disability
 

Can anyone provide some good succinct resources regarding applying for disability? Any other government programs one might qualify for when dealing with this condition and unable to work?

Any information on how the process goes, what to expect, etc. would be quite helpful.

I have googled but quickly became overwhelmed with the amount of information.

Apart from information the members on TBI/PCS will be able to give you,
I just wanted to let you know that there is a

Social Security Disability Forum

There are some very knowledgeable forum members visit there.

The sticky threads on our Disability forum have good accumulated tips & how to start a claim.

Other than Social Security Disability, some states have their own programs. Without knowing your state of residence, not much more can be done about state programs.

Plenty of us have experience with SSDI and the application process. It is a challenge for most concussion sufferers. The rules are not always followed by the State Disability Determination Service as they consider applicants. Some claim there is an automatic denial of the first application except in extreme situations. I was denied twice and finally approved after a hearing before the judge. It took me almost 3 years to the day to get approved. I got a big chunk of back pay but finances were miserable until then.

Are you just frustrated with your recovery and lack of income or do you think you need to start planning for the long hall ?

i see. well it has been about 11 months now (though there were three injuries in those 11 months) and i'm still having serious trouble. i fear that i will have no money for food and shelter if i cannot return to work in the next several months. more importantly, i'm fairly young so there are many years ahead of me which will require income to support myself. judging by what you have said, the process takes forever so i figured i need to get started ASAP.

i alternate between days when i think all is lost and i will never be able to function in the capacity i had prior to the string of accidents, and days when i think i'm getting better and all will be fine. i don't have too many days in the middle.

My advice would be just to do the first thing you need to do, which is create an account on the SS site and click on apply for benefits. Then you just fill out an online application. You can stop and it will save your place so you can do it a little at a time. They will take it from there.

Don't think about the entire process, it's too much for our brains. It's just a small step at a time. Even if you get benefits they have a really good support system to get you back working if and when you feel like you are ready to. The only other advice is to make sure you have

your doctors behind you. I did have to go to a neurology exam but I think it was my doctor's opinions that made my case. I found once I had SSDI and medicare the state I live in set me up with the other benefits I qualified for. Try not to get overwhelmed with the process; just take the first step and then the next day take another. Eventually you will get there :-)

lyndianne,

What other benefits did you qualify for ? Were they just related to your state ? What state do you live in ?

Mark...I had put Eugene Oregon as my location but it seems to be missing! We have the Oregon Health Plan which is just a fancy word for our medicaid. Our wonderful governor put it in place years ago but it was struggling before the ACA became law. So the state is paying for

my medicare part B premium, co insurance that gives me extra medical benefits, and I'm not sure if it's federal or state that pays for extra help with prescriptions. Like you, California Worker's Comp is totally screwing me. I've gone from a lot of money a year to well almost nothing. I shudder to think where I would be without these programs. The nice part is once I

applied for SSDI and medicare they took care of setting it all up. I couldn't think my way out of a wet paper towel these days so I have learned to take things one step at a time and call people and throw myself on their mercy. Some people are nicer than others, but most have helped me with the things that are too confusing to figure out.

lyndianne,
Eugene, Oregon is in your signature at the end.
You can have it show under your name by using the User Control Panel if you wish.
It's in the section called Your Profile - Edit your Details. hth

The Medicaid benefit can be a lifesaver for those who qualify. It is a combo state/fed system. SSI (Social Security Income) is also available to some. It is an automatic application when one applies for SSDI even if you don't want to apply for it.

For those who are applying to SSDI, the Medicaid or Obamacare Medicaid derivative may help until SSDI gets approved. SSDI qualified Medicare does not start until 24 months after the SSDI benefit period starts so Medicaid may be needed to fill the gap. SSDI can provide a benefit that goes back 12 months from the application date. That lump sum back pay can be a big help. I got 36 moths of back pay.