Big change! More shows

[mick]

I'm gonna be a full time Penturner!
I haven't mentioned it here before but I was placed on transitional duty from my normal job back in June. I have a problem with a frozen diaphram on my right side. I've had the condition close to 20 years and it's never been a problem with my job. In late May we were required to have respirator fit tests along with a test of our lung capacity. Long story short I failed the necessary requirements to be able to wear a respirator. Seems some OHSA guidelines have changed and suddenly my condition is a problem. My company placed me in another dept awaiting a job accommedation review. They met two weeks ago and decided they couldn't place me! It seems that because of my length of service(31 years) they can't reduce my pay and I'm in a craft job so I was in the top 2% of our hourly wage employees. Upshoot of this is none of our various depts want to pay me craft rate to do any job that meets my limitations set by my doctor(no respirator, no dusty conditions or exposure to dust)They've decided to place me on disablity pension and it'll be effective the end of Nov. I was lucky enough to have taken out long term disability several years ago so that will add to my pension plus they inform me that I'll be eligible for Social Security Disability. Bad part is the LTD takes 6 months to kick in and who knows how long on the SSD? I Guess I'll be applying to a lot of shows! We've made pretty good "extra money" over the past 3 years and now it'll be "necessary money"

I've said all that to ask this. Are any of y'all on SSD and are you allowed to work a job within your limitations? I'm only 50 and am still able to work...but I'm afraid because of money issues I'll have to apply for the SSD. I know retirees can work and make a certain amount but I'm not sure about being on disability

 

[Dario]

Mike,

Sorry to hear this but there is a bright side to it...now, you can turn as much as you want

Good luck on the shows!

 

[wpenm]

"I'm only 50 and am still able to work" If this is the case, then SSD will probably not be an option for you. If it does work out that you can get SSD, I think you are intitled to make up to $800.00 per month. Be carefull, extra income can and will effect your SSD. I'm not an expert in this area, but I am totaly dissabled and know a little. Good luck! Not being able to work for a living is not so much fun.

 

[JimB]

Mike - Sorry to hear of your troubles. First, who are you talking to at your company? If you are talking to your manager then you need to go and talk to the HR/Benefits person at your company. Department managers are usually good for getting general information but when things get complicated like your situation you need to be speaking directly to the experts in your company.

To me it sounds like you would first go out on Short Term Disability. That usually goes into effect 1 week after you leave and will last for 6 months. Your LTD should go into effective when your Short Tem Disabilty (STD) ends. I don't know how SSD works.

You definately want to check how other income will effect your benefits (STD, LTD). You also need to ask specifically about Self Employment income as that can have a different impact then a "regular" job. Not reporting income and collecting STD/LTD can lead to some very serious problems.

Good luck.

 

[mick]

Mike - Sorry to hear of your troubles. First, who are you talking to at your company? If you are talking to your manager then you need to go and talk to the HR/Benefits person at your company. Department managers are usually good for getting general information but when things get complicated like your situation you need to be speaking directly to the experts in your company.

To me it sounds like you would first go out on Short Term Disability. That usually goes into effect 1 week after you leave and will last for 6 months. Your LTD should go into effective when your Short Tem Disabilty (STD) ends. I don't know how SSD works.

You definately want to check how other income will effect your benefits (STD, LTD). You also need to ask specifically about Self Employment income as that can have a different impact then a "regular" job. Not reporting income and collecting STD/LTD can lead to some very serious problems.

Good luck.

Jim my retirement pension started Nov1 I'm being allowed to work the month out to help ease the transition until the LTD kicks in which has a mandatory 180 day waiting period. Our STD only applies if I had been off work, which I haven't. BTW I haven't even seen my Dept head since June.Some manager huh? All this has come through HR's benefits and payroll people.

