lost my job - disability?
 

I was laid off this week. Of course, they would not say why me over other co-workers, but I am sure, in my heart, that it has to do with my RSD.

I'm trying to figure out my options. The trade I was in is dying. The chance of me finding another job doing my trade are slim to none.

My doctor has told me for a couple years now that I would qualify for disability. I have struggled, hard, to keep working, but either the fogginess of RSD/fibro or my pain probably affected my performance enough that they didn't keep me. I seldom made mistakes, but I did take longer to do tasks than other workers. I tried SO hard to not let RSD affect my work, even going to work the same day I had SGB's... had the block at 6 a.m. and at work by 4 p.m.

I am wondering if they would even give me disability since I didn't miss work, and was not taken out of active work by a doc, but instead would be filing because I lost a job and probably won't be able to find anything else...

I have spent some time online to see what I can find out. It seems I cannot collect unemployment if I want to try for disability. Also, here in Ohio, it seems that the FIRST hearing can take 2 years or longer.

So - what I would like to know, is if you have RSD, and are on Disability, how hard was it to get? I don't think I am as bad as many on here, but, still, every day is such a struggle.

I was not injured at work, so no worker comp to consider.

And, I wonder, if I stop working, to try for disability - then perhaps I get better from not working - then it will seem like I can work... does that make sense?

I have started wading through back posts on disability here in this forum. but there are SO many! I also looked a bit on the disability forum.

So confused right now. I can't put words or thoughts together. But any advice anyone can give me -- I'll take.

Oh, my RSD is in both feet, one calf, my upper back/shoulders, neck, left shoulder. My left arm is partially frozen. However, the only area that the RSD shows plainly is my left hand gets puffy, shiny, red... even though the pain is in my arm and shoulder. It's been almost 10 years since I got it in my first area, my foot, and there is not any physical sign of it there now, just pain.

Ironically, I am training a service dog to help me. She is doing so well. Just when I thought I would be able to take her to work soon, to help me with walking, picking things up etc... I won't be working and don't know how I will even afford to eat myself, let alone take care of a dog.

I only have about 5 years left to pay on my home... and will probably lose it.

I know there are so many others here who have been through this. I've never been so scared in my life.

Jules

Allow me.....
 

Jules:

to say..how terribly sorry I am for having lost your job and how sad you must be feeling right now..I really want to say..you are not alone ..we are all here pullin for you... I can certainly understand as I volunteerily exited from my job just last week..a job I worked at for 25 yrs... and I loved what I did.. it's just as yourself.. I hit my breaking point..and RSD came between my job and my body... And I can say I fought a galiant fight with no regrets but it is still very hard, it's going to be a process..a grieving process! As far as your disability..ASAP.. go to you Dr. and get a note...posssilby entertain the thought of getting a disability lawyer..I know cash flow is a concern but shop around for free advice to start and in the long run..it will pay..as far as the sad..lost feelings.. let us here on this forum help you with that part!! Be patient as I truly think things happen for a reason. We all have a road to travel..it'sh how we travel that road is what really what matters... You be proud..as you gave it your all and now just do your homework for the next phase of your life!!!!

Wishing you a better day than yesterday and the day before that.....:grouphug: As I always say..... Keep Smilin!!!

Jules,

Thank you for asking this question. I am (almost) in the same situation, but I have not lost my job. I do know that my performance is not as good as it used to be, because of the pain and also a little from fogginess due to medications. There are days when I really need to "push" to keep going.

I wonder the same thing. If I stop working, I will probably improve. I seem to almost always do better when I am off on holiday or vacation. How could I convince a bureaucracy that I am too disabled to work? I have also been nervous about the length of time to get approval - with no money coming in.

I wish you the best and hope you can get this straightened out quickly.

Mike

I am in the same boat.:hug: My Dr just released me back to work Monday. I am only allowed light duty but that is not my job. My boss said she has nothing for me. I want to try working but who is going to hire me if I can only do light wk and have restrictions. BTW this is a workers comp case and they have now cut me off because I was released to work even though I am still under treatment.. I am already behind in my mortgage and was wkg with the mortgage co but now how will I catch up if I don't have an income. My husbands is just not enough. I don't know if I can apply for unemployment, dissability or if wc should have to contnue paying me because my employer has nothing. With so few jobs out there who is going to hire us?:mad:

Hi,
 

All of you should check with Social Services. Here in Colorado they have a program that gives a monthly check until you can get on Social Security if you get a disablilty letter from your Dr. Some of the other states might have the same. See what else they might have to offer you also.

