View Full Version : SSDI or not?
I am disabled from a progressive neuromuscular disease; I worked until I could not work any longer. I have not applied for SSDI and don’t intend to. Why not? I suppose that I could spend the money but in all honesty, I don’t really need it. I know people whose disability has caused them real hardship and they flat need the money but I don’t. I do plan to draw my Social Security when I turn 66 because by then DH will be retired (maybe) and we will be drawing down our retirement savings. My sister-in-law thinks I’m dumb not to take the SSDI and maybe I am…but then maybe I’m happy with enough. What do you think?
i think it is very admirable of you, florence. The only downside would be that you are not eligible for Medicare/Medicade. But you probably have insurance covered.
Gardenarian
10-20-11, 3:50pm
I agree with Sissy. If you feel you can manage without help, it's very good of you to pass it up. I am so sorry about your disability! You seem to keep a positive attitude!
I do have very good insurance. I'm sure if I didn't have insurance I would need the SSDI and Medicare.
I am disabled from a progressive neuromuscular disease; I worked until I could not work any longer. I have not applied for SSDI and don’t intend to. Why not? I suppose that I could spend the money but in all honesty, I don’t really need it. I know people whose disability has caused them real hardship and they flat need the money but I don’t. I do plan to draw my Social Security when I turn 66 because by then DH will be retired (maybe) and we will be drawing down our retirement savings. My sister-in-law thinks I’m dumb not to take the SSDI and maybe I am…but then maybe I’m happy with enough. What do you think?
Nothing dumb about it, if you don't really need it right now. For one thing, your monthly benefit when you apply for SS at 66 will be higher than it would have been if you began drawing now, giving you more at a time when both you and your husband may need a bit more boost. Plus, you don't have the burdensome restrictions and qualifications to deal with. Even with a clearly disabling condition, you're likely to get turned down repeatedly, then have to appeal with the help of an attorney. Two years or so down the road, you'd get a back payment, minus attorney fees. Such a deal!
Do what makes you happy. :)
:) Somehow I thought you guys would understand!
iris lily
10-20-11, 9:55pm
agree with hkPassey, getting on SSDI isn't exactly a piece of cake. It takes time and effort and possibly attorney fees, not sure.
jennipurrr
10-21-11, 3:09pm
It takes time and effort and possibly attorney fees, not sure.
Kind of an aside, attorneys are not allowed to charge directly for services related to SSDI. Basically, if someone is eventually approved for SSDI they will get back payments to the date of their first application. The attorney's fees are a set percent of that payment.
I am guessing that this type of program would still be available to you should - heaven forbid - your circumstances change and you actually need the money? I applaud you for only taking what you need and not what you are "entitled" to.
Don't get me wrong: I'm all for supporting people who need it. My son's roommate in the Marines suffered a hearing loss as a result of being enlisted and I nagged him to start filing the paperwork NOW because when he is 60 trying to prove any hearing loss is service related is a nightmare or so I've been told. But if you don't need it, you don't need and hopefully, that will make it easier for someone else who DOES need it to get it.
I hope.
I admire the way you think.
early morning
10-22-11, 1:47pm
Well, in our case DH applied - and eventually received SSDI (w/the aid of an attorney), because his employer offered long-term disability insurance. AND because we need the money. I'm one of those evil "highly paid" public servants - HA! NOT. He was NOT disabled by anything that happened at his job. When he became disabled he was REQUIRED by the insurance company to apply for SSDI AND pursue the claim, in order to collect the disability insurance after one year. The insurance paid us until he received SSDI, and of course we had to turn over the back-pay to them, minus the lawyer fees.
Honestly, I don't think it's right for a private company to take your and/or a business's money to protect you in the case of a long-term disability, and then dump you on a government program. But when we questioned it, the lawyer and the insurance company both assured it that's the case with all such insurance!
Florence, it's great you don't need it and don't plan to apply. That's what we had thought we would be able to do if the need arose, by signing up for the ^&*$ disability insurance to start with!
I am guessing that this type of program would still be available to you should - heaven forbid - your circumstances change and you actually need the money? I applaud you for only taking what you need and not what you are "entitled" to.
Don't get me wrong: I'm all for supporting people who need it. My son's roommate in the Marines suffered a hearing loss as a result of being enlisted and I nagged him to start filing the paperwork NOW because when he is 60 trying to prove any hearing loss is service related is a nightmare or so I've been told. But if you don't need it, you don't need and hopefully, that will make it easier for someone else who DOES need it to get it.
I hope.
Anne Lee - I also suffered a service related hearing loss (as well as some other head/neck injuries) while in the service and was able to get a small monthly disability benefit from the VA as well as free medical care for my injuries and hearting loss from a VA hospital. So have your friend apply asap. Not only will they issue him/her free hearing aids (about $6,000), but they may be qualified for a monthly disability benefit if the hearing loss is substantial enough. They would need to apply thru the VA and not the SSA. They can apply online at www.VA.gov and it's pretty simple.
