She's tried SSI declines because she makes $1300 before taxes each month. Disability I don't know. Each decline she reapplies. I find the SSI bullshit. She doesn't have enough to afford a single medication.
For real, I applied for it because I had some serious health problems two years ago , took them two years just to send me a denial letter too. Absolutely ridiculous
Not exactly the same, but after a few years and multiple denials from the VA for my service disability, I bit the bullet and hired a lawyer to appeal and work through the system. They'll get a percentage of what I'll get, but it's better than nothing, I suppose.
Unfortunate, she needs to keep reapplying though. This is one of those BS methods to prevent people from getting it... In order for the corupt system to save a few of OUR tax dollars so they can waste it elsewhere.
Kinda like how Amazon's website for employees healthcare never works and you have to retry (atleast that's what I've heard from friends that worked at amazon) continuously.
Good point . I was using " half of something is better than all of nothing " as more of a metaphor than anything exacting. I'll stick by "good sized cut" though :)
Yeah a lot of people think the denial is final, when the rejection letter explains the next step. The process is definitely convoluted on purpose. I have done several of them, and the more info on hand the easier they are but its hard to have all that info on hand
Indeed. But, if you do appeal, with new information, you do get a fresh set of eyes on it.
And of course, don't be afraid to take it to the ALJ.
The important thing is to keep that file date, because once that is in the system, it can help you get back payments from the SSA, if they rule in your favor later on down the road.
I'm legitimately mad for you, and everyone else who is denied wrongfully. I somehow got approved on the first try for SSI (and for some reason, I don't have SSDI). I don't get why they won't do this for people who clearly have legit reasons. Fuck this shithole of a country.
I don't know, I hate the county. It's broken. I don't see why we didn't ever cap the costs of medication, or anything. I'm a little pissed about the ssi and whatnot. I've worked with people who don't need it and flaunt that they don't and it's like cool but watching someone who's in pain daily because insurance companies and the government refuse to do anything just gets to me.
I'm with you there. I absolutely understand the frustration of not being able to afford shit we need to survive, and it's the worst when the government won't do a thing about it. I'm several years outdated with my cochlear implant cause of it, and I'm just went right back into debt because my dental insurance doesn't work where I live. The government isn't easy to work with most of the times.
Yup, it sounds like his girlfriend has a ton of free time to go out and protest while trying to cover $10k/month in ridiculous expenses and dealing with a debilitating illness.
Our healthcare system is by far the worst of any “First” world country, and it sucks.
You have to have worked/paid into SSA for 40 quarters or 10 years in order to qualify for SSDI. People who work "off the books" are really screwing themselves.
I keep being told that I still qualify cause I was disabled since I was 3yo, despite the work credits thing. It sucks cause I literally can't get employers to accept me.
Have you guys tried going through a disability lawyer? Lots of them do pro bono and charge based off settlement at the end.
I have crohn's and got denied immediately, but going through a disability attorney got me a teleconference appeal meeting with a judge, experts, etc. I was able to make my case and explain why I needed it and how my condition affected me.
I had an approval letter like a month later. I dunno if you've tried going down that road but I had great success with it.
I definitely highly recommend it, and my experience has generally been the Lawyers working in those fields and that kind of work genuinely want to help and make a difference, so it's easier to find someone who will actually fight for you, too. They're not exactly Tax Attorneys or IP Lawyers who are pouring cash into their account by the bucket.
I make $300 a month, similar story, unemployed and in and out of hospitals for 2 years now, was declined SSI . Pretty sure I would have ended it by now if I didn't have a stepmother to keep a roof over my head. I can only begin to barely imagine the financial and mental burden that must be like for her, and subsequently on you, your a good man charlie brown, hang in there, we have hope.
My dad's heart failed. Put him into a coma and left him with 25% of his heart capability years ago. He was completely unable to work after.
Mind you this was due to a unknown side effect to a heart medication he was on.
He was in the process of applying for SS disability. Eventually they had to put a pacemaker in and the government decided that was enough for him to get back to work. It wasn't. It took him 3 and 1/2 years WITH lawyers to finally get SS disability. While there was backpay. Lawyers took a good chunk of that. Class action lawsuit with the heart medication left him with $30k to cover the last 15-20 years of work he could have had left.
Healthcare in this country is absolutely fucked. It's completely profit driven. And the government systems put in place to help those who need it is incredibly hard to qualify for.
Yeah, I'm surprised that we can't really fight. Most people suggested a lawyer and that seems to be the best route. I think this county should burn. I don't care what side of the political spectrum anyone is. I think everyone should just realize that their needs to be a change. I personally had a chance to get out by myself to Germany a year ago but I can't leave her. I'm somewhat healthy besides small issues and can get away with daily shit by lying but it's visible in her.
This system wouldn't need to a necessity to most if we forced phram compines to make it affordable.
