SSDI for husband after stroke?
I was told by hospital social worker to sign my husband (age 62) up for SSDI. He had a hemorrhage stroke 3 months ago. At the time he was not working. Six months ago he decided to take early SS retirement at age 62 and travel then get another job next year. Unfortunately the stroke changed all that.
He was in hospital then nursing rehab and acute rehab. He improved a lot and is now getting discharged from hospital. His friend offered amazingly to care for him. I’m 73 and not able to assist due to my own health and other issues. I feel terrible about not being able to care for him but I also care for our disabled adult child so it would be too much stress on me.
He will need help for 6 months or longer per Dr notes. Since he is not 65, he has no Medicare or Medicaid but has health insurance. Social worker told me to sign him up for SSDI, I am POA but SS won’t talk to me without him present. He has aphasia and can’t talk clearly. Blue cross also needs his ok for me to find his med records online. They don’t honor our POA that is notarized and we paid for as part of our Living Trust. Seems like such a waste of money to have gone to an attorney, paid thousands and now no one honors it. They all have their own POA forms but he would need to complete them and sign them and the fact he cannot comprehend is a problem.
I’m keeping a daily log of bills but need to question some charges.
Any advice on benefit of SSDI and how hard it is to get approval. I read a lot on line but it’s very confusing.
Also any advice on paying his friend for care? I’m fine paying friend out of pocket but wondering if there is a better way.
Thank you all for reading and any advice greatly appreciated.
I’ve been reading agingcare.com for years and find it very helpful. So many kind people out there.
So grateful.
💕
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Now that is very unusual, as most people have to try and appeal many times before getting approved, but I guess because my husbands disabilities were so blatantly obvious that he got it first try.
And you're correct the SS office does not honor a POA. They have their own legal paperwork that you must fill out to act on behalf of your husband. I'm sorry but I don't recall what that is called, but someone at the SS office can assist you with that.
I know when my husband was on SSDI, he was automatically enrolled in Medicare after 2 years which of course helped pay his medical, doctor and prescription drugs.
The fact that your husband will be almost 65 in 2 years and qualify for Medicare, it just may be better off to wait it out, as SSDI will automatically switch over to just SSI then anyway.
I guess it wouldn't hurt to talk to someone at the SS office to see what they would recommend, and if you decide to proceed you can always hire an attorney that specializes in SSDI, and they will do all the paperwork required if you just don't want to have to deal with it all.
I hope and pray that your husband will continue to improve.
God bless you both.
I would reach out to either an elder law attorney, a CPA. a Licensed Fiduciary, A certified social worker of an aging care professional (www.aginglife.org) or independent board certified patient care advocate for help with medical and arrangements (www.NPAF.org). You are going to need costly help with arranging things for up to a year. Once these things are DONE they will run smoothly but my first year as Trustee and POA for my bro made my anxiety level explode. Very difficult indeed.
Again, it is illegal to ignore a proper POA. So anyone who won't needs to tell you why they aren't honoring a POA and I think it is because your husband is NOT incompetent and therefore must be with you when things are done. Find out how to do that. This will fall under his having a DISABILITY.
I sure do wish you luck. Your plate is now very very full. Remember, a nortarization means NOTHING but that someone was licensed to attest yours and your hubby's signatures are your signature. They vouch for nothing about competence or anything else.
What things come down to now is whether or not husband is competent to do things but DISABLED or whether he is INCOMPETENT in his own decision making and you must do it.l
Once someone chose to collect SS early I am not certain they can go back on that and collect SSDI instead, but again, this is for SS to answer for you both.l
This, my answer, sounds as confusing as you must already feel. I sure wish you luck and hope you'll update us.
I agree it’s stressful. If it gets too much for me to handle I will hire an elder attorney. Good advice. Thank you.
What I would do is call your local office and ask if I am correct. If I am, no use in applying, of course. If I am wrong, I would not try applying on-line. I would go to the nearest SS office, with your husband, and talk to a representative. You husband can give permission for you to talk for him. Really, though, the difference between reg SS and disability is a few dollars. He may get Medicare and Medicaid with it, though.
If you find he cannot get disability, then go to Social Services and see if he can get a supplimental income (SSI). Medicaid may come with it.
I pray for all of you that it all works out and you guys have enough money to get through this crisis and live.
Just to add, everyone should do this, it stops anyone else from doing it and causing untold hassles for yourself.