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There are SO many knowledgeable folks on here about Social Security I was hoping you might give me some guidance.
My sister is in hospice care now, 58 yrs old with stage 4 esophageal cancer. She is currently on FMLA leave from her work, but receiving NO income at all (needless to say, all her sick/annual leave have been long gone). (So I GUESS that makes her medically retired).
We are trying to get her a SSDI claim started to help her out with expenses, because she is living on 1K per month (from her husband who has passed) and with no income other than that, struggling to keep her head about water. Her daughter and my husband and I are paying everything else. Her FMLA runs out in Jul, but she MUST stay on it in order for her "employee life insurance and her medical insurance" coverage.
We called the local Social Security office and I TRIED to set up an apt for her, but they said "walk in's only". Waiting time here is brutal, probably 3-4 hours to get seen. She went before she was so sick she had totally stopped working, but they told her could not help her until NO employment income.
Is there ANY way to get a claim started for her and is there ANY form of expedited or immediate assistance for those on hospice and near the end. I doubt she will be with us more than then next 6-8 weeks and I feel optimistic with that call.
If there is something I can do to help her, PLEASE let me know!!! I am so worried to drag her down there, expose her to everyone sitting there waiting to be seen only to find out she will probably not live long enough to get any assistance at all....I can see that just taking what is left out of her. I am also terrified she will sit there a couple hours and say "I can't do this anymore" and need to go home without having been seen.
I appreciate ANY guidance you might be able to give me!
Thanks so much! She does not have internet, but since I am home for a few days (or until she needs me there again) I will see what I can do to help her. I appreciate. your help!
When my SIL was in hospice we found the social worker at hospice to be very helpful. Is there one at the facility she is in. They guided my brother thru the whole process.
Location: Los Angeles>Little Rock>Houston>Little Rock
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Originally Posted by Aqua Blue
When my SIL was in hospice we found the social worker at hospice to be very helpful. Is there one at the facility she is in. They guided my brother thru the whole process.
She has what is referred to as a TERI case (terminal illness). As such, her claim should be flagged and expedited.
The absolute best way to speed this up is to personally submit the medical evidence along with the application. I would also write TERI CASE across the top of the application for good measure. (Not necessary but sure as heck may help.)
If this doesn't work, contact your sister's Congressional representative. Each office has a liaison that will contact SSA and your sis's claim will move to the top of the "pile".
I had to finally get a lawyer, but I am thinking that her case should be expediated due to her illness. Folks gave you good advice & it took a long time with a lawyervbut it is an idea if needed.
I have known several people with advanced esophageal cancer. They got SSD almost immediately after filing. She will not have to go through appeals and years of waiting.
You can file online.
Hello Paka -- Here is a link for the Compassionate Allowances List for Social Security. Compassionate Allowances Website Home Page. Her diagnosis is on the list, so she should get approved pretty quick. Continuing under the FMLA program through her employer could possibly be questionable, just because those benefits are specifically for employees reasonably expected to return to work. I am sorry you are having to go through all this stuff at this point in time, it is not easy.
A social worker is a great asset at this point. She also needs to get medicaid, paratransit, and SNAP.
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Compassionate Allowances List
