My aunt has ALS but is being denied Medicare due to being 58, shouldn't she get SSDI at least?

Question

My aunt, age 58, has ALS. She is being denied Medicare (told to wait until 65, she won't be alive then) but shouldn't she at MINIMUM receive SSDI since she is unable to work? She has retired with the government with 25 years but shouldn't she be able to get at least SSDI &/or Medicare?

Answer 1

You need to talk to a lawyer.

ALS (also known as Lou Gherig's Disease) is a fully disabling disease that will eventually cause death.

Famous scholar Stephen Hawkins has ALS and is completely immobile, yet he is still alive.

Your aunt should qualify for SSI benefits and Medicare. Speak to a lawyer that deals with those types of cases.

EMT

Answer 2

If she worked for the government only, her retirement might be from there rather than having had the required time under social security to be eligible for social security disability. If you don't pay INTO social security, you can't collect benefits from it.

Not sure on the government retirement system what there is for disability but there should be something - has she checked with them?

You need 40 quarters of earnings under social security to be eligible for ss retirement or disability. There is a program called SSI that is sometimes available to disabled people who aren't eligible for social security.

Answer 3

If she is handicapped she should qualify for some type of insurance. If not Medicare, then maybe Medicaid. I believe she will also qualify for social security disability. My sister is only in her 30's and she gets money from social sec disability and she has insurance too.

Answer 4

Who would think so, if your unable to work you would figure that SSI would be automatic. She is going to need a lawyer that specializes in social secuity claims. Thy are in phone books and do not charge until you get your benefits and the lawyer gets a percentage of what you get and if its proven that she is do payments from before he gets a percentge of this award. these lawyers are worth their fee as they know the system and can use experts opinions to strengthen your case