Copyright 2004 Chattanooga Publishing Company  
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)
January 1, 2004 Thursday
SECTION: Local Business; Pg. C6
LENGTH: 620 words

Q: "Can a person with a terminal illness qualify for disability benefits?"

A: Yes. The requirements for disability benefits are the same, but we make every effort to identify cases involving a terminal illness as early in the claims process as possible so that we can expedite the processing of the claim. We may become aware of the potentially terminal illness through statements from the claimant, a friend, family member, doctor or other medical source. We also treat certain situations, such as an allegation or diagnosis of AIDS or registration of the claimant in a Medicare-designated hospice, or receipt of hospice care as indicators of a potentially terminal illness. When a person has a potentially terminal illness, we make special efforts to assist claimants in providing necessary evidence.

Q: "Do I automatically get Medicare benefits if I'm eligible for disability benefits?"

A: We will automatically enroll you in Medicare after you get disability benefits for two years. We start counting the 24 months from the month you were entitled to receive Disability, not the month when you received your first check. People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) get Medicare beginning with the month they become entitled to disability benefits. Medicare has two parts -- hospital insurance and medical insurance. Hospital insurance helps pay hospital bills and some follow-up care. The taxes you paid while you were working financed this coverage, so it's premium free. The other part of Medicare, medical insurance, helps pay doctors' bills and other services.

Q: "I have been receiving Social Security disability benefits for the past four years and my condition has not improved. Is there a time limit on Social Security disability benefits?"

A: No. You will continue to receive a disability benefit as long as you continue to be disabled and otherwise meet work or other eligibility requirements. However, your case will be re-viewed periodically to see if there has been any improvement in your condition and whether you are still eligible for benefits. If you are still eligible when you reach full retirement age, disability benefits will automatically be converted to retirement benefits.

Q: "I understand that to get Social Security disability benefits, your disability must be expected to last at least a year. Does this mean that you must wait a year after being disabled before you can get benefits?"

A: You do not have to wait a year after the onset of the disability before you can get benefits. You should file as soon as you can after becoming disabled and benefits begin after a 5-month waiting period. The waiting period begins with the month Social Security decides your disability began.

Q: "I applied for disability benefits three months ago and still haven't received an answer. When should I expect to be notified of the decision?"

A: In the year 2002 the average processing time for a Social Security Disability claim was 104 days. This is an average and the actual time it takes to process your claim may be more or less based on: 1) the state you live in; 2) the nature of your disability; 3) how quickly we can obtain medical evidence from your doctor or other medical sources; and 4) whether it is necessary to send you for a medical examination.