Originally Posted by Paul Markham (Post 18513565)

We had no problem with mine and Eva's private and National Insurance. Even her Mother got money to look after her Grandmother at home, rather than cost more in a hospital and Eva's Father, who has just passed on.

These problems don't go away when some big private insurance company refuse to pay. They are just not taken out of shareholders pockets.

Live in a country where the big corporations don't rape you.

Originally Posted by kane (Post 18513608)

I'm not 100% sure. All I know is that when she was finally accepted the caseworker we had said she was on disability so she would actually be getting a little bit more than she would be on social security. This lasted for a few years then when she turned 65 the caseworker told us she was being merged into social security and she would get the same amount, only the checks would be issued on a slightly different date.

I would imagine she had 40 quarters paid into the system. If I understand it correctly each year you work and pay into social security is 4 quarters. When she started drawing she was 60 or 61 years old and she had held a full time job since she was 16 years old so she had about 44-45 years paid into the system.

Originally Posted by theking (Post 18513642)

Well...I do not care to argue with you...I am just supplying you with information as I understand it.

SSA is for those that have 40 quarters paid into the system. SSI is for those that don't...but as I have stated that some people that were low wage earners receive less from their SSA checks...than the $485 that SSI pays so they are subsidized with an SSI check to reach the $485 per month max. In other words if a person received $385 from SSA they then would also get an additional $100 from SSI.

Also SSA disability payments are not anymore than ordinary SSA payments...both are based upon the amount paid into the system. Low wage earners pay in less than higher paid earners thus receive less. SSA is paid on the 3rd of each month and SSI is paid on the 1st of each month.

Someone that is receiving SSA disability when they become age eligible for SSA the payment remains the same but their classification changes from disabled to age eligible.

The same applies to SSI though SSI did not used to have an age eligible classification but now anyone that is 65 years old and does not have an income of $485 per month can be subsidized by SSI up to the $485 per month.

It sounds to me that your mother should have initially received SSA and possibly shoud have been subsidized with SSI if her SSA payments were less than $485 per month.

In my case I get over $1400 per month SSA disability and over $2600 per month from the VA.

Originally Posted by kane (Post 18513652)

I think this clarifies it for me. I think the situation was she was on SSA disability then when she became age eligible she switched to regular SSA. The payments were more than $485 so clearly it wasn't SSI.

Basically here is how it broke down. She applied for "emergency" assistance that we were told would take 30-45 days to process. It took about 5 months, but she was approved. This was only about $350 per month. While she was on that she was filing for full disability. She was denied the first time and approved the second time. At this point she was about 60-61 years old. Then when she hit 65 they put her on regular social security instead of the disability.

I was confused in thinking that all social security disability was considered SSI, but after reading this post I see the difference now.

Originally Posted by theking (Post 18513642)

Well...I do not care to argue with you...I am just supplying you with information as I understand it.

SSA is for those that have 40 quarters paid into the system. SSI is for those that don't...but as I have stated that some people that were low wage earners receive less from their SSA checks...than the $485 that SSI pays so they are subsidized with an SSI check to reach the $485 per month max. In other words if a person received $385 from SSA they then would also get an additional $100 from SSI.

Also SSA disability payments are not anymore than ordinary SSA payments...both are based upon the amount paid into the system. Low wage earners pay in less than higher paid earners thus receive less. SSA is paid on the 3rd of each month and SSI is paid on the 1st of each month.

Someone that is receiving SSA disability when they become age eligible for SSA the payment remains the same but their classification changes from disabled to age eligible.

The same applies to SSI though SSI did not used to have an age eligible classification but now anyone that is 65 years old and does not have an income of $485 per month can be subsidized by SSI up to the $485 per month.

It sounds to me that your mother should have initially received SSA and possibly shoud have been subsidized with SSI if her SSA payments were less than $485 per month.

In my case I get over $1400 per month SSA disability and over $2600 per month from the VA.

Originally Posted by PornoMonster (Post 18513692)

Can I ask what happened? Was it while on active duty, hence getting paid with the VA?

Originally Posted by Failed (Post 18514822)

She also said being denied is almost automatic. She's seen people that have lost multiple limbs in industrial accidents denied, that it's just the way the system works and not to be discouraged.

Originally Posted by GetSCORECash (Post 18514866)

You have to go crazy to collect, that is actually be declared a nut and a harm to society so it would be best to disable you then have you walk on the streets.

Originally Posted by kane (Post 18513422)

I just played this game a little while back with my mom. All is not lost yet. I was told by a few different doctors to be prepared to be denied that in almost all cases they deny your claim the first time you file it no matter what. That is part of the "scam" of it. There are a lot of people who simply won't continue to fight them after that first denial.

Here are a few ideas. Sadly, as others have pointed out, had you started this process right when things happened it may have helped, but you still might be okay. First, you will need to go to your doctors and collect information from them that says you were disabled and unable to work and for what period of time this took place. Get copies of your medical records. Second, once you have all of this information contact a social security/disability lawyer. They will give you a free consultation. Go in and talk to them and find out what they have to say. If they feel you have a legit case, you can try to move forward on your own. Chances are their fee might be too high to justify having them do it for you because they normally deal with people who are going to be on it for life, not just looking for a 1 year payout. Now you refile your claim. This time you include a nice, stern letter explaining why you should have never been denied and why you should be approved. Tell them about the doctors claims and include those letters from the doctors. Tell them you met with a lawyer who agreed that your case is clearly one that qualifies and then tell them what you expectations are. Explain that you can have all your medical records sent to them as needed and give them the names and contact info of the doctor's offices so they can do that.

You may still get denied. If that happens your only other choices are to have your doctor file on your behalf or hire a lawyer.

My mom was denied the first time and after getting info together I filed again and this time she was accepted. They also paid he retroactive to the date of the first filing.

Good luck.