Go on disability?

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rayne89

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Well I went back to work today after 2 months off for pain related to my Crohn’s (joints inflamed). With taking Vicodin when I first got there I barely made it through the day. I left 10 minutes early because by that point I could hardly walk.

All overtime at my husband’s shop has been cut and without me working plus no overtime we are barely making it. There is no wiggle room for any financial emergency. I need to go to the Mayo clinic soon for my heart condition, but there’s no money for that either right now.

Between the heart failure and the joint pain I’m beginning to consider the possibility of trying to get disability. I don’t even know if I qualify or how to go about it. I have always worked since my highschool days, the idea of asking for financial assistance is embarressing for me but without me working I don’t know how we’ll get by.

Does anyone have experience with going on disabilty? I’ve heard it’s difficult to qualify. Any (name removed by moderator)ut would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!
 
Getting disabilty is difficult and time consuming it can take several months to get approval! IF you are considering it I would suggest looking into it ASAP and getting the ball rolling on it!
 
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Karin:
Getting disabilty is difficult and time consuming it can take several months to get approval! IF you are considering it I would suggest looking into it ASAP and getting the ball rolling on it!
As to the rest of the post…didnt you guys just go through Bankruptcy?
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Yes we did just go through bankruptsy. I’m not sure how that relates. If the question is related to bills. Even though the credit card bills are gone the medical bills are not. I take 8 different medications a day. Have frequent doctor visits and 2 hospital bills still to pay.

All of our savings went to replacing the leaking roof and the rotting siding at the end of summer. These repairs were long over do and we could not have made it through this winter without them.
 
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rayne89:
Yes we did just go through bankruptsy. I’m not sure how that relates. .
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Sorry it was related to the bills…i did not realize that the medical aspect was not taken care of in this respect.
 
Rayne, you are always in my prayers. I’m so sorry you are experiencing such stress with these difficulties. God is certainly going to provide for you even if it doesn’t seem clear yet as to how.

This is a website I came up with upon googling “disability in michigan.” It has lots of questions answered and is very simple and easy to read.

The main site is: disabilitysecrets.com and the portion dedicated to Michigan is disabilitysecrets.com/disability-resources-michigan.html

It seems very comprehensive and gives you addresses and phone numbers of where and who to call and what to expect.

Hope that helps.
 
I say give the disability a try. You certainly can’t go through the work day on Vicodin & in terrible pain. That is no way to live.

I am so sorry. I hope it goes through for you.
 
I would urge you to apply immediately. You cannot work in that shape and that’s exactly what the program was put into place for. No doubt you’ve paid into it over the years.

I do know that you can apply online at the Social Security website. I have heard that a certain percentage are routinely turned down but if you (and I hope you don’t) get turned down, then you can always go to an attorney for advice and help with your case.

As a former legal secretary, I would highly advise it if you are turned down. They know all the ins and outs and can advise you but I believe they will not take the case unless you’ve been turned down after the first application. It can be a long process but will be well worth it.

You will be in my prayers that you are successful in this and that you receive help and healing for your problems. I am considering applying for it myself due to back problems and constant pain but have no idea if I would qualify. Good luck to you.

Amie
 
Rayne,

Go for the disability. YOU are the people it is there for!!! REAL illness!

You will probably be turned down the 1st time- is is pretty routine. REAPPLY!!! This all takes many months, but I belive if you are approved, the $$ is retroactive to when you 1st applied.
 
Rayne, I also went to Michigan’s .gov website and looked at their health care initiatives. It looks like if you go on disability you might also receive a Medicaid package including vision, dental and mental health care services. (Just FYI.) It says you need to go to your local Family Independence Agency (in your county) to apply for this.

michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2943_4860-35199–,00.html

Also, this is the .gov website for disability that I finally found (you’d think that would come up first in google, but I guess not) disabilityinfo.gov

The definition of qualifying for disability seems to be anyone who has a health problem expected to last at least one year (or result in death) and who is unable to sustain any type of gainful employment. Sounds like you, to me!
 
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Siena:
Rayne,

Go for the disability. YOU are the people it is there for!!! REAL illness!

