Posted by BarbaraCat on March 22, 2002, at 0:55:58
In reply to BCat: you must have read my mind, questions: » BarbaraCat, posted by Janelle on March 22, 2002, at 0:08:57
I'm applying for SSDI, the disability insurance. That's where you have to be expected to be disabled and not able to work for at least 12 months. It doesn't mean you have to wait 12 months, just that you're sick enough to warrant not working for at least 12 months. That's something your doctor decides. Your doctor also has to fill out forms, by the way, so it's a good idea to let him/her know you're applying and request that he/she support you in your claim.
SSI is plain old Social Security that most people get when they're 62 or so. I'm not old enough for that.
SSSI (I'm not sure if I'm getting all these letters right) is short-term disability, if you have a financial need due to sickness or disability, kind of like Wellfare, but of a short-term duration (I don't know how long that would be). In order to qualify, you have to be dirt poor, $740 max a month, and I'm not sure if living with someone (not a spouse) gets included in that amount, like if someone were supporting you. I also don't know if past wages/years working figures into it.
I might not be giving 100% accurate info, so girl, you gotta make that phone call to the SSI office and they'll answer your questions better than I can. They'll tell you what you're eligible for and like Shelli said, they'll even fill out the forms for you and it might be to your advantage to show them how sick you feel.
poster:BarbaraCat
thread:98599
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020318/msgs/99389.html