🚀 go-pugleaf

Jim Bublitz wrote:> 
> 1)   Assuming that I have a very good income right now, what is the
> maximum that social security would pay me on a monthly basis (family
> of 4).

??? Varies
> 
> 2 Am I allowed to make any additional money without
> loosing my disability income? Also, can my wife work for additional
> income ?

$500 per month is the max you could earn while collecting disability, 
which isn't very much.
Your wife can earn as much as she can get.
> 
> 3)  What other kinds of benefits am I eligible for when I am on social
> security (through the governement) ?

Afetr 2 years you can get medicare. By the sounds of your work 
description I don't think you would be able to get any of the low income 
type benefits.
> 
> 4) How do I go about getting ss disability ?   (Who do I have to prove
> my disability to ? and how do I get started? )

Check out the social security home page: www.ssa.gov
> 
Good luck,
Dick

Hi Jim:

All the questions you asked about disability can be answered by phoning
the Social Security Administration direct.  The number is 1-800-772-1213.

Every state is a different amount.  If it's a high-cost of living state
like California (where I am and collected SSI) the state adds money to the
SSI payment.  I know that I could work and still collect SSI, but you can
only make up to a certain amount.  I may be wrong, but I think it doesn't
matter what your wife makes.  I think it only pertains to your income.  

Call them.  They'll answer all you questions.

Nancy N.

Jim- if you need that kind of info (SSA benefits, disability filing, etc.)
call Dennis Rager.  Dennis is a liver transplant recipient who now
operates a consulting firm for people who need this kind of advice.  He is
formerly chairman of the Patient Affairs Committee at UNOS, and is a good
guy.  Tell him that Bill Lawrence suggested that you call.  Good luck.
William G. Lawrence, J.D.
Director of Patient Affairs, UNOS
Wlaw9506@aol.com

Have YOU discussed donation with family and friends????

jbublitz@execpc.com (Jim Bublitz) wrote:
>Hi:
>
>I have been battling with a whole bunch of serious joint and bone
>problems and although I am a successfull software consultant, I may
>now be reaching the end of the line for my working career due to pain.
>
>
>I have always worked so I dont know anything about disability
>coverage, could anyone answer any of the following questions:
>
>1)   Assuming that I have a very good income right now, what is the
>maximum that social security would pay me on a monthly basis (family
>of 4).

Disability income is dependant on your previous earnings.  You can get a 
form from your SS office and send off for an estimated amount.  I don't 
think your dependants are figured into that amount.  You may be able to 
get additional services such as SSI or AFDC depending on your total 
income and dependants.
>
>
First check with your SS office, they can tell you the exact steps. And 
don't hesitate to get an attorney if you run into trouble, most people 
are denied several times before they get it thru.  Most attorneys will 
get a portion of your back pay, as most work on contigency basis, but 
alot of people feel it was worth it to help get it pushed through.

Good Luck!

On 20 Mar 1996 02:05:41 GMT, Rita Underwood <rstone@cdc3.cdc.net>
wrote:

>jbublitz@execpc.com (Jim Bublitz) wrote:
>>Hi:
>>
>>I have been battling with a whole bunch of serious joint and bone
>>problems and although I am a successfull software consultant, I may
>>now be reaching the end of the line for my working career due to pain.
>>
>>
>>I have always worked so I dont know anything about disability
>>coverage, could anyone answer any of the following questions:
>>
>>1)   Assuming that I have a very good income right now, what is the
>>maximum that social security would pay me on a monthly basis (family
>>of 4).
>
>Disability income is dependant on your previous earnings.  You can get a
>form from your SS office and send off for an estimated amount.  I don't
>think your dependants are figured into that amount.  You may be able to
>get additional services such as SSI or AFDC depending on your total
>income and dependants.
call 1-800-772-1213 and ask for form SSA-7004 (request for earnings
and benefit estimate statement) or http://www.ssa.gov
>First check with your SS office, they can tell you the exact steps. And
>don't hesitate to get an attorney if you run into trouble, most people
>are denied several times before they get it thru.  Most attorneys will
>get a portion of your back pay, as most work on contigency basis, but
>alot of people feel it was worth it to help get it pushed through.
>
>Good Luck!
>
>

In <4imgs9$q7m@daily-planet.execpc.com> jbublitz@execpc.com (Jim
Bublitz) writes: 
>
>Hi:
>
>I have been battling with a whole bunch of serious joint and bone
>problems and although I am a successfull software consultant, I may
>now be reaching the end of the line for my working career due to pain.
>
>
>I have always worked so I dont know anything about disability
>coverage, could anyone answer any of the following questions:
>
>1)   Assuming that I have a very good income right now, what is the
>maximum that social security would pay me on a monthly basis (family
>of 4).