Sorry for all of you going through this. Usually an attorney will take your case on contingency. SS just fixed it where they now get 25% of what you get in back pay. Make sure though it's a good attorney, a lot aren't.

Ada

Same boat 2 years ago.....here's my turnout.
 

I was "let go" at my job of 13 years, not being directly told because of the RSD, but I know it was (I was replaced with 2 people to do my job). I filed for disability AND collected Unemployment. I'm glad I did! I was the breadwinner in my family and had 2 toddlers to care for.... there was no way I could've waited for the Disability hearing with no income! As it was, it took 18 months for my hearing (and that was with an emergency push from my lawyer). I went ahead and collected the Unemployment, not knowing whether I'd have to re-pay it, but I figured I could re-pay it when I received my Disability back-pay.

Anyhow, the judge did ask me about my collecting the unemployment and I told him that at the time I filed (I filed for both Diasbility and Unemployment within days apart), I figured there MIGHT be SOME kind of work I could do, and tried looking.... but followed with the Disability claim just incase it would end up that I couldn't. And that really was the truth!

As it turned out, I was rewarded my Disability, complete with back-pay, and did NOT have to return any of my Unemployment! I think if you are completely HONEST the whole way through, because you DO in fact, have a terrible situation, you will be okay in the long-run. So, my advice to you is file for BOTH ASAP!!

Good Luck :) Vanna

Does your state have a disability income program?

Do you carry personal disability insurance?

Typically ST disability income is tax free, so it may be a good choice for you right now. Get a doctor's note from the guy doing your blocks.

If you were laid off for lack of work, then you qualify for Unempl. The first $2500 of Unempl is not taxable.

You will also want to look into your benefits right away and see what is available.

I like Ada's suggestion of calling Social Services.

Good luck and get working on all the papers. If you need help figuring them out, have someone help you. Make sure you understand all your options. And many people have seemed to qualify for SSDI because they have RSD. You may get it sooner than you think.

The best of luck to you. XOXOXO Sandy

thanks
 

Pretty worn out tonight. Been checking into some things - still more to do.

I will try to post more tomorrow.

I'm just whipped now and can't think right.

Thanks for the replies....

Jules

Hi Jules!

I feel so bad for you, this RSD is such a monster to deal with. :hug:

You sound like you are having the same troubles I had. I was let go from my job because of low job performance in July 01. Had been suffering with RSD for about a year before this, and it truely was the reason of my job performance issues. I tried and tried to keep working, but it was no use I was done. One of the things that get you down mentally is the realization that you wont be able to continue on in life like you had done. Life is now a different way of life for me, and all those that are affected by what happens with me.

My doctor helped me to get the state disablility which lasts for one year here in california, but at the same time I could not apply for SSDI because I was making to much on the state disability, so I applied soon as that ran out.

I did lose everything while fighting the social security, but it was the only option for me. Get the doctors on your side, and do everything the doctors tell you to do. Get a good social security attorney, one that specializes in only social security, and make sure it is a good one and you should do ok.

The only draw back to the whole thing is how long everything takes. Took me 5 years from the time I applied to the award letter, but it can go much faster in some cases, and I hope that is the case for you. There is an awesome social security forum here with lots of knowledgable people willing to help from their experiences, so do take advantage of that as well.

Hope everything works out for you, and in a timely manner. :hug:

Hello Jules,

I can't sleep so I apologize for being too wordy.

I'm sorry your have to go through this in addition to what you have to deal with from RSD. It changes our life physically, professionally and finacially.

First keep in mind stress and anxiety increase our pain. So take this one step at a time.

Check with a lawyer for a consultation. If you can it's best to get one to help with filing a SSD claim. Social Security must kill a small forest for the paper to file one claim. There is a legal cap for what they can charge for a SSD claim.

Check with your employer some of them have long term disability as part of your life insurance policy. They have guide lines that must be meet before you can file a claim.

Check with your mortgage company. Some of them have borrowers assistance programs for clients who have had a reduction in income.

This is not something you want to deal with. However it is reality for those of us living with RSD/CRPS. Our life is forever changed by RSD. Some changes we can control some we can not. Take control of checking out all your options. Make a list and prioritize the list and tackle it one task at time. Keeping our stress and axiety low is easier said than done but it so important for our pain level.

Take care,
Sherrie :hug: