Won't be able to drive anymore. What to do?

There is also a group running an ad in Houston willing to fight the system and get you disability. Like Condo said you earned it so take it. Google Freedom Disability or something like that and if i see it again, I'll repost. There's a couple of geek lawyers on the tube too. Binder and Binder, SS advocates, been around a long time. Check them out....

You can also bring honesty and integrity to any task, situation. No one can dictate when you can apply these qualities. Car dealers and mega management may try,
( no discernible difference there ) but it's up to you.

Good luck driver....

 

Become a dispatcher, Less stress than running a brokerage and in my opinion former truck drivers make better dispatchers, It is alot easier to understand what is comeing through the phone if you have lived it. Good luck with your health as well.

 

dude, don't be so adamant against disability, you have worked , been productive and have earned. you also need to consider it for no other reason than being able to qualify for medicare 6 months after you get it. other insurance will become unaffordable as your income drops. it may be a matter of pride at the moment but look at things long term. even with the preexisting condition deal with the affordable care act, you still have to pay for it.

 

there are disability lawyers in every state, what they do is they apply for back benefits that are paid from when you first get disabled to when the claim is approved, they usually take 50 per cent of back pay as their fees.

 

+1........just do it, seeing someone who actually needs it for a change is refreshing ,it's so typical to see someone who really needs it not wanting to go there because they have a work ethic vs. the lame liars that don't want to work just milking the system for what they can.

 

It's 24 months, not 6 (I used to sell Medicare plans), but yes, the sooner that clock starts ticking, the better

 

You definitely need an attorney. It's part of the process. A person representing them self can't handle the legal jargon, know the system and be effective presenting their case. They refuse about 95% when they apply but then you appeal and go to a hearing and that's when the real decision is made and approvals are made. The whole process takes about two years but you do get back pay. My attorney got a third or $6,000, which ever is less. They also consider your age, under 45, 45-49, 50-54, 55+. The older you are the more they approve. I was 49 when I filed. When I went to court they don't tell you there normally but he approved me on the spot. Then I got a letter in the mail stating I wasn't qualified at age 49 but I was at 50. Don't ask me why because I was in the same shape since 49. I think it had to do with the age bracket thing and save a few dollars. Anyways the lawyer ended up getting like $2700 since I only got partial back pay.

Them two years waiting can be extremely hard on someone. You have to rely on others for help if you don't have money saved up. Luckily I had disability insurance and the VA to carry me through. I also had to tap into my 401K.

Once on disability they allow you 9 months to try a job to see if you can do it without being penalized.

This is just to give you an idea if you do go that route.

I'll never forget one young 30ish guy I seen in the court house waiting room. He was carrying on with his girlfriend the whole time I was out there. I couldn't observe anything wrong with him. I thought they brought someone there. The clerk come out and called him into the court room. The guy gets up and puts a neck brace on, lol.

 

Everybody is giving you pretty good advise about getting disability, however, getting an attorney right from the start can cost you money and may well be unnecessary. There are medical conditions that are automatically acceptable for approval for Social Security Disability. One that comes to mind is CHF, or Congestive Heart Failure, as it is an immediate disqualification from being a truck driver. Depending on the severity and type of your illness, you may get an immediate approval usually within 30-45 days.
I would suggest immediately applying for Social Security Disability. You pay the premiums for this insurance every week when you get paid. It is insurance, not a hand out. You wouldn't hesitate to call your auto insurance if you needed it. This is the same thing. But do it now, as the day you first apply is the day of coverage after approval, regardless of whether you apply yourself, of have an attorney do it for you. There is a six month waiting time for benefits to begin for everyone, so don't delay.
It is really easy to apply online for disability. You will want to be near a printer so you can print out the signature page to submit to your local SSI office. Here is the link to get you started; http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/326
Remember, disability is not the end of the world. I'm sure you'll find something to do that you like, and maybe you'll even like it more that driving. But you need to protect yourself financially first. If Social Security sends you a denial letter, then get the attorney.
I hope you feel better, and I'll keep you in my prayers.

 

The attorney price doesn't change. It cost the same whether they hire you in the middle or in the beginning. It's based on percentage. If you hired a general attorney the prices might change but these disability specialist attorneys are all the same. There's a bunch a forms to fill out and it's easier when they do it. The very few they approve the first go around are without a doubt disabled like CHF or your legs got amputated, or bed ridden, etc.

 

File NOW. It will probably take two years to get approved, if you even do then. They have to pay backpay to the day you were determined to be disabled, not by them, but by you and your doctor. Attorneys usually won't get involved until your first denial. Most are 30% up to a maximum of 5-6k, I can't remember. The amount is set by each state. If you wait too long before filing, and then end up waiting another 18-24 months, you will have used up all your savings and could lose everything you have. It's happened to many a person who tried to work part time when they wern't able to. Plan ahead now.