I'm Sorry Should I Be Eligible??

I don't think you qualify.

If you have a job, they don't generally consider you to be disabled.

http://www.ssa.gov/dibplan/dqualify5.htm

You can try using this to see if you are eligible for any help:

http://www.benefits.gov/ssa

Anyone can apply. Whether or not it's granted cannot be predicted. Legend has it that most people have to apply 3 times before they're approved.

My brother looked into applying and was told by the SS agent that he has to be totally unemployable to have his application even considered. He is working but having difficulty doing the job. His doctor cannot say he's unemployable because he could work at a desk. There is just not a desk job available where he works.

Another brother has submitted an application. He has been unemployed for over a year and is unable to work at anything, including a desk job. His doctor has signed a document stating that he is unemployable. He's to the point in his application where a doctor paid by SS will give him a thorough exam. He will likely get SS Disability if the government doctor says he's unemployable.

I have one kidney with a disease that is not curable and so it is slowly loosing function until it will be just done. I am treated for anxiety, insomnia and host of other issues because I am woefully underemployed and work two jobs, struggle to pay my bills, take care of my teen, plan for college, etc.

So I am sorry that you have one kidney, no gall bladder, and hernias, but becoming dependent on people like me to pay your SSI and medical expenses doesn't garner any sympathy in me.

Frankly it sounds like you have let your health go - re: hernia since 2000 - why was that not corrected years ago? You have health insurance? I also noticed that you have a husband that works and just last week you had 2 to 3k to spend on a car - that is way more money in the bank than I have.

So, suck it up - take care of yourself. Use the car money to enroll in a class to improve your employability, or take care of some of your medical problems.

Stop looking for an easy way out and stop feeling sorry for yourself.

Oh, and SSI, pays crappy.

UPDATE:
I will have to pay taxes this year, as I have for the past 2 years, as I have been using early retirement withdrawals (my money, that I put away for old age) to carry us through. I have thousands of unpaid medical bills hanging over my head from being unemployed and uninsured for over a year. I have faced foreclosure in the past two years. Yet, I get up every day and continue to work over 60 hours a week with maybe one full day off every in every three weeks. It is hard and frustrating, and makes me cry on some days. But what issues I have are not enough for me to ever want to be dependent on the system. You are my age, you have medical problems, you are tired. I get that. But instead of copping out, look at ways to improve your situation. Getting your medical issues taken care of should be your priority - with better health you will be better able to face the challenges that life hands out.

Based on what you are saying, you would never be approved. If you are working 60 hours to make ends meet, you cannot survive on disability. I would think long and hard about applying. Anyone working 60 hours would be tired so that is not abnormal. Since the recession lots of people have decided to apply for disability (don't get me started on that) so it is even harder now to be approved. You would not qualify because you have one kidney, or because you have high blood pressure or hernias. Work on getting blood pressure down either with diet or meds and take care of
yourself. Maybe a change of jobs is needed. Good luck.

If you can work 60 hours a week then you're not disabled. Honestly, it sounds like you want a way out of working hard.

Pretty sure if being tired after working was a disability we would all qualify.

You are not disabled. Disability is for when you can't work, not because you want to work longer hours to make ends meet. If you cannot work those hours anymore your husband needs to take up the slack, not taxpayers.

Its difficult to imagine that your out of pocket Max on a BCBS policy would allow for you to spend $17k to their $283... so, lets look at your medical issues as they relate to disability. You have one kidney, that's all you need, so that's a no go. You have a hernia - get it repaired, the benefits would likely be worth it if it's "that bad", you're not going to get disability because you choose to not have a medical procedure(aside from that, do you want to spend 50 years sitting on your couch doing nothing to avoid 5 days of discomfort?). Pregnancy high bp has nothing to do with this... no one feels normal for several weeks after having a baby... your bp is high now, are you treating it? A family history isn't gonna be factored in either. Maybe its time to look for a dif job and make some lifestyle changes that put your health first... my parents own 2 businesses and are far worse off than you medically, they pay $1300 per month for crappy insurance, and are in their 60s and more tired than you can believe. Take control and make some changes, you sound like you're content to lay down and die!

You are young and you are capable of working 60 hours a week.
You are not disabled.
You know those guys that come home from war and they have lost a leg? That's disabled.
My cousin's wife is in a wheelchair. She has been since she was 5. She has no use of her legs. She just recently had a kidney transplant since she was on dialysis 5 times a day. She works, she races sled dogs, and she was a para-olympic skier, where she won the gold for USA!! She would be horrified if you called her disabled.
Maybe your husband can pick up some extra hours so that you don't have to work so much.
There is nothing that chaps me more than someone claiming disability when they are NOT disabled.

