Disability

I am not sure if anyone knows about this or not or perhaps can point me in the right direction.  I am thinking about filing for disability and quiting my job.  I am only 46 years old and have very little in my 401K.  Does anyone know how much money I can collect on disability and will I get my social security early?  Also, are there any opther benefits i would be entitled to?  I have earned an average of $85,000 per year for the past 10 years.

Thanks

[Crits]

Hi,
First, are you American?  Then I wouldn't know how to go about it.  I don't know what a 401K is.  What is that?? I'm Canadian.
Secondly, are you ready and able to PROVE that you are disabled?  I have been on long term disability for about a year only and the Canadian system is very strict.  Be ready to provide documentation/statements from specialists etc..........
Listen, you're only 46 and making amaziing money.  Career change maybe?  Maybe you are just going through a tough time?

[larbec7]

I am USA, a 401k is where you put money in an account and your company matches it dollar for dollar up to 6%.  I put in roughly $12,000 a year and my company matches it.  Yes, I can get all the paper work filled out correctly for the disability.  You may be right, maybe I am going through a hard time.  I have been on pain management for 7 years and these drugs will make you feel up some days and down on others.  

[Jaybay]

Since you are still working, your chances of getting Social Security Disability are pretty much nil.  It also depends on whether your illness is on the government's "list" of approved disabilities.  You need to contact a Social Security disability attorney for the best advice.  Most people get turned down the first time they apply, and eventually need an attorney anyway for the appeal.  Might as well get it right from the start and go straight to the attorney.

[jmbirds]

SSD i just applied in april cause of a MVA in another state you can go on a site NYS DISABILITY fill out the form on line  and see the questions and decide you have a list of alot of SSD conditons but you have to have current medical documentation but your yearly income is your down fall, if you chose to go this root you have to earn less then 950.00 mo have current medical treatments or be listed as a mental issue and if you place yourself in a psych situation then you maybe able to get someplace,  and  so i think you have too much money  i had my first SSD dr appt i seen a GP and a psychologist  they will let ssd know if i passed or failed i guess? soo i'm 43 low income working lots of dr history, lots of medical proof soo time will tell  

[Mollyrae]

I can tell you how getting SSDI worked for me. First off you have to be unemployed for 12 months. If you have not then Soc.Sec. will not even hear your case. If you are unemployed for at lease 6 months and plan to stay that way then you should apply. It will take on an average of 3-6 months for an award letter or denial letter. Trust me you will get a denial letter. Then hire a lawyer. Let them handle the rest. It will generally take anywhere from 12 to 24 months to even get a hearing. It took me 18 months with a total of almost 3 years. I was very poor. Your benefit amount will be determined by taking a small percentage of your yearly income. Go to Social Security Disability web site. It will tell you percent. I would not have received SSDI if it hadn't been for the lawyer and I have had 5 back surgerys + other issues. It is very hard to get. Good luck. Mollyrae

[Tuckamore]

Larbec, every year you should recieve a statement from SS telling you how much you will recieve when you retire and how much you would recieve if you become disabled. You are entitled to that information. An attorney told me to apply as soon as I became disabled. Although you must be off 6 months (or be earning less than 600 per month (gross) due to your disability) before you are entitled to any SSD. Maybe it depends on the state you live in or I misunderstood the attorney (at a seminar) and the pamphlets I have picked up at the SS Office. I don't know I have not consulted with Social Security yet but I do plan to by the end of this month. I will let you all know the information SS provides me. It does not matter in my case rather I receive it or not, I simply am unable to work any longer. I wish you the very best larbec7. I know what it is like to struggle to make it through a day when all you can think about is the consuming pain. I'm sure many on this site know the feeling also. Please let me know what you discover.
Peace,
Tuck

[Mollyrae]

Hang in there Tuck! It took such a long time for me to finally be awarded my SSDI. It's been quite sometime since I had originally applied. I might be wrong on the amount of time I had to be out of work before SS would hear my case. My memory is not what it use to be. lol. Anyway, your info was good. Again, Hang in there, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Mollyrae

[Tuckamore]

Thank you for the encouragement. I know the process will be long and I am not looking forward to it. I have avoided it as long as I could. I have no other choice at this time. In the beginning of 2008 Wisconsin changed the process and added more staff in an attempt to reduce the 3 year back log. They are making progress but I have no false hope that this will take anything less than 3 years.
Tuck

[ACHILDOFGOD]

I have been on ssdi for 10 years now so I really don't remember how long exactly everything took but I was approved right away without a attorney.  I had been working part time off and on for two years prior to my award because I couldn't work much and had extensive documentation from doctors and was very complete with my paperwork.  Looking back I wish I had waited longer and accumulated more in my fund, and put up with more pain until I absolutely couldn't do it anymore (but I was already only working part time.) because being on a fixed income is no joy and the raises never keep up with the cost of living. There is the option of working partime after you are awarded social security up to a certain dollar amount but for me now it's hard because my disablity has gotten worse and I don't think I could work now for any amount of time or money.  You make pretty good money now on the job and I would work until you absolutely can't stand it anymore.  It doesn't sound like you are low income either so you will have a medical premium to pay because once you are approved for social security and do get Medicare it doesn't pay for hardly anything and so you need a suppliment along with a good prescription plan.  I don't know if you've thought of this or not. I was able to stay on my companys medical plan for as long as I wanted but it was through COBRA and very expensive. it was cheaper to find my own. Good luck

[fibromama]

I was working when applied for SS/DI,,I also was approved after applying the first time 5months later.  Every case and individual's needs are different when it comes to Social Security some people have to see state docs,,some dont,, in my case I didnt they took my records from my already PCP and went by that as sufficient proof to my being dissabled.  If you are not working while waiting , your Social services office can help with some money its especially for people who are waiting for an answer by SS.  The good thing is once you do get approved you get a lump sum of money for the length of time you waited to be approved.

[Mollyrae]

I have found you an excellent site for you to visit for the state we live in. My info is somewhat out dated since I applied a while back. I will send it to you. Mollyrae

[Mollyrae]

I am also sending you the same info. Take care, Molly

[Tuckamore]

Thank you so much for your kindness.
Best Regards,
Tuck

[Jadore_]

In southern cali it's so hard atleast for me to get ssi or ssd I've been turned down which cali does that automatically I'm told by the doctors. I stopped working 10 yrs ago and for ssd I just missed the cut off but I can fight for ssi Or back pay of ssd but it  may take a yr to get it unless I can get it on mental disability the doctors tell me thats a faster way to get it. I was told I would get about 1300 a month. Sounds like you make alot more then you could get back as suggested a different type of job or maybe cut hrs back.

I myself am choosing to go back to work in Jan. I wish you the best and will keep you in my prayers.

Hugs,J

[Mollyrae]

I feel for you. It is just as hard in Wisconsin. I was also turned down after 5 back surgeries and other health diagnosis. May the force be witth you. Mollyrae