Do I Qualify?

I am 51+ years old. I have worked for the City of Monterey for the last 11 years (since 1999). Before that I worked in non governmental, city, county jobs. At one time I had the required 40 hours to receive disablity (that I paid into). Now that I'm on long term disablility I can't receive my SSD benefits because I haven't worked outside the city for over 10 years? This seems unfair and almost like a double dipping action by SS. What can I do to get my hours back? Buy them? Work 29 hours (except I'm on disablility). Kinda got be between a rock and a hard place. Does the 25 + years that I did work outside any municipality matter at all? I am confused. Marijo

1998 First disc fusion 2003 2nd 2006 All C7 thru C2 are fused 2009 Hernian, bulge and rupture L4-5 S1-2? I was supposed to have surgery for the Lumbar as it causes not only back pain but often makes walking difficult as the pain radiates down my legs. I am a teacher. I have work each year I had surgery missing minimum day. However as degerneration and arthritis take over the already weak back some days I cannot function. The pain becomes so intense I must stay on ice in bed. I am 58 and was trying to make it until I could retire. I just bought a new house 3 years ago and cannot sell it for what I paid. Could I qualify for disability and get some financial help?

To Anonymous, I also have Degenerative disc disease, hurniated disc at L4 And L5. Also have asthma Along with Deppression and Anxiety! I Can not say for sure if you would qualify For Social Security Disibility or SSI. But it does not hurt to try, I Filed in 2009, Was denied, then in early 2010 I reapplied was denied again, Filed for reconsideration and that where I amright now.It is a very time consuming challenge. But if you have your doctors behind you and you do alot of the leg work yourself ,as in getting copies of all you files from all the doctors that you have seen and copies of all MRI s and exrays and all tests that you have had done and you submit them to social security it will help them out alot. I learned this the first time I applied. With what I read in your post you have a lot of issues. I say go for it. If you do decide to apply keep us posted. Good luck!!!

Do I qualify even though I worked since I was a lil kid with my dad and he was so proud of me when he saw what me and my friend did to my first Cadillac I went to get lunch and that son of a bitch ( friend ) cut my new 1966 Cadillac in half and then we decidided to stretch it out longer and we did this and must of used 666 gallons of bondo and when I was driving it the car cracked apart causing me a big brain tumor and loss of my memory and still trying to make something different know and thought I'd make busses for the county cause lots of friends work there and use fast track and would I qualify even if I'm from a billion dollar family and always eat with a gold spoon since I was born .

I am at present out of work on FMLA. I was told by my company that they could not meet the accomadations needed by my self to continue working (cannot lift over 10lbs). I was put on leave and told they would have to have a meeting to determine if the company was able to accomadate me..I got a phone call approx two weeks later saying my FMLA was approved and that they could not meet my restrictions but they would leave me on FMLA,(in case things changed)and then "we" would go from there. I think they dont want to pay me unemployment. I just read that I could quit my job,and that is because (thru no fault of my own )I would be able to draw my unemployment,because the company could not meet my dr.s orders. DOES anyone know.. Can the company keep me on FMLA when they know they arent taking me back? How many quarters you have to work to be eligable to draw? thanks

'm needing some answers before I can understand what may apply to me. I am 50 years old and have worked since I was 15. I have Degenerative Disc Disease with complications, and also have allergies to many of the medicines that might be able to help me, so I cannot take them, including some antibiotics they typically give when doing invasive surgical procedures. I have debilitating migraine headaches, cervicogenic headaches and muscular pain in my neck, shoulders, back, and head. I have had numerous nerve blocks and RF nerve-cutting procedures in the C2-C6 area, finally culminating in one anterior foraminectomy and fusion in front and a separate posterior procedure for fusion (including screws, wiring, and cadaver bone, etc.) placed in my neck to fuse those areas from the back. I also have had a similar problem at L4-L5 and have had two invasive surgeries there, eventually culminating in L4-L5 fusion held together with screws. I have arthritis in my hips, making it difficult to walk, and neuropathic pain radiating down my right leg to my foot, which feels ice cold or is in pain 24/7. I constantly drop things and can't pick up anything over about 6 pounds without pain. The doctors have said not to pick up anything more than 10 pounds. I have also recently developed even lower (sacral) back pain with remains undiagnosed. I am doing physical therapy to see if that will help the lumbar pain as well as the neuropathic pain. I require narcotics, anti-nausea meds, sleep-aids, and allergy meds to go day to day. My doctors have also dx depression (common with chronic pain) and prescribed fibromyalgia meds to see that would help. I have not yet been taken off the payroll at work, but I have not worked since 2008. I am a marine biologist/oceanographer, but have not been able to work in that field for some time, nor am I able to concentrate well to try to do computer work. I cannot stand, sit, or lie in any one position for very long as they all hurt. Working at the computer becomes excruciating no matter how I try to sit, what computer I use, or what type of mouse or trackball I use. The medications make it difficult to concentrate on typing or other fine motor skills, and I hurt too much when I try to do dishes or clean the house, for example. My ?'s are these: Would I likely qualify for disability? Should the company remove me fro their payroll prior to my applying since it makes it appear I have been working when in fact I have just had unbelievable support from my Mom-and Pop-owned company? Does my husband's salary or do any of our assetts (retirement funds, educational funds for kids, etc.) come into play for disability? I live in Alaska and I believe there is no state disability plan here. Is that correct, or does it not matter? The company's insurance has been a Godsend, but it doesn't actually cover more than 55% of in-network providers. There are very few preferred providers here in ALaska for some disciplines, including neurosurgery. Should I attempt to get AARP or other private insurance and if I do, will that affect eligibility for disability or the amount that I might earn through disability? Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

I was on SSD roughly 9 years ago for depression, migraines, and addiction to pain killers. After about 5 years on SSD the migraines and depression ceased up and I addressed my addiction and got sober - have been sober ever since. My overall health improved so much, and even though the migraines never completely went away, they were so much more improved and treatable, livable, as was my depression, and since I was no longer addicted to pain pills, I got off of SSD and returned to the work force. It felt like the right thing to do. About 5 years ago the damn migraines came back with a vengence. They were not only stronger, but much harder to treat, and, to my disappointment, turned into some type of atypical type headache that became chronic immediately. I just kept thinking surely this will go away. I was enjoying my new life, making money, really "living"...but now the "suffering" was back and I was living a nightmare. Before long the depression returned, but luckily I recognized it right away and sought help and began taking antidepressants again. I have run the gauntlent all over again - seen 2 neurologists for the migraines and have tried a slew of different treatments, including non-traditional and Eastern medicine, I've quit smoking and changed my diet, I've followed every order from the docs & seen other specialists like an ENT and ...had scans, mris...the works....and just kept thinking surely this will go away. I am on 2 prophylactic meds for the migraines, 1 antideprssant and several rescue meds for pain, and the costs are eating up my money. I'm only working 3 days a week now. After 5 years, suffering, disappointment, and trying like hell to be "normal" suffering through chronic pain, missing work, and hurting like hell both physically & mentally, I would like to know 1.) Would my previous SSD status help in any way put me on a fast track for benefits? or 2.) Would I need to start the process from scratch? It was such a long and grueling process - I went bankrupt and in the 18 months it took to receive benefits it also made my depression worse. I'm suffering and don't know what to do. Can you give me some assistance? Guidance? Suggestions? Thank you.

