Re: kathi-IL

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathi,

I just had one question. When I was approved for my employer disability and

then when I went to see my attorney they both said that any SSI that I was

awarded would have to be paid back to the disability company and then if my

SSI payments were less than what my disability was paying, then and only then

would they be making up the difference. Has anyone else had this type of

situation? So I guess in my situation, I cannot collect on both or if I do,

it means that SSI is paying a lot less than I thought. I guess the only way

that applying for SSI is going to be beneficial to me is for my 2 daughters

and the opportunity to get Medicare benefits after the 2 year waiting period.

Is this unique to Florida or my former employer's disability policy? My

attorney didn't bat an eyelash when she was explaining this to me. The only

plus thing that she said is that in actuality, if and when approved for SSI,

my disability insurance would be actually paying the attorney fees. I still

haven't figured that one out yet completely. I guess it must be some

fibro-fog or just ditzy me.

Any information or feedback would be appreciated.

Gentle, tender, angel hugs,

Debs in FL

[Guest guest]

there was an article in our paper about this last week. it says public

disability payments that may effect your ss benefit are those paid under a

federal, state or local government law or plans that pays for conditions that

are not work related. however ss benefits are not reduced when the person is

recieving federal, state or local government benefits for work that was

covered by social security, private pensions, or insurance benefits or

veterens or supplemental security income benefits. but this is for ssd. ssi

is different. they said while i was getting disability benefits from work. i

would not qualify for ssi. but i did qualify for ssd. kathy in il

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathi,

When I spoke with my disability carrier, I don't think they made a

distinction between SSI or SSD. They just wanted me to be aware of the fact

that I would owe them money as my attorney reiterated to me. I was denied

for SSI right over the phone because I bringing in more than $900.00 per

month just from disability. I guess that I still have a lot to learn about

the workings of Social Security. I think my best bet is to count on nothing

and be surprised if anything good comes out of this.

Have a pain free weekend.

Debs in FL

[Guest guest]

well i got it while i was on disability from my company. i was getting 999

from ssd plus about 240 wk from my company. of coarse now that has stopped as

of april i think. but my whole thing is. i was out on disability from my

rheumatologist and my foot doctor. just because my surgical wounds are healed

doesn't mean i am better in any other way. actually i should have been on

long term disability. but my company talked me into trying to work last year,

just a couples months shy of long term. i worked part time for

about 2 months and used up all my sick and vacation time. i could not even

handle working 1/2 days with so many breaks i was lucky if i actually worked

2 hours per day. but my company told me i'd have to start my short term

disability all over again. another 52 weeks. again while getting close to ltd

this happens. just doesn't seem right to me. i just want my benefits. i was a

dedicated employee. i just got sick. i'd rather have my life back and be

independent once again. but i just don't feel this will happen. they would

always boast about what a good family company they were and the only reason

you needed to leave was for a gallon of milk. i want them to stand by their

word. i know it's expecting alot. but i can hope. it's really all i have

left. kathy in il

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathi,

I am still confused and if I am prying, just tell me, no hard feelings.

Right now I am receiving about $1000.00 per month from my long term

disability which I have been since 1/01. I went from short term disability

right over to long term disability. I would try working at that time,

although looking back, my doctor had only OK'd me for part time hour. So

what I would do is fax them a copy of my pay stub and as long as I did not

make more than something like $400-$500 a pay period, I would get my $1000.00

check. If I did work over that amount, they would then deduct that amount

from the $1000.00. Of course, I never even came close to those amounts, so I

never hand any money deducted. Now if and when I am approved for SS, I guess

the amount must be close to what I receive now or more or less and then my

long term disability carrier will adjust their payments accordingly. Now

according to my disability company, they were not to use my vacation time to

cover those days that I took off before the long term disability claim went

thru, but I never pursued this, I was just happy that I had the LTD and still

had my job. Now I think that SS is trying to use my last date of any type of

work as my date of disability which would have been 10/01, so according to

that I have not even been out a year yet. Now I do have the documentation

that I was totally disabled going back to 6/00 first obviously on short term

disability and then it rolled over to long term disability without any break

in disability. So this is the other issue that is trying to be resolved.

Using the date of 6/00, I would already have met my two year requirement.

This is all so confusing to me, I guess the best thing that I did was to get

an attorney. Hope she has more answers than I do! If we are not fighting

with our physicians, insurance companies, then it is the federal government.

YIKES!!!!!!

Hope you have a pain free evening and weekend.

