Chronic Pain Support Group

Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...

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calebjax 11/14/2011

This is a question I need a little help with. I myself am on disability,and unlike most I was approved on my first try and honestly I was surprised after hearing all the horror stories. Anyways here is my question, is there a difference in applying for disability while you are still working as opposed to someone like me who had not worked in years?
My wife and I are going to try to help her father apply for disability, all of his doctors have told him he needs to stop working, as a matter of fact the doctor he saw today said he was going to do a write up expressing just that for my father in law. My question is does he have a snowballs chance in getting approved seeing as how he is currently working?
I'm hoping that it doesn't hurt his chances, he can't financially afford to miss any time from work,but its so hard to see him come home in agony every day, I just wish the old guy some peaceful days with his grandkids before his health goes too bad.
Does anyone have any experience with this? If so any advice would be greatly appretiated.......Kris....

deleted_user 11/14/2011

Kris, as far as I know you cannot be working when you apply for disability. Mine took three years and a hearing before being approved but that was a few years ago and I know they have made improvements to the system.. All the best,

Melinda

deleted_user 11/14/2011

Depending on your state he may be able to get short term disability. But you have to be out of work for 5 months before you can file for ss disability. And you have to expect to be unable to work for at least 12 months.

ssa.gov has all the info

deleted_user 11/14/2011

I quit my job, since you cannot receive disability and work. The disability is there because one cannot work, federal law. The next day after quitting, applied on line and was approved in 6 months.

deleted_user 11/14/2011

I dont think you can be working and if my memory is right and it is not always you have to be out of work for a certain amount of time before you can apply. It is a catch 22 type of thing as who can sit around for six months without any income so they work in pain. The only thing I can think of if he goes on disability at work depending on what kind of work and his benefits he can get long term or short term disability but it usually is at a lower rate.

I guess he could also quit and get unemployment but that also states you need to be able to work to apply for that so not sure where that leaves him.

If he has a 401K at work and this is the last option he could cash it out early and take a huge penalty and live off of that till he gets approved as it may take a couple of years. That does not guarantee he will get it either.

I am on disability and I got it on my second time and I got a lawyer but I had lots of paper work like I am sure you do also. I think with seniors it may be harder as well people get older and things start to hurt and break down and I guess it depends on what is his DX

deleted_user 11/15/2011

You can't be claiming unemployment and applying for disability. This is a certain recipe for trouble.

It is a messed up system since many people can wait years to get approved and in that time they can't work. Benefits if awarded do go back to when you applied. But many people never get approved and can have months or even years of no income.

keeska 11/15/2011

Yeah, you can't work and be disabled at the same time. SSDI is a disability insurance policy. If you're able to work, you're not disabled.

But you may be able to use the doc's recommendation to file for short-term SSDI after he has stopped working. If that's approved, go for long-term approval. The closer he is to retirement age, the better his chances of approval are. And if his disabling medical condition is on SSD's list of disabling conditions, although being on the list is not a guarantee, approval could be quicker for him.

Get a SSD specializing lawyer. They don't get paid unless you win, and SSD sets the max amount he can collect from you (usually 25% of your award).

Good luck to you and to him.

deleted_user 11/15/2011

SSDI disability is because your are unable to work. Simple as that, if you are able to work , it's not for you. if you miss more than 4 days a month because of you condition you can get it it, If you can't work more than 4 hour total over a 8 hour period, you can get it, I found these out when I went in front of the judge at my hearing. I did meet all the criteria for disability and was approved after that hearing which took a little over 3 years.
I think they need a little more consistency and common sense when it comes to the people at SSDI. Maybe they need more Dr.s or at least people with a medical background.

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