With 2010 in full gear, many people find themselves pondering goals in their life over the past year and setting goals for themselves over the next year.

Far too often, people (myself included) allow their goals to fall by the way and 365 days later we find ourselves making the same resolution all over again? 

How many times have you wanted to improve our health, income, housing but find yourself frustrated because we have not made progress

Today we will review disability related resolution members have submitted and provide
tip to help reach their goals in 2010. 

> Qualify for disability, 
> Make sure you're getting the benefit level you're entitled to, 
> Learn exactly how much money you can make and keep your benefits, 
> Find out how people with disabilities find a job, 
> Start a business with no money down, 
> Find affordable housing in great neighborhoods,
> Choose the correct Medicare plan for your needs and budget. 
> Qualifying for a grant,

And Brian's 2010 resolution to pay members to help The Disability Digest instead of Google, MSN and Yahoo. Great opportunity to work from
home and supplement your income. 

Member Resolutions

1.Getting Approved For Disability
A. My question is, how can I get my union to give me my pensions.  They are going by SSDI guidelines, and basically won't give me any money until I'm approved by SSDI which my hearing could take 2 years, and in the mean time, I have lost my truck, my home, and am dead broke, can't work, have zero income.  I was a union electrician, construction, and have been a member of the IBEW since 1980.  
If waiting for a hearin as for an on the record decision
The only way I have medical now is through the VA since I'm a veteran. I am 52 and will never be able to do construction again.  The VA says I can do something else, but I can't do anything physical, nerve damage, arms are numb and useless for anthing that requires any kind of strength, my knees are shot, as is my back and neck.  I can only sit for a couple of hours, then I have to lay down.  I'm right handed and can't grasp any thing with my right hand.  I spent last summer in the psych unit at the VA and was still denied SSI.  So, since I can no longer do electrical work, how can I get my pension?

Read your policy learn how here

Win your SSDI fast

If waiting for a hearing ask for an on the record decision

B. Hi Brian,

My name is Kate Wiggin and I have had fibromyalgia for 22 years.  When I was diagnosed, I was a stay at home mother with 2 small boys and a husband who supported me.  I never even contemplated disability because I had my husband to take care of us. 

Fifteen years ago, my husband was killed in a car accident.  My sons and I received S.S. death benefits until they reached the age of 18.  Since then I have been struggling to figure out how to support myself.  Every time I have thought about filing for disability, I stop because I don’t have the work history to qualify.  I also don’t have the medical history because since my husband died I haven’t had any insurance, so I have gone to the doctor for only those things they can help with like my asthma. 

I have to accomplish everything in my life in 15 minutes increments, because if I try to do anything for longer than that, I am in major pain the next day. 

I was wondering; do you think I can qualify for SSI or Disability for Widows which I know you have to be 50 years old to receive, but that’s only 2 years away for me.

Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Kate

C. Brian,
I was approved for SS disability in August of 2009 and have since received notice that my long term disability from work wants to settle my claim.  I will be 62 in Feb of this year and am eligible to receive LTD until age 65.  The insurance company wants to settle for $18,000 less than I would receive if I continue receiving checks each month.  My question is do I have to settle and if I were to settle (for an amount more than they offered), would that lump sum be taxable?

Thank you, Barbara

Get a second opinion

D. Hi Brian,
            My name is Stacie, I am a 34 year old female trying to live with lupus, fibromyalgia, raynauds disease, and some doctors say chronic fatigue syndrome. Basically, I am a mess. I applied for disability 1 1/2 years ago. I was denied although, social security said they did find that all of these illnesses would affect my ability to work, but they said I could sit for 5 minutes-so needless to say I retained an attorney and I am waiting for a hearing date -that was 6 months ago. I am at the doctors 3 times maybe more for infections that last forever and put me in bed. The fibromyalgia pain is so crippling I cannot move at times. I have tried everything for the pain but nothing really helps. I do not know how social security is legally able to make people wait this long or deny them when they have a legitimate disability. How are we suppose to survive financially? So my resolution is to be approved for disability after years of trying. Thank You-Stacie

Win your SSDI fast

If waiting for a hearing ask for an on the record decision 


2. Maximize Your Benefits & How Much You Can Make
A. Brian , 

I would like to know if you know what the procedures are for working while on SSDI , such as a part-time position . I would appreciate any information you could give me on this . As , I am off to an interview shortly for a part-time position . 

