The more/better information submitted for the SSDI application, the faster it gets processed. The more valid diagnoses on the application, the more likely the person will get onto SSDI. It's the ones that have DX's including MCS, FMS, CFS, etc., who have a hard time, as SSDI system does not recognize those as stand-alone ills....but if you have other recognized Diagnoses which, together, disable one from working, can show one to be incompatible with working enough per month to earn about $700/mo, regularly, then one can get it on that. It might take longer. But Alzheimer's is a pretty "given" DX...everyone knows it's a one-way ticket to a shorter life, and that one cannot work....so awards for that, are faster than for some other DX.
Terms: SS = Social Security. (Retirement) SSDI = Social Security Disability Insurance (disabled before retirement age) SSI = Supplemental Security Income (for low income or if never paid into social security.)
I'm 66 and was labeled disabled at age 50 and had to be on Medicaid for 18 months before Medicare took over. That was 16 years ago. That's why you don't listen to others as things change. Go to a SS office and talk in person.
No the standard for DISABILITY is "a health or mental condition that prevents the person for working, and the condition is expected to last 12 months or longer, or result in death" At some point, a disabled person may recover enough to work. Whether a person is able to work long enough and consistently enough to stop receiving SSDI or SSI, depends on the individual situation and case. There is no one size fits all explanation, but it is possible to maybe work PT, or transition off benefits over time, if able to resume FT employment. This is not necessarily a permanent finding...it is subject to periodic medical and case review.
If you go SSDI, you kinda need to make sure that for the Medicare waiting period that either you have COBRA coverage or that you are going to be able to be within ACA. I don't know how ACA has affected folks on deciding whether or not to pay Cobra. Cobra is expensive but in the past it was usually more seamless in coverage from the policy that you had when you were working.
2 years with disability will have huge costs & access issues unless you have insurance.
Chimonger was incorrect in saying that the disability benefits would turn into SSI. That is incorrect. The disability benefits on SSDI turn into regular Social Security when the disabled person reaches full retirement age.
And it's not because she's under 62, it is because she's under 65, as that is the age for becoming Medicare eligible. You qualify earlier for Medicare if you have been disabled for two years.
24 months. That's what it takes...go to the government website and look it up for yourself. Or call SS at 1-800-772-1213. Don't depend so much on what others say when this type of factual information is at your finger tips. It will be less stressful in the long run and be more empowering for you.
Also, we were told bc under 62yr old she has to be onSSD 25 months before qualifying for Medicare. I've seen others say shorter times so not sure what's accurate on the Medicare
My mom was diagnosed at age 59. I applied for SS Disability online for her. They did send me a questionnaire to fill out as well about her activities of daily living as well as a phone interview to clarify a few things . I was amazed how quickly they handled her application as I've heard horror stories about disability. On the other hand she worked as a teacher nearly 30yr and with those disability benefits we went round and round nearly a year!!! Best of luck and if it's difficult to take your senior in the local office due to your schedule I highly recommend online filing. Oh, also bc she had Alzheimer's she had to have a payee that handles her money, in my case my daddy. He also had to do a phone interview and sign some papers reguarding that part of thing.
One can get onto SSDI [Federal level disability], IF they have illnesses or injuries that prevent them working enough monthly, to earn at least $700 per month or so. Once someone ages into their normal retirement age, that SSDI check turns into plain old SSI. What Does remain the same, is Medicare. One can start getting Medicare once they have received SSDI or SSI for--a year? But nope--not both at same time. One can be a SSDI or SSI PLUS DSHS [welfare] recipient, if their income from SSDI or SSI is not too high. IF one is under income, DSHS manages a Federal Program to pay for your Medicare Premiums monthly so it no longer gets deducted from the SSDI or SSI check.
Laurabutler, there is no tax advantage togetting Social Security Disability over Social Security Retirement. Are you referring to nontaxable Supplemental Security Insurance or possibly some other type of private disability insurance?
Yes, you can. Mental impairment of most any sort will qualify. My husband had "mild cognitive impairment", now diagnosed as "medical onset dementia". Disability will be in effect until your loved one turns 65, when it turns into SS retirement. If you are filing on your own get all the medical proof you can. There are two forms of SS Disabilty. If you go into an office to file they are required to apply for both forms, though your loved one will not be eligible for one of them. I didn't apply online so I can't explain that process. Be prepared to receive a denial and then challenge it. Record any changes in your loved one from the time you submit your first claim. That way, if you need to challenge the denial you have further evidence of impairment. Questionnaires are sent to every person you list as a witness or professional. You will also get one. When you get the form the second time, list all the changes you have recorded since you filed the first time at the end where you can write a statement. Some of the responders have mentioned Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare comes with SS Disability. Medicaid is based on low income. If you planned for retirement and have savings to live on, you will most likely not qualify. Check with a professional in your area. There are things you can do to change your situation. Good luck.
How old is the senior? You can't get both Social Security Retirement and Social Security Disability Benefits.
