SSDI its official!

[Mark N]

After 2.5 years I finally got a fully approved ruling on my disability. It will take some time for SSDI to move administratively before we get our money. It will also take me some time to sort through and see what it means to us an our finances. What do my kids receive as part of their SSDI, the college funds are back on track thank goodness. It will pay for some lingering bills that have persisted no matter how hard we have worked to pay off our bills and get our finances on solid footing. It was like climbing out of the ******* and finding foting on a sand bar, we were safe but it wasn't a long term solution. I will have to investigate what the best health insurance plan is for us. Right now I account for $600 of our $900 health insurance cost each month and we may really reduce our cost if I can find the right plan with medicare. We had LTD so they will take their cut but it will leave a good amount to use to get our finances stable.

[jena1225]

That is great news Mark! I hope it does lift some financial burdens for you!

[Kathi49]

That's wonderful Mark!!!! I am so happy for you. :) :)

[Pamster]

Awesome! I am so happy for you Mark! :D

[suede]

What great news.
It may not take as long to get your pay as you think, I know mine came through much faster then I expected and that was with them even screwing it up the first time.
I'm with you on trying to figure out the best medicare plan, I'm not looking forward to it..
Again I'm so happy for you.
Linda

[krashleen]

Mark, you may be amazed how quickly it ends up in your account.

I saw my money before I every got the approval letter.

All my best wishes!

[GJZH]

Mark,

I think you should have a check within a few weeks....I never received an approval letter...They called to tell me I was approved and gave me a pay out figure...still a letter never came so I called and then the check came in the mail...It was a wonderful Christmas present for us. Like you ...It will give our kids the opportunity to go away to school....It is such a relief...

[jena1225]

I am curious about a few things...

I thought to get SSDI your spouse coiuld not be working either, is that not correct?

What is the hardest part of getting it?

What type of payout do you/your kids get? Like, how is it determined?

Is it more than say Disability, which is 60% of what I currently make?

[BrokenBladder]

First congradulations Mark!! I'm so happy for you and your family.

Jena,
SSDI is for you and you alone it doesn't have anything to do with the amount that your spouse makes, however SSI does.
The hardest part of getting it is proving your disabled and the long wait that most people go through.
The payout is based on how much money you've earned throughout your lifetime. You can request a copy of this from SSA, but they do send one out yearly.
My child recieves 50% of what I do. I'm not sure if this is the case for everyone, but I think so. Now if I had more than one child under 18, then it's divided among them.
I hope this helps!!

[Pharmacist.steve]

we may really reduce our cost if I can find the right plan with medicare.

If you are talking about Medicare supplements .. there are only 10 levels of policies (A-K) and the last three (I-K) are no longer creditable now that Part D is part of the program. Back in the late 80's Congress defined what these 10 levels of polices covered.. A plan A covers the same things no matter what state you live in or who writes the policy. All Medicare supplements automatically (electronically) crosses over from Medicare to the supplement. As long as the company that writes the policy is financially stable.. it is transparent to the patent.

Not every policy is offered in every state and not every company will offer to write a policy for someone <65 and disable and if they do .. it will most likely be the lowest coverage (Plan A) and the rate will be 5-10 times for someone 65+.

You do not have to sign up for Part B or D IF you have coverage thru a spouse that is equal to or greater than Medicare... you can sign up at any time once the creditable coverage is dropped. Medicare Part A - is no-cost and covers only Hospital stays.

[Mark N]

Thanks for all the well wishes everyone. Lisa explained the qualifications of SSDI so I won't repeat it. Dr Steve, thanks for giving me some intial info on medicare and how it is applied. I will be checking into it more and deciding what is the best choice for me and my family.

[curiousforever]

Congrats! Must be a huge relief!

[Kira]

Mark, congratulations! Must be a big weight off your shoulders.

[A.K.]

Mark,
This is going to make such a difference in your home, I just know it. I did not realize you were still waiting on the final approval but so happy for you that this is a chapter you can close and get on with your life. My prayer is that this will take enough of a strain off of things that you and your bride may start acting like a couple of newlyweds again ;)! Remember, things aren't always as they seem.

[Mark N]

AK, I hope you are right about my wife as that would take a big stress off of my life.

[GardeniaGirl]

congratulations! What a long time to wait --- but so worth it in the end!!

YAY!

[slipnslide]

Congrats Mark!:D :D :D

[jena1225]

First congradulations Mark!! I'm so happy for you and your family.

Jena,
SSDI is for you and you alone it doesn't have anything to do with the amount that your spouse makes, however SSI does.
The hardest part of getting it is proving your disabled and the long wait that most people go through.
The payout is based on how much money you've earned throughout your lifetime. You can request a copy of this from SSA, but they do send one out yearly.
My child recieves 50% of what I do. I'm not sure if this is the case for everyone, but I think so. Now if I had more than one child under 18, then it's divided among them.
I hope this helps!!


