Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
I'm curious as to how many RA fighters out there are currently on disability and/or actively pursuing disability due to RA.
I have a friend who is about my age that has some other serious medical conditions and has tried filing multiple times without success. But I have talked with others who have filed and were successful in months.
I'm still very young (late 20's) and have a LONG work life ahead of me, but I'm worried if I'm going through such pain and impairment now, what if it gets worse as I get older?
I, personally, cannot afford to NOT work full-time. I wouldn't be able to survive on the meager amount that disability provides (isn't it something like 50% of what you were making before you filed????). I am the "bread winner" between my husband and I. If he had a higher paying job, I might be able to cut my hours, but that's not an option anytime in the near future.
If you have experience w/filing for disability, I'm curious to know if a seronegative RA sufferer is able to file or if you have to have positive markers?
I have a friend who is about my age that has some other serious medical conditions and has tried filing multiple times without success. But I have talked with others who have filed and were successful in months.
I'm still very young (late 20's) and have a LONG work life ahead of me, but I'm worried if I'm going through such pain and impairment now, what if it gets worse as I get older?
I, personally, cannot afford to NOT work full-time. I wouldn't be able to survive on the meager amount that disability provides (isn't it something like 50% of what you were making before you filed????). I am the "bread winner" between my husband and I. If he had a higher paying job, I might be able to cut my hours, but that's not an option anytime in the near future.
If you have experience w/filing for disability, I'm curious to know if a seronegative RA sufferer is able to file or if you have to have positive markers?
With the answers to all the questions you have on paperwork to file plus SS contacts your doctor for is assesment, it all comes together to paint a picture of exactly what is going on.
I have a friend who is sero negative and filed the same time as me and she was approved , but it did take several months longer for her , she had to go before the judge to obtain approval. But I don't know the exact reason why it was harder for her.
I have read (and heard from others) that you have to be unemployed for at least a year before they will even consider you for filing a claim. Also, people who are young and/or college educated usually get declined because they don't want to pay out that long and a college education can usually open doors for a "less physically demanding" job. However, I also read that they can limit your employment options and STILL decline the disability claim. Then you're REALLY screwed.
I just don't know what to do down the road if this progresses further. I will get fired because I physically cannot complete my job or make it in, then I will be in trouble! I can't afford to not work F/T, but I also can't afford to get fired! Then lost my insurance!?!?!
It's all very stressful! :(
That was exactly what I was worried I would hear! I knew it was (rather, IS) difficult to get approved for any SSDI, but that sounds outrageous.
I mean, how do they expect people to keep a roof over their heads and pay for medication and doctor visits if they can't be employeed for 3+ years!?!?!?!? I'm already in collections for medical bills from my cancer treatment and it's not because I don't WANT to pay, but because it was an unexpected diagnosis, surgery, etc. and I literally don't have enough money coming in to pay what they wanted per month!
If I lose my job, there is no doubt, we WILL lose our apartment! :( I don't know what to do if my Rheumy can't find a medication combination that works for me so I can actually go to work as scheduled. :/ I'm so fearful I will lose my job.
I haven't file yet for SS, but I understand it may be tougher.
My recommendation would be to use everything you have "wrong" that causes you problems. If the primary problem is RA, use that, but if you have OA, also put that on your application. If you have severe fatigue, make sure to put that down.