I have been denied disability twice. I am still under treatment with Velcade and dex and suffering the side effects of that treatment (extreme fatigue, PN and stomach problems). The treatment has been effective. I have hired a lawyer to help with my appeal, but I have been told that it could take up to a year to have a hearing, which is a long time to go without a monthly income. I may have to stop treatment, so that I can return to work.
I am sure that this not a good idea, but I may have no choice. It is truly amazing that disability is the only one who feels I am a picture of health. Is there anyone who could offer me suggestions on what I could do to speed up this process?
Forums
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blustein - Name: Richard Blustein
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Disability assistance
Hello, Richard!
I have had the pleasure of meeting Richard on several occassions. Congratulations on achieving CR! Good news / bad news situation. May make it tougher for you to be approved for SSD. I hope not!
Regardless, I am so glad you are doing well! You are a great guy and I'm guessing a very good teacher. I'm sure you are missed in the classroom! Pat
I have had the pleasure of meeting Richard on several occassions. Congratulations on achieving CR! Good news / bad news situation. May make it tougher for you to be approved for SSD. I hope not!
Regardless, I am so glad you are doing well! You are a great guy and I'm guessing a very good teacher. I'm sure you are missed in the classroom! Pat
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Pat Killingsworth - Name: Pat Killingsworth
- Who do you know with myeloma?: I am a multiple myeloma patient
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April, 2007
- Age at diagnosis: 51
Re: Disability assistance
The Social Security Disability Program has (had?) an expedited process for individuals with a fatal disease. If you haven't already tried this program, get a letter from your onocologist stating you have multiple myeloma and call the Disability Office stating you need to be enrolled in the expedited program for "'fatal diseases". A decision on the case is usually expedited. It may be necessary to also file for your state's disability program and use up it's benefits first.
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john
Re: Disability assistance
I was approved 3 weeks ago. Thanks.
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blustein - Name: Richard Blustein
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Disability assistance
Blustein, congratulations on being approved for disability assistance! I'm sure it seemed like an eternity, but I'm glad they reviewed your appeal and approved your disability without dragging it out too long.
Did you look into the expedited program that john recommended? Would you mind sharing more about the process, what worked and what didn't work?
Thanks for your help.
Did you look into the expedited program that john recommended? Would you mind sharing more about the process, what worked and what didn't work?
Thanks for your help.
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Jack L.
Re: Disability assistance
Could you provide more detail on the process with SS? What worked and what did not?
I have just gone out on STD from work about to convert to LTD which am sure will entail some discussion but I understand they would want SSID to be applied for to offset their cost.
I am 58 year old male 3 years since SCT.
Steve
I have just gone out on STD from work about to convert to LTD which am sure will entail some discussion but I understand they would want SSID to be applied for to offset their cost.
I am 58 year old male 3 years since SCT.
Steve
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escapes
Re: Disability assistance
Just for information to add to this thread, Social Security and multiple myeloma, they will typically not approve Disability until AFTER first stem cell procedure but, once procedure is concluded, Disability will automatically be granted for 12 mo assistance.
From there on they will consider other factors that will extend the assistance. We filled out all of our paperwork, sent it in ... but also have been taking all of updated materials to local social security office to get everything filed.
Presently, our Disability rep is waiting to hear the dates of my procedure and when it will be concluded before she will green-stamp it.
From there on they will consider other factors that will extend the assistance. We filled out all of our paperwork, sent it in ... but also have been taking all of updated materials to local social security office to get everything filed.
Presently, our Disability rep is waiting to hear the dates of my procedure and when it will be concluded before she will green-stamp it.
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StandingTall - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me! yay!!
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept. 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 39
Re: Disability assistance
Anybody who have been approved for disability for multiple myeloma ... were disbursements made around the treatment start date ... or was there a 6 month period from the approved date prior to disbursement?
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StandingTall - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me! yay!!
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept. 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 39
Re: Disability assistance
Social Security will hold off on approval until the 6 months they have to determine if you are disabled or not. My disability started exactly 6 months after I had signed up for it. There will be no back pay unless you have been denied. Since I wasn't, my first check was just the normal monthly amount. Didn't make my bill collectors happy, but what can you do?
You could have your doctor or one of the social workers at the hospital pester them like I did, but again it didn't help. Even when I was close to losing my home. They don't care. They have to follow what the government deems is the appropriate time to wait.
Good luck hope you can hold out. I know it's hard but when you get it remember it all starts over again in a year where you have to fight for it all again.
You could have your doctor or one of the social workers at the hospital pester them like I did, but again it didn't help. Even when I was close to losing my home. They don't care. They have to follow what the government deems is the appropriate time to wait.
Good luck hope you can hold out. I know it's hard but when you get it remember it all starts over again in a year where you have to fight for it all again.
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Cher - Name: Cheri Fitzgerald
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Nov 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 54
Re: Disability assistance
Thanks for sharing your experience, Cher. Luckily we did a good job of getting an inroad with the first filing, and our case manager just is waiting to hear when exactly is my first stem cell transplant treatment date. So I am hoping she will start the six-month countdown in September that last day I worked ... or at least when I filed around that time.
Yeah, six months is a long wait, especially since I have no income, eating away at what we had saved up. Bankruptcy is looking to be a reality at this stage, and I never saw myself having to do that. Always so good about paying my bills and whatnot. But hey, it is what it is.
Yeah, six months is a long wait, especially since I have no income, eating away at what we had saved up. Bankruptcy is looking to be a reality at this stage, and I never saw myself having to do that. Always so good about paying my bills and whatnot. But hey, it is what it is.
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StandingTall - Who do you know with myeloma?: Me! yay!!
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept. 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 39
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