Thank you Lisa!

Mark~I was also thinking it might make a difference in your household. A lot of our anxiety and resentment is compounded when finances are a strain. I know that when we are really struggling, and I have to be careful just buying a pair of shoes, that I have such a different attituide. Like things that would not normally be a big deal, all of a sudden IS. I know it is not logical, but...

I know you will keep us posted :)

[Kathi49]

Lisa,

Don't forget the backpay if you have not been working. :D

[Scar Tissue]

Congratulations Mark!! Now maybe you can try to get your life back on track and move on a little bit!! I love to hear when a plan comes together and I'm very happy for you. I know you've been having some Marital problems you've spoke of, and even though money is not always the way to happiness, maybe this will help to make things a little easier for you. I know when I got my SSDI, (I didn't have to wait as long as you), even though it made me feel like I was providing a little better for my Family and it kind of eased tensions a bit. I hope the very best for you, it's nice to see a little sunshine come into someone's life.:) :)

[Mark N]

Thanks to all, I hope you are right about reducing the stress for my wife. But, our financial situation was taken care of when LTD kicked in back in '05. We won't get any more money with SSDI other than some back pay that can pay off bills that we are handling right now. The one thing it could do though is give my wife a sense of being covered the rest of my life. I believe in my LTD more than the gov't but my wife was afraid that the insurance company would stop paying me at any moment and maybe she is relieved of that stress now. Once again Thank you for all that you do to help me.

[jimac]

Mark,

I am very happy that you have finally received SSDI. :) You have waited long enough. I am also very sure that the marital/family tensions will ease when you start to contribute income above the LTD. It makes my heart glad to hear this type of good news.

I agree with everyone's comments and ditto from me.

Take care coach! :D
Jim

[SillyPutty]

Congradulations Mark. I was glad to get mine even though I had just barely worked enough to qualify. I only get $120 a month after drawing it for twenty years, but hey I am not bit**ing. I have Medicare and that helps. Right now that is all the insurance I have.
Linda

[Quahog]

I am glad to hear that you have finally been approved. The hard part is now over. It's just a waiting game now. Hopefully they move quickly on getting everything set up for you.

It can take awhile though so if it happens don't get too discouraged. I was approved at the end of April last year. But I did not receive my back pay until September although I had my first SSI check in May and when my SSDI started in August the SSI stopped. The good news is that you will be eligble for medicare right off. That is if you need it.

If you need information on your claim it's best to avoid the 1-800 number as they will only cause more aggravation. It's best to speak with your local office and if things are real slow you can always contact your elected officals for help.

Congratulations !!

[Mark N]

Once again thanks for the well wishes. Q thanks for the heads up on contacting the local office. I have alot to find out about but everything is covered so there isn't any rush about the insurance.

[Bobbi]

Mark,

I thought I'd spotted this thread, yet when I looked for it earlier it must've slid off the front page for the forum.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are most worthy of being approved, but... SSDI folks coulda asked me some time ago and I would have said so. Funny, they don't ask around, huh ;).

Anyway: I am totally, thoroughly happy for you!

[Mark N]

Bobbi, it is too bad they don't ask around or at least send someone to take a look at how I have been living the past 3 years. Thanks for the kind words.

[Bobbi]

As supportive as you are toward so many, Mark: I do hope you may take a bit of time to kick back and savor your "win" (a bitter-sweet type of victory considering your health was the toll). Yet, I really hope you may have a way that you are able to just absorb everything and feel the milestone in a healthy and happy way :). You've earned a celebration, dude :D.

[Quahog]

I agree!! You should do something good for yourself. Such as taking a vacation or buying something you need.

The vacation idea comes highly recommended.

[Mark N]

Jim and Linda, thanks it has been a long journey but thankfully I had LTD to help bridge the gap.

Bobbi and Q, how does getting a laptop sound as celebrating the judgement. I get on here often but am very limited for how long and a laptop will allow me to relax in my zero gravity chair and cruise dpwmn the internet highway not to mention writing the books my wife is wanting me to do. Thanks for the encouragement.

[finz]

Congrads Mark !

[Mark N]

Thanks finz:) .

[jimac]

Mark,

A laptop is a great idea. I have always wanted one to use while sitting in the recliner. Laptops do not cost as much as they did just a few years ago.
The one thing I do not like is the keyboard. It cramps up my hands. :(

Take care,
Jim

[jena1225]

That's is where I always am! In my reclining sofa with my laptop, where of all places? on my lap! lol. I don't what I would do without it. Very convenient to be able to sit anywhere and in any position and still work, etc...

[jimac]

Jenna.
Ditto.
Be as comfortable as possible, that is my motto.:)
Jim