Re: Chronic Pancreatitis and Disability

[Guest guest]

What a task. I am now having to quickly learn the SSI system to

ensure maximum benefits. I do have a friend with MS who is on

disability. She has been a great help. There is so much to know.

Since I last worked 9-10-99 I have had no income. My savings is now

soon to be exhausted. So in addition to trying to just cope with my

disease day by day, I have to figure out how to live until my

disability starts in March, move to a very inexpensive apt, etc.,

etc. It will take 2 years before I qualify for medicare. Maybe one

of you have experience with this. I never thought I would be this

sick much less be unable to work. What is involved after they

receive my packet monday? Are there interviews, other exams, etc.?

It is so hard to keep my faith and stay hopeful. I am very ill, my

doctor told me today that I just have to be hopeful. He said that he

is doing everything he can to make me as comfortable as possible, so

I can even feel like taking on this big ball of red tape. It seems

so overwhelming.

Hello,

I am so sorry to hear that you got this diagnosis and are having

such problems. As far as the financial goes, you should be able to

get medicaid and some help through the state, whether in the form of

food stamps or housing assistance. It will depend on the amount of

money and property you have as to whether and how much they can

help. With social security, expect delays as they will have their

doctor check you and then will take another few months to make a

determination after that. If your doctor is onboard and will write a

letter stating you are disabled and it is not going to get better it

will help alot! Once you are approved for disability it will be

retro-active to the date you first filed. Also when you go to see

their doctor take all your medications, when Floyd went we had about

10-15 meds we took with us. The doctor looked at those and did not

really need to look at Floyd to know how serious his condition was.

I also know those with this disease put up a brave front trying to

cover the pain and such from others, when seeing the doctor for

disability be brutally honest with them as to what you are going

thro. Do not hide anything!! The object is to get that doctor,

although he/she is seeing you only once, to realize the seriousness

of your condition. Even if you are having a good day, remember to

let them know what a bad day is like.

I know it sounds like a game or slightly decietful, but you must

remember that on those bad days this doctor will not see you and you

want his opinion to match your doctors! The other thing I suggest is

prayer, pray that it goes quickly and that the determination gets

made fast.

I know with us it took only 7 months and for most of that time I was

still working. It was very hard though because my job did not cover

the bills, I made enough to keep the utilities on. I did not make

enough to cover the land payment, so by the time they finally were

going to approve Floyd, we were being forclosed on and got the money

in the nick of time to keep our home. We were very fortunate that it

did not take longer or we would have lost everything!

If you are a vetran there is a pension you can get if you served

even 1 day during an active conflict, whether you were a part of

that conflict or not. Contact the caseworker at your local VA office

to see what you are eligible for, and ask questions. They dont

voluteer this information for some reason. You can also get your

meds and such through the VA, which will save some money as well.

Just be aware they will dock the SSDA check if you do not or cannot

pay them the fee they assess.

As for housing, check the state for section 8 housing and remember

you are covered under the ADA,(Americans with Disabilities Act).

There should be some housing available for you. Also check senior

housing projects as they usually have a few apartments for disabled

people as well as seniors.

I hope this helps and sorry to be so long-winded, but the

information I learned through trial and error. There really are

limited resources for people in this situation, but that letter from

the doctor will help to open doors for you, so use it! Best wishes

to all.

P.S.

I will be leaving tomorrow morning for NY state. We are going to try

and get Floyd home before he gets to much worse. I am hoping he will

endure the trip well. He is going downhill fast ( This is his final

wish and I am trying to get it done for him. It is very hard on me

as I know I will not be bringing him back to our home. It hurts so

much to know that our time is almost over. I will write once we are

settled up there as I am taking my computer with me. Hugs and kisses

to all and to all a cure ) or at least pain-free days!!!

God Bless all

Ruby