how do you know when you should apply for social security

[tigger2]

When do you know it is the right time to apply for social security? If ever? I was diagnosed with IC a year ago, but have been going through this for over ten years now. I am on my second round of DMSO instilations, the 1st time it worked, this time its not, The pain has been so severe, that the last couple of weeks I have lost a lot of work, this last friday I was in so much pain I passed out at work, they sent me home of course. Today I had an injection of toradol and it did not even touch the pain just made me very tiered. I can not function at work, I am always in the bathroom toilet as everyone knows how that is. I am very depressed and having a hard time dealing with this disease.

If I have kept a full time job does anyone know if I would even qualify for SSDI? Also can you work a part time job and still receive SSDI benefits or do you have to be totally out of work?

[Teri]

I was in management and I knew that when I wasn't setting a good example it was time for me to go. I did plan on returning when I felt better but better never came so I just called one day to asked some questions. The lady I talked to was wonderful and told me that I could apply then and I could always stop the process if I wanted since it usually took so long. I've been collecting for 4 years now and I would do anything if I could go back to work but for me it's just a pipe dream.....

wishing you the very best~

[tigger_gal]

ssd

Hi Tigger,
after I lost my second Job for spending "Quality" time in the bath room... that is when I decided that no one was going to keep me on as an employee when I was in the bathroom 3 times per hour.... I like you have alot of pain, so far haven't found the right pain meds..... Beginnig to think its a permanent way of life for me.
When I applied 6 months after having gotten fired from my job I was approved the first time .. by the fate of god.... I now am in reiview.
hugs
Brat

[dyno]

Hi,
I imagine this is going to be a real individual thing. I have never had to go on SSI. I am fortunate with my IC not to have pain unless I am flaring bad, frequency and urgency are my main symptoms. Right now I don't work but I have had several jobs where my bathroom visits did not matter. When I was working in a hospital as a nurse, I just went quickly and used one when I needed to. Then for awhile I worked part time food service at school and we had a bathroom right there next to the kitchen. There were days that I had to go every 15 minutes, everyone knew and understood. So I think that every job and every situation will be different. I do know there are some jobs I absolutely could not do. For instance, I could not be tied to phone and not be able to leave to go to the bathroom when I had to.

You are going to know what you can handle and what you can't. Not all employers are going to react the same either and every job situation will be different.

My sister was on SSI for awhile before she died from complications of another illness. She had a job she did from home for her sister-in-laws company. At that time 3 years ago she could make around $400.00 a month I think. That amount I think has gone up now. What I don't know though is if she had to be completely off work prior to getting the SSI or not.

Your best bet is going to be to call and talk to someone about it and find out all the details. That will help you make your decision about what to do.

[tigger2]

Thanks for replying, Today has been another bad day at work. I have been leaving work so many times due to this disease i lied to my work and told them i had a call and have a family emergency to go to.

I have a feeling i am going to get fired, they told me when i come back they want to meet with me in the administrators office. Wish me luck.

I have to make up my mind on what i want to do. In about a month I am going out on a workers comp surgery, so I am trying to hold out untill then, hopefully I will get some rest and when i return back to work I will be feeling better.

[MakinIT]

Gena

Gena

I'm sorry you are in the situation you are in. If only these people could be "zapped" for 5 minutes with our pain, we would be much better......they could understand! If you get fired...make sure you file for unemployment comp at the least.

Take care of yourself, see if your employer has a disability insurance maybe you can do that....

Tracey Fisher

[Katrina]

I tried to stay working as long as I possibly could....which was definatly terrible on my health. When my boss was trying to get me to be a call in employee because I wasn't dependable since calling in so much......I decided it was time to give up. I think I may have had a better chance of returning if I had quit earlier......but than that is just my thoughts.


Good luck with that......I hope your surgery goes well and the recovery time does help you.

[jeanniebug]

I was glad to see this post..I read up on the SS info but am still confused..maybe I'm just a slow learner. But I am leaving my job due to the IC and, I was wondering if I would be eligible for benefits, because heaven knows we could use the money. Do we just look up the number to our local social security office and call them? I was wondering if DH has a job if I would even be eligible..do they need a doctor's letter or something? I was so confused I just gave up on it. Thanks a bunch...

[MakinIT]

Ok...kinda complicated...I'm in the middle of applying now. From what I understand, you can't even start the process until you've been off work for 6 mos, then your doc and alllllllll the people who work with you have to be in agreement that you will be unable to work for at least a year, if not , beyond. I've been going through hoops since the 6 month mark and today marks my anniversary of last day of working. I've had to be examined by a hired psychologist from SS. That was the last thing I did. So...now....I'm waiting. Chances are, I'll get rejected first then I'll have to hire a damn lawyer to get my appeal. The only reason I'm applying is because my disabillity co. from work is making me. They will lower my monthly beni's by whatever ss covers. My retro check from SS will all go to my insurance company. However, they can't touch the amount I'm alloted for my kids. Which will have to go to pay for my health insurance because they (my employers) are cutting me off soon. (they've been great, my employers, trying to find ways to cover my insurance and give me some pay as well)

Anyway...this has been my experience. I don't think you can apply for a few months. Also, there are two programs, one is if you are low income. Then it doesn't matter how many working "credits" you have. That is S.S.I. I think. The other program gives you money depending on how many work credits you have, doesn't depend on your credits. That's SSDI, I think. (don't quote me, eh?)

Bye'
Tracey

[mayray518]

IC and disability

After my diagnosis I worked for a year with IC. DMSO was working then and then my system became immune to it. This was in 1992, however, and there were few other options left. My frequency and pressure became so great that I could barely leave the house, much less work. I had to hire a lawyer and wait a year for disability but now it is easier to get. I know what a difficult time you must be going through. On the up side, elavil control my IC now and I just started back to work. Good luck!

[blue]

I don't understand why they make it so hard! True, you don't want people on SS if they don't need it, but geez, if IC is on their list of approved disabilities, what's the problem?

I'm still working. I received my diagnosis in January or February. I'm a dispatcher, and I'm in the police station all alone at nights. I have to call an officer in, when I need to go to the bathroom. Most of them, are understanding. Although, it is quite embarrassing. I have to admit, when they told me that I couldn't leave my station to go to the bathroom, my first thought was. " I won't be able to do this job" I think I'm in as much pain as I'm in sometimes, because I hold it as long as possible before I call them in. I know, it must be bad for me

[mayray518]

i agree blue

I thought that disability was easier to get now than in was in 1994 when I applied but now it seems, what I have heard, that people are still having a difficult time. It is apparently listed in the Disabilities Act as one of the diseases that requires possible disability so I dont see why they still make it difficult. Once they have a doctor's diagnosis it should not be a problem. Like we all want to lose our jobs and sit on our butts all day (I had one disability hearing officer tell me that). I can hope only hope that things get better and better in that area.