, pelvic. I wouldn't think he would be denied. He is still trying to figure it out. He had thought she told us he couldn't receive both but after some research I seen he can and that's what I took out of the convo that she was telling us to do, file for both. I worry about him, we are two months in to diagnoses , he seems to still be in a fog with everything. I go every where with him so I can listen and take notes.
Posted 11/27/2013 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
Berk,

I have been looking into this as well. I went to the SS Admin website to see what conditions qualify as disability. Prostate cancer that has become hormone refractory is a qualifying condition. It noted that I would need to bring in a scan that showed metastasis. I am considering doing this and from what I read it appears that you will receive full benefit on disability even if under age 66. (From your age I assume you will be in the notch as am I at age 64) I have not been to the offices yet nor talked to anyone there. All I have is the website information.

There is a bit about ability to work. This is where it may get tricky. As I understand it you must be able to do the work you have been doing. In my case that is engineering in a manufacturing environment. Not terribly physical but mentally demanding. If you are unable to do the work due to physical or mental requirements and any diminishing capacity due to treatments you may have a shot. I am waiting on some further test before pursuing.

Best to you,

Don

Posted 11/27/2013 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Berk, I am 57 and after surgery I found my path report to tell me the trip isn't over yet so I added my CAD and a bad back history and thought I'd try for SSD. That was in September- I got my first payment this month on the 20th. I worked what feels like for ever and now my body says no more. I was likewise updated to stage 3. My local SS office was very helpful in telling me just about any stage 4 will be approved and us stage 3's are a good 75%, My other additions put me right in. Good luck.
Posted 11/27/2013 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
To clarify, you can apply for Social Security Disability up until your "Full Retirement Age" which for many of us "boomers" is age 66. You can apply for Retirement as early as age 62, but the Disability benefit is better. If you are on disability when you reach full retirement age, the benetfit automatically changes to the retirement benefit. In either event Medicare starts at age 65 regardles of your social security status.
Posted 11/28/2013 12:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bert,

I started drawing SS at age 62 (DOB: Oct. 28, 1950). I was DX Oct. 1 last year with Advance Prostate Cancer with Mets from my right skull down to my knees/toes, Stage 4 and my medical insurance advisor suggested I apply for SSD. Oct. 15th, last year, I did and was denied a few months later (I re-applied). March of this year, I was approved and a couple months ago, was given a retroactive check for a little over $2,000.00. I received my first SSD check in September, yesterday, I received my 2nd SSD check. On SSD, my check was about $420.00 more a month). I DID NOT get a lawyer as I felt like I had so many medical issues. I've been paying uncle Sam since I was 16 years old and now I'm 63.

A few weeks ago, I was told by an outside firm that works for the SSA, that in the state of TN, you have to wait 24 months before you can get on Medicare after being on SSD. However, in some cases, SSA will approve you for Medicare. She told me to apply. Being on SSD, I can also make up to $750.00 per month and I can go over that amount for up to 7 months in a 24 month period. There is more to this, but I forgot and would have to find where I wrote it down. The past two months, I've only earned around $200.00 working at the funeral home as I've had a lot going on with my PCa. I even went to the TN DOV and received a Handicap sticker (only use it when I'm having problems walking a long distance). I have not and will never take advance of the system and sometimes feel as though I don't deserve the little amount of SSD extra amount I receive!

You need to call the SSA and they will help you with all the paper work.

Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Dave in Bartlett, TN
Posted 11/28/2013 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Dave for your comments. My DOB is 10/01/50. I'm waiting to see how far my Pca has spread before applying for benefits. If I have a low PSA, I may go back to work.

Thanks again for your help........Berk
Posted 11/28/2013 6:37 PM (GMT 0)
Heres the qualifications for PC and disability...

•Prostate cancer that progresses despite hormonal treatment.
•Prostate cancer that recurs despite hormonal treatment.
•Prostate cancer that has metastasized to other internal organs.


I fell into all 3 groups and was approved and received my back pay and first check 3 weeks after I started the process.....pretty quick but I hired a lawyer before I even applied myself. They just asked for my Drs names and numbers and that was it.

Also since I have Bone mets I have back pain....Pretty much take narcotics everyday for pain relief and not all jobs like you being on narcotics while working.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply