Can someone give me advice on the advantages and disadvantages in choosing California State Disability Insurance (SDI) program versus Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)?
My other question is, on SDI, can he keep his health insurance? Currently, his employer pays $525 monthly, we pay $696 monthly. I have been calling SDI for a week now, lines are too busy to allow me to hold.
If all goes well, my hubby should have a stem cell transplant in 6 months. He just started induction this week with Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone (RVD). He works for a small company (16 years) with under 10 employees. So far he's doing well with the RVD, but he stands all day and I can see him already getting tired.
Forums
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1
-
wekebu - Name: Wendy
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Hubby
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: California State Disability Insurance vs. SSDI?
Wendy,
When I was diagnosed almost two years ago after an injury at home that left me with 4 broken ribs, I wasn't sure what to do. Working as a John Deere technician, I could no longer work standing all day and do extremely heavy lifting and twisting. Plus a lot of the work is considered out of position, meaning getting your body twisted around the work.
So the first thing was to get state disability. That's something that my family practioner filled out for me after I applied online first. It lasted a year. About 6 months later, I filled out everything for SSDI. Some say it's difficult doing the SSDI online, but I didn't have any issues. Just have all your diagnosis and related info at hand. I did a little one night, saved my progress, and finished the next day. SSDI also paid me back pay. They calculate that also.
As soon as they saw my diagnosis with multiple myeloma, it was a quick decision from SSDI that I qualified. I also added comments about my broken ribs, my myeloma type, and treatments.
The way it worked for me was that I received my full state disability and a calculated percentage of SSDI until the state disability ran out. Then my SSDI went to the full amount, which is equal to what you would get at your retirement age.
When I filled out the SSDI online, it shows your local office contact and all your info goes there. The local office called me after I filled out everything. I never once went in to their office. I have my contact number still today. I can call him anytime and leave a message. He usually calls back the same day.
You should be able to keep your health insurance. Not sure how long your employer has to keep that going after your on disability. My wife just had neuro surgery and is on disability. We both have her insurance. As long as she has sick and vacation pay on the books, she keeps her insurance. When it runs out, we might need to go with COBRA.
Good luck,
George
When I was diagnosed almost two years ago after an injury at home that left me with 4 broken ribs, I wasn't sure what to do. Working as a John Deere technician, I could no longer work standing all day and do extremely heavy lifting and twisting. Plus a lot of the work is considered out of position, meaning getting your body twisted around the work.
So the first thing was to get state disability. That's something that my family practioner filled out for me after I applied online first. It lasted a year. About 6 months later, I filled out everything for SSDI. Some say it's difficult doing the SSDI online, but I didn't have any issues. Just have all your diagnosis and related info at hand. I did a little one night, saved my progress, and finished the next day. SSDI also paid me back pay. They calculate that also.
As soon as they saw my diagnosis with multiple myeloma, it was a quick decision from SSDI that I qualified. I also added comments about my broken ribs, my myeloma type, and treatments.
The way it worked for me was that I received my full state disability and a calculated percentage of SSDI until the state disability ran out. Then my SSDI went to the full amount, which is equal to what you would get at your retirement age.
When I filled out the SSDI online, it shows your local office contact and all your info goes there. The local office called me after I filled out everything. I never once went in to their office. I have my contact number still today. I can call him anytime and leave a message. He usually calls back the same day.
You should be able to keep your health insurance. Not sure how long your employer has to keep that going after your on disability. My wife just had neuro surgery and is on disability. We both have her insurance. As long as she has sick and vacation pay on the books, she keeps her insurance. When it runs out, we might need to go with COBRA.
Good luck,
George
-
Castaway - Name: George
- Who do you know with myeloma?: just myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 1/24/14
- Age at diagnosis: 62
Re: California State Disability Insurance vs. SSDI?
George, thanks for the info. We'll do the state first. This is all so scary. I'm grateful for all the support on this forum!
-
wekebu - Name: Wendy
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Hubby
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Jan 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 55
3 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Return to Insurance & Patient Assistance Programs