B Hello,
I was wondering where I can find help to guide me on what earning I can make without losing benefits. Thanks so much, Kathleen

3. Jobs And Income
A. Happy New Year.  I have a quick question...  I was awarded SS disability on Sept 22nd. The effective date is March 09... although I am appealing that. My question is, I would love to "try" key word being try... to obtain a part time job. I understand the wage earning guide line, however... the position I am applying for is with the Census Bureau. It is a temporary position and part time as well. I wasn't sure if that would create any problems or red flags.
Any suggestions or guidelines?
Thank you in advance,
Deena

The Trial Work Period starts the month you make over $700 ($720 in 2010) and last for 9 months.  These months do not have to be consecutive.  You can make as much money as you can during the 9 months of working and still receive your full disability check.  Once the 9 months is up, any month after that that you make over $980 ($1,000 in 2010), you will not receive your disability check.  For example, in January you made $1,000, February $800, March $300, April $1,100--You would receive your whole disability check for February and March.  This will last for 3 years which is called the Extended Period of Eligibility.

Strategy... Stay below $720.00 and then use one of your trail work months once a year to pay out the mother load. 

Because your trail work months expire in 60 months 5 years you will have more Trial work months than you need.

B. HI BRIAN
THIS IS ANTHONY I AM STILL WAITING ON MY DISABILITY FOR 2.5 YEARS WITH HAVING A LAWYER ON A CONTINGENCY BASIS!! 

THAT IS ONE THING I NEED BADLY---MY MONTHLY CHECKS AND MY BACKPAY MONEY ALL FROM SOC SECURITY I AM VERY VERY VERY INTERESTED IN MAKING MONEY AT HOME WITH THE DISABILITY DIGEST! 

I WANT TO HELP PEOPLE SO THEY HAVE INFO AT THEIR FINGERTIPS SO THEY DO NOT GIVE UP! I HAVE NO INCOME NOW

I NEED TO MAKE MONEY AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE! I REALLY NEED TO START NOW OR SOON IF YOU COULD PUT ME ON?? 

I AM 54 YEARS YOUNG< BUT HAVE VERSATILITY SKILLS AND PEOPLE SKILLS!! MY 

PLEASE CALL AS I NEED HELP OR I AM GOING TO LOSE MORE THAN I HAVE ALREADY MY PHONE<MEDICATIONS<AND INTERNET ARE GOING TO BE IN JEOPARDY BY FEBRUARY 

PLEASE HELP! I WILL BE AN ASSET TO THE DISABILITY DIGEST AND I DO NOT CARE HOW MANY HOURS AND EMAILS PHONE CALLS ETC 

I HAVE TO PUT IN< I WILL DO IT!! I NEED THE MONEY> THANK YOU< BRIAN AND I HOPE I WILL HEAR FROM YOU SOON!

Should revisit working 30 days after you have been approved...

The reason for the wait is that although Social Security (SSA) allows you to apply for disability if your monthly earnings are less than $980.00 these cases are VERY difficult to get approved so it best to not work... especially as a partner because you are on the phone with lots of people making it a highly visible position like this.

C. Brian 

I am an insurance qualified medically disabled 58 year old male. I am earning 60% of my working salary from 2009 income figures. The 40% reduction is having a devastating effect on my family. I was told that if I qualified for SSDI it would reduce my insurance disability monthly payment equally. I need to know where to go to apply for a part time (3-4 hrs daily) at home job to earn that 40% back penalty (not affecting my current disability income)
Gary 

Learn all the details here


D. 
Hi Brian...

I am returning to college and would like to know if you know of any disability grants or awards that I might try. Also another question is in regards to me being a parapalegic on perm. disability (medicare) if I decide to return to the workforce, would I keep my medicare or not. Looking forward to the webinar.
thanks, doug

