b'Life with MSalso be accompanied by health insurance PeopleareoftenunawareoftheamountcoveragefromMedicaidandMedicare.SSI oftimeittakestobeapprovedforbenets,andisavailabletothosewhoaretoodisabledto thetimeittakesfromapprovaltoreceivingwork,havelimitednancialresources,and benets. It can take anywhere from a fewlimitedrecentworkhistories,whileSSDIisfor monthstomorethanayeartobeapprovedpeoplewithdisabilitieswhoaretoodisabled forbenets,andSSDIapplicationsgenerallytoworkbuthavesubstantialpastworkhistories. requireave-monthwaitingperiodfromthePeoplewithMSreceiveSSDIbenetsmore determinationofdisabilitytotheawardingofoftenthantheyreceiveSSIsincetheyarelikely benets.PeopleeligibleforSSDIbenetsaretohavearecentandextensiveemployment alsoeligibleforMedicare,howeverthereisahistory. 24-month qualifying period for MedicareTheprocessofapplyingforSSDIcanbe coverage.time-consumingandfrustrating.Formost Applyingfor,beingawarded,andreceivingwhoapplyforSSDI,regardlessofdisability disabilitybenetsisalengthyandinvolvedtypeormedicalcondition,theirinitial process.Itisimportanttobepreparedforthisapplicationwillbedenied.Ifyougetdenied, process,andtodiscussthisprocessbeforehandyouhavetheoptiontoappealthatdecision, with(1)medicalproviders,toensurethattheanditisgenerallyadvisedthatyoudoso necessarytestsandinformationareavailable;becauseappealsaregrantedatamuchhigher (2)employers,aboutpost-employmentinsuranceratethanoriginalapplications. options,and(3)advocatesorattorneyswhoKeepinmindthatinapplyingforSSDI, maybeabletoassistintheprocess.you must be able to prove thatyou are Conclusionunabletowork.Therefore,itisrecommendedthat your doctors, and especially your Withadvancementsinassistivetechnology,neurologist,areawareinadvanceofyour MStreatments,andcivilrightsandemploymentdecisiontoapply.Yourneurologistorphysician legislation,peoplewithMSareabletomaintaincanhelpclearlystatetheimpactofyourMS employmentlongerthaneverbefore.However,symptomsonyourabilitytoworkata there may come a time when leavingproductivelevel.Themoredescriptiveand employment and applying for disabilitydetailedthemedicalrecordsare,thefewer benefitsisthebestchoiceforyou.ThisquestionsSSAsdisabilitydeterminationunit decisionshouldbemadeafteryouhavemayneedtoasktoevaluateyourclaim,andthe explored all employment options andmorelikelytheapplicationwillbeapproved. protections,consultedhealthandrehabilitationItmaybebenecialtoretainabenetsattorney professionals,outlinedasolidnancialplan,toassistintheappealsandconsiderations familiarizedyourselfwiththeSSAapplicationthiswillalsoincreaseyourchancesofbeing process,andmadeafully-informeddecision.acceptedandacquiringbenets.Tell us what you want to see in MS Focus Magazine.Email comments to: editor@msfocus.orgor write to: Editor, MS Focus6520 N. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309msfocusmagazine.org 28'