ptsd Ss Disability Granted. In One Day?

[Guest morgan]

I could hardly believe my ears! Or my bank account. After my husband passed away recently, a SS rep told me I should file for disability because my insured period was running out. He said if I had anything going wrong physically, I should file to preserve the insured period. I had no idea I was that close to losing SS eligibility. WHEW! I filed online, then forgot about it (I forget everything at least once since he passed away). I received a letter telling me to submit my paperwork or risk an unfavorable decision based only on limited information in the file. I finished the paperwork, faxed it on Friday, and called on Monday to see if I could send more info to support my claim. My file had already been sent back to my local office with a favorable outcome! Unless they worked over the weekend, that decision was made in ONE DAY. The back pay was in my mailbox within 10 days. Must be some kind of record. (Much appreciated.) Several people had told me to expect a denial the first time, and then about two years to clear hurdles of the system because the backlog is similar to the VA backlog. I wasn't quite sure I could handle any more of that kind of emotional stress while I was trying to adjust to my husband's death. Am I ever glad I mustered enough courage to face the claims process again! It was hard because I break into a sweat even thinking about filing a claim again. I begin to shake when I see a VA logo on anything. Honest. I think I have PTSD from dealing with all of my husband's VA claims. Due process, my foot!

The disability onset date was Jan 2006, but retro paid one year prior to the date of my online contact, minus the five months waiting period. Thank goodness I heeded the advice of the SS phone rep. He talked with me when I called about my husband's burial benefit.

Another discussion is on this board about when Medicare begins, so I'll add what I was told. The date of the claim is the "eligible" date, which might be different from the "onset" date. Medicare is granted after two years, based on the eligible date (date SS receives claim).

Just in case someone needs to know about how this affects CHAMPVA and CITI patients: Medicare becomes primary and CHAMPVA becomes secondary, and CITI privileges are stopped. I must notify CHAMPVA of my eligibility for Medicare. I now need to find a doctor outside the VA for myself, so I'll have a private doctor when Medicare kicks in and I can no longer go to the VA for free medical care and medication (as allowed for a 100% disabled veteran's spouse/widow[er]). I was also told that I would have to reimburse the VA for services rendered during those two years, plus pay for 24 months' Medicare Part B premium. Part B is mandatory when CHAMPVA becomes secondary. If that is true...there goes my back pay...

No matter, I am thrilled to have such a speedy decision from SS. I give credit to many here who taught me about filing a claim for disability.

Thanks everyone, and especially our heroine Berta, I appreciate your help and encouragement more than you will ever know.

[LarryJ]

:P

[darkhorse]

whichDH

Ok, I see your situation now....OOOOOOPs, Sorry

DH

I could hardly believe my ears! Or my bank account. After my husband passed away recently, a SS rep told me I should file for disability because my insured period was running out. He said if I had anything going wrong physically, I should file to preserve the insured period. I had no idea I was that close to losing SS eligibility. WHEW! I filed online, then forgot about it (I forget everything at least once since he passed away). I received a letter telling me to submit my paperwork or risk an unfavorable decision based only on limited information in the file. I finished the paperwork, faxed it on Friday, and called on Monday to see if I could send more info to support my claim. My file had already been sent back to my local office with a favorable outcome! Unless they worked over the weekend, that decision was made in ONE DAY. The back pay was in my mailbox within 10 days. Must be some kind of record. (Much appreciated.) Several people had told me to expect a denial the first time, and then about two years to clear hurdles of the system because the backlog is similar to the VA backlog. I wasn't quite sure I could handle any more of that kind of emotional stress while I was trying to adjust to my husband's death. Am I ever glad I mustered enough courage to face the claims process again! It was hard because I break into a sweat even thinking about filing a claim again. I begin to shake when I see a VA logo on anything. Honest. I think I have PTSD from dealing with all of my husband's VA claims. Due process, my foot!

The disability onset date was Jan 2006, but retro paid one year prior to the date of my online contact, minus the five months waiting period. Thank goodness I heeded the advice of the SS phone rep. He talked with me when I called about my husband's burial benefit.

Another discussion is on this board about when Medicare begins, so I'll add what I was told. The date of the claim is the "eligible" date, which might be different from the "onset" date. Medicare is granted after two years, based on the eligible date (date SS receives claim).

Just in case someone needs to know about how this affects CHAMPVA and CITI patients: Medicare becomes primary and CHAMPVA becomes secondary, and CITI privileges are stopped. I must notify CHAMPVA of my eligibility for Medicare. I now need to find a doctor outside the VA for myself, so I'll have a private doctor when Medicare kicks in and I can no longer go to the VA for free medical care and medication (as allowed for a 100% disabled veteran's spouse/widow[er]). I was also told that I would have to reimburse the VA for services rendered during those two years, plus pay for 24 months' Medicare Part B premium. Part B is mandatory when CHAMPVA becomes secondary. If that is true...there goes my back pay...

No matter, I am thrilled to have such a speedy decision from SS. I give credit to many here who taught me about filing a claim for disability.

Thanks everyone, and especially our heroine Berta, I appreciate your help and encouragement more than you will ever know.

Edited September 14, 2009 by darkhorse

[jbasser]

Hot diggity dog. 1 day.

Amazing results. The odds of that is not as good as winning the powerball.

You did it.

I hope it gives you the peace of mind you deserve.

J

[carlie]

morgan,

Big Congrats to you.

Yeah - our Berta is a keeper !

She earns her room and board around here ~ lol.

carlie

[Guest morgan]

Hot diggity dog. 1 day.

Amazing results. The odds of that is not as good as winning the powerball.

You did it.

I hope it gives you the peace of mind you deserve.

J

Funny you said that. When I got the news, I thought maybe I should play the lottery! After I kicked that thought aside, I thanked God for His goodness.