[Hopeful23]

#1070400

call ur local dis. office they will schedule an interview ovr the phone. its not something that happens over a week. my dr said and backed me up on not being able to wrk i was severly hyperthyroid and i still got denied. i just went and got a lawyer and it can be 18-24 months To get a hearing . it is very hard and takes time. good luck though.

[Ski]

#1070401

One issue you will face is that you are in the very early phases of treatment, and you could easily be healthy enough to work by the time 12-24 months pass, so all the work you do now to ramp up for that hearing may be for naught. You may be able to get temporary disability coverage through your doctor now, while you are still recovering from the hyperthyroidism. That’s a different process than permanent, government disability, and you may find it easier to be approved. It’ll give you whatever period of time your doctor gives you, and the doctor can continue to extend the period if you experience difficulties the doctor does not anticipate at this point. At least start with six weeks’ worth, you should be able to get that based on your current symptoms.

[paloma]

#1019261

How do I go about getting on disability?
This is the situation: My mom had many health probs, hospitalized last year. Spent some time in a nursing home. Once discharged, she could not care for herself, so I quit my job to care for her. I began the process to become her paid caregiver in September 2008, I finally started March 2009. Then Mom died on April 24. This leaves me with bills I haven’t paid since last September!
Yes, I have siblings, but they are, for the most part, uncaring. The ones who can afford to help me financially, don’t. The state gave me insurance until March 2010, but any other assistance is contingent upon me trying to get a job.
I really don’t think that I can work, even though my old job as a tech support agent is waiting for me. It requires a good memory and quick action, and I just don’t feel like I can handle it. I still have arm, back, and leg weakness, headaches, unstable heart rate, suicidal thoughts, memory lapses (I even forget what I’m saying as I speak), gastric problems, the list is endless. And I still haven’t seen an endocrinologist. I live in a smallish town, my insurance only lists two as providers. My g.p. has me on atenolol 50 mg 2xday(about 2 months)and methimazole 5mg 3xday(about one month).
Any ideas out there?

[paloma]

#1070402

Thank you, Ski. Do you know which agency I need to contact? Should I start with my insurance? Doctor? I’ve always worked, I’ve only collected unemployment for 2 weeks of my entire life! I don’t know where to go…

[LaurelM]

#1070403

There are federal disability benefits (Supplemental Security Income or SSI for people who do not have a work history and SSD Social Security Disability for people who have a qualifying work history). Both of these federal programs can take 12-24 month to quality for with several denials.

States may also provide disability benefits. This varies considerably state to state. Generally, states that do offer cash & medical disability benfits have less stringent rules. For example, the state may require that the disabilty only prevent the idividual from being able to work for a period of 3 months or more based on a Dr. statement. Once that statement is received, and assuming all other qualifications are met, the state would start benefits back to the date of your application.

I have not worked directly in this field for about 10 years now so my specific eligibilty knowledge is both out of date and rusty (what I can actually remember). And like I said, it really varies from state to state for what is offered. My best advice is to start at your local Community Services Office (or whatever your state calls their welfare office). If they don’t handle these applications, they make sure you ask them to direct you to where you need to go.

Good luck.

[paloma]

#1070404

Ski, I did apply for state assistance. I have an appt on the 29th. Thanks for the info. I just find it sad that there’s no way for us to get help w/o jumping through hoops. I need to get all my labwork, doctor statements, hospital bills, etc…all of this while unable to concentrate, weak, short of breath…
I just need to pay my rent. Life sucks. ” title=”Confused” />

[Sue_Conard]

#1070405

Hello Paloma…your SO RIGHT in that if we were missing an arm & couldn’t write, we’d get DISABILITY!! It angers me when people park in a handicapped parking spot and get out of their car looking normal and other people GLARE at them…it’s not right!! Who’s to say they don’t have a heart condition or some type of disability that IS NOT VISIBLE to the average person!! If they are parking in a handicapped spot, I believe it must be for a reason. It’s true, in that, GD can be disabling and yet, we don’t get the necessary recognition like someone that has lost their leg, arm, etc. I believe that disability should be renamed "Orthopedic"…ARGH!!!! I’m in hyperthyroidism right now, can you tell?? Please let us know how your appt. goes on the 29th.

[paloma]

#1070406

EVERYONE has trouble getting disability.
FACT: My brother DID lose an arm, and he was denied!!!!!!!!!!
frickin’ government.

[Sue_Conard]

#1070407

THAT"S TERRIBLE Paloma!! I was truly trying to state a fact because GD isn’t visible to most people, ya know? But that certainly was a mute point since your brother was denied!! I AGREE, frickin’ GOVT!

[paloma]

#1070408

I tried to apply for SSI, but my doctors can’t say how long I might be ill. As for my brother ” title=”Cool” /> , he lost an arm in a motorcycle accident. He applied, was told he could be retrained. Used to work in construction, obviously can’t do that anymore. Also has learning disorder. I could not believe he was denied!
He is trying to survive, but it’s really hard to work in a department store, stocking inventory and cleaning up, with just one arm. He was sent to another department b/c he could not keep up 100% with stocking milk and eggs. I’d like to see his ex-supervisor try to do it! Sorry, this still makes me VERY upset.
Anita

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