IM NOT SURE ABOUT THE DISABILITY CLAIM,, IM IN THE PROCESS AS WELL. BUT I DO KNOW OF A BLOOD TEST YOU SHOULD GET DUE TO THE SYMPTOMS YOU HAVE, ITS CALLED: MTHFR DNA ANALYSIS (MUTATION)...ITS A GENETIC BLOOD DISORDER. NOT MANY DOCTORS ARE FIMILIAR WITH IT. I AM 29YRS OLD, AND HAVE BEEN SUFFERING WITH MANY MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ISSUES ALL MY LIFE AND RECENTLY I HAD A DOCTOR ORDER ME THIS TEST AND IT CAME BACK POSITIVE. SO I READ UP ON IT AND IT CAUSES ALL OF THE SYMPTOMS I HAVE..IT CAN BE FATAL DUE TO BLOOD CLOTS..

I have been suffering with a bad knee for about 6 years and have recently been told I need a total knee replacement. I am in excruciating pain with any walking, stairs, ramps. I am very afraid of surgery as I had a surgery back in 2001(?) and almost died, I had a pulmonary embolis. I also have a birth disability (adhesive capsulitis of shoulder, contracture of forearm joint, injury to axillary nerve) which allows me to type with only one hand. In addition I have neck pain due to a car accident injury (1994?) for which I had a protruding disc in my neck...surgery in 1996 for a fusion using cadaver bone. I've kind of learned to live with the neck pain...it is always there, but my knee is getting progressively worse. Would I be refused SSI because I could have surgery even though I had many complications and almost died after my last surgery in 2001? I am considered a higher risk because of this as well as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Hello! The Social Security Administration (SSA) considers someone to be disabled if, among other factors, their condition prohibits them from performing Substantial Gainful Activity. Substantial Gainful Activity is tied to a monthly limit of income you are allowed to earn while receiving (or in your case applying for) disability benefits.
Currently, the monthly limit is $1,010.00 before taxes. If you are capable of earning more than this each month, the SSA will not consider you to be disabled and you will be denied benefits. As long as your income does not exceed $1,010.00 a month, you are allowed to work. However, I strongly advise you to speak with your local Social Security office before doing any type of work. They will be able to explain the different regulations and make sure you aren't doing anything to compromise your disability claim.
It is advisable to consult a Social Security Disability attorney as well. He or she may tell you that working might diminish the credibility of your claim. Disability benefits are awarded to individuals who are truly unable to work. If you perform work during the application process, it may appear as if you have no need for disability benefits as you have demonstrated your ability to work. Before taking any action, speak to a professional about the specifics of your claim. I hope I was able to help and I wish you the best of luck!

would i qualify for ssd for these two diseases that affects me from working. I would love too work but the depression stops me due anxiety, cant be around people i feel totally like they are talking about me i guess u could call it being paranoid.

Sheila, I'm sorry to hear about your conditions. To qualify for disability benefits with depression you must meet certain criteria. You can see if you meet those criteria here: Applying for Social Security Disability with Depression. You can read more about applying with a herniated disc here: Applying for Social Security Disability with Degenerative Disc Disease. Once you determine whether or not you meet the criteria, I suggest you contact a Social Security Disability attorney. He or she will be able to guide you through the application process.

I am 56 yrs of age I am wandering if I can apply for benefits since I am having so much trouble with my back. I am going to the Drs 2 times a week for treatments for the pain. Found out last yr when doctoring that I was born with Spina Bifada.. Feet are deformed and I wear othoridics and have weakness in the legs... I need to work but there is nothing out there I can do with the problems I am having..do you think I should even consider this? Thanks

Carolyn,
I'm sorry to hear about the pain your condition is causing you. From what you have described, it sounds as if you have a good chance of being approved for disability benefits. I suggest you check out these pages on back pain before applying. If you feel you meet the criteria, you may want to contact a Social Security Disability attorney. He or she will help you collect the proper medical evidence and will advise you on the best way to go about getting benefits.
It is important to note that you should continue your medical treatment during the application process. Keep track of all medical records and keep your doctor or doctors informed about your disability claim at all times. A knowledgeable attorney and an honest, thorough application should help you get the benefits you need.
I wish you the best of luck with your claim.

Can i get disability because I have a serious bounion, which makes it very difficult to walk. I have not been able to work since 2005.