 

[livertrans]

Sorry to hear about yor situation. I had a liver transplant five years ago. I was able to collect SSD immediately since I was terminaly ill before my transplant. Most people that I know that have collected SSD have had to get a lawyer to help them collect from SSD. But they also get back pay from when they first applied. Everyones situation is different. But once on SSD you pretty much cant earn any wages. (dosent mean you cant do craft shows ) Im not collecting now. But good old uncle sam allowed me to collct SSD for one year after I went back to full time employment. I collected SSD plus my weekly paycheck. I dont think you can collect SSD plus long term disability at the same time. I could be wrong. Good luck.

 

[Gary Max]

Gots a stupid question Mick--------how in the heck are you going to do shows in your condition.
12 to 14 hour days outside in the dust and heat---heck there are some days the conditions are hard on me and I am in good health (for a old fat guy).
You may want to give this more thought----only do indoor shows????

 

[jskeen]

Having watched both of my parents deal with caring for their parents and trying to navigate the financial minefield of various private and government financial boobytraps, I can seriously recommend you get yourself either a lawyer, or better A specialized senior care advisor (if you can find one). Choose this person with about as much care and planning as you would a spouse, because the quality of advise they give can have long range impact on your financial wellbeing and quality of life. Ask for references, and check with them. Check with the BBB and whatever licensing agencies the person claims association with.

There is too much greed, apathy, intentional misinformation, ignorance and plain old too much paperwork to do and not enough time to deal with yours, from the people you will be dealing with for the next few years (and to a lesser degree, the rest of your life) for you to try to figure this stuff out on your own, as you go. A good dose of time spend investigating and finding the right person to help you, and some money spent up front now while you have some options can save you years of misery and grief later in life when those options have long since departed and all you can do is regret.

 

[THarvey]

Mike,

Sorry to hear about your early retirement.

The best place to learn about SSD benefits and limitation is www.ssa.gov. Each individual situation is different, so you will want to speak with a Social Security representative. Check out the website first and be informed when you meet with them.

BTW: I am in Anniston, not far off I-20. Some time if your headed east, give me a shout.

Tim

 

[Russianwolf]

We hired a lawyer about 6 months ago to work on my wife's SSD case. They only get paid if they are successful but won't charge a thing to listen to the situation. We have letters from our doctor saying she can't do sedentary work , and a letter from one of the specialist specifically stating that the condition she has is disabling to the point of not allowing her to work with zero chance of her getting better. They still denied the appeal. We are now waiting for them to schedule a hearing.

All that being said. In most cases (to my understanding from seeing the information and results in my wife's case) if you are able to do ANY kind of work (think Walmart greeter here) then you will not be allowed SSD. I honestly can't figure out what they need in order to grant this other than a court order.

The steps that you will likely have to go through with or without an attorney are:

1) File the paperwork with SS.

2) If the first filing is denied, then you can ask for an appeal. They will review everything as well as any new info from the doctors.

3) If the appeal is denied then you can ask for a hearing. Best have an attorney in place for this.

I WV the attorney can only collect $3500 if they win the case. Other states vary on this, but they will be up front with you on it.

 

[mick]

Gots a stupid question Mick--------how in the heck are you going to do shows in your condition.
12 to 14 hour days outside in the dust and heat---heck there are some days the conditions are hard on me and I am in good health (for a old fat guy).
You may want to give this more thought----only do indoor shows????

Gary, The thing is I'm fine. I'd had this problem for 18-20 years and other than some shortness of breath if I over do it I'm fine. I had my yearly physical 2 weeks ago and all my numbers and levels looks great with the exception of slightly high cholesteral.The lung doctor I saw said he had patients with only one lung who function fine and I've got one and a half....lol The problem with my job came with changing OHSA regs. Suddenly I'm a liability to my company and we all know how they feel about liabilities!

 

[Wild Turkey]

Mike, I am no lawyer, but my wife was diagnosed with Chrons a few years back and has had her entire colan removed. Total disability with all the problems. She is allowed to make up to $800 per month without endangering her SSD. She does have to inform them as to any work for pay that she does. Sorry to hear about the job. Sounds like you really enjoyed it sticking with it for so many years. Will be joining you in less than a month turning and doing flat work as I retire the 11th of Dec.