Re: Does anyone here get Social Sec. Disability for their RA? Need info please!

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

From: mpalevsky_bunnylover

> I understand that there is social security disability that I may be eligible for if my short term disability runs out. How do you apply for this? What must you do to qualify? Are there specific criteria that you must prove or have met?

Call your nearest Social Security office and they can help you get started. Be prepared to be automatically denied. I took me two years (with no income) to get approved and I have four autoimmune diseases. And, be prepared to live on very little money (I get $631 a month). It won't be anywhere near what you're making working or drawing on long term disability. Get medical reports and documentation from all your doctors saying you are totally disabled and cannot do any kind of work. SS will send you to THEIR doctors, too. Good luck. It can be a long, grueling process. Once you're denied (and 85% are regardless of what shape they are in), hire a lawyer. Once you get SS disability you have to wait two years to be eligible for Medicare, so keep your insurance if you have it at work now. If you are the sole bread winner and have children, you will most likely have to go on food stamps, Medicaid, etc. to survive.

Nina

[Guest guest]

I would suggest calling the Social Security office and that should be listed in the government section of your phone book. There is also a web site but I think talking to a person would be best for general information. Good luck and God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: mpalevsky_bunnylover

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Tuesday, July 26, 2005 5:45 PM

Subject: Does anyone here get Social Sec. Disability for their RA? Need info please!

My name is Miriam and I have had RA for many years. I currently take Enbrel, MTX, Prednisone, Skelaxin and Topomax. For the last 6 -months, I have been having more frequent flares while on these medications. My most recent flare started at the end of June and has been the most sever I have ever had. The pain is unbearable and I am taking percocet everyday and have increased the Enbrel to 3x per week, upped the pred, doubled the topomax, am doing water therpay 3x per week and am still in a lot of pain and unable to find a position to give me any relief.I did an MRI which shows the swelling has caused damage to my neck and the Dr. said if I don't get relief by my next appointment (with the aqua therapy), I will need to see a neurosurgeon. (I have already had one cervical fusion)Here is my problem. I am on short term disability from work and am getting paid 100%. My short term disability and FMLA job protection are running out. Its not looking like I will make it back before FMLA runs out and my long term disability will need to take over. LTD pays 60%. I have 6 children and several have medical issues and my husband hasn't worked in years because he has been their caretaker and is mine now also.I understand that there is social security disability that I may be eligible for if my short term disability runs out. How do you apply for this? What must you do to qualify? Are there specific criteria that you must prove or have met?Thanks for any info you can provide and sorry my note is so long.Miriam

[Guest guest]

> My name is Miriam and I have had RA for many years. I currently

> take Enbrel, MTX, Prednisone, Skelaxin and Topomax. For the last

6 -

> months, I have been having more frequent flares while on these

> medications. My most recent flare started at the end of June and

> has been the most sever I have ever had. The pain is unbearable

and

> I am taking percocet everyday and have increased the Enbrel to 3x

> per week, upped the pred, doubled the topomax, am doing water

> therpay 3x per week and am still in a lot of pain and unable to

find

> a position to give me any relief.

>

> I did an MRI which shows the swelling has caused damage to my neck

> and the Dr. said if I don't get relief by my next appointment (with

> the aqua therapy), I will need to see a neurosurgeon. (I have

> already had one cervical fusion)

>

> Here is my problem. I am on short term disability from work and am

> getting paid 100%. My short term disability and FMLA job

protection

> are running out. Its not looking like I will make it back before

> FMLA runs out and my long term disability will need to take over.

> LTD pays 60%.

>

> I have 6 children and several have medical issues and my husband

> hasn't worked in years because he has been their caretaker and is

> mine now also.

>

> I understand that there is social security disability that I may be

> eligible for if my short term disability runs out. How do you

apply

> for this? What must you do to qualify? Are there specific

criteria

> that you must prove or have met?

>

> Thanks for any info you can provide and sorry my note is so long.

>

> Miriam