April, that was a very good post and will probably help a lot of people. I wasn't aware that you could get disability and still work for pay. I'm curious, how much do they let you earn?

Thank you, KAO. Remember I'm not a lawyer or anything, I just used to do HR for a non-profit. And I probably didn't do it very well, since I was more concerned for the employees than I was for the Board of Directors.

When recieving disability, you can earn around $800.00 a month--I can't remember the exact number, but it's 8 something. That's how much you can make without the government decreasing your disability payments. I know it's not a lot of money, but it would at least allow someone to do some part time work that is interesting & fulfilling.

As for unemployment, when I was in HR, I only denied one person when the state sent me the paperwork, and she had been fired for stealing thousands of dollars. But the fact is, even though she had been fired, the state still felt it was okay to try. They denied her after they recieved my paperwork and documentation.

First, I want to say thank you all for your comments and suggestions and sympathies! You guys can always make me feel better!

Alright... so I have applied for medicaid, and unemployment... I am thinking of applying for ssdi now...

Should I wait until I can go back to the doctors? Or should I go ahead and get the ball rolling now? I am not very smart with the whole process... any suggestions would be appreciated!!!

Don't wait. SSDI can take time. Get the ball rolling.

I'm more of a lurker here, but I felt I had to reply to this one. Chances are, you WILL win that claim for unemployment. Just because you are technically "fired" does not mean anything.

Laws do vary, but this will go to a hearing, and most employers simply won't take it that far. It's tedious, costly, etc. Plus, think of what's going through their minds...we fired this employee with MS...gee, we're going to look like jerks if she goes to the press...let's just pay the claim.

I used to manage a temp agency (ugh) and I learned that the state HATES agency/call center type employers cause they have lots of claims and fire people without going through the proper steps.

In my time with the agency we won ONE claim...and that was only because the claimant called the office and threatened to kill us before the hearing. He's in jail now, BTW.

If you have a choice between a phone hearing and a live one, definitely go, and bring documentation from your doc. Your employer probably won't show up anyway.

So sorry this is happening for you. Can you call the places you owe money to and explain the situation? The economy is so bad you will not be the first one to do this.

Keep us posted, OK?

I am very disappointed that they can get away with firing you, without first offering alternative employment opportunities within the firm. That seems contrary to employment and disability protection laws.

I guess it doesn't matter if you wouldn't have been entitled to Long Term Disability through your firm, but if you were, I'd fight the dismissal decision.

Make sure you get some help, perhaps even from the MS Society, when applying for SSDI. There are SOooooo... many things that we don't think of, that are relevant to their decision. Many people in the US opt for filing through a lawyer, as they usually get quicker approval that way.

Cherie

Hello all.. and again thank you for your replies!

Here is my update:

I was approved for the unemployment *thank God* with no problems or hearings or anything! I get my first check on the 23rd of this month. If they fought it I was going to use my aunt's best friend (who is a lawyer) to lay down the law for wrongful termination due to discrimination.. or something like that.. I am not very smart with legal stuff....

So, as far as the SSDI goes, I am still really afraid of someone saying "You are fine... Why are you applying for that?" For some reason I have this ginormous fear of them calling me a faker or liar...

Should I just fill out the form and worry about doctor proof later? I guess I don't understand the process......

I have to say.. I feel better without all that stress on me... still quite tired but definitely not nearly as bad as when I was worried about all that stuff.

Oh my God... Now another issue... I just got a call for a job with the State.. I have an interview Wednesday... I have been wanting a job with the State for a long time. Insurance would be free for me and my fiance once we get married. He works with the state as well...

I guess I should look at this as a sign as I am not supposed to go on SSDI yet... Either that or if I don't get the position maybe then I should apply... ugh.. More to stress about..

Try this website: http://www.ssa.gov/

It might help with some of your questions about SSDI. If and when you're ready to apply you can do it online. You can start and stop your application and it's saved online for you. They make it quite easy to do. Your doctor's records do need to be complete and thorough, though. And you need to list all the doctors you've seen. Hope this helps!

Keep track of all days you are absent from work because of sickness, leave home early or go in late. This is needed should you need to apply for Social Security.

Keep track of doctors addresses, phone numbers and dates and locations of tests. This too is needed should you have to apply for Social Security.

Hang in there at work and be written up if they feel it needs done. Let them fire you if that is your only possibility. Don't let pride get in the way and quit as I did for this hurts you in terms of disability!

If applying for Social Security, answer they questions directly but as briefly as possible for they don't want to read long answers.

If you have to apply and are denied, appeal for when won they will go back to your original date you applied for disability and pay accordingly. If you make a lower amount, you qualify for SSI and will receive Medicaid.

If you receive SSDI (larger money amount) you qualify for Part A, B & D. I don't qualify for Medicaid but do qualify for federal help on Parts A, B & D paying nothing for Part B, my deductible for Part D is paid for and low co-pays for my medications only.

Take care...

I hope you get the job with the state because at least they will treat you better if you have problems.
Getting fired because you couldn't do your job is the perfect reason to file for disability. Start keeping a journal about how you feel each day as SSDI needs to how you feel AND YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORST DAY!

Stop worrying about looking as though you are "faking" disability. You are blaming yourself for your MS! It does different things to different people and if you ever do go on disability....you just tell people you retired.....its none of their business.

I ordered a book from Amazon called NOLOS GUIDE TO SOCIAL SECURITY.
It tells you everything you need to know about getting and keeping SSDI. It really helped me with some things I would have never thought about submitting.
One strike against you (and I judge by your photo) is that you are under age 50. For some reason that is a major strike against you according to NOLO.
Then they have to decide what kind of work you are qualified for (skilled/unskilled) and whether you can do work less skilled than you do now with your current complaints.

Well.....never under estimate FATIGUE. It is the number one disabler of MSers. and that plays major havoc no matter what job we do. And don't forget what the meds can do to us...one to help pain will put you to sleep etc.
Anyway.....if you do have problems working....get advice!! Going part time as some people do only lowers the amount SS pays you if you have to go out completely. Its advice like that you need.
Lots to think about...but I hope you get the state job and you feel better soon. Study up with a good SSDI book so that if the day comes you will be prepared.