Florence - I admire you for deciding not to take the SSDI if you don't need it but just wanted to add that if you are unemployed for 10 years or longer, you will lose the ability to collect SSDI. You must have been employed within 10 years to recieve that. But if I remember, you are in your 50's so probably are OK until you are 66 and get SS.
Well, in our case DH applied - and eventually received SSDI (w/the aid of an attorney), because his employer offered long-term disability insurance. AND because we need the money. I'm one of those evil "highly paid" public servants - HA! NOT. He was NOT disabled by anything that happened at his job. When he became disabled he was REQUIRED by the insurance company to apply for SSDI AND pursue the claim, in order to collect the disability insurance after one year. The insurance paid us until he received SSDI, and of course we had to turn over the back-pay to them, minus the lawyer fees.
Honestly, I don't think it's right for a private company to take your and/or a business's money to protect you in the case of a long-term disability, and then dump you on a government program. But when we questioned it, the lawyer and the insurance company both assured it that's the case with all such insurance!
Florence, it's great you don't need it and don't plan to apply. That's what we had thought we would be able to do if the need arose, by signing up for the ^&*$ disability insurance to start with!
I did not know that. Interesting. Dave Ramsey highly recommends long term disability insurance which I could not afford. I ended up buying AFLAC for short term disability insurance, i.e. to help cover the loss of my income if I am off work more than 6 months. After 24 months it stops paying which I figured that if I were off work that long it was probably due to some long term condition and I would apply for SSDI. I actually felt bad in using a gov't program as part of my plan as I really do believe they are safety nets and not entitlements.
Now it appears that even with the long term insurance I still would have ended up on SSDI and would have been out the money I paid for premiums. I'm sure there are insurances that don't require you to go on SSDI but it sounds as if this little trick is an industry wide practice.
Anne Lee - I also suffered a service related hearing loss (as well as some other head/neck injuries) while in the service and was able to get a small monthly disability benefit from the VA as well as free medical care for my injuries and hearting loss from a VA hospital. So have your friend apply asap. Not only will they issue him/her free hearing aids (about $6,000), but they may be qualified for a monthly disability benefit if the hearing loss is substantial enough. They would need to apply thru the VA and not the SSA. They can apply online at www.VA.gov and it's pretty simple.
Sparty, thanks for the info. Good to know the services the VA offers. The next time I see Miguel, I'll follow up just to check. Unfortunately, there is sometimes some push back in filing for disability when "it's not that bad" and then if the condition deteriorates the service member is SOL. Miguel may very well end up never needing VA services but being that's he so young and has his whole adult life ahead of him, I think it's better safe than sorry.
Sparty, thanks for the info. Good to know the services the VA offers. The next time I see Miguel, I'll follow up just to check. Unfortunately, there is sometimes some push back in filing for disability when "it's not that bad" and then if the condition deteriorates the service member is SOL. Miguel may very well end up never needing VA services but being that's he so young and has his whole adult life ahead of him, I think it's better safe than sorry.
"Sparty" - Ha ha - I like that ;-)! The VA is just as notorious for turning down disability claims as is SSA but usually there is alot more documentation of things because of the entrance and exit physicals you have in the service along with various other physicals. So have him try as soon as possible as it is well worth it. The money isn't much but the medical benefits are great and there are alot of other perks from having a "Service Connected Disability" like claiming Veterans Preferance for Govmint jobs, etc...
iris lily
10-23-11, 9:25am
My FIL who is 80 years old filed a few years ago (no more than 10 years?) for his service -related hearing loss in the Korean War, and he now gets a nice monthly check, I'm thinking more than $300.
Kind of an aside, attorneys are not allowed to charge directly for services related to SSDI. Basically, if someone is eventually approved for SSDI they will get back payments to the date of their first application. The attorney's fees are a set percent of that payment.
Exactly, and the fees are capped to the lower of a percentage (25%, I think) or a maximum amount ($5000, if I remember correctly). The attorney payments are subtracted and made directly by Social Security, too, which tells me this whole process is screwed up beyond imagining: I don't know of any other program where the government is essentially acknowledging that without the help of an attorney, people cannot get the benefits due them.
Sparty, thanks for the info. Good to know the services the VA offers. The next time I see Miguel, I'll follow up just to check. Unfortunately, there is sometimes some push back in filing for disability when "it's not that bad" and then if the condition deteriorates the service member is SOL. Miguel may very well end up never needing VA services but being that's he so young and has his whole adult life ahead of him, I think it's better safe than sorry.
HK Passey's messages above about lawyers reminded me to add that he can get free legal assistance and help with filling out a claim thru any local VA group or at places like the DAV, American Leigion, VFW, etc... They will give him all the info needed to get started as well as let him know any other veteran's benefits he's entitled to. And if his hearing loss was due to a sudden concussive force (i.e. something blowing up near him) like mine was, rather than nerve damage from long term noise exposure, then they can often do surgury at the VA to correct that. And of course it's all covered if it's service connected.
Also wanted to add that this being almost Veterans Day, Knotts Berry Farm in SoCal allows Veterans and one guest in free everyday for the entire month. Also lots of restaurants, etc.. have freebies for veterans. And of course - enjoy the holiday and remember those who served in the Armed Forces !!
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