SS Disability - The good, bad and ugly

[preacherfan]

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Ugly: Wife has terminal cancer
Good: Declared disabled by Social Security
Bad: Currently have over $3K in medical bills

Ugly: Disability benefits have a 7 month waiting period! (Because I have income)
Good: Disability allows for her nursing loan to be discharged
Bad: SS will not send us the BPQY for 7 months that proves she is disabled.

Ugly: Wasted visit to SS office and long phone call to obtain BPQY. Nowhere does it say that it isn't available for 7 months. Personnel at SS don't know that either until we hit multiple dead ends.

Bad: : So, she has no income for 7 months but medical bills pouring in. She has to pay her student loan with no income. Once she receives the income from SSDI she no longer will have to pay student loan., (Kinda makes no sense)

Good: I just hope this helps someone to know this info. I wish someone had told us so we didn't waste valuable time chasing rabbits.

 

[TruBluCatFan]

So sorry about your wife. Prayers for you guys.

 

[TheEgyptianMagician]

Call the hospitable and negotiate a payment plan; I’m sure they’re probably understanding of your SS wait period which I assume is retroactive.

 

[funKYcat75]

Sorry to hear about the wife. That must be hard. Hang in there.

Not to be crass, but I'd tell the student loan people to just not expect a payment. There's nothing they will do within a few months that will truly affect you. It's about quality of life right now, and if the payment is taking away from that, eff 'em.

 

[UKGrad93]

Sorry about your wife. Take Funky's advice. It sounds like the money will eventually out.

 

[812scottj]

Cancer sucks...I'm sorry that your family is going through all of that. You can put the student loans on a hardship deferral...pretty easy process, but interest will accumulate while it's in deferral. Best of luck...

 

[Henogee1975]

Sorry to hear about the wife. That must be hard. Hang in there.

Not to be crass, but I'd tell the student loan people to just not expect a payment. There's nothing they will do within a few months that will truly affect you. It's about quality of life right now, and if the payment is taking away from that, eff 'em.

Yep
Don’t worry about student loans right now. They can be deferred and you can probably get a break on the fees if you explain your situation.

 

[funKYcat75]

Cancer sucks...You can put the student loans on a hardship deferral

Oh yeah. Do it that way.

 

[UKRob 73]

Has she filed for unemployment?

 

[-Mav-]

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Ugly: Wife has terminal cancer
Good: Declared disabled by Social Security
Bad: Currently have over $3K in medical bills

Ugly: Disability benefits have a 7 month waiting period! (Because I have income)
Good: Disability allows for her nursing loan to be discharged
Bad: SS will not send us the BPQY for 7 months that proves she is disabled.

Ugly: Wasted visit to SS office and long phone call to obtain BPQY. Nowhere does it say that it isn't available for 7 months. Personnel at SS don't know that either until we hit multiple dead ends.

Bad: : So, she has no income for 7 months but medical bills pouring in. She has to pay her student loan with no income. Once she receives the income from SSDI she no longer will have to pay student loan., (Kinda makes no sense)

Good: I just hope this helps someone to know this info. I wish someone had told us so we didn't waste valuable time chasing rabbits.

Damn, truly sorry to hear about your wife. I know what it's like to have a loved one with terminal cancer. I wish you guys all the best.

 

[preacherfan]

Has she filed for unemployment?

Thanks! You guys and gals are always the best advice I can get. Plus, thanks for the well wishes. We didn't consider unemployment. The hardship deferral is a very good idea. I hadn't thought of that either.

This all started on Jan 22 when she had what we thought was a mild stroke. It turned out to be cancer in the brain and then we learned it started in her breast. We are still in shock and trying to navigate a crazy system.

 

[-Mav-]

Thanks! You guys and gals are always the best advice I can get. Plus, thanks for the well wishes. We didn't consider unemployment. The hardship deferral is a very good idea. I hadn't thought of that either.

This all started on Jan 22 when she had what we thought was a mild stroke. It turned out to be cancer in the brain and then we learned it started in her breast. We are still in shock and trying to navigate a crazy system.

Not to pry, and not to boss, and I'm sure you've already considered/done this...but what about getting a second opinion?

 

[preacherfan]

Not to pry, and not to boss, and I'm sure you've already considered/done this...but what about getting a second opinion?

Thanks. We have seen multiple docs. We now have a primary oncologist and have been treated by a radiologist and consulted one of the best cancer surgeons in Pittsburgh. The latter was the one who said, "stage 4, incurable." There was also a neuro guy who saw us early on in the hospital. Everything has been confirmed and SS approved my wife for disability one day after we applied under the "compassionate allowance" provision.

 

[-Mav-]

Thanks. We have seen multiple docs. We now have a primary oncologist and have been treated by a radiologist and consulted one of the best cancer surgeons in Pittsburgh. The latter was the one who said, "stage 4, incurable."

Damn. I'm really sorry to hear that.

 

[chroix]

This is awful to hear. Sorry you and your family are going through this.

 

[WayneDougan_rivals170043]

Prayers to you and your wife buddy. I hope you are holding up okay. Takes a lot of strength and character to go through this, and it sounds like you've got that in spades. I can't even imagine.

 

[MdWIldcat55]

Preacherfan, I'm really sorry to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your wife. I assume you've checked into the possibility of shifting assets to make your wife eligible for Medicaid payments for her care. I'm not sure how it works, and it may take more planning time than the period before SSDI kicks in. But my wife, who has been a home health care nurse in the past, says this is done fairly commonly by people in all income brackets. She worked in Bethesda, Md., where incomes were high, and saw it all the time. Again, I may be way off in this suggestion, and hope I don't waste any of your time. I know this can be done for nursing home care, but not sure about other types of care.

