Disabled Working Adult -definition?

[theshadowoftheliving]

I'm wondering if anyone has any information on this. I'm really struggling to find anything online, as disability is usually determined by the non-ability to work (at least by the US government).

Essentially, my state has a clause for the affordable care act that states that adults whom are disabled, but still able to work, can get state health benefits. This would be a huge asset to me. The ambiguous criteria is “permanent and total disability” except for engaging in substantial gainful activity. What in the world does this actually mean, and could I, or someone else with PTSD and DID, possibly qualify? I hold down a job, which is why I've never considered disability. But, things aside from that aren't so smooth at all, and I would really benefit from the services I would gain. (please note that I have no interest in financial support, just the mental health benefits).

But I can't seem to find any information on what constitutes disabled, according to them, and the idea of calling sends all of us inside into a panic. So, reaching out here first, in case anyone can help.

 

[desiderata310]

So there is a form on my work portal that allows me to self-identify as disabled. Yup. I am considered disabled but I am not considered social security disabled. This is what the questionnaire says:

"You are considered to have a disability if you have a physical or mental impairment or medical condition that substantially limits a major life activity, or if you have a history or record of such an impairment or medical condition.

Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

• Blindness
• Deafness
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Epilepsy

• Autism
• Cerebral palsy
• HIV/AIDS
• Schizophrenia
• Muscular dystrophy

• Bipolar disorder
• Major depression
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Missing limbs or partially missing limbs

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Impairments requiring the use of a wheelchair
• Intellectual disability (previously called mental retardation)"

While PTSD makes substantial limits to my life, it does not stop me from working any more than it stops the deaf guy who works in inventory from working.
It sounds like it would be worth investigating. I mean, all you have to do is ask if PTSD is on their criteria.

 

[Sunshineturtle]

I used to be a disability examiner for the health dept for social security... so... super hard to be determined disabled under ssa's definition. You have to prove, based on age, ability to transfer skills and learn new skills, past work done, and education level that despite all of that, there is ABSOLUTELY no job that you could do for 8 hours.. so you could not sit down at an assembly line and put widgets together.. not a job you want to do.. just a job that could be done with reasonable accommodation according to the ADA. If you are under retirement age, not blind, deaf, and have all of your limbs, it will be hard. Even with constant treatment. That is a MUST.. consistent treatment from a dr.

 

[theshadowoftheliving]

@desiderata310 I've self-identified as disabled to employers, too, but there isn't really anything at stake in that. This is confusing because it is legal and governmental.

@Sunshineturtle This is where it gets tricky, because this clause is specifically for WORKING disabled adults ... adults that are disabled but, for whatever reason, can still be gainfully employed. All definitions I've seen use the criteria that adults cannot be gainfully employed and still be disabled.

I'm finding it so confusing.

 

[Sunshineturtle]

If you are going by social security, you have to get determined first.. then sometimes, people try to work, and you are allowed to make a certain amount of money, before they will stop your benefits and deem you not disabled any longer.

 

[desiderata310]

This is confusing because it is legal and governmental.

No, I get it. I do.

adults that are disabled but, for whatever reason, can still be gainfully employed. All definitions I've seen use the criteria that adults cannot be gainfully employed and still be disabled.

THAT would be you.
YOU have a condition that substantially limits one or more major life activity.
YOU are ALSO gainfully employed. You work despite the fact that you have a disability. We are talking about the ADA definition of disabled.
Again, no harm in calling and ASKING them.

 

[Sunshineturtle]

No... 1. I make farrr too much money to collect disability. 2. I can sustain work activities for 8 hrs which would rule out their definition of disabled... heck, if I was the examiner, i wouldvrule me out. Hahaa I'm not interested in collecting disability. I don't feel lije I am disabled. Wasn't this post about you. Did I start this post? Dang it...

 

[Sunshineturtle]

Oh wait, that wasn'tto me..phew...

 

[Freedomfighter]

I'm wondering if anyone has any information on this. I'm really struggling to find anythin...

The healthcare system is very complicated and some severe changes are probably in the future with healthcare. I have seen healthcare plummeting in my home country in the last 40 years. What used to be a country with excellent healthcare, now it is merely a shadow of what it used to be.

I see the future of healthcare as a journey in which treatments are just going towards astronomical figures, with a lot of people who will not be able to afford treatments anymore.
At the same time one can see there will be more and more budgetary cuts in that system too.

I have gained a somewhat better understanding that healthcare is only as good as the patient is willing to do their own research. It is indisputable that there are people though who do rely on the healthcare in order to live a half normal life and they need such benefits.

Before gaining such benefits a lot of people have to go through hell though.

 

[theshadowoftheliving]

THAT would be you.
YOU have a condition that substantially limits one or more major life activity.
YOU are ALSO gainfully employed. You work despite the fact that you have a disability. We are talking about the ADA definition of disabled.
Again, no harm in calling and ASKING them.

I know. I still haven't called because my anxiety is so high that it seems impossible ... but I'll figure it out.

I guess asking here is more about trying to figure out if it is WORTH calling or if I would just get laughed out of the room.

I have gained a somewhat better understanding that healthcare is only as good as the patient is willing to do their own research. It is indisputable that there are people though who do rely on the healthcare in order to live a half normal life and they need such benefits.

I do my research, which is the problem. I know that I want to stay with my current doctors, and that limits my insurance options ... but my current doctors are well respected in the trauma field and that is important.

I just remain perpetually confused as to how functional I am or I am not. Childhood taught me to not complain about anything (to the point where I was pretty injured several times and should have been in the ER but no one took me or seemed to notice). So, I struggle to judge this stuff now.

 

[desiderata310]

You've got a therapist, right?
How about you ask him/her?

Don't feel bad about this. I've been going through something very much PHYSICAL that has required that I go on medical leave from work that has me tied up in knots for similar reasons. It took my THERAPIST calling and pushing to get the GP going and a full two weeks to convince me to go for the leave. You aren't alone in struggling with these concepts. Now that I am 'off' (or will be after I deal with the paperwork and HR tomorrow) I am still struggling with it.

That said, all this also ties into the PTSD and the way that I addressed it (or in my case failed to address it)with my GP and once all of that was explained (via my therapist) there was no question in anyone's mind (save my own) that I needed to take time off from work. That I am dealing with something very life limiting.

I'm still not comfortable with it.

Ask your therapist for assistance.

 

[WhiteHatGirl]

I'm wondering if anyone has any information on this. I'm really struggling to find anythin...

Yes, I am also very confused by that "total and permanent" because I am hoping to file a bankruptcy successful and discharge college debt, and the is their definition they call it for attempting to do that kind of college debt charge off too.