Help? I am new to disabilities.?

Question

I was placed on disability last August and started recieving my benefits in October. I am a former teacher, So it would be VERY difficult for me to get SS or SSI, because I get STRS. It is autoimmune conditions with complications. My bring home was cut to less than 1/2...wasn't expecting that and the insurance isn't near as good. I have been between a rock and a hard place for a very long time. I do not qualify for food stamps either. I am close to banrupcy and can no longer afford to take all my meds. Does anyone know of any loan programs, med sites, etc. for folks in this situation. I am hurting, please let me know if you know of something. Thank you.

Answer 1

There is a prescription medication program out there sponsored by Merc I think or one of the Bif Drug Companies that is deisgned for people like you who can not afford their meds, or face the decision of meds -v- food & rent. See your local Pharmasits for help.

For Financial Debt relief try LSS, (Lutheran Social Services). What they can do is help consolidat eall your debt - and basically they go to your debtors and say - "look - " XXXX" here is in finacial trouble. Now between declaring bankrupcy - which she does not want to do - and paying you in full with the high interest rate you are tacking on to her bill each month, we are offering, on her behalf, a compromise settlement: A. She declares bankrupcy and you get nothing. or B. You Forgiv eall interest on the debt and 65% of hat is owed and she will make good on the other 35%.. What is it going to be ? $ 350.00 or nothing? And LSS does this with all your creditors. Then they file on your behalf, or help you file for every Government and private aide and grant prograsm there is out there. Ebery thing from Rent reduction & assistance to Food Stamps. Energy credits for the elderly & disabled, Disability credits on Certain tax purchases. Air Purification sysems for your home. Renovations to your home to make it more alergin free, (removes casrpet & soft covering and replaces them with wood or laminate flooring Replaces textured ceilings with taped hard teowel ceilings, - etc. Makes you aware of Test group that pay you to volunteer to be a test subject for new alergen test drugs - etc.

They can help you with advice on setting up a home based business. Goverment has grants up to $ 30,000,00 for starting your own small business or cottage business or home based business.

(You can earn extra money while on disablity - but only up to a cetain amount before it affects your disability income.) Be pro-active There are hundreds of groups out there - start networking - (you NEED a computer so you can get on the internet. Shut in does not have to mean shut out anymore Teaher!

I know your hurting and you're desperate - but do not give up hope! Redirect that energy into being focused , polite and nice - but persistant and as confident / up beat as you can be without being anoying. Offewr to help expedite the proceess in anyway you can. One of the most irritating things I learned about dealing with SSI, and SS,a dn Government agencies in general is that they rarely volunteer any more information than you ask specifically ask for, and many times you will wait in line ,. ("Now sering Blue 21" - and you have Blue 314), finally get to the service person and if your not told you're in the wrong line, or have the wrong form they say fill this out - and bring this back and they can get your claim started, and you think "GREAT - FINALLY I"M GETTING SOMEWHERE!!!' Well stop right there pard. Before you leave that window - have your note pad & pen wirh you and say,(in your sweetest voice), before I go I just need to confirm a few things, and jot them down - my memory isn'r what it used to be. First what is your name & title - in case I need to contact you again? Next In addtion to filling out this form - what other documents - exactly do I need to bring with me to my next visit? OH? My birth Cetificate? Can it be a Certified Photo Copy? No? It has to Come From the State Registrars office? How many Copies are needed? Eight! Wow - How many would you getmade if it were you? 20? Really. OK. What else? My Passport? I don't have one. - OK. and the list goes on and on. Good luck

Answer 2

It's mostly ignorance. It's incredible how many people don't realize that not all disabilities are visible. Many kinds of physical disabilities are invisible to the naked eye and of course many mental disabilities are as well. Also, because some disabilities are more obvious and visible than others, people tend to automatically remember first the ones they actually SEE from time to time. They sometimes see people in wheelchairs, amputees or blind people for example, so I guess it's natural that they come to mind much easier than disabilities like pain, mental illnesses, learning disabilities and other invisible disabilities.

Answer 3

Everyone on Disability has been hurting , not only financially,
but across the nation noone can afford meds, housing, etc.
Look up disabilities in the yellow pages....look for groups, go to
work force and State Vocational Rehabilitation...not so much to
go back to work, but to find out how you can survive. You can call your congressman and representative for groups in your
area. Do call or write or email people in the Health, Education,
and Welfare department in Washington telling Medicare and
Medicaid about your dilimia. Write your former health care
(doctors, nurses, local hospitals).....go to health food stores,
go online for natural ways of building your immunity....it is there. There are many avenues in Western communities
that have grocery stores with free infomation.....Herbal
books, can help, but you must consult a doctor. Good Luck!
Hearing Aids, Glasses, Dental Care....nothing is covered
except in agencies somewhat when you become disabled.
That is why it is so important that we vote and get someone
in office to change the healthcare system, it is crucial.
I wish you so many prayers and luck, I am involved in the
disability community for a long , long time. Don't give up there
are many people out there, your local church, senior center,
recreational center, United Way, Salvation Army. There
is housing going up everywhere for the disabled and look up
your illness.....in government pages for free information,
consumer information, it is all research. I am in a community
that is getting more and more active, but the funding is very
low that we need to write Washington D.C.
Oh , if you are by a university....sometimes they have a
wealth of information.

