Among Friends

[Sage04]

@Ditzydori, going to SS office would be better because they will do the application right there and start the ball rolling. He should also take whatever paper work he has from his doctors.

Having another organization do it may take longer.

[Sage04]

Also, see if it's possible to get an appointment with SS.

[debfau]

@Ditzydori - another office to look to for help would be local City or County Office on Aging as they can point you in the correct place of who all to contact for help.

[pdlinda]

@Snowpuppy He's not "able-bodied" so would have no work requirement.

[pdlinda]

@bikerbabe  Yes, of course!

[sabatini]

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@Snowpuppy wrote:

On 7/8 the OP posts in Mom to Mom that they have no room to take in her DH's step son. No word on where child's mom is.

Now, 3  weeks later they must take in her newlywed DH's brother.

Man is widowed but has never applied for any benefits as a surviving spouse?

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@Snowpuppy, one has nothing to do with the other. You're comparing apples to oranges.

[conlt]

I am so sorry that your brother-in-law is in this situation. My brother had no health insurance and suffered 5 strokes in 2020. It was a nightmare. I hired a local elder law attorney to draw up paperwork for me to be his health care surrogate etc. 

He was in the hospital and a rehab facility donated some rehab to him. The hospital social workers started the disability application. He was quickly re-admitted to a hospital. 

 He went from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility and could not participate in therapy, became a long-term-resident. By now, the social workers were able to get him on Medicaid. Medicaid was his health insurance and it is difficult to find a provider to take it.

I was interviewed by social security disability and he was approved for that. 

He almost died in the skilled nursing facility. It was during Covid and they would not allow visitors. His weight went from 150 to 118. 

By the grace of God, I was able to get a skilled nursing home to accept him only 5 miles from my home. He has been there, I believe, 4 years now. It is either 3 or 4. 

Once someone is disabled x 2 years, even though he or she is not 65 he or she gets Medicare. My brother went on Medicare before me and remains on Medicaid.

Thankfully, he gets pretty good care at the home that his is in. I work FT but visit him weekly. My other brother also visits him at least weekly. 

This illness is heartbreaking and challenging. He is now blind and wheelchair bound. He cannot propel himself in the wheelchair.

My advice, hire a elder law attorney to assist. If he goes into the hospital, ask the social workers for help. 

There may be a social service worker in your area who can help. An attorney can help. 

None of this is easy. I am sorry. My brother is 60 years old in August. He is our youngest sibling of 5 of us. This is really tough to see. 

[Cathyshopper]

As many have shared, you do not need an attorney to apply for SSDI. You can do all of it online if you have basic info and some documentation in pdf form to attach. It's also good to prepare a written narrative of what has occurred to him with dates, dr names, etc.  The more backup info, the better.

However, if you prefer to have an attorney involved, contact your local legal Bar Association and ask for the name of a disability atty near you. Be aware they will take a chunk of the initial payment (typically thousands) as their fee for preparation of the application. 

PS I am very sorry you are dealing with this. 

[drizzellla]

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@debfau wrote:

@Ditzydori - another office to look to for help would be local City or County Office on Aging as they can point you in the correct place of who all to contact for help.

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I was also going to say what @debfau  said - Our County has a Department of the Aging. And our local State Representative has them give talks about concerns that aging people may have. Please contact your Department of Aging. They are so helpful. We have attended the talks they have given and they will be able to help you and steer you in the right direction.