You will probably be turned down the 1st time- is is pretty routine. REAPPLY!!! This all takes many months, but I belive if you are approved, the $$ is retroactive to when you 1st applied.
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Very true…most of the families I have known (including children) have been turned down the first time and have to appeal it. It can help if you have someone advocating for you. But if you do get denied the first time, go right back after it again.
 
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Princess_Abby:
Rayne, you are always in my prayers. I’m so sorry you are experiencing such stress with these difficulties. God is certainly going to provide for you even if it doesn’t seem clear yet as to how.

This is a website I came up with upon googling “disability in michigan.” It has lots of questions answered and is very simple and easy to read.

The main site is: disabilitysecrets.com and the portion dedicated to Michigan is disabilitysecrets.com/disability-resources-michigan.html

It seems very comprehensive and gives you addresses and phone numbers of where and who to call and what to expect.

Hope that helps.
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Wow what a great website Abby, thanks so much! It seems like a long and difficult process. I have a Dr. appointment coming up next week, I think I’ll discuss it with him. I just have to get past the part that people will think I’m trying to be some kind of free loader. According to the website I probably could have applied quite a while ago. I have continuely cut back my hours at work because I would come home exhausted (heart related). I didn’t realize you could file a claim if your income falls below a certain level. Anyway I’m going to pray about this (and try to swallow my pride.)
 
Crohn’s disease should never be treated with Vicodin. First of all, Vicodin should not be used, it cause gastrointestinal problems which will aggravate Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease is a very serious chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, and if arthritis is a problem, there are much better drugs of choice that do not cause you addiction as well. Get another medical opinion/.
 
Go for it, Rayne. (I was hositalized with colitis in 2004 and it was some of the worst stomach pain I have ever felt in my entire life. I was honestly frightened by it. You guys with Crohns that have the constant re-current flare ups, I just don’t know how you do it.) Absolutely go on disability - it’s there to help people like you, that need it, as some other posters mentioned. And with your heart condition - I really don’t know if you should be working. I think disability would definetly be a route you should seriously consider.

Be assured that you and your family are in my prayers. :gopray:
 
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stbruno:
Crohn’s disease should never be treated with Vicodin. First of all, Vicodin should not be used, it cause gastrointestinal problems which will aggravate Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease is a very serious chronic gastrointestinal inflammation, and if arthritis is a problem, there are much better drugs of choice that do not cause you addiction as well. Get another medical opinion/.
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I know what Crohn’s is. I’m on Pentasa and Entocort for the Crohn’s. Vicodin is for the pain in my joints, it’s not technically arthristis. Crohn’s can cause inflammations to occur outside of the digestive tract. In this case my hip joints. We tried Darvocet but that upset my stomach and did little for the pain. Vicodin does not upset my stomach. I only take it when I absolutely need it. I am aware that it can be addictive and I appreciate your concern. My gastroenterologist has one of the highest reputations in the state of MI. He works closely with my cardiologist, because of all the meds I take for my heart I must becareful what I take so as not to cause an interaction. Although I trust my doctor I will mention the Vicodin concern when I see him next week. Thank you.
 
Rayne, both of my parents are psychologists and for a number of years now they’ve basically just been doing disability evaluations for the state of New York. They know the whole system very well. I’d be happy to ask them any particular questions, if that could be of any help – though things might be a bit different in Michigan.

In any case, I will pray for you, of course 🙂
 
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Alterum:
Rayne, both of my parents are psychologists and for a number of years now they’ve basically just been doing disability evaluations for the state of New York. They know the whole system very well. I’d be happy to ask them any particular questions, if that could be of any help – though things might be a bit different in Michigan.

In any case, I will pray for you, of course 🙂
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Thankyou very much! I’m getting ready to go to bed but I will pm you tomorrow. God Bless!
:sleep:
 
First off, I know you didn’t really mention this, but don’t feel bad about going on disability. People in your situation is what it was created for and I’d be proud to know my taxes are going to you.

Second, I don’t know much about Michigan’s laws, but in Ca, if you get a doctor to say that you should not be working then it pretty much paves the way for you.