>175% of your PIA, which is based on your average (inflation adjusted)
social security earnings. It changes too often but I seem to recall the
maximum PIA as around $1400/month - family max would be ~ $2,400.

>2)  In addition to my current day job I teach at a local college at
>night 2 nights a week.  Would I have to give up this income if I were
>on disability?  Am I allowed to make any additional money without
>loosing my disability income?

I'm not positive but I doubt it since the definition is 'total &
permanent.

   Also, can my wife work for additional
>income ?
>Yes, and since you have (presumably dependent) 2 kids, you could still
receive family maximum. (175%)

>3)  What other kinds of benefits am I eligible for when I am on social
>security (through the governement) ?
>
If you're a vet, see the VA. Most of the others are income based.

>4) How do I go about getting ss disability ?   (Who do I have to prove
>my disability to ? and how do I get started? )

> Social Security agency. Nearest office should be listed in the 'blue
pages' in your phone book or under' Social Security Administration' in
white pages.

    Good luck

jbublitz@execpc.com (Jim Bublitz) wrote:

>Hi:

>I have been battling with a whole bunch of serious joint and bone
>problems and although I am a successfull software consultant, I may
>now be reaching the end of the line for my working career due to pain.


>I have always worked so I dont know anything about disability
>coverage, could anyone answer any of the following questions:

>1)   Assuming that I have a very good income right now, what is the
>maximum that social security would pay me on a monthly basis (family
>of 4).

Believe me, NOT ENOUGH!!!

>2)  In addition to my current day job I teach at a local college at
>night 2 nights a week.  Would I have to give up this income if I were
>on disability?  Am I allowed to make any additional money without
>loosing my disability income?    Also, can my wife work for additional
>income ?


Technically, you can still make a small income yourself, even if you
are on disability.  I am not certain of the amount.  It has been a
while since I have checked.  However, if you still have this other job
when you apply for disability - GOOD LUCK!!!  

I am only 26 yrs. old and have been on soc. security disability for
about four years now.  HOWEVER - my husband and I went bankrupt with
at least $50,000.00 of unpaid medical bills before I was awarded it.
It took over two years and a lawyer ended up getting a sizable portion
of my back benefits.  I was very sick from Systemic Lupus with central
nervous system involvement.  I had almost no short-term memory, had
difficulty walking, talking, could not drive, was very disoriented as
a general rule and eventually began having siezures that did not
respond properly to anti-convulsants.  I was hopsitilized over a dozen
times in one year.  However, until I got my hearing in front of a
judge, our wonderful government still insisted that I could hold a
job.  They did not consider me to be disabled.

About your wife,  as far as I know, her work record will not affect
your application.  YOUR benefits from Social Security are based on
YOUR work record.  I was lucky.  I had worked the bare minimum of
quarters to qualify for SS Dissability when I becam so ill.


>3)  What other kinds of benefits am I eligible for when I am on social
>security (through the governement) ?


After you are on disability for two years, whatever your age, you do
qualify for Medicare.  However - keep in mind that prescriptions ARE
NOT COVERED!!!  I hope you have other insurance that you can depend
on.


>4) How do I go about getting ss disability ?   (Who do I have to prove
>my disability to ? and how do I get started? )

Call the 1-800 Social Security number listed in the phone book and ask
for an application to be sent to you.  Fill it out as detailed as you
possibly can.  Do not leave ANYTHING out.  Be METICULOUS!  Your
doctors will have to fill out paperwork for you and submit copies of
your medical records, including lab test results and any documentation
of hospitialization.

If you do get turned down, DO NOT HESITATE, to appeal the decision.
And be prepared to keep appealing.  I have heard that the majority of
applicants who do make it before an actual judge, do get approved.

Good Luck,

S. Krantz

>Thanks a lot,
>Jim Bublitz
>Jim Bublitz   -   Brookfield, WI    -    (414) 782-5282
>email:  jbublitz@execpc.com

jbublitz@execpc.com (Jim Bublitz) wrote:

Dear Jim,

I can't answer all your questions because they depend on your
individual situation. I can give you some ideas about where to start.

>1)   Assuming that I have a very good income right now, what is the
>maximum that social security would pay me on a monthly basis (family
>of 4).

Your family size doesn't matter.  Social Security can give you an
estimate of what your monthly benefit would be.  It is based on your
prior earnings.  


>2)  In addition to my current day job I teach at a local college at
>night 2 nights a week.  Would I have to give up this income if I were
>on disability?  Am I allowed to make any additional money without
>loosing my disability income?    Also, can my wife work for additional
>income ?

Do you have any other disability insurance other than social security?
If so, get that policy out and read it carefully.  If you don't have a
copy get your personnel department to give you one.  They will tell
you if you can be covered for "full" and/or "partial" disability.  For
many policies -- but not all -- you only have to be unable to do your
current job description.

You can make additional money if your disability insurance allows
"partial disability".  Mine pays half of the benefit until I reach 80%
of my former salary.  Then I am no longer partially disabled.  This
will be spelled out in your policy.

Social security is different.  You must be totally unable to work at
any job that you are reasonably prepared for by education and
experience.  There is no partial disability, but there are ways to
earn some 

>3)  What other kinds of benefits am I eligible for when I am on social
>security (through the governement) ?

>4) How do I go about getting ss disability ?   (Who do I have to prove
>my disability to ? and how do I get started? )

>Thanks a lot,
>Jim Bublitz
>Jim Bublitz   -   Brookfield, WI    -    (414) 782-5282
>email:  jbublitz@execpc.com

I believe your local SS office could best answer those questions, esp. 
those concerning your benefits, since I think it's tied into your salary 
in particular quarters prior to going on 'Dis.  They probably have a 
pamphlet describing answers to these questions, since they're probably 
pretty common ones.

jbublitz@execpc.com (Jim Bublitz) wrote:
(snip)
>1)   Assuming that I have a very good income right now, what is the
>maximum that social security would pay me on a monthly basis (family
>of 4).
>
Not enough!  I believe that the cap is about $1,100/mo., but I could be 
wrong.  They can tell you exactly what you would be elligible for by 
your returning a short form to them.  Frankly, I've never seen anyone 
get anywhere near that much.  Some people wait too long after stopping 
work, and your elligibility is tied to your earnings during the last 10 
quarters.

>2)  In addition to my current day job I teach at a local college at
>night 2 nights a week.  Would I have to give up this income if I were
>on disability?  Am I allowed to make any additional money without
>loosing my disability income?    Also, can my wife work for additional
>income ?
>
Total earned income can not exceed $500/mo.  If it does, than you are 
not considered totally disabled, which is what this program is for.
They will check your tax filings and bank records (they do spot checks), 
and not only will they terminate you from the program, they will sue you 
to recover any benefits paid while you were earning over the limit.

>3)  What other kinds of benefits am I eligible for when I am on social
>security (through the governement) ?
>
You would probably be elligible for SSI and Food Stamps, but they don't 
amount to much.  You would also be elligible for Medicare after two 
years, when they review your case.

>4) How do I go about getting ss disability ?   (Who do I have to prove
>my disability to ? and how do I get started? )
>

It all starts with a phone call to the SSA.  You will have mountains of 
paperwork to fill out, and to get your docs to fill out.  You usually 
also have to be evaluated by their docs.  Most people get turned down on 
the initial application, then appeal.  The process can easily take two 
years, but it varies greatly depending on the office you are working 
with.

Don't let it get you discouraged though.  If you truelly can't work, it 
is the best option open to you.  If you can work part-time, and earn 
more than the $1,100/mo, then just do that and forget about SSD.  Maybe, 
some day, the government will get around to protecting our health 
insurance benefits.  That's usually the deciding factor.  Many people 
can't do without the medicare coverage, even though they could earn more 
than SSD will pay.  They just can't afford private health insurance.

Good Luck!

Walt Hanks


-----------------------------------------------
                walt_hanks@byu.edu

Health Education: Bringing perspective, vision, and
         individual empowerment to Healthcare.
-----------------------------------------------

Hi,


This is my first posting, so I hope it comes through.  I have 
just been approved for SSDI and SSI on my first try with very 
little hassle. It has been approved verbally but they won't 
quote me a $amount per phone and I have to wait for the award 
letter.

What I have done, as there are so many piddly insurances to 
file (like a covercheck acct, etc.) is I send in a written 
request for my medical records about every 8 weeks, which is 
about how long they take to get them to you anyway.  I am with 
an HMO, which helps,because the records are centralized, though 
it's 50 cents a page.  I get EVERYTHING, including even IV 
records while hospitalized(like they really care how much you 
peed!)  So, I always have EVERYTHING on hand, and SS didn't 
even contact my doctors or wait on their forms, because I 
bombarded them with facts from the beginning.  I am also an RN, 
so I kind of know what they want and am insistent on getting my 
records, though they (med. record techs) don't make it a secret 
that they think I'm a jerk.  Also I filled out the original 
application with excruciating detail and was told this really 
helped.  Hope this helps someone.         Ann