Working 60 hours per week on your feet all day would make even the fittest person tired. Can you find another job?
Additionally, if you need to work 60 hours to make ends meet then you will never be able to make it with just getting disability.
I really do sympathize with you but disability is suppose to be for people that truly can not work. You obviously can work.
Anyone can apply for disability, whether you get it or not is another matter. FYI... I know 3 people on disability, they all had attorneys.

Since you asked if I, as a taxpayer, would contribute to supporting you because you claim to be disabled, my answer is no.

I'm sorry, but you never claimed an actual "disability". I don't mean you didn't name one, but all you did was complain. You never said you can't work.

In fact - you're working 60 hours per week! It's pretty hard to state that you "can't work b/c I'm disabled" when in fact you're working pretty hard right now.

You don't need disability, you need a new job. Go update your resume and see what's out there! Try to get some exercise and take care of your body (it'll take care of you).

And if you have insurance, you need to find out if it will cover the hernia. If it does - get it done, silly! If it doesn't, well that's all the more reason to be looking for a new job.

Good luck!

Nope, you won't qualify. My husband is on disability...and believe me, you don't want to be that bad off. I have a friend who has breast cancer, PTSD after being STABBED and almost killed, fibromyalgia, and Lord knows what else is wrong with that woman...and SHE doesn't qualify.

In order to qualify, they have to determine that you are absolutely NOT able to work at any gainful employment. I do feel for you, but my suggestion would be to cut back on your hours. They really could care less if you can "make ends meet"...I've heard of them telling people with crippling anxiety and agoraphobia to find a "work at home job." No joke...like those exist.

I'm sorry, but I wouldn't waste the time. It's an incredibly long process, etc, and again...to me...doesn't sound like you are disabled.

Several years ago I took a course on social security adminstration and the stated that many people try to file for the disability that really are not qualified for it. These people and others who need it are denied so that the weed out the ones that really don't need it. If you really think about it if you don't need it you may not really pursue it full time.

You are going to have to ask your doctor about your medical condition. Then you are going to have to fill out the form on line for SS disability. You will have to make sure you have all the names of all the doctors, address, case file numbers, hospital names with all the correct dates and times. Filling out the paperwork alone will take over two weeks, I helped hubby file for his and it took almost a month to get all the names of the doctors and such that we did not have.

You will most likely not get it. The SS office will do their own research on what you submit and go over it with a fine tooth comb to make sure what youn and what they find match up.

Do you have any illnesses that are on the approved list that qualify for disability? Can you not work for a minimum of six months before you apply for the disabiity in order to qualify? If not you will not get it. You probably won't get it.

I ask all these questions because my husband applied for early social security after having had major surgeries. In the process one of the illnesses was a blood disorder which was placed on the approved list. He also had several other serious medical issues. To make a long story short, he was granted the disability to his retirement with the retroactive date of the six months that were required. It helped us with mortgage payments and to get us back on our feet. There are still some medical payments that need to be made. He can't stand long periods of time even with hip replacement, he can't lift heavy loads 20 pounds is good for him. Tthink Gabby Gifford,he had brain surgery his speech is mixed up at times. He can't drive long distances like before as a long distance truck driver as his concentration is not there. Now these are things considered for disability. He can't work. Our neighbors know of his health issues and keep an eye on him when he is outside tinkering.

So start to think of how you can help yourself with your health issues and then work on getting some new skills for a job.

the other S.

PS I work so that I can do things I want to do. I may work until I am 70 so that I do get the most bang for my buck.

H.:

Sorry - i don't have experience with trying to get permanent disability. Here's a link to the SSD website
http://www.disability-benefits-help.org/content/do-you-qu...

You need to talk with your doctor and find out what he/she says about your ability to work, etc. you may have to consider changing jobs or your field of work.

Going on disability is not a money-maker. You won't get a full paycheck, if that's what you are thinking will happen. I don't know your financial expectations.

Have your doctor do a full physical and find out if you are anemic (that's why you are tired) or if there is something else going on.

Talk with your social services office. Find out if you qualify for any assistance. Also find out if you qualify for grants for education so you can change your careers, get a "desk job" and earn more money doing something else with less hours.

Good luck!

