Quite a dilemma

[JB White]

I thought about that, and seeing as many people as I have abuse it, I wouldnt feel right. I had no intentions of touching that till was retirement time (though prob long gone by then).

talked to my parents and grandparents, they too are all struglging, but they are willing to try to help so I can keep both. Its yet another thing I dont want, as I never asked for help from anyone or anything... Mybe its just my pride of being able to be totally self sufficiant but may have to swallow pride at this point...

Matt,

SSI is not welfare. It's insurance and you only get it if you are disabled and qualify. If you apply for Social Security Disability and are eventually granted, then the SSI benefits will be repaid from your Social Security back pay.
The longer you wait to apply, the more money you are leaving on the table. It can't hurt to at least go down to the SS office and find out.

[Embalmer]

hmm ok guess I can check that out in the morning. thanks for you input guys. gave me a few ideas and backed up what I was originally thinking. See what I find out tomorrow.

[John Kepler]

Get the SSI! YOU are the guy it's there for, not the "Welfare Mom's Kids"! As for the 401(k).....Mr. Wolff....you put that money there for a "rainy day" right? Look out the window....it's pouring!

Second...if you've got a lawyer, you've got a bad one....fix that! If you don't, get a good one NOW! No one is going to give you a damn thing...you're going to have to fight for every nickel, and you need an attorney that sees it that way. 29 is WAY too young to be busted up on a job and unable to work without getting some significant help.

Third, get someone that knows what the hell they are doing look at your leg! Without a significant fracture, you shouldn't be having these kinds of problems. Get to someplace with an International reputation like the Cleveland Clinic, et.al. to look at and probably fix your leg properly. I fought a debilitating hip problem locally for over a very pain-filled year, only to have one of the specialists at the Clinic fix what had everyone around here barking about a hip replacement in 15 minutes!

[1886nut]

Matt - I am sorry to hear about your predicament. I agree with the others....keep the guns if at all possible. Those are rare and going up in value every year. Dump the car and look for a good used high mileage 90s vintage Honda (with a manual transmission unless your injury makes that difficult) if the math allows you to pocket some money from such a transaction.

You would be amazed how much money you can save by judicious grocery shopping too. Dont go out to eat, even fast food, unless its absolutely necessary. When you are out of the house, stop at as many grocery stores as you can that are on your way home to check for "Buy One Get One Free!" specials....they always have something. A lot of canned goods (like stews and raviolis, etc) that are reasonably nutricious and tasty can often be stocked up on in this manner. When skinless chicken breast is "Buy One Get One Free!" my wife and I will buy 10 or 12 packs and just deep freeze them.

Good luck, God bless.

[Major Tom]

Keep the guns. I had to sell my previous collection 20 years ago. Value of them has skyrocketed since. Wish dearly I had kept them.

[Embalmer]

Yes I got a workmans comp lawyer, and a injury lawyer working since January on things. Unfortunately things dont happen over night.

I do see a good doctor, actually have seen 3 different ones for dif opinions, and the problem they have been trying to address is the tendons, as bone bruising, especially significant takes a long time to heal and go away, and the loss of a inch not too sure what they can do about that. As for the tendon, one solution was a shot, but thats a temp fix, as ill have to keep going to get it every few months. Another is some new proceedure using forget the name, but is used to break up gall stones. Non evasive, which sounds nice, but not a guarentee fix, and a major prob is med insurance doesnt cover it, and i dont have 2 grand to pay out of pocket, especially something that may not work. thirdly is surgery that was told has a 70% chance of fixing it, 30% making it worse or not do anything at all... as they will have to detatch the tendons ect. which is the route im eyeing now. Only real prob to that is, last couple surgeries I ever had, always had some serious seizures comming out of the anesthesia.

One thing all the docs agree on, is I would have been far better to have broken my leg, as it would have been a quicker and easier fix...

A few years ago, had to sell 70% of my collection on the old CSP forums, to fund my custody fight for my son. In the end was worth it, just kick myself still as I know I got rid of alot ill never replace. Like I said end result was worth it, just wish I went about it another way.

[Ken The Kanuck]

Well Matt I do not know anything about how that stuff works down there so I cannot offer you any advice. But I will offer you my good wishes and hope that things turn around real quick. I will say one thing though and that is being with your son is more important than anything else, especially in trying times.

Good luck,

KTK

[JB White]

I wish you the best of luck Matt. The SS interviewers are most informative and helpful. You'll get honest answers to any questions you might have and they'll even answer questions you didn't know to ask.

On the other hand (and they'll probably tell you this) a claims reviewer whom you will never meet will most likely reject your first claim. Don't be disheartened as there is an appeals process. Two friends of mine were both rejected first time around even though they had cases of terminal cancer. They finally got it but it was a lengthy process. You might expect the same.
Stick with it and don't give up. If your attorney is unfamiliar with SS claims, find one who is. Their fees will be deducted from your back pay settlement at a rate of somewhere between 10% - 15%. If you lose, it costs you nothing to try.

As John said...get a good lawyer!

[RayP.]

I thought about that, and seeing as many people as I have abuse it, I wouldnt feel right. I had no intentions of touching that till was retirement time (though prob long gone by then).

talked to my parents and grandparents, they too are all struggling, but they are willing to try to help so I can keep both. Its yet another thing I dont want, as I never asked for help from anyone or anything... Mybe its just my pride of being able to be totally self sufficiant but may have to swallow pride at this point...

You wouldn't be getting something for nothing or abusing the system,you have paid for it with your taxes,it's not the Soc. Sec. Retirement program,it's a temporary program for people who have physical conditions that limit their ability to work and when you get back to work you will resume paying taxes for such programs(you're probably still paying even now).

My son lost his only kidney(at 36yrs. old,7yrs. ago),had him sign authorization for me to conduct his med/soc. sec. business,take all your medical recoords,Dr.'s reports,hosp. records,everything with you to Soc. Sec.(make copies first),Soc.Sec. will give you a receipt for your records,my Interviewer told me to take the receipt(make copy) to local Medicaid office as they might help with medical costs,I don't know if your state does that but my state does and did help son with med. bills.

RayP.

[Embalmer]

OK talked to a SSI lawyer, going in to start whole proccess on Monday. Thanks for all of the advice, as this should help out once it goes through.