Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 I got the letter yesterday informing me of the amount I'd be getting for disability and that I would get back pay to when I first became eligible for disability. I became eligible in May 2001 so this will really be a help to my family! For all of you who are in the process of applying or are waiting for decisions or hearings, stick with it. Yes, I do believe I am deserving of help but had I not been tenacious, I would not have received it. Don't give up! I applied in July of 2001 and just now found out the award. Keep everything current with Social Security -- addresses, phone numbers, you name it. When I applied they asked me for my bank information so that if I did qualify I would have direct deposit. We moved from that town almost 2 years ago and don't have the same bank. When I received the letter saying that I would get disability (in January) I assumed that when the letter came stating the award amount, it would ask me about the bank or if I wanted a check to come in the mail. Nope. So I would've received payment a week ago but it went to my old bank. I called and changed it and will receive payment next week. The SS woman was really helpful and apologetic. I figured that if I've waited 2.5 years, what's another week? Still wish I weren't qualifying for aid, but at the same time I surely am glad I have the opportunity! Joy ville FL (NOT sunny & NOT warm today!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 CONGRATS JOY! :-) Love Lana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2004 Report Share Posted February 27, 2004 Congratulations, Joy !!!!!!! All the best, Patti Disability $ almost here! I got the letter yesterday informing me of the amount I'd be getting for disability and that I would get back pay to when I first became eligible for disability. To learn more about EDS, visit our website: http://www.ceda.ca ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2004 Report Share Posted February 28, 2004 Joy, Congrats for finally getting your disability!!! I am so happy for you!!! You know, it breaks my heart to hear what a tough time most of you guys have getting disability... I can't imagine waiting from 2001 until 2004 to get a case through... Must have been so hard... The way they more or less as standard turn people down at first, is just awful, I think. I don't know how you guys manage while in the middle of this, not knowing if you will have any income or not... It must be horrible... Good for you that you stuck with it, knowing that you really have a disability that makes working impossible!!!! The system we have here in Norway, is totally different from yours. When I applied for disability here, it was years after I was offered it. Yes, offered a 100% pension... Then I did not want it, I wanted re-education, because I knew that was the right option for me then (in 1991). When I did apply, I only applied for 50%, something we can do here. I got it after around 4 months, I think (and there are people here complaining that it takes way too long...). Too bad you don't have the option of getting partial disability, that it is all or nothing... I wouldn't be too surprised if you got it one day though... Here you have to be disabled minimum 50% today, but they are about to change that too, I think to 20% and up. They have had some trials with it in certain counties. In the Norwegian society, the importance of working has always been emphasized, " Work for Everybody " as a parole is well known for everybody here. Working is also an important way of being included... Too bad, but there is something to it. So if it is some way of being able to work at least a little, it is a good thing for most people. There are people working only 10% here, getting 90% disability pension. There are also more and more people working with their own personal assistant. The assistant then helps with doing the physical parts of the work the person can't do, as well as other things as e.g. assisting in eating, going to the bathroom etc. The person is the assistant's boss and employer, but the government pays the assistant. The point is that if you can work some, that is a good thing for you. It is not as if people are being forced to work with an assistant, but if you wish to do it, you should get the necessary help to make it possible. So there are e.g. Quadriplegics (sp?) that are able to continue working because of this option. If you are on disability, whether you are on e.g. 50% or 100%, you can also have a yearly income of around $8,000 on top of that. So many on disability work a bit here and there when they are able to do it... That is also a good thing, so people can have a bit extra money, and as a way to " get out there " when they can. One of my colleagues who also have struggled for years with illness, finally chose to go on 100% pension now, at an age of 62. She is now working a few hours once a week, something that is so great both for us and for her. None of us apply for such help with a light heart. Sure there are some people out there who would prefer not to work even if they aren't really that sick, but I really don't think they are that many... Such people are of course turned down also here. But in general I really think that it is much more of a problem that people who needs it, doesn't get it or dare apply for it. Us who really have a disability prefer to work as long as we can. I really feel lucky that I was able to get Norwegian Social Security Re-education, so I could go to college and get an education that would make it possible for me to get another job which is very easy physically... Of course I have no way of knowing if I will be able to work 50% always, but at least I can do it as long as I am able to somehow. Also in my case I know it means a lot to my clients that I have a visible disability myself, since I work with refugees who have a disability, kids and adults. Most of them come from countries where being disabled is a huge shame, so being met by a person who obviously is disabled but also obviously means something, is an equal to others and has a position - sends tremendously important signals... A really good " side effect " .... It is soon 10 years since I finished my re-education. After finishing I worked 100% for a few years until I had to go on 50% disability. Now I work three short days a week, altogether 18.75 hours a week. I have every Monday and Friday off now, sure makes a huge difference... Aase Marit wrote: <snipped> >I got the letter yesterday informing me of the amount I'd be getting >for disability and that I would get back pay to when I first became >eligible for disability. I became eligible in May 2001 so this will >really be a help to my family! >For all of you who are in the process of applying or are waiting for >decisions or hearings, stick with it. Yes, I do believe I am >deserving of help but had I not been tenacious, I would not have >received it. >Don't give up! <snip> >Still wish I weren't qualifying for aid, but at the same time I surely >am glad I have the opportunity! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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