SSDI

[arwebster]

My husband has just been diagnosed with ALS. He will be retiring from his job on September 30th. The Dr. at the clinic gave us a letter to submit to SSDI. Do we need to wait until after the 30th to apply for SSDI or do we need to do that now? I know you can’t be working to receive the benefit, but I wasn’t sure if you could go ahead and apply if you had a retirement date.
This forum has been so helpful. My husband is 55 and has been having symptoms for about 2 years. Getting this diagnosis has been devastating, but having this group has been very helpful in trying to wrap our minds around this and get prepared for what we will be facing.

 

[Nikki J]

You need to wait. If he is out on short term disability and not going back then you could apply but not if he is working. There is a question on the form about when/ if you stopped work and it is the first thing they look at. Still working will result in a denial and then you would have to appeal.

If you are dealing directly with a social security worker make sure they flag it as TERI. It should be prioritized Benefits should also be back dated to start the day of disability

If you aren’t going to apply online make an appointment now for after 9/30. I think some offices are doing phone interviews still. Do look at the application on line to make sure you have all the information organized. It isn’t hard

 

[arwebster]

Thank you so much. I was planning to complete the application online. I have a letter from Dr. I am assuming there will be a place to upload it with the application. I will definitely go ahead and look to see what information they will ask for and have that ready before I start.

 

[Nikki J]

Here is the application https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-16-bk.pdf

 

[arwebster]

Thank you!

 

[JAM]

Hello Arwebster,
I wanted to reach out bc I am in a very similar situation. My husband was just diagnosed (57) and he retired last May. I never even thought about SSDI so ty for that info. We will look into it. We weren’t given any direction really so this forum is all I have currently and it has been so helpful. We are in Wisconsin outside Milwaukee and will go to a clinic at Froedert starting mid October. I hope it’s kinder/gentler than the first visit where we got the diagnosis. Maybe that’s just me tho - perhaps cold hard facts are best given this disease and forums like this are best for the kindness part anyway I hope your husband/you are doing well today.

 

[Nikki J]

JAM please apply asap he paid into social security so he earned ssdi. If he has a social security account online you can look and see how much the benefit will be. You can apply online or set up an appointment. I think they are all phone now. As I said before this is a TERI illness so should be prioritized for processing. Benefits should be backdated to dx date or possibly retirement date if he stopped work due to his symptoms. We have had members get this if there is documentation to support it.

Ssdi comes with medicare. I don’t know what you are doing for insurance right now so you need to decide what is best. Part a ( hospital) is usually free the rest is not. Medicare only covers individuals so you would not be covered

 

[arwebster]

I am sorry to hear that your experience with the doctors has not been so good. We have been fortunate to have wonderful caring doctors. My husband was dx on Aug. 15 2024 and confirmed with a second doctor a week later. Then two weeks later we met with a NP who works at the clinic. She told us about SSDI. Once we had his retirement date, she provided us with a letter stating his dx. My husband’s symptoms started about two years ago. About 6 months ago things were getting worse, especially his voice. That’s when his neurologist ordered blood work, MRIs, and nerve study. We are still in shock, but hoping to enjoy our time with family and friends. I hope you are able to find caring doctors. Our team has been a blessing to us

 

[JAM]

Ty for your responses Nikki & Arwebster,
Yes, he has paid in to SS, he is a retired teacher I mentioned it to him yesterday so we will go on line and try to complete the application.
I think I miss responses to my post bc I only see them if I happen to go into one of my past threads and look. I wonder if there is a setting that will alert me of responses? If so can anyone help me with that? TIA

 

[Nikki J]

Click on your user name and in the dropdown click on preferences. I think the content ones can get you email alerts.

Do you use the new posts when you come to the forum?

There is also a watch option at the top of every thread which has two options email and other but you have to actively add it to every thread you want