Some disability is covered under disability insurance that was paid for through your place of employment, and usually comes back to recipient from the insurance company that carried the policy. And then there is Social Security Disability, which comes from the amount of social security that was paid via taxes by both employee and employer.

I had a supplemental insurance policy. It was for 2 years coverage. I had MS when I bought the policy & they covered my anyway.

I worked for the government & had coverage after 10 years. That is what I am on now.

read your companies insurance policy book. Find out qualifiers, waiting periods, coverage. Find out the same stuff from SSI. It could be both. The monthly amount would be a combination of both. The amout would be based on a % of what you earned at your job.

It's money that was taken out of your paycheck and given to the gov in a strange sort of savings account, where they get the interest. Anyway, depending on how long your worked and how much you were paid will determin how much you get from the gov every month.
And to get Disability insurance for healt and meds you have to wait two years. Which let me tell you sucks big time.

How ever, your employer may have some kind of disabilty insurance that pays you monthly as well and also covers health and meds until Medicare kicks in, in the two year waiting period.

Is that true that you have to wait 2 years to get insurance and drug coverage? Can I apply now since my hubby is not retiring permanently for 2-3 years? Yikes, this info, if true, nearly knocked me off my chair.

I have Short Term Disability and then went on Long Term Disability through work. However, be advised that most of these employer sponsored plans will try to kick you off every chance they get. They make it very difficult. At least thats my experience and it has been very stressfull for me. Have it for three months then kicked off for six months and have to appeal. Win the appeal. This has happened to me several times. During times of approval I was able to keep my medical insurance but had to pay the premiums myself.

During this time of Long Term Disability I filed for Social Security and won after about two years of waiting. I was paid back pay for that time. But, now I have to send it to the Long Term Disability Insurance people. Which totally sucks. Social Security will not allow any garnishments but if I don't pay back what I received in Social Security then the Long Term Disability people advise they will take me to court. And it does take two years on SSDI before you qualify for medicare. You may be able to get somekind of state assistance if you are low income. You will need to check with your Dept. of Human Services.

Good Luck. Just going through the harrassment of getting disability either Insurance or SSDI is enough to make someone disabled. Sorry to be so glum about it but its true.

It depends. If you took a long term disability policy through your work, then they pay it. If not, then you would have to apply for social security if you wanted to go on it forever. If you choose to go on it forever, I would recommend using Allsup to help you file the claim. I'm in the midst of using them and they are great.

I applied for a private policy. Had nothing to do with work place at all.

im on the canada disabily pension plan.. this is federal money... amount is based on how many years you worked etc...
nice to know that you are disabled enough to qualify for the federal money but they dont give you a drug card though...grin...

hugs
heather

I AM ON SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND WHEN HAVE BEEN 4 A YEAR NOW. WHEN I STARTED GETTING MY BENEFITS I WAS ALSO COVERED 4 MEDICAL AND MEDS. SO NO I DID NOT HAVE 2 WAIT 2 YEARS.

Medicare starts two years after your application date minus a five month waiting period. Example..You Apply Jan. 06 then was approved in May 2007. Then you would have only one year before your eligibable for medicare. Its based on your application date.

Social Security Disability is disability insurance you paid for as long as you paid into Social Security while you were working. Once you are on SSDI you can qualify for Medicare and possibly other benefits.

SSDI is not 'needs based'. It is insurance you already paid for while you were working. I don't know how they calculate the amount to which you are entitled but I'm sure they could tell you. Their number is 1-800-772-1213.

These folks are nicest government agency that I've ever dealt with.

They should be able to tell you to what you are entitled.

One other point, if you got laid-off or quit your job before going on disability, DO NOT collect unemployment. If you do your disability income can be taxable. If not, it will not be (which saves a chunk of change).

Hi, Disability like previously stated comes from the SS you paid over the years while working. It took me 2 years to the application date, for it too be approved. It is normal that they deny you a couple of times. I think it is too weed out the truly disabled. I had to hire an attorney and of course they got there piece of pie too...but finally I got on the disability program along with the Medicare A and B Parts. Take Care

I lost my job Dec 2002 and applied Jan 2003 for SSDI. I was approved and received my first check Jul 2003 but had to wait 2 yrs to get Medicare.
I did get State assistant medical for the most part of the waiting period.
Unfortunately, MS has put me in a wheelchair. I have a progressive form(not RR) of MS which just slowly gets worse and no chance of getting better. I think this is why I was approved so fast.