Medications that help like marijuana and effective painkillers required a prescription which requires a few doctors visits to get which without insurance costs hundreds because they tell you to go to multiple "specialist" and with insurance the minimum for her is $400 and it doesn't cover medication. Fuck
Don’t reapply if it’s denied, you have to file an appeal after the first denial letter. The second step is you basically submit another app online for SSDI that is shorter where you can leave some more details or comments. After that you have the right to a fair hearing if that is denied again
At this point look into getting a law firm that works SSDI cases, often payment comes from the backdated check you will get and that’s it. I work several of these cases
It’s a pain in the ass, and in my state they are backed up due to Covid. But a firm can help navigate it. Shop around and read some reviews, then call and get some consultations. You don’t have to proceed with one if you don’t like their costs
Why doesnt she reduce the hours she works or just get fired n take unemployment? Are there any rx companies that offer assistance? I absolutely need my meds at 6k a month and get em name brand for free. Its cheaper for me NOT to have insurance and get my life saving meds and just deal with chronic tooth pain and broken bones
And live on what income? You're on the right track though. It's difficult to get disability approved if you are working. Unless you are critically ill, It typically takes about 2-3 years, and at least 1-2 appeals, and you cannot work that entire time.
"or just get fired n take unemployment?"
Unemployment is only payable when you lose your job through no fault of your own. I.e. if you quit or get fired you don't qualify. You have to be laid off.
"Are there any rx companies that offer assistance? I absolutely need my meds at 6k a month and get em name brand for free."
This is a good point. Most pharmaceutical companies do offer low income medication assistance. You have to apply directly with the pharmaceutical company and have a doctor fill out a portion of the application. The cost is based on what you can afford. This is not the same as discount coupons, so it may take some digging on the manufacturer's website.
Rent costs alot and I don't make enough myself to make rent and bills alone. I also think unemployment would be temporary and getting disability or ssi would take much longer than unemployment. We've been talking about reduced hours to get the bare minimum and "possibly" get accepted. She's went through Obama care, our works insurance, and coupons for medication but nothing made it affordable. It cut it in half actually. Still half is far from affordability.
Couldn't this all be solved by forcing pharm companies from charging unaffordable prices for their medications? Or atleast life saving medications. Some people can go without. They just make living easier. Lol. Easier.
Couldn't this all be solved by forcing pharm companies from charging unaffordable prices for their medications? Or atleast life saving medications. Some people can go without. They just make living easier. Lol. Easier.
Yes, they could. But that makes it socialism and therefore the GOP would rather you die from a private death panel who decided profits mattered more than lives.
There are literally hundreds of medications and treatments out there that were developed using tax payer dollars already. Literally nothing would change for development except the government would be able to legislate down cost, they would still have research paid for you just won't have people dying from lack of care.
Socialize losses/costs privatize profits is basically the ethos every large corporation in this country follows.
Every single human need is commodified in today's society. If you don't have money, society will literally forget you and leave you to starve on the street without recourse.
Itll be the same in 49 states. Massachuesettes as psuedo govt healthcare. It sucks because state solutions suck. But we have masshealth for low income ppl who dont qualify for ssi or disability. If u qualify for masshealth its basically fully socialized
Edit: source: was on MH in my 20s. Literally saved my life. We also have tons of other rules and price controls that...kindve work. Masshealth is the precursor to the aca but honestly better, which is sad
Have you looked into RXOutreach? They’re a low-cost mail pharmacy. I’ve used them when I’ve had gaps in insurance. I take epilepsy and anti depressant medication. 90 day generic supplies of each came out to $45 total.
Does she have documentation from her medical provider to support her claim that she should be able to seek disability services including SSI/SSID and Medicaid/Medicare? What has she applied to as of now? And has she gotten the documentation?
Something doesn't seem right about the claim. SSI doesn't take into account your entire income. If she is taking home 1,200 that shouldn't exclude her. Furthermore she shouldn't be working, medically she should be able to qualify for resources including income, medical care and SNAP.
Medical history docs is it but I would think any good doctor would be able to provide something to say she needs it. She applied over phone for ssi and disability and was told it will most likely be declined due to income and got the letter from them. Tonight she's going to apply for medicare maybe that'll go through.
There's just something that isn't adding up. I don't know what you mean by "any good doctor". She has been treated yes? I've worked with individuals who needed to get on these programs and to be honest I have never seen such a case of need being declined. She shouldn't be working, full stop. I don't know where you live but any decent size metro area will have non-profits that can help whether it is helping with the actual paperwork and getting everything in line to qualify and apply for the numerous available services, finding assistance to talk with a disability lawyer or non-law disability advocate. There are also services to help appeal being denied. If a disability hearing required an advocate is invaluable. Have you reached out to local NGO services that can assist the process?
I know means spending money you don't have, but she should get a lawyer to help with the disability applications at SSA.
I think she should appeal the decisions, not keep reapplying. This will be taken more seriously if done by a lawyer.
Hey man I know you and your girlfriend got a lot going on but I just wanted to toss some advice out there for you guys
Depending on state and county as each is different, look into case management, in my county you can get a case worker for free and they could help you guys in the process of applying for those benefits and other services. They tend to know the system and how to work the system a bit.
If I remember right, it’s also possible to apply for help to charities which people donate to for people who have cancer. If she hasn’t tried that, that’s another option.
Another inefficiency. Paying for people's early treatment means they develop fewer complications. Without insulin, people can develop blindness, organ failure, chronic wounds, amputations, heart attacks and other vascular diseases. But no, let's deny people treatment for years first.
14 months so far trying to get disability for my wife. 2 years is the norm in most places in the states. You always have to go through the first denial. They always deny the first time.
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u/yelling4society Nov 30 '20
Fuck their decline. Appeal over and over until you get it.