The only exception is for the worker who took "early retirement" while Social Security was deciding their application for disability benefits. In that case, Social Security will make up the difference between the lower "early retirement" benefits and the worker's full disability benefit amount, if the early retiree is determined to be disabled.
If the person is above Normal Retirement Age (an age between 66 - 67 depending on when you were born) they can only receive Social Security Retirement.
If the person is below Normal Retirement Age, Social Security Disability has a list of diseases and medical conditions that obviously meet the disability standards. Among these diseases is Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Using a procedure called “Compassionate Allowances,” Social Security will quickly identify people who have EA Alzheimer’s and other diseases, and award their benefits. Compassionate Allowances allow the Social Security case worker who is making the disability decision to rely on "minimal objective medical information.”
Social Security employees have been instructed to promptly gather information about medical treatments and activities of daily living from the claimant or third parties. For Compassionate Allowance cases, there will not be a consultative examination by a Social Security doctor unless the exam is “absolutely necessary.” Steps for Processing Compassionate Allowance claims.
The Compassionate Allowance procedures eliminate waiting and uncertainty for people who have clear cases of disability.
One word "NO" I took care of my mom for 7 years, she just passed April 5th 2015 and I tried to get it for her and they said no Medicare and Medicaid would take care of it.
If the person is already getting social security and past 67 yrs., then payments are called "retirement". With a disability that will not go away and you can provide a doctor's notes, then it is "disability" before 67 yrs.
If you are younger & get a dementia & can qualify for SSDI , then you can get approved for Medicare earlier than waiting to turn 65; if you get SSI, you can qualify for Medicaid. Doing either can be a huge savings if your paying privately for health insurance; or your coverage isn't terrific. The medicaid part could quite important as they could get into a NH (or AL if your state diverts $ for AL) that takes medicaid if their dementia has progressed to the point of needing a facility.
The more valid diagnoses on the application, the more likely the person will get onto SSDI. It's the ones that have DX's including MCS, FMS, CFS, etc., who have a hard time, as SSDI system does not recognize those as stand-alone ills....but if you have other recognized Diagnoses which, together, disable one from working, can show one to be incompatible with working enough per month to earn about $700/mo, regularly, then one can get it on that.
It might take longer.
But Alzheimer's is a pretty "given" DX...everyone knows it's a one-way ticket to a shorter life, and that one cannot work....so awards for that, are faster than for some other DX.
SS = Social Security. (Retirement)
SSDI = Social Security Disability Insurance (disabled before retirement age)
SSI = Supplemental Security Income (for low income or if never paid into social security.)
had to be on Medicaid for 18 months before Medicare
took over. That was 16 years ago. That's why you don't
listen to others as things change. Go to a SS office and
talk in person.
At some point, a disabled person may recover enough to work. Whether a person is able to work long enough and consistently enough to stop receiving SSDI or SSI, depends on the individual situation and case. There is no one size fits all explanation, but it is possible to maybe work PT, or transition off benefits over time, if able to resume FT employment. This is not necessarily a permanent finding...it is subject to periodic medical and case review.
2 years with disability will have huge costs & access issues unless you have insurance.
Once someone ages into their normal retirement age, that SSDI check turns into plain old SSI.
What Does remain the same, is Medicare. One can start getting Medicare once they have received SSDI or SSI for--a year?
But nope--not both at same time.
One can be a SSDI or SSI PLUS DSHS [welfare] recipient, if their income from SSDI or SSI is not too high.
IF one is under income, DSHS manages a Federal Program to pay for your Medicare Premiums monthly so it no longer gets deducted from the SSDI or SSI check.
Some of the responders have mentioned Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare comes with SS Disability. Medicaid is based on low income. If you planned for retirement and have savings to live on, you will most likely not qualify. Check with a professional in your area. There are things you can do to change your situation. Good luck.
The only exception is for the worker who took "early retirement" while Social Security was deciding their application for disability benefits. In that case, Social Security will make up the difference between the lower "early retirement" benefits and the worker's full disability benefit amount, if the early retiree is determined to be disabled.
If the person is above Normal Retirement Age (an age between 66 - 67 depending on when you were born) they can only receive Social Security Retirement.
If the person is below Normal Retirement Age, Social Security Disability has a list of diseases and medical conditions that obviously meet the disability standards. Among these diseases is Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Using a procedure called “Compassionate Allowances,” Social Security will quickly identify people who have EA Alzheimer’s and other diseases, and award their benefits. Compassionate Allowances allow the Social Security case worker who is making the disability decision to rely on "minimal objective medical information.”
Social Security employees have been instructed to promptly gather information about medical treatments and activities of daily living from the claimant or third parties. For Compassionate Allowance cases, there will not be a consultative examination by a Social Security doctor unless the exam is “absolutely necessary.” Steps for Processing Compassionate Allowance claims.
The Compassionate Allowance procedures eliminate waiting and uncertainty for people who have clear cases of disability.
If not old enough for SS, maybe disability until
you reach SS age.