Gentle, tender, angel hugs,

Debs in FL

[Guest guest]

my disability date is 12/00. but there is a 6 mo waiting period. so i didn't

have any $ owed from ssd until june. so my first check was back dated to

june. it is confusing. i was told by my company that my short term disability

pay had no effect on ssd. but the ltd would. i still have another year to go

before my medicare kicks in. my son is on my cobra and has kidcare until

october when he turns 19. i am supposed to go meet my atty tomorrow

afternoon. kathy in il

[Guest guest]

so now will you recieve both? will one of your payment amounts change? the

article says if it is to exceed 80% of average pre-disability income. then

social security amount is adjusted to this level. kathy in il

[Guest guest]

no, it's not you that is confusing me~!! it is definately the system!!! kathy

in il

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

I ask my attorney about applying for ssi but he didn't want to do it. He

said it is just better to go to SSD. His theory was why fight two battles. I

don't know a lot about SSI, I just did what he thought was best. I went on long

term disability after I was out of work one year.

Lynn (MeMom)

Auntblabbie2000@... wrote:

> Hi Kathi,

>

> I just had one question. When I was approved for my employer disability and

> then when I went to see my attorney they both said that any SSI that I was

> awarded would have to be paid back to the disability company and then if my

> SSI payments were less than what my disability was paying, then and only then

> would they be making up the difference. Has anyone else had this type of

> situation? So I guess in my situation, I cannot collect on both or if I do,

> it means that SSI is paying a lot less than I thought. I guess the only way

> that applying for SSI is going to be beneficial to me is for my 2 daughters

> and the opportunity to get Medicare benefits after the 2 year waiting period.

> Is this unique to Florida or my former employer's disability policy? My

> attorney didn't bat an eyelash when she was explaining this to me. The only

> plus thing that she said is that in actuality, if and when approved for SSI,

> my disability insurance would be actually paying the attorney fees. I still

> haven't figured that one out yet completely. I guess it must be some

> fibro-fog or just ditzy me.

>

> Any information or feedback would be appreciated.

>

> Gentle, tender, angel hugs,

>

> Debs in FL

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathi,

I guess then because my LTD went into effect 1/01, that should be my

application date. I think they are trying to use my very last date that I

worked which was 10/01. This is all way to confusing to me. I guess it will

all have to be left in the hands of my attorney and my LTD carrier.

Bottom line is that this is money that we have all had taken out of our

paychecks for which we worked very hard for and all we are asking for is to

take an early withdrawal on money that is already ours. The hoops that they

make us jump thru are ridiculous. This is not welfare that we are asking for!

This is the same money that citizens who turn 65 receive automatically.

Arrrrrgh.

Well, I guess that there are smarter people out there than me to figure these

things out.

Gentle, tender, angel hugs,

Debs in FL

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

I am approved for SSD. I think the difference between the two is on SSD

you get more money then you do on SSI. I believe once on SSI, you apply for

SSD. That is why my attorney said why fight two battles. I don't know a lot

about all this just what I have been told. I hope I am not confusing you, I

didn't mean too.

lynn

kringlemom@... wrote:

> so now will you recieve both? will one of your payment amounts change? the

> article says if it is to exceed 80% of average pre-disability income. then

> social security amount is adjusted to this level. kathy in il

>

>

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

Try calling SS and ask them about the difference. Even how would you be

better off. They are usually pretty helpful. I know I won my ss case but I

still haven't heard anymore. I would feel better if I got something in the

mail.

Lynn (MeMom)

kringlemom@... wrote:

> no, it's not you that is confusing me~!! it is definately the system!!! kathy

> in il

>

>

[Guest guest]

Kathi,

I will be OK. Just taking things hour by hour and minute by minute.

What you are going thru is terrible. Saying prayers for you that God will

give you strength to get thru these difficult days and let everything fall

into the right places.

Gentle, tender, angel hugs,

Debs in FL

[Guest guest]

thanks. well i just got the letter from my atty with a list of other attys

that may handle more what i need. i guess she sent a letter to my employer

and now is going on vacation. she is afraid they will make a decision while

she is gone and i am supposed to write another letter stating why i feel i

can't do my job (which doesn't exist anymore) and waiving their 45 day limit.

i am in such pain today. not sure if it is from another new threrapist. (he

dug deep with his knuckles) the weather.(sprinkling) but my feet are very

painful. kathy in il

[Guest guest]

Kathi,

Can I ask what was the outcome with the stuff from your employer? I was

reading the hassles that Lynn has been going thru. Just wondering what else

I missed while I was sleeping.

