Curious about SSDI

[Guest guest]

Is there a short term disability insurance or temporary? I could

use some financial assistance but I dont want to apply for SSDI

because I hope to go back to work one day. Is it possible to apply

for short term SSDI? Also I had read somewhere that after being on

SSDI for 2 years (I think) one is automatically placed on medicare

or medicaide. Is that true or did I just misunderstand? It would

be great if I could access my social security benefits until I get

back on my feet. Dream on, huh. By the time I got any results I

would probably be ready to retire anyway....lol.

Chrissy

[Guest guest]

Chrissy,

You can always go back to work after getting approved for SSDI. You can

actually work indefinitely and continue getting SSDI if you don't make much

money. You can earn up to $800 a month and still get SSDI indefinitely, as long

as you are still considered 'disabled'. Also, SS allows you a 'trial' period of

working before stopping the SSDI so you can be sure you are able to handle

working. I just got a letter and info in the mail today Social Security's new

'Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program'. I just glanced at it, but it

says they will help you find a job if you want to work and that you can work and

still keep the SSDI benefits and medicare. It takes a long time to get SSDI

approved - sometimes years. However, once approved, you would probably get back

pay from the time you applied and were eligible to get benefits. It's important

to understand that you can apply for SSDI as soon as you are unable to work, or

unable to earn more than $800 a month from working. However, you cannot get

benefits until you have been out of work (or earning under $800) for five

months. I'm not sure if I'm making sense but it basically works as follows

You became unable to work or began making less than $800 per month from working

in the month of March 2004. You can apply for SSDI at anytime from March 2004

until you return to work. However, even if approved, you cannot get SSDI

benefits until Sep 2004. You would not get the payment for Sep 2004 SSDI

benefits until sometime in Oct 2004. I get my SSDI on the 3rd Wednesday of each

month. I don't if they are all paid at the same time or if perhaps the paydays

are scattered. I received my SSDI for August 2004 on Wednesday, September 15,

2004.

As for medicare, you become eligible for medicare once you have been getting

SSDI for two years or when you turn 65, whichever comes first. Medicare has two

parts. Part A does not cost you anything and covers only hospitalization. You

have to pay for Part B and it covers doctors visits, tests, etc. Part B is

optional. Whether you have just Part A or Part A and B, your current health

insurance would most likely still pay some of your medical expenses. It varies

from one plan to another, so you would need to check with your insurance plan

for specifics.

Personally, if you have been unable to work for a while, I would go ahead and

apply for SSDI as having it approved would certainly not stop you from returning

to work when you feel you are able.

I wish you well.

W.

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[Guest guest]

yes there usually is. It's usually gotten from the State , usually from

the same department where you get your unemployment checks, at least,

that's where CA's is. It usually only lasts a year or when the money you

paid into it runs out, whichever happens first I think. You can get

SSDI and still go back to work someday. I hope I can do the same, but

right now, I'm not able to work.

yes, once you go on SSDI, you automatically get signed up for Medicare.

They are supposed to send you all the materials, etc for this three

months before your beginning date.

Kimber

--

Kimber

Vallejo, CA

hominid2@...

Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed

physician or health care professional.