My husband was diagnosed three years ago with Alzh. He takes both the Namenda and Aricept. He is beginning to have a hard time learning and remembering things at work. We know it is just a matter of time until they let him go. He does not have LTD at work, so we will have to do the social security.

Does anyone know what we will need to do to get it started? I am not even sure that they will consider this a long term disabilty, since he can still pretty much function every day.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Janet, thanks for giving this site a try!

Does your husband have private disability insurance? If yes, then you'll want to contact those guys, and ask what they need for a claim.

If no private insurance, you're thinking about SSDI. It's insurance, not welfare, that he's paid for his entire working life. My wife & I checked into the SSDI application swamp, and decided to go with a third party, Allsup in my case, who handles the process for a cut of the initial reward. There are lawyers that specialize in helping, too. There are laws about the maximum you can be charged.

Does that help? Other questions?

Hi Janet. My name is Carolyn and my husband Dennis was diagnosed in July with EOAD. I went on the social security web site and read as much as I could and I think I downloaded an application. We went to the SS office early one morning and were actually seen then. We sat down with an interviewer and gave her our story. They base that disability on whether the person can work or not, so you may have a problem if he's still working. My husband was eventually approved without a third party, so I was thankful I didn't have to pay someone. Also, they send out an "at home" questionaire that is a big part of what decides it, I think. I know I found a definition of what they consider disabled, so I found that helpful. Also, it doesn't kick in until 6 months after the disablilty (which is unable to work, I think). We haven't received a payment yet, so I'm not sure about the back pay, etc.

Carolyn Hall

Hi Janet,
Sorry for what brings you here. My husband was diagnosed with EOAD just under a year ago and is currently getting SSD. You can get alot of information including the application and what information they require at www.ssa.gov/disability.
We put in the application, submitted papers and were interviewed by a psychologist from the SSA all within a few months. Hope this is helpful and I also hope you have consulted a lawyer familiar with this horrible disease.
Susan

I've been on SS since I was 60 due to AD at the time.My Dr helped me get mine was no hassle...........

I would strongly suggest when the time comes you get his doctors to write letters stating he can no longer work. I would also ask his employer to do the same. Has he had any neuropsychic testing done? If not I would get that done and summit it with his application.

My husband was approved the first time and we received back pay 7 months after he first applied without an attorney. You need all the documentaion you can get. MY BIL who also has EOAD was turned down three time after waiting almost three years. The judge had to turn him down at the hearing this year because he earned more than $900/mo bagging groceries in 2007. Now it looks like he will not be able to reapply since there were many years where BIL did not work.

Good luck & be persistant!

When I submitted my application on my husband's behalf, the representative told me it would be at least six months before we'd hear anything, and that most likely we would have to appeal.

Much to my surprise, we were approved, and payment (including a year of back pay) began less than a month after the submission of our application.

Since we were successful, i checked back on what we might have done "right," and I believe it was in providing TONS of evidence. I was very detailed in all respects with the application. We had been to several doctors (neurologist, neuropsychologist, psychiatrist, and more... I listed each one and all of the tests that were done and what the results indicated. I also included copies of MRI, PET, and any other tests along the way. I purposely held back the 40-page neuropsychologist's report so that I could use that as "additional" evidence should I need to appeal. Fortunately I didn't. The point is... I provided irrefutable evidence of his condition. Documentation galore. When I looked back over the application, I can see how it was almost impossible to deny his case as the evidence was solid, sufficient, and profound.

Good luck, and don't give up!

You are getting all of the right advice her. Go to social security's web site and apply. I think the key issue will be whether or not he can work. I encourage you not to get discouraged by what you hear from others. We applied this past fall and received notification that she was approved just recently and payments began. The key is when you do apply, be sure to give as much detail as possible and honor any requests. I would try it myself before securing an attorney, that is money that you may not have to give up. One key is if you are denied, make sure you file appeals within the specified time line.

Good Luck and God Speed.

I did all my Moms paper work when she was forced to retire last Jan 08. She worked for a company that had Calpers pension plan.

First I got her onto Family Leave
Then I got her State Disability
Then after she exhausted her vacation/etc she was able to get the State Disability.
Then we retired her through Calpers.
After that we found out since she worked for CAlpers, since she did not contribute to Social Security for the past 10 years, she was not eligible for a Social Security Disability ever.

She gets a very small pension, and Social Security, which is reduced because of the pension. She also still gets State Disability, but, it is easy to get thrown out, a lot of forms they send to her, and I follow up very quickly. And it is not forever it will be exhausted at some point, 1 more year I think.

It also helps if you can somehow get in the loop, I have a direct phone number to someone who called her about some question. I kept her number and call direct. SO I am not going through the main phone log jam system.

Take care

Annie W has the right idea, along with everyone else - and - I worked for SSA for 12 years and as a manager of two SSA hearings offices. As a former insider, I recommend following Annie W's specific suggestions.

My Dr helped get my SS,though I had to wait 2 yrs to get it.I was 58 at the time & got it at age 60..........

I applied for S.S. dis. while I was on long term dis. from my job. I was approved the first time, I to had all the paperwork needed to prove I had alz and could no longer work. I live in Texas so I had to go to Dr. S.S. set up for me for hours of testing. I was approved, I didn't get any back payments, I was dis. April, 29, 2008 and you have to be disabled six months. How I hate that word. I still get my LTD, but what I get from S.S. is taken out and I get the rest. Here we all had all these plans, and to think at 58 when I should be doing all the things I had planned. This happens. Oh,well life goes on. Take one day at a time.

Sharon

I just got approved for SSDI. The judge was glad to see I had two neuro-psych assessments to consider.
The determination was not a neurological based finding. It was psychological/psychiatric based.

It appears to me that many can pass the psych criteria. I was approved because I have difficulty in social settings, responding to criticism, receiving and understanding social cues and a myriad of other behavioral symptoms. They did not consider my neuro-psych memory, executive function, or other cognitive symptoms. In fact, the final determination was somatoform disorder/behavior disorder.

Based on this information, my father would have qualified for SSDI ten years before his clinical diagnosis.

If any of you are being treated by a psychologist for behavioral symptoms, try to get a detailed description of those symptoms. You may be surprised to find that you may already qualify for SSDI.

Since I have been on a limited work schedule for almost five years, I get four years back pay of SSDI benefits.

If any of you have had to quit work, even if it was for a different reason, it is worth a try at applying.

Janet,

First and foremost, GET YOUR NAME AND OTHER IDENTITY INFORMATION OFF THIS SYSTEM - use pseudonyms. If by accident the employer finds it, your hubby is screwed. I'm sorry to say this, but NO company wants him on their team because he's a financial time bomb (insurance-wise).

See if you can find one of those "NO PREQUALIFICATIONS" or no medical exam required insurance policies. Technically, the insurance company is taking the risk (and spreading it across the other policy holders). Stay away from CIGNA or their subsidiaries at this time in his disease progression.

Find an Elder Attorney to re-write your important documents and begin "gifting" ASAP because there are some timeclocks that affect what you keep vs. what you must spend.

You are neither a criminal if you do not disclose data that an insurance company does not ask for. Never volunteer any information to anyone. Also, I believe I know how your hubby feels and the correct term is "frustrated" and not angry, hostile, etc. Have him find a way to get the frustration out - listening to music works and is recommended by the research.

What you need is a pro bono attorney who specializes in disabilities. My insurance company got SSN benefits because the more the government pays me, the less the insurer pays out. This stinks because I paid for disability insurance and now they passed it off to the government so families like yours don't get it.

All of those who replied to you so far are pretty right on. But you cannot do it alone because it's "Greek" to us laypeople. This will sound like a broken record, but check out law schools in your area since sometimes students and profs work together on cases, usually for nothing to virtually nothing (like pizza). And they are good to great teams (some stuudents are better than practicing attorneys!). In the Chicago, Northwestern Law has a huge pro bono program that would be great except you're in Midland Texas (which I should NOT know).

A word or two to your hubby: Frustration. Second is learn to let go and don't be afraid to ask for help, expecially from you. Jeez, I kinda remember what it was like for me and letting my wife do the finances was nearly impossible for me to let go. I sound like a sexist, I probably was before I got married, and now I'm thankful for the help she gives me.

Third is "coping strategies" which is just another way of saying deception. Ride to work with friends so you don't get lost. If it's computers, tell IT to show him that secret shortcut from last week. Make notes, the more the better - since a "writer" looks smarter than the others. Carry a small notebook those notes in it.

Finally: Start planning to sue his employer if he has the slightest hint that his termination was disability-oriented. Also, get the names of medical/health reporters on your local TV stations - sometimes they will pick up the story for human interest. Also get the correct ederal agency person to help you - difficult given the maze of people Washington built.

I'm VERY sorry for you and your family. Try to act and appear normal - don't stop going to school plays or recitals. Get used to excuses and be consistent. I began losing my balance so my wife told people that an old football injury was acting up. If you ever saw me you would know that I was NEVER on ANY team!!! Real geek.

Great book from the library by Elwood Cohen is "Alzheimer's Disease: Prevention, Intervention and Treatment." If there is only one good thing I can tell you is that if you have children, they are at NO greater risk of ever getting the disease because Dad has it. The story is completely different if it was Mom.

Peace, and know there are people you can ask ANYTHING of. You're not alone, truly!!!

I disagree with the Professor about trying to find a pro-bono attorney for the disability issues. There are disability advocates in every state by federal mandate. You can find them with google. Try http://www.dads.state.tx.us/ for Texas.