Answer 4

first of all i understand about the benefits thing, as i was a school bus driver for 16 years with a private company, was in a motorcycle accident and became disabled. it has been two years since my accident, my SSD just started in sept 06, i had to drain all my 401 K so i could survive and keep my home i drained 1/2 the first year and rest the second year. my SSD is 1/3 of what i made as a school bus driver, and it is very hard to make it actuall i don't have enought to pay all my bills either. i need a part time job, but i have no other experience other than driving. so i know how you feel with dealing with the new disability.

i did not qualify for SSD until i had nothing left. even with a doctors report. if it weren't for one thing it was another. i have to be thankful i am a vet, so the VA helps me with all my medical needs except eyes and teeth.

my brother, who is also disabled, to me that medicade kicks in after two years of being on SSD.

if you are a vet check with the VA take the DD-14 form to the VA hospital and go from there. if not i really don't know.

i have seen advertising on TV for a prescriptions program with montel williams, cannot remember the name.

I hope i gave you some info to help
hang in there, there are a lot of programs, but we have to find them as no-one is going to help us. i am finding it out the hard way myself. good luck

Answer 5

You didn't read your information. If you are collecting through the state as a retired teacher, you still should be able to work some - in OH, I am retired through PERS. I can work anywhere - except through the State of OH. I do have to have the employment approved, it can't be the level of the job I retired from.

You should be able to get this questioned answered through STRS. After two years of being disabled, you WILL qualify for medicare - unless the feds change something. You will have to check your state regs regarding being able to earn money - getting less of a job and not losing your disability. I'm doing it now. I had to get the information!

Answer 6

Hi, I am a retired Social Worker. I am very sorry to hear about your disability. I know the personal trials that people like us who are disabeled have to conquer with Social Security. I have filed my disability at least 20 times and 20 times it has been denied.
They tell me that I can not get my husbands social security until I am 50 years of age and than I can re apply for it., Unless you have been married, and your husband had a high paying job, I do not know what to tell you otherwise.
You could go to the local legal non-profit organization's in your state and state them your situation.
If for whatever reason, you have a husband who is a Veteran and deals with the VA you could go there and ask for a VA agent free of charge.
About the medication, go to your local Department of Human Health, ask about the financial assistance program such as Hip and Medicaid.
If you can find out the local phone number in AARP for retired people. They have a program that assists people with meds.
You could also ask your local Your Community connection about these resources. If all fails ask an attorney from legal aid for our guidance and help. I hope this helps and I wish you good luck!

Answer 7

Jehut, have you talked to SS? I don't know what STRS is but if it has anything to do with your teaching job, it shouldn't affect SS disability. If you haven't checked into it, please do.

Even if SS discourages you, apply. Perhaps a lawyer might help. It all depends what STRS is.

Sorry you become disabled and I hope the best for you. Hang in there and keep digging. Make the system work for you. IF it can work for illegals it should work for you. Pops

Answer 8

Why not pay the premium for Medicare Part D? I don't believe that there is a waiting period for Part D which is the Rx portion. Ask your Pharmacist to compare plans and tell you which one best suits your needs. also there is a website PPA (prescription plan of america) that can help with many things besides just rx. You can get help with glasses, dental work, all kinds of stuff. Hope that helps. Oh yeah, go to your welfare office and ask about programs to help you bcuz you don't qualify for their help. They have "hidden" help that's there for the asking

Answer 9

Investigate SSD.

It is a very common practice for SSD to turn people down on the first application. If they have done this, request a hearing and get yourself a lawyer! A lawyer will make sure that all of the necessary documentation is in order. (I got one from The Legal Aid Society.)

If you live alone, look into SUBSIDIZED HOUSING!

You will have to make some DRASTIC changes in your life style, but it is doable.
.

Answer 10

go to wwwsocialsecurity.gov. also medicare.gov. these are two sites that might help you with your question.
Also called your local Social Security office and Family and childrens services and they should be able to help you.
Talk to your Pharmacy he should be able to give you the forms you need to get help with your meds. Plan d helps with the meds. good luck. I too am new to disability I got on it in March so I am having to adjust to not having Food Stamps My husband and I bought are on disability so we can't get them.