Third, go to the library and research grants!!! The feds have free money for medical bills. They also have free money for all your other bills (even rent or house payments). It’s a lot of work and filling out of forms, but it’s worth it. I put my wife through four years at a university for free. I was making too much money for the grants they had at the student financial aid office, but when I researched it, there were litterally thousands more grants available. No joke, they even have one for left handers to get $1000 per semester!!! Just for being left handed. Point is, there is money out there. That guy in the commercial with the question marks on his suit is right. But you don’t need his book. Any library in a decent sized city should have the grant listings. You may have to write to get the forms, but it doesn’t take long. You should qualify for several. Keep your eye out for some that you would qualify for after you go on disability. That should qualify you for several more by itself. Good luck, my prayers are with you.
 
Plenty of good advice has already been given, Rayne. So, I will add you and your family to my prayer list. Disability was made for people like you. Please take advantage of it.
 
First, talk to you doctor ASAP. Hopefully you’ve been relaying to your doctors how difficult it is to work due to your conditions, and it has been documented in your file. Even if not, tell your doctor that you think the time has come to go on disability, and why. I can’t imagine anyone disagreeing with you. Then contact Social Security to begin the process.

Do you have long-term disability insurance from your employer? You would have had to pay extra for this. If so, apply for this also. Some insurance will cover you in additon to Social Security, and others will deduct Social Security from what they pay you.

If you’re not already doing this, start to keep a health journal. Daily write down the medications that you’ve taken, how much pain you’re in, and what your level of functioning is. You can devise a shorthand for things so that you only have to jot down a few letters and it takes only a minute or two. This will help in case Social Security denies your claim and you have to appeal (sounds highly unlikely in your case). Once you qualify for disability, it will also help in case you need to requalify. Social Security routinely will contact you via mail every few years so you can update them on your condition.

Social Security will review all your medical records. Also they will contact in writing any friend or neighbor who’s name you’ve provided to verify your claim. Then Social Security will send you to a disability doctor and perhaps also to a psychologist. These doctors will exam you according to Social Security criteria. This is all a routine part of the application process.

It can seem overwhelming at times. Remember that you’ll be dealing with a government program so there is alot of red tape, forms to fill out, etc. Thankfully it is in place for people who need it and qualify.
 
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rayne89:
Well I went back to work today after 2 months off for pain related to my Crohn’s (joints inflamed). With taking Vicodin when I first got there I barely made it through the day. I left 10 minutes early because by that point I could hardly walk.

All overtime at my husband’s shop has been cut and without me working plus no overtime we are barely making it. There is no wiggle room for any financial emergency. I need to go to the Mayo clinic soon for my heart condition, but there’s no money for that either right now.

Between the heart failure and the joint pain I’m beginning to consider the possibility of trying to get disability. I don’t even know if I qualify or how to go about it. I have always worked since my highschool days, the idea of asking for financial assistance is embarressing for me but without me working I don’t know how we’ll get by.

Does anyone have experience with going on disabilty? I’ve heard it’s difficult to qualify. Any (name removed by moderator)ut would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!
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Social Security Administration has an informative web site with a list of disorders qualifying for disability. That said I have to tell you it took me about 2 years to get SSDI, however I have known people who got it within a few months. It is easier to get if you are over 50, if you are over 60, its a shoo in. You can apply by phone and SSA will send you a bunch of paperwork for you and your doctors to fill out. Not all doctors will be cooperative, depending on how they feel about your case. It helps greatly if you have an additional mental disorder such as depression, anxiety, etc and are being treated for it. It would shorten the process if you hired a disability attorney, you will have to pay them WHEN you are awarded your benefits. You will then receive a lump sum and the lawyer will take his/her share of it. You have to pay taxes on whatever you receive from the government IF you go over their income bracket. Since my husband works we are over their income bracket and I pay taxes on my income. You have to consider if it is better to go on disability or try to work part time. What you make on disability will equal to what you earn part time. You are able to supplement your income and there are specified rules for that. I hope this helps. You are in my prayers.
 
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