Filing for SSDI with pancreatic cancer at 63 while on long-term disability - timing question

im sorry about your sister. she should apply for SSDI right away bc it takes MONTHS to get approved even with cancer. the long term disability and SSDI can be collected at same time usually but read the LTD policy fine print, alot of them reduce payment by whatever SSDI pays

First, I'm very sorry about your sister's diagnosis. I had to navigate something similar with my husband last year. You should absolutely have her apply for SSDI immediately for several important reasons: 1. Even with the Compassionate Allowance program (which pancreatic cancer qualifies for), SSDI approval takes at least 3-5 months. 2. Most LTD policies actually REQUIRE you to apply for SSDI within a certain timeframe. Check her policy documents - there's likely language stating she must pursue all other benefit sources including SSDI. 3. The life insurance can usually continue while she's on LTD status, as she's still technically an employee receiving benefits. Regarding receiving both: Yes, she can receive both simultaneously, but most LTD policies will offset. This means if her LTD pays $2,000/month and SSDI approves her for $1,800/month, the LTD carrier will reduce their payment to $200/month. The total remains the same, but SSDI becomes the primary payer.

I went through almost the exact same situation but it was colon cancer for me. Apply for the SSDI right away!!! It took me 4 months even with a cancer diagnosis and thats faster than most people get approved. Make sure you get her doctor to help with the documentation. The more medical evidence you have the faster it goes.

I'd like to add some information about the Compassionate Allowance program that was mentioned. Pancreatic cancer is indeed on the list of conditions that qualify for expedited processing under this program. The key steps your sister should take: 1. Apply for SSDI immediately online at ssa.gov/applyfordisability 2. In the "Remarks" section of the application, specifically mention "Compassionate Allowance - Pancreatic Cancer" 3. Ensure her doctor provides comprehensive medical records including: - Pathology reports confirming diagnosis - Surgical reports if applicable - Oncology treatment plans - Prognosis documentation 4. For the life insurance question: Most employer group policies have a conversion option that allows employees to convert to an individual policy when employment ends. This is typically time-sensitive (often 31 days), so she should discuss this with HR. 5. Regarding the 5-month SSDI waiting period: Unfortunately, this applies even to Compassionate Allowance cases. Benefits start the 6th full month after the disability onset date SSA establishes.

THE SSA SYSTEM IS BROKEN!!! Even with terminal cancer they make you wait months and jump through hoops. My brother had stage 4 lung cancer and they STILL made him wait 3 months for approval and then another 5 months for the first payment!!!! By the time he got his first check he was already in hospice care. The whole system is designed to deny people what they rightfully earned!!!

Calling the SSA is almost impossible these days. I spent 3 weeks trying to get through to ask questions about my disability application and kept getting disconnected or waiting for hours. I finally used a service called Claimyr (claimyr.com) that got me connected to an actual SSA representative in under 10 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/Z-BRbJw3puU It made the whole process so much easier, especially when you're dealing with health issues and don't have the energy to sit on hold for hours. Worth it for complicated situations like your sister's where you need to make sure everything is filed correctly the first time.

my wife had to do both last yr. the long term disability company made her file for social security as part of gettin the LTD benefits. they reduced her LTD checks by what SS paid. but still she got paid faster from LTD while waiting for SS to kick in. check the LTD policy, most of them say you have to apply for SSDI.

One important thing no one has mentioned yet: When your sister is approved for SSDI, she'll become eligible for Medicare after 24 months from her date of entitlement (which is typically 5 months after her disability onset date). However, with a diagnosis like pancreatic cancer, she may not want to wait that long. She should look into: 1. Continuing her employer health insurance through COBRA if possible 2. If she's married, possibly joining her spouse's health plan during a special enrollment period 3. Getting an ACA marketplace plan with possible subsidies Also, her backpay will be calculated from her application date (minus the 5-month waiting period), which is another reason to apply for SSDI immediately rather than waiting.

I'm really sorry about your sister. One thing I wish someone had told me—keep copies of EVERYTHING. Every form, every letter, every medical report. The SSA lost part of my file twice during my application process and having my own copies saved me months of delays.

This is exactly why we need medicare for all!!! This complex system of employer insurance, COBRA, social security waiting periods, medicare waiting periods - its inhumane to make sick people navigate this bureaucratic maze!!! Your sister deserves better than what this broken system provides.