Budgeting while on SSDI/SSI

[Guest guest]

When SSDI program began in 1954 or so, no one really thought far

enough ahead into the future when 80 million " baby boomers " *might*

become disabled. In addition, in the 1950's, no one expected HIV/AIDS

or CFS to disable so many people, besides those of us with CMT and

many others with ALS, MD, MS, RA, OA, s, FA, and so many other

disorders, syndromes and diseases that can cause a person to be

UNABLE TO WORK.

There is a tremendous strain on Social Security now. However, if you

are UNABLE TO WORK and meet the criteria for SSDI and/or SSI, by all

means apply. When you apply for SSDI now, be sure to file your

application on-line. This will expedite your claim review, due to

the SSA's new computer system.

SSDI/and SSI were never meant to be *full income* for disabled

persons, but only a *safety net* of sorts.

If you are young and working, keep working. If you are even younger,

and still considering a career, have a look at our Careers List in

our Files and get into a field (with a good education) that you can

use your talents and brains together. Save all the $ you can. If you

can contribute to an IRA or 401K, or any other savings, do it. Also

look into buying Long Term Care Insurance and if your employer

offerss Disability Insurance, go for it.

Waiting for an SSDI claim can take YEARS to be approved, as some of

our members have shared. Today I learned of a man who waited 12 years

for his benefits to be approved - even the ALJ at the Hearing Level

would not approve benefits, so his attorney went to the Appeals

Council where it was finally approved - BUT his file had been *lost*

for quite awhile and sat on a desk at the Appeals office for quite a

long time.

If you do decide to work with an attorney, make weekly calls to

her/him, with updates, any changes, or just simply to keep your name

*up front*. I met an SSDI attorney today who has 500 CURRENT cases!

And yes, they are ALL waiting for an ALJ Hearing.

Budgeting is extremely important for us all; it will be even tighter

on SSDI and/or SSI. If you don't know how to budget, learn. Prices

for everything will continue to rise, unfortunately, the COLA (Cost

of Living) adjustments to SSDI benefits do not rise as fast.

Before you stop work because you are UNABLE TO WORK, make sure you

have health insurance. Even if you are approved for SSDI on your

initial application, you will not be eligible for Medicare for two

years; and then, there are deductibles you will pay, even with the

new " Part D " .

One of the greatest persons I have been listening to for years now is

Suze Orman. She speaks about financial issues so simply and explains

things so well and I have learned so much from her. The best advice

she gives (and gave me!) was " cut up the credit cards and pay off the

mortgage " . Those 2 items are killers for a working budget. I think

her website is http://suzeorman.com - you can check your local TV

listings to see when she's on. She's a no-nonsense, very practical

woman, who graduated from U of Ill at Urbana and then worked as a

waitress in Berkley, California for 7 years until she obtained a

*real* job at a Brokerage Firm and literally learned all she knows

step by step, working her way up.

Here in Southern California, persons who live on fixed incomes of any

sort may sign up for " balanced payment plans " for bills. This means

that your heating, electric, water/sewer, and trash bills will be the

SAME each month. (even in the winter) Once a year there is a review

of a person's account to see if anything additional is owed, by

either the vendor or the payee. These balanced payment plans have

been very helpful for many of our clients.

~ Gretchen