H., go to a lawyer who specializes in this. Get the advice you need. He or she will tell you what to get from the doctor to get your ducks in a row to apply. Then apply.

They do turn most people down the first time. Then you let the lawyer go to bat for you the second time. I feel pretty sure that you would qualify, but don't be surprised if they turn you down the first time.

Good luck and I hope that your health improves.

My mom qualified for SS disability at age 54 sixteen years ago. It is generally difficult to qualify the first time you apply. I would consult an attorney who practices in this area and they can advise you of your chances, how to apply and how to maximizes your chances of qualifying. If you can't afford an attorney contact Legal Aid or a similar organization. Having an attorney who knows what they are doing in this area can make a huge difference. Good luck. (You will need documentation from your doctors, but an attorney can give you the details on that too.)

I don't have any experience with this personally, but what I've heard is that it's very hard to get this approved without a lawyer, and very easy to get it done with a lawyer. And the SSI will pay your court fees if you're found eligible. That's just hearsay, though, not an expert opinion.

What I really want to ask is, will you have access to health insurance while on SSI? 46 is pretty young to accept this kind of debilitation if you've got any other options. I guess I would follow up with another doctor and really weigh your medical options, SSI or no.

Keep in mind, too, SSI income is like working full time on minimum wage. It's hard to survive, especially if your disability comes with its own expenses -- needing health aides, etc.

Sorry! I hope that's not too depressing of a response.

Basically your physician has to sign papers that your health issues will prevent you from doing any gainful employment for 12 month or longer or result in your death.

I work in a hospital and your health issues don't sound permanently disabling. But if your physician will say they are, that is the first step. Almost everyone gets denied at least once. I've never known anyone capable of working 40 hours a week to qualify for disability. It would mean you're not disabled.

Only if your doc believes you to be disabled. You may just need to find a different job where you're not standing and constantly moving.

If you are going to apply, do it sooner rather than later because it takes a while to be approved/denied. Most people are initially denied and have to appeal. The time to get a hearing on the appeal can take up to 6 mos or more. This is not a fast process, so starting right away will be key.

Good luck.

Do you have heart problems yourself? Do you have COPD? Do you have diabetes?

Having had surgeries, having hernias, having high blood pressure, having a family history of certain health issue, becoming tired easily... those things don't count as disabilities that would qualify you for SSI.

There IS a list of disabilities that the Social Security Office recognizes, though, and you need to check out that list. If you have any of those conditions you could qualify.

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/Adul...

What you need to do is get to the local Department of Rehabilitation Services office and ask them for advice and see what services you're entitled to, if any. They should be able to point you in the right direction and/or help you apply for services.

What you really need, though, is in depth testing and evaluation to determine what's going on and if you do indeed have any of the disabilities or impairments that would entitle you to benefits.

http://www.ssa.gov/disability/professionals/bluebook/Adul...

Edited because the BRS/Bureau of Rehab Services recently renamed themselves to be Department of Rehabilitation Services.

If you are working that many hours they will never allow you to be qualified. You have to be off work at least 2 years or making below half minimum wage before you can even get through the first stage of applying. You need to talk to an attorney that does filing for SSDI for his living. I do believe he'll tell you that you will not qualify since you are working, that shows you are NOT disabled and are certainly able to work.

Plus, SSDI is less than minimum wage. Since you're a woman you won't get more than a few hundred a month. You'll have no insurance for a couple of years either.

My hubby worked less than 18 hours per week for 2 years before his application was processed for him to get disability and he had open heart surgery. They still wouldn't qualify him until his hours were so low. Then he was on for right at 2 years before he got medicare. So we lost everything we had. He's doing better now physically since he quit work. But our income is right at minimum wage and we are raising 2 of our grand kids on his SSDI too....

My advice is to get a good lawyer. I think they deny any first requests and it will take a lawyer to know exactly how to play the game.

Hi H.~

Life sure can be rough when we don't feel well. However, I don't think you would qualify based on your health issues. I don't have experience with this and I think you're asking those of us who do. (So may apologies to you if you are upset with me for responding.) However... I would to make a suggestion. It sounds like you would benefit from some other kind of work. Is there anyway your company would let you do at least some of your work from home? I am not sure if that would be an option. I guess it depends on what line of work you do. Or if it is not possible, could you decrease your work load and pick up another job that allows you to work from home. Just one example: My husband worked for restaurant.com in the office building but there were some who picked the "work from home" option.