My Personal Experience with Social Security Disability.. In 2009 I was diagnosed with a blood condition that would cause excessive bleeding; I Simply had no platelets to make any clots.
And since I was self-employed, I had no state disability insurance which would have only lasted for 13 weeks anyways. So I looked up the social security guidelines and sure enough my condition was listed and I had 12 months of medical records documenting the condition. So, I applied for Social Security Disability Benefits … I was denied!!
Latter on I found out that they deny everyone or almost everyone on the first attempt especially when you are younger because they would have to pay until 65 or retirement age.. So, I appealed their decision and the appeal was also denied. At this point, I had been without income for over a year, I almost lost my house, luckily my car was paid off and my only way to survive was living on government and family assistance which was not fun at all.
So, I hired a law firm in Chicago and had to take the case all the way to a Federal Judge who finally approved my case and forced the Social Security Administration to pay, however my attorney took 25% of all the back pay that was due to me.
When it was all said and done.. it took 18 months before I saw any money from the Social Security Administration and what did I get? $1,100 a month… to pay for mortgage, electrify, gas, insurance, food, clothing…etc
So, if you do not have disability insurance coverage and you are self-employed. We need to talk.. even if you are employed and have state disability coverage it will only last for 13 weeks… that is it …we still need to talk .. 3 out of 10 people will suffer a disabling condition that is what the numbers say..
P.S.. This is my actual Medicare Card!! oh.. and I have not mentioned what it means if you have Medicare before you turn 65 … it is a whole different ball game!!
The moral of the story, if you do not secure your income and your pay check with disability insurance , the Government does not have your back, I found out the hard way.
Now I am back to work as an Insurance counselor doing what I love the most and I would like to help you get the right disability coverage. Schedule an appointment below and let us talk.
