Going on disability
At the urging of my neuro, I'm going to have to quit my job (after 20+ yrs, looks like the meds are affecting my liver values and the only way to try to decrease the amount of painkillers I take is to get away from the stress and noise of my job). From what I can tell, it can take a year to get approved for SSDI. That's a long time to go without any income (I'm single so there's no spouse/significant other to rely on). I live in a state which requires employers provide 26 weeks of disability (I have no idea what's even involved in applying for this). I'm not sure if I'm supposed to go on that first, then once the 26 weeks are over, apply for SSDI? Or, do I start the SSDI paperwork immediately, even though I'd be getting disability payments from my employer? I tried to contact two disability law firms near me, but neither got back to me. I'm thinking it's because I'm still currently working. I'd appreciate any info - I'm lost. Thanks!
Hi GSD,
Thank you for your question. I am however, sorry to hear you are taking this difficult route. I understand it very well, having to turn to SSDI myself.
If it were me, I would start the process as soon as possible. We have information on applying for SSDI in this section of our site; https://migraine.com/migraine-basics/social-security-disability-insurance-benefits/.
I can tell you SSDI prefers to know what you can do rather than what you can't do. For example, instead of saying, I spend all morning in bed due to pain, it may be better to say something along the lines of "I woke up at 9:00am, ate a piece of toast, then when back to bed due to pain" and so on. Does that makes sense?
Nancy
Thanks, Nancy! Awesome advice about wording! That's something I never would have thought of!
If you've been going to a doctor(s) regularly and laying the paper trail then start the paper trail right away. After a year my application was rejected. I then got a lawyer to file and after another year I received SSDI.
Thanks, Sandy! I've definitely been going regularly. Once approved, did SSDI pay you (backdate) for the 2 yrs you were out of work?