Extended period of eligibility

E. 
Dear Brian,

My name is David and I am 31 about to be 32 years old. I have been on disability for a couple years now, seizure disorder. I always wanted to make extra income somehow

someway but scared to because Social Security will cut my checks. They are already cutting 5.00 dollars here and there, and then no cost of living increase this year. My wife has been supporting me and my son for years now, which has caused a lot of strain on our

marriage. My resolution is to bring in some supplemental income so that I can help out more with the bills and take a lot of the load off my wife. Maybe we can start to enjoy each other

again and build our relationship back, and better than ever before. Not that money is the most important thing in a marriage but it can cause a great amount of strain if one is carring  most of the load. It will also boost my selfesteem as person, as a father, as a husband,trying more to provide for my family. I've always wanted to do something from home, I have a computer, i'm online, and I have some hours to devote to whatever it is I decide to do. I've looked in to home based buisneses and they look great, make 10,000 dollars a month, drive the nicest car, and enjoy the family!!!! Then you do the research on them and it doesn't look too good. Then theres the other ones that seem perfect but they want 500.00 dollars to start and thats just about my whole SSDI check. Well Brian I wrote you my resolution, I hope we can keep ours this year and they won't be the same next year. 
Sincerly, David

4. Housing
A.
Dear Brian,
My resolution for the new year is to complete my goal toward a handicap friendly home.  I want to stay independent and that means saving every dollar toward my home.  This is what I have acompliced so far:

I bought the land needed.  A  construction company has agreed to donate their time for all construction.  My goal is to pay for the building material.  I have been selling my belongings on Ebay and saving every dollar.  No more high dollar medicine. If I can live without anthing I will.  I have saved $56,000 so far and need $14,000 more to reach my goal.  So far no organization I have talked to can help.. even though I told them I can not get my wheelchair through the bathroom door.  Habitat for Humanity said they have a 2 yr waiting list and they don't donate building materials.  I would give my eye teeth for supplies but I'm left to do this on my own....from a wheelchair.  Stress has left me with the shakes and jiddery inside.  This is a time sensitive project or I'll lose what has been donated so far. 

Construction is due to start in February.  I have talked to our local Lowes and a 'special discount' was offered but the contractor said he gets a builders discount already. 

So that is my goal for this year....actually left over from last year.  Being handicap sucks and people are very rude because I hold up the line at the store so I have declared to stay indoors from now on.  One day these people will be in the same postion.  All my best to you this New Year. 

Sincerely,
Jerri

I suggest you contact your local center for independent living and ask a housing councilor what is available for assistance.  To learn about and contact your local office go to section 8 in the members area

B. Hi Brian,
Happy New Year & thanks for all the gifts you've given the disability community! 
In 2010 I really want to become a home owner.  This would be a first for me & I have a great deal of financial prep to be in good financial standing to qualify for a mortgage.
 
Thanks, Therese

Get started with a housing councilor learn all about it in section 4 of the members area

5. Disabled Grants
A. Actually, I made a new years resolution years ago to never make another resolution.  I've kept this resolution ever since.  But I do have goals!  I want to start my own jewelry making business' working from home, I would like to open a store in town eventually.  I will need employees and the grant to do it with.  I have a business plan partially done and will need to hire a professional for the finished one.  I also need a grant for a home for a/business office , work studio and a home.  Presently, I'm living in a very old travel trailer on my parents property   It actually physically hurts to live here and I am getting worse with no room to move around,  Winters are especially bad.  I also have no room to do my artistry. (I am an artist).  Also next to my back condition,  I suffer gran-mal seizures and cannot drive. 

There is no transportation for the disabled here (Mariposa, CA).  Our advocacy here has limited funds, thanks to the govenor.  To make a long story short, a house in town would be perfect (this way it could serve as a "store" too.  So glad to finally reach you.  I have many ?'s and also in need of a support group and advice. 

Can you send ma an address I can click onto and reach people to talk to.  I have tried and I'm not getting anywhere.  I should try the profile again (registering) a spam cut me off, my security system took care of it, but I got frustrated after trying to open up about myself and just let it go.  O.K., talking too much off the subject.  I'm looking forward to the webinar.  By the way CA has lessened my check 3 times this year because "CA is broke" and we have no right to appeal!  I need extra money for alot of things, most importantly the money it would cost to get decent medical care in the bay area, etc,  I really need to get my business started,  Thank You for helping so many that need it. You are a good man. For me the webinar on the 6th will be at 12 noon, correct ?  Mariposa,CA  95338. All my best Happy New Year!  Sara

Grants are tough to get and take a long time I would suggest checking our a pass plan and consider working in the industry to save up the money to start.