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TerryL
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Default Oct 19, 2019 at 02:04 AM
  #1
a friend of mine is on dialysis and works part-time. she recently came down with shingles which has caused debilitating pain. it was diagnosed late so the doctor thinks there is a chance she could have residual chronic pain. as things are now, she probably won't be able to work for a few weeks. if her pain becomes chronic she might not be able to work for months if not years.

l read the fmla (family and medical leave act) will protect her job for a certain period but that would be unpaid leave. what options might she have in regards to financial assistance? she has some assets. she is 70 so not sure if she could qualify for ssdi? she has medicare and i am assuming she could apply for medicaid. any advice would be greatly appreciated.
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Default Oct 19, 2019 at 02:54 AM
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SSDI would take a while (6 months to a year for a determination), but she could at least apply just in case, with as much documentation and proof as she can offer them.

Apart from that, States typically have some sort of assistance for those who don't qualify for temporary disability (which includes some pay while disabled temporarily). These would include food stamps, Medicaid, and a small amount of money every week (but only if she doesn't qualify for temporary state disability). If she can apply for Temporary State Disability, that pays a little more and can be offered with food stamps.

The age does not matter regarding disability through SSDI, but it has to be a permanent disability, not a temporary one. It doesn't hurt to try. You can always appeal within the time frame, or update the information if an application is pending. If she is awarded SSDI while she is receiving State Disability, the State Disability will fall off and the SSDI (the highest amount out of the three) will be retained. Her retirement will then be based on SSDI when she transitions automatically from SSDI to SS Retirement.

I'm not familiar with FMLA, which sounds like Temporary State Disability.

Ask the doctor what her chances are of being permanently disabled, as seen through the eyes of SSDI, and see what the doc says. Additionally, ask the doc to fill out the form for temporary disability through the state. There's typically a long wait, but you can concurrently apply for Medicaid, food stamps, and other benefits for her in addition to temporary disability.
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Default Oct 19, 2019 at 02:15 PM
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I'm not positive on this but pretty sure that being on dialysis fast-tracks you to SSDI. However, at 70 she may be able to just retire and collect benefits without dealing with the application process. She needs to talk to a lawyer who specializes in SSDI cases.

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Default Oct 19, 2019 at 02:21 PM
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Originally Posted by BeyondtheRainbow View Post
I'm not positive on this but pretty sure that being on dialysis fast-tracks you to SSDI. However, at 70 she may be able to just retire and collect benefits without dealing with the application process. She needs to talk to a lawyer who specializes in SSDI cases.
Yes I was just thinking that -- she should be eligible for social security at 62, SSDI is usually closely related to the amount you would get for just retiring?

I don't suppose she has disability insurance from her employer? Short or long term.
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Default Oct 19, 2019 at 05:28 PM
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When I reached official retirement age social security automatically turned my ssdi into social security retirement. The money amount remained the same. So I doubt that at age 70 she could get ssdi instead of retirement.
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Default Oct 19, 2019 at 06:40 PM
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Kidney patients in the US basically have their own healthcare system. You should look into whether there is any sort of SSDI-type thing available to renal or dialysis patients. There could be. Like I said, kidney patients are paid for out of a completely separate pot of money. Worth a try.

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Default Oct 19, 2019 at 08:17 PM
  #7
thank you all for very helpful information! i will look into everything suggested.

my friend did say she was feeling better today. i am relieved but also surprised as the doctor had said her belated treatment might not be as effective as if things had been caught earlier. she has never mentioned retiring. she is a very resilient person.
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