My sister had a grade 4 brain aneurysm (ruptured). She spent 3 weeks in ICU and was just put in a room. She cannot move herself at all. It take two attendants to move her in and out of bed. She can only sit up with the assistance of a stroke chair. She cannot talk and can barely raise her hands. Because she had only been working at her job for a few months she does not qualify for protected leave. Therefore her 4 week medical leave ends at the end of the month.
She will have no insurance unless she goes with COBRA for approximately $700 a month. She is divorced, no home (her apartment will have to be let go), no additional sources of income.
Doctors say her recovery will be at least 6 mth. to a year. The definition of disability per the SS office is a condition lasting over 12 months or an illness ending in death. What can she do? No one in her family can afford the high medical costs this longterm care will involve. Help!
Cannot Qualify for Disability Benefits
Yes, per the Social Security Handbook definition of disability the impairment will either result in death or last for at least 12 months in a row.
Do other community members have advice?
Cannot Qualify for Disability Benefits
Your sister should apply for SSI, even though she may be denied on the initial application. Her doctor(s) could be wrong. It may be longer than 12 continuous months before she is well enough to work. When she is denied initially, she should request reconsideration, and when that is denied she should request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. Because it may take about a year to have a hearing, she will have met the 12 continuous month requirement by then.