Private LTD/NJ State LTD

[Ginny]

I know people with private plans also apply for State Long Term Disability. If your private plan says it will pay 60% what will State Disability do for you.

Can anyone explain this to me? Never had to use either.

Ginny

[Elle]

By State Long Term Disability, I'm assuming that you're talking about Social Security, which is a Federal progam but administrered by each state. What you would get from SS depends on how much you've earned and how long you've worked, unless you apply for SSI Disability. You can call the 1-800 number and give them your info and they will be able to tell you if you're eligible. Or, you can go to your local SS office. There are two disability programs. One is Disability SSI, which is not based off of your work history and is subject to a maximum household income. If you have a spouse who works, or you have cash or other assets available to you, you may not qualify. The other is Social Security Disability Insurance. With this one, it doesn't matter what you're household income is, or how much you have in assets. It's paid off of your work record and is based off of what you've earned in the last 5 out of 10 years that you've worked.
It takes quite a while to go through the whole process. Some of us waited 4 years, but recently some have been approved in only a few months. You never really know how long it will take, so if you're considering applying, I'd start the process immediately.
As for the private disability insurance...you can still apply for and receive that while you're waiting on Social Security. Some policies even allow you to receive both at the same time, but those are rare! Lots of plans require that you pay back benefits if you're awarded SS benefits for the same time period that you were receiving LTD benefits.
If you've decided that you need to apply, I would say to apply for both now. Go to www.ssa.gov and read the stuff on disability. You can even apply online, if you want. There's even a calculator online that can help you determine what you would receive. If you have any children under the age of 18, they can also receive benefits under your record.
I hope this answered some of your questions. Please let me know if you have any more...there's lots of us on this board who know what it's like to be faced with having to apply, and I can say without hesitation that we'll all share our knowledge to help you through this! :grouphug:

[Ginny]

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply to me. You put a lot of time into it. I am still struggling with the decision and looking at my options.
I will check out the website you gave me.

Ginny

[Elle]

I know it's such a hard decision to make. Looking back, I was in complete denial. My husband kept encouraging me to apply, but I just kept thinking I was going to kick this thing. I just didn't want to accept it. I finally called SSA just to get some information and found out that if I didn't apply within the next 6 months that I wouldn't be eligible anymore. Even though I had been working and paying taxes since I was 15 years old! I had taken a couple of years off by choice to have babies and then IC hit like a tone of bricks and I hadn't worked for several years b/c of IC! You have to work at least 5 whole years in a 10 year period to even be considered (you have to have a certain number of work credits throughout your work history as well). So, that kind of made my mind up for me. I knew I couldn't go back to working full-time b/c of the pain and frequency. But, when I applied, I felt like a big 0! I was so embarrased to even tell my Drs, even though they ultimately were very understanding and agreed with my decision. Then, that kind of passed, until I was finally approved. Then it all came back - that "big nothing" feeling! I even hate to see things from SSA come in the mail! I opened a bank account in another state and set up direct deposit so there was no chance of anyone in my town finding out. Very few people know, mainly b/c I just feel so guilty about receiving SSD, even though I know I can't work. I just want you to know you're not alone! :kissing:

[Ginny]

Sent you a private message Elle. Hope you don't mind.

Ginny