So, I was forced to quit my job, couldn’t keep up, struggled, and just had to leave…I can’t apply for another job in my field, can’t even commit to regular hours…never know when I’ll be up to it these days. So it has been suggested by some of my family that I should apply for disability. I think they are right. So, I am asking for advice from anyone who has been down this road. What is the best way to start this? What pitfalls should I watch for? I live in Pennsylvania, does that make a difference? Any and all help would be appreciated. Thank you.
Hi Brian, here is a link to get you started…( I’m in canada, so no help…)
http://www.livingwithtn.org/page/face-pain-info-pages-part-20
Also try typing " disability" into the search feature here ( upper right) .
Hopefully others more knowledgable than I will reply soon.
Mimi
Hi Brian - it's a tough spot I know. The short version of my story is I did file for disability and I did get approved. I completed the form electronically on the Social Security website, submitted it and had an approval in six months. It took me several sessions to complete the form, but they do let you save what you have so you can work on it later. Now the thing is each case is different and I believe what state you live does play a part in all of this. How much where you live makes any difference I have no idea, but I live in Texas. The one thing you must have is 10 years of a work history.
I don't know of any pitfalls other than having all the information regarding your treatment for TN and any other medical conditions you have. I will say besides receiving the payments for disability after two years you would be able to go on to Medicare. For me having Medicare was big, because I was able to continue and explore all options to be a pain free as possible. It was a big relief for me, because I was paying from my own little bit of savings for my medical treatment.
If you have any other questions or concerns feel free to write me.
Hi Brian,
I have been on disbaility since the end of November 2012. My return to work date is always just a few months away. It is a carrot that I keep dangled infront of me to keep me going. I am an educational assistant in a high school and was not able to do my job. Mostly because of meds. I had MVD surgery last September which was only slightly successful and an now upping my meds again. Disability has allowed me to focus on getting a handle on my TN. If you are able to be on disability I would encourage you to do that for a while at least. Take the time to get your pain, meds and head in a better place. I wish you well.
Hi Brian, I am right there with Abby and Patty. After many years of taking long-term disability on and off, it came to a point where I had to admit that I could no longer work. Like you I knew that I was just too unreliable not knowing when the pain would strike and for how long and knew it just wasn't feasible any more to work. It was the hardest day of my life when I had to admit I could no longer work. I contacted a local law firm. They told me to apply for the disability on line just as Abby described, then once I got a rejection (they said that almost all claims were denied the first round). Six months after I applied I got the rejection, then I took it to the law firm and they had an approval in about 2-3 months. If you are approved they pay back pay from the day you 1st applied. I also had a secondary diagnosis of Clinical Depression which was very helpful in determination and they also said that my case would not have to be renewed for 10 years, which by that time I am eligible for Social Security, so I don't have to worry about that. The Social Security also has a calculator on it that can give you an idea of how much your monthly benefits will be based on the number of years you worked and how much you contributed. Hope this information is helpful and if you have any other questions, I am happy to share my experiences with you. Gail
Brian - I'm glad that Gail and Patty filled many of the holes I left out. Now the one thing I can add is the first application will probably be completed by you. What I learned is many attorneys will not take your case until you are denied, because if it does go further up the ladder the longer it will take. Now not 100% sure on this, but I believe then they can collect 25% of what SS would have paid you from the date of disability less the say elimination period of five or six months once you are approved.
If you are going to file, really the sooner the better. As you can see it can take six months to be considered in the first round and you will loose the lack of a better word the elimination period of five or six months. If you need the income as most people do getting the ball started will mean less time worrying, etc. I totally get this is a difficult step and hard to deal with health issues, loss of income and your career. Now that said if things change for you down the road you can always go back to work full time or you can earn some income on a part-time basis up to a certain amount. You just need to follow the rules. I have been on it for three years and grateful everyday that this benefit was available to me. Dealing with TN is enough and actually my experience with the process was far better than expected!
I had to leave my brand new job in 2010....brand new career
I couldn't work again steady till after MVD.
But what helped me for those two years, was antidepressants and counseling paid on sliding scale....TN and the meds wrecked my life ---
Have you ever tried lidocaine cream prescription for face??? Can take the edge off!
Keep Posting!
Thanks all. I an seeing a new Neuro in a few weeks. The last one wasn’t really listening to me. My regular Dr made some adjustments to my meds which helped a lot, but the dude effects are bad. Lots of dizziness, short term memory has gone fish the drain…I also suffer from other conditions as well as tn. I suffer chronic kidney stones, on the order of 6-10 per year and have another body wide pain condition, likely Neuro but as yet completely undiagnosed. My life seems to have just fallen completuely apart in the last few months. It was really hard to hear from my family that they think of me as disabled…I’ll start to fill out an application online as that sounds best.
If you are going to attempt for SS disability, I would recommend a firm such as Binder & Binder from the start. I know several that have used them rather than attempt on their own and were successful the first time around with no problems. I also know many that attempted on their own and fought the system for long, long periods of time -- up to two years. Just a suggestion, as I am sure it is the route I will be going shortly too.