Debs

[Guest guest]

<PRE>well i had some help from a free atty, we appealed twice and they denied.

they have also now denied over $8000 in physical therapy charges. the free

atty didn't want to take the case when there are so many others that need

legal help. i called several attys. i couldn't find any that would take me on

a contingency due to the fact we were fighting for $50 a month (plus my

benefits) i didn't have $225/hr to hire an atty. so after hearing my car had

over $800 in repairs. i gave in and took the severence package. i really

think my company had this all planned out. they held it over for a second 45

day period. then when i went to unemployment, i did not qualify because i

hadn't worked since july 1991 and they were basing unemployment on salary

from sept 1991. my son has lost his social security benefits now too since

he is 19, so we are short $700/mo for rent now. (makes life fun) i have been

on mtx injections since Nov. also put me on meds to control my bloodsugar.

seems to be helping but i am just itching and only seem to run a fever every

once and awhile instead of everyday. still don't think i am well enough to

work, but i must or i will lose my home. don't know where else we could both

live cheaper. my car was hit and run in front of my house in nov. my son's

car was totaled the day after x-mas. so my good luck is persisting. it is so

cool to talk to you again. i missed you so very much!!! kathy in il

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy,

Quick question: Have you tried to apply for section 8? They could

really help with the rent issue. I think there are other members of the

group who have applied and could probably answer any questions.

Love and hugs,

Carol

Re: [ ] Kathi-IL

<PRE>well i had some help from a free atty, we appealed twice and they

denied.

they have also now denied over $8000 in physical therapy charges. the

free

atty didn't want to take the case when there are so many others that

need

legal help. i called several attys. i couldn't find any that would take

me on

a contingency due to the fact we were fighting for $50 a month (plus my

benefits) i didn't have $225/hr to hire an atty. so after hearing my car

had

over $800 in repairs. i gave in and took the severence package. i really

think my company had this all planned out. they held it over for a

second 45

day period. then when i went to unemployment, i did not qualify because

i

hadn't worked since july 1991 and they were basing unemployment on

salary

from sept 1991. my son has lost his social security benefits now too

since

he is 19, so we are short $700/mo for rent now. (makes life fun) i have

been

on mtx injections since Nov. also put me on meds to control my

bloodsugar.

seems to be helping but i am just itching and only seem to run a fever

every

once and awhile instead of everyday. still don't think i am well enough

to

work, but i must or i will lose my home. don't know where else we could

both

live cheaper. my car was hit and run in front of my house in nov. my

son's

car was totaled the day after x-mas. so my good luck is persisting. it

is so

cool to talk to you again. i missed you so very much!!! kathy in il

[Guest guest]

<PRE>yes i did apply for section 8. i am on at least a 3 year waiting list. the

bad part is section 8 would help me pay my lot rent for my mobile home. but

my mobile home park will not become involved with them, because the whole

park would be section 8 then. but thanks for thinking of it. maybe i'll get

lucky andi can find something else. but then you are stuck paying the lot

rent until the house sells. i know people that have had their homes for sale

over 2 years. sometimes they can be very hard to sell. the guy gave me this

one. it was empty over a year. bought 4 times but either couldn't get the

financing, or the park didn't approve them. (that's more the case!!) that is

the problem with owning a mobile home. kathy in il

[Guest guest]

<PRE>hey sherri, it is all over. it is time for me to try and find a little

part

time job to help with expenses and self esteem. anyone try the ticket to work

program offered by social security? kathy in il

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/22/03 8:00:15 AM Central Standard Time,

sandmb91@... writes:

> july 1991

i have done this so much because of looking for cars with my son!!! i haven't

worked since july 2001. duh!!! by the way he bought a 1995 pontiac grand am

for 1800!!!

[Guest guest]

<PRE>hey sherri, it is all over. it is time for me to try and find a little

part

time job to help with expenses and self esteem. anyone try the ticket to work

program offered by social security? kathy in il

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/22/03 8:00:15 AM Central Standard Time,

sandmb91@... writes:

> july 1991

i have done this so much because of looking for cars with my son!!! i haven't

worked since july 2001. duh!!! by the way he bought a 1995 pontiac grand am

for 1800!!!

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

I tried the ticket to work program last summer when I got a job with a temp

company. I told SS that I was working part time. I was supposed to go back

in 9 months to let them know how I was doing, but since I stopped working

shortly after starting, I never went back after the 9 months. I forgot

about it until you wrote this. They never contacted me, so I guess they

looked up my SS number and see that I¹m no longer working.

a

> <PRE>hey sherri, it is all over. it is time for me to try and find a little

> part

> time job to help with expenses and self esteem. anyone try the ticket to work

> program offered by social security? kathy in il

>

>

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

I tried the ticket to work program last summer when I got a job with a temp

company. I told SS that I was working part time. I was supposed to go back

in 9 months to let them know how I was doing, but since I stopped working

shortly after starting, I never went back after the 9 months. I forgot

about it until you wrote this. They never contacted me, so I guess they

looked up my SS number and see that I¹m no longer working.

a

> <PRE>hey sherri, it is all over. it is time for me to try and find a little

> part

> time job to help with expenses and self esteem. anyone try the ticket to work

> program offered by social security? kathy in il

>

>

[Guest guest]

<PRE>thanks paula, i have a feeling i will find i can't work either, but i have

to

atleast try. kathy in il