 

[WildcatfaninOhio]

Wife has terminal cancer

Dude! So sorry to hear this. Nothing worse than a close family member with a terminal illness.

 

[ThwKentuckyKid]

I don't really have any advise, I just wanted to let you know you ,your wife and your whole family are in my thoughts and prayers. Hang in there buddy .

 

[preacherfan]

Preacherfan, I'm really sorry to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your wife. I assume you've checked into the possibility of shifting assets to make your wife eligible for Medicaid payments for her care. I'm not sure how it works, and it may take more planning time than the period before SSDI kicks in. But my wife, who has been a home health care nurse in the past, says this is done fairly commonly by people in all income brackets. She worked in Bethesda, Md., where incomes were high, and saw it all the time. Again, I may be way off in this suggestion, and hope I don't waste any of your time. I know this can be done for nursing home care, but not sure about other types of care.

Thanks! I appreciate all the advice.

It is just crazy dealing with different government entities. Nobody explains how this stuff really works in real life. I am still pretty much blown away by the fact that Nelnet gives us 120 days to provide the BPQY but SS won't give it to us for 7 months!

Why in the world don't these government entities either explain this on their webpages and/or work together to iron out inconsistencies?

 

[Perrin75]

If you log into your wife Social Security account ( I think it is called My Social Security) you might be able to go ahead and print off a verification letter. We did that when my Father-in-law was dying of cancer. I don't know how long it takes for them to update, but it might be faster than their other process. Also, check with a Case Manager at whichever hospital you are using. They may have some suggestions.

 

[dgtatu01]

I’m really sorry to hear this. Grade 4 brain cancer is horrible and just turns your life upside down overnight. Praying you all get a nice long run so you can all can have as much time as possible. Make it memorable and don’t sweat the small stuff.

 

[Kybluedude]

Wishing you two the best. I’ll say a prayer for you all. Just keeping asking for help

 

[GhostVol]

You have my condolences. The only other thing I can suggest is to look into hospice before things get too awful. Hospice was extremely helpful with me when my Dad was terminal (my 3 siblings pretty much left Dad’s situation to me to deal with).

 

[preacherfan]

If you log into your wife Social Security account ( I think it is called My Social Security) you might be able to go ahead and print off a verification letter. We did that when my Father-in-law was dying of cancer. I don't know how long it takes for them to update, but it might be faster than their other process. Also, check with a Case Manager at whichever hospital you are using. They may have some suggestions.

Thanks! The verification letter we have. Nelnet (student loan) doesn't accept the verification letter. They only accept the BPQY. It is crazy to me. The key info that Nelnet wants isn't that she IS disabled but rather they want, for some reason, a letter that specifically says a review will happen in 5 years. She won't live that long unless there is a miracle.

 

[JohnBlue]

Very sorry to hear this, wish nothing but the best for her. Like Ghostvol mentioned, probably a good move to talk with Hospice, they do more than people know.

 

[jameslee32]

You have my condolences. The only other thing I can suggest is to look into hospice before things get too awful. Hospice was extremely helpful with me when my Dad was terminal (my 3 siblings pretty much left Dad’s situation to me to deal with).

^This. They've been a blessing to my family on more than one occasion unfortunately. Afaic, one of the best places for your charitable dollars also.

 

[JDHoss]

No advice here either, but I can't tell you how terribly sorry I am that you and your wife are having to go through this. Cancer is a *****....

 

[Get Buckets]

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Ugly: Wife has terminal cancer
Good: Declared disabled by Social Security
Bad: Currently have over $3K in medical bills

Ugly: Disability benefits have a 7 month waiting period! (Because I have income)
Good: Disability allows for her nursing loan to be discharged
Bad: SS will not send us the BPQY for 7 months that proves she is disabled.

Ugly: Wasted visit to SS office and long phone call to obtain BPQY. Nowhere does it say that it isn't available for 7 months. Personnel at SS don't know that either until we hit multiple dead ends.

Bad: : So, she has no income for 7 months but medical bills pouring in. She has to pay her student loan with no income. Once she receives the income from SSDI she no longer will have to pay student loan., (Kinda makes no sense)

Good: I just hope this helps someone to know this info. I wish someone had told us so we didn't waste valuable time chasing rabbits.

Best wishes to you and your family.

 

[KyCatFan_rivals45723]

Sorry to hear about your wife. My mother in law just passed away from stage 4 cancer a few months ago. My stepdad is going through it now. It is definitely a tough thing to deal with.

You should be able to fill out financial aid paperwork for the hospital bills to help out with that. We did that when I racked up a bunch of them while off having multiple back surgeries. Something else to consider is a medical bankruptcy. That might be a last resort option though.

 

[BankerCat12]

So sorry to read this OP. I pray for you and your family during this difficult time and hope you get that miracle.

 

[warrior-cat]

Thanks! You guys and gals are always the best advice I can get. Plus, thanks for the well wishes. We didn't consider unemployment. The hardship deferral is a very good idea. I hadn't thought of that either.

This all started on Jan 22 when she had what we thought was a mild stroke. It turned out to be cancer in the brain and then we learned it started in her breast. We are still in shock and trying to navigate a crazy system.

Prayer sent for you, wife and family. God Bless and stay strong.

 

[TruBluCatFan]

Has she filed for unemployment?

Probably wouldn’t get it. You have to be seeking gainful employment and show you can work. It can also affect SS because you are saying you can work and are disabled at the same time.

 

[Rockford]

Went through Stage 4 Brain Cancer with my brother.
I am so sorry.
Enjoy the good days.
You might want to consider a lawyer, there are those that specialize in this.