I was in the bedroom since I am still am not well from the diverticulitis episode of 3 weeks ago when DH got a phone call from the Insurance Company Handling his Long-Term Disability Claim, the last we knew, Dh was approved until October 1,2008 for benefits. He came into the bedroom with this look of horror on his face while on the phone with them. I was on the other phone with my friend and had to hang up. The look he had I just had this impending doom feeling going. He said to her can you talk to my wife and explain it to her please. I thought oh my here we go we have to pay all this back this was a big mistake etc, but no I hear DH's LTD has been approved until August of next year as in August 2009 and will be reviewed next year and he is to apply for SSDI immediately and that the Social Security Specialist there will review his case to determine if there is to be a set-off. We are in shock we honestly thought DH would be released to find a job in some capacity even limited in September but he wont be because his bone growth is not going as should be and his pain levels are still not as good as they should be after surgery they are watching another disk in his neck that seems to be trying to do the same thing the other one did.

While I should be thrilled because I know we will have income for a year, I am not too thrilled because he has no health insurance and I am sick of looking at this man he is driving me up the proverbial wall, you have to understand him he has this horrible sense of humor that I have somehow put up with for 25 yrs as of August 11th but it is starting to get on my last nerve. He has turned into a Couch Potato lazy bum he is not 100% helpless, but I still can use some help and don't ask much of him but 24/7 is driving me nuts. At least I have school to look forward to in September 2 days per week for Tax School and this new project I am involved in with the State Dept of Social Services and Foster Care working to better the system that will get me out of the house a few times a month and out of the state 4-5 times per year.

I am going to encourage him to go to school during this time, I know they are working on a Vocational rehab plan for him and I hope he can train to do something less labor intensive that will make him a better person should he be able to go back to work again in the future.

We tried to get him an individual health policy through several insurance carriers but he did not meet underwriting criteria and the one he did meet it wanted as much as COBRA coverage wanted ! Does anyone have any ideas or know of any high risk insurers who wont cost over say $300 a month for a single person. I have my medicare and am on a medicaid spend-down down , DS is finally on Medicaid and I am happy for now for DS and me but DH is a worry with his medical problems.

So at least we got some good news even if it means he is going to drive me nuts for another 12 months !!

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~ Christine ~
DisAbled SAHM to Stefan 9/30/1998
RIP Daddy~ 01/24/1930-06/01/2007 I miss you !
Dont Think you Can .. know you can ~ Jeff Hardy

Yeah for you that you will have $. If the SS checks out he automatically qualifies for medicaid(?medicare?). So good luck with that. Sign him up right away if you have a local community college just to get him out of the house If that doesn't work and he's still a couch potato, start by dumping the laundry on him so he can fold it... And then keep giving him projects he can do.
Good luck!
Becky

Be prepared, most people are turned down the first time they apply for disability. You have to do several appeals to even really be considered and keep track of EVERYTHING even calls. Keep detailed records and keep them organized. My mother went through this and even as organized as she was, she ended up hiring a lawyer.


I also wanted to add. You should also check with various organizations like Catholic services (even if you are not catholic they are great) or United way etc to see how they may also be able to help out. Maybe you could get someone to come in and take care of some things around the house so you can get away.

I know all about the denials because it took me 18 months to get mine approved 10 yrs ago and I hired a great Attorney.

We were working on my desk files re-organizing them tonight when we realized if he is considered disabled he can access the retirement fund from a old job that would get us completely out of debt including the house and car would be paid off and give us a nice savings cushion if we took the lump sum payment which would be easier on us financially saving us about $800 a month out of pocket. I just don't know whether to call to start the process or let it ride until he is of retirement age in 17 years? Decisions decisions and boy do I miss my Dad right now he was the one who could advise me on something like this.

The head of our neighborhood watch is going to get a group together to help with the yard work I am going to let the garden go, just gonna have it all pulled up and put sod across it, gonna miss DH's flowers and stuff but, I cant maintain it and DH cant pull weeds he tried and landed on his butt on the bed with pain pills hurt from his neck to his shoulders and arms. DS tries but he isn't strong enough to do it.

__________________
~ Christine ~
DisAbled SAHM to Stefan 9/30/1998
RIP Daddy~ 01/24/1930-06/01/2007 I miss you !
Dont Think you Can .. know you can ~ Jeff Hardy

Becky you should see the projects I gave him that are unfinished !! I have gotten two dry erase boards from freecycle to keep track of what needs to be done by whom and Guess whose list is getting crossed off? I have my limits but I try my best and I have more medical problems than him but I get more done and pay for it a lot.

WE have NOVA/NVCC here and there is a Pharmacy Tech Program he is interested in, going to see what Vocational Rehab people say next week and if they will pay for it then I can get him out of here for some time and go back to my normal day to day stuff he has been cramping my "schedule" since March 19th

__________________
~ Christine ~
DisAbled SAHM to Stefan 9/30/1998
RIP Daddy~ 01/24/1930-06/01/2007 I miss you !
Dont Think you Can .. know you can ~ Jeff Hardy

Happy to hear that you got a nice surprise today-that must be a relief! As far as hubby, do you think he might be depressed? When I am down, the couch is my best friend too.

I'm so glad to learn that your mate's benefits has been extended. Good luck with the next step w/SSI. You have come a long way!

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We're off to never never land

I thought of that he is already on an Antidepressant for anxiety he had with his old job. Wondering if he needs an increase and I cant get him to talk to me about how he feels, you know men and talking about feelings. I know when I get a bout of my depression the couch or the bed and chocolate are my best friends. gonna bring it up with him tonight after DS goes to bed, Amazing how much that kid hears.

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~ Christine ~
DisAbled SAHM to Stefan 9/30/1998
RIP Daddy~ 01/24/1930-06/01/2007 I miss you !
Dont Think you Can .. know you can ~ Jeff Hardy

My husband got on disability in 3 months. Everyone told us that it would take a long time and we would have to get a lawyer. We also got back money because we first applied after he had been sick for 10 months. He had viral encephelitis and then just as we got the disability, he found out he had prostate cancer.

I feel for you hon~~~

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Smile and the world smiles with you!

Tami ~*~