55, health is preventing from working until retirement, what can I do?

[Duxa]

Hello everyone,

I am actually doing research for my Father. He is 55 and his health is really starting to creep up on him. His job requires for him to be on his feet almost the entire day taking stairs up and down all the time. He is having knee problems, disc problems in his back and he just spent a year (in 2012) battling colon cancer, surgery/chemo and all that went well, and he has been cancer free since going through all that (hopefully its gone forever).

Anyhow, he would have to work another 10.5 years in order to retire at the "retirement age" of 67, but we all feel that this is basically impossible.

Between my father and mother their income is just over what they need to pay their bills (so living off my mother's income alone is not an option).

I myself am 29, and dont know anything about this subject, after doing some googling I saw this forum and am hoping that you guys could lend some feedback as to what options he has? Are there government programs we should check out? What do people do in situations like this?

As far as I know he is not in any type of union or anything like that. Just a standard hourly job in Southern California.

Thanks so much for any knowledge you guys can share!

 

[imoldernu]

Disability... try a disability lawyer. Medical diagnosis and opinion is a must.

It's not a smooth road, but it's not the end of the world, either. Often a wait of months or a year, which means some urgency in starting the process. Lawyers are not necessary, but will probably accellerate the process.

There's a balance that might allow a reasonable lifestyle, without becoming a permanent road to living in poverty.
I have a very dear friend who was faced with this two years ago. The government protection provides about $17K in help, while allowing him to earn some supplementary income without penalty. Depending on previous earnings and SS payments, total disability could be as much as 33K.

My DIL (daughterinlaw) is a disability lawyer for the government. I do believe that there is an honest effort on the part of the government to avoid scams, and provide help to those who have an honest need for it.

We hear about the extremes.... welfare leeches, and government obstruction... but little about the reason we have safety nets, and the number of people who can live decent lives with hope for the future, despite having problems beyond their control.

Best of luck

 

[Duxa]

Thanks for a quick reply! Do you know if going on disability effects the actual retirement down the road? also, can he really be on disability until retirement? Thats a long time!

 

[imoldernu]

Disability Planner:Other Payments May Affect Your Disability Benefits
Government info.

 

[MRG]

Seek either a disability attorney or a disability non-attourny. These folks know the laws and required documentation. Mainly from DR's, or other specialists. It takes a while, you may have to see SSA recomended specialists, or appeal decisions.

Yes, according to what SSA told us, he can take SSD(Social Security Disability) to FRA(full retirement age). He can get Medicare as well, I think it requires 2 years disability before Medicare kicks in. As I understand, you stay on disability untill FRA, and convert. I've been told by SSA the benefits won't change at FRA.

Two big things, you must have sufficient work credits for SSD. You must have medical documentation, and continue to see proper medical folks for treatment. SSD for physical issues may be tough, but with the correct documents it's do able.

Best wishes,
MRG

 

[Duxa]

What is considered "sufficient work credits"?

 

[MRG]

What is considered "sufficient work credits"?

X quarters of employment, not sure of the exact number. You can probably find it on SSA or an specialist attorney will know.
MRG
Edit to add a link to the proper SSA page, appears to be a sliding scale, with some exceptions:
http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/credits3.htm

 

[Act2]

You can get his social security statement online; it will say whether he has enough credits to qualify for disability. That doesn't mean it is guaranteed that he'll get it, only that he can apply.