Disability

[AngelaN]

Hey all,
Looking for some ideas on what to do next.
My DH has been in treatment for Stage 4 for over 2 years. Finally in Aug when he was about to start treatment for lung mets with a plan for SBRT then 3 ablations he went on short term disability. Then he had a few complications - ended up in the hospital x 4d and a pneumothorax (collapsed lung). Then a new liver met in Dec which got treated a week ago with SBRT. Late Nov he had`exhausted his short term disability benefits and qualified for long term disability. It's now been two months and we are still waiting for a decision. He calls two or three times a week, and they are always waiting for something else. At what point do we get an attorney? I have a job and we are fine living on my salary but we had not planned on this delay. I would think Stage 4 would be a slam dunk.

[Calla]

Next time husband calls in have him ask THEM if it's time for him to get an attorney to help smooth the process. Don't make it a threat, but a question. "I've never done this before so I'm hoping you can help me...." That usually gets their attention.

[Sams wife]

I had asked a lawyer about it. He said hubby would have to be denied twice before he could do anything. Not sure it it the same where you are. It may have been because we had already filed for it ourselves.
I've read a lot on here that it helps if you get an appointment & go in to SS yourself. Not much help but I hope you get it fixed soon.

[jalusa]

Stage 4 Colon Cancer falls under the compassionate allowance rule. It should only take a few weeks. It did for me.

Go to an office and talk to them in person.

[Ajane]

Ditto to what jalusa said. I went in person and had my first check within a month, with back-payment for three months retroactively to before the metastasis was diagnosed.