SSDI attorneys are limited in their fees by SSDI rules. They only get 25% of the back pay up to a maximum of $5400. It sounds steep but you do not need them until you have been denied at the state Disability Determinations Service level. If that happens, the ALJ hearing takes about two years to get.
I started my application on June 6, 2006 and got my approval this morning, 34 months later.

If he has been diagnosed with AD some years ago, he needs to see if there is a temporary disability plan at work. Many employers have one. Some are mandated by the state. They are usually specific to non-work disabilities. Texas does not mandate a disability program.

His diagnosing doctor needs to send him for a mental status exam to determine disability level.
Get a copy of SSDI form HA-1151-BK and HA-1152-U3 and take them to his doctor for his diagnosis of condition. The SSDI program does not take applications until at least 6 months after disability from work. When you apply for SSDI, you can only go back 17 months from the date of application in your claim for back SSDI payments. So if you wait until 18 months after disability from work, you will lose the first month. I lost 6 months because I did not apply until 23 months after my last month of Substantial Gainful Activity (less than $920 of monthly earnings is the threshold).

This time line can be a struggle, but it is the only way the system works. Hopefully, he can get approved on the first application. The SSDI worker will help with the forms at the start.

I thought I was paranoid of the system, but it does not serve any purpose. You just need to get started with the paperwork. Being a Federal Gov system, there is not way around the hassles.

Good luck to you.

Mark, I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I was wondering if you can clarify a point you made. In order for us to qualify for SSDI you said we have to be below an income of $920.00 per month. Do they consider temp. disability insurance payments as "income"? I will be going on temp. disability from work next week and had thought I needed to apply for SSDI right away. My temp disability only runs for six months, then I have to go on perm. disability through my work. They require I apply for SSDI or they don't pay. Am I going to have to wait until I've been on perm dis for 6 months before I can apply for SSDI?

When you start you temporary Disability, the clock starts for the six months. So, as soon as those six months expire, you can apply. If there is a waiting period for the Temporary Disability, some plans have a waiting period, you start the clock when you last worked. If your work income is less that $920. per month, then the clock starts.

So, if they put you are part time but your income was less that $920. then the clock starts.

Thanks Mark. Soooo here we go!

Nemo,

Good luck to you. From prior threads, it appears that your long term disability (LTD)will probably deduct the amount you get from SSDI from your LTD payments. That is great as the LTD will start at six months. If SSDI takes a while, it will not be an additional financial hardship for you. It will only effect the net payout from your LTD.

You could make an appointment at the Social Security office in Tacoma and get the forms and any additional help right away. The application can then be ready at the earliest date for filing.

The value of SSDI to you, since you have LTD, is that you will get MediCare. That is the reason to get the SSDI application filed at the earliest time. There is a two year waiting period before MediCare kicks in after SSDI starts.

In my case, MediCare starts immediately because my application took over two years to get approved. It will take a few months before I get my first check and lump sum back payments.

Hopefully, your short term disability approval and records will be sufficient for the SSDI application. I had to start from scratch.

Now you can try to relax and focus on getting your home and finances in order. It is tough to try to continue to work at a job and work on the home issues at the same time. The dementia mind can only do so much in a day. I had to stop working just so I had the focus to start the application process.

Mark, that was so doggoned helpful!! I'm in the appeal process for SSDI, using a service, Allsup. I decided that my areas of brain damage make me a poor prospect for getting through the process by myself. But you, my friend, are still burning bright in that area.

I can see you will be very helpful to many of us, if only just because of that alone. But I'm sure there's more to come, eh?

Eh??


Alan, I thought you are Alan in Colorado, not Alan in Canada.
Or do they use the term 'eh' in Colorado too. LOL

Eh.


My neuropsych reports noted that it was expected that I would be non-accepting of their diagnosis of psychological/psychiatric causation and symptoms. I did file complaints against both reports. This was in my favor as it fit the criteria for a behavior/mood disorder. The psychologist at the hearing said that "The applicant fully believes that he has these mental symptoms and that they have an organic (physiological) basis. In reviewing the reports, the applicant has a behavioral / mood disorder that prevents him from being able to maintain Substantial Gainful Activity."

My attorney told me to expect this. She said to not get caught up on the idea of it having to be labeled a neurological disease or injury. The goal was to get the positive outcome, not an accurate diagnosis.

If you have any evidence of strained relationships and poor social functioning, they are very meaningful. They all fit under SSDI Blue Book Section 12, Mental Disorders. Specifically 12.06, 12.07, 12.08 and possibly 12.04

The psychologist even apologized to me for saying in front of me that I am nuts(sic) and a socially inept person.

Dear Mark: What a terrific sharing of important information. I have taken all your information for my files should the need arise in the future.

Thank you very much for doing this for all of us; you will probably have helped many people along this very confusing path.

Johanna C.

Oh no, copy-write infringement on the Canadians?!? I'm just a poor guy with a declining brain, playing with language.

And yeah, what Johanna just said.