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I'm pretty sure I've posted about this before but here's what I know:
I've been receiving disability (referred to as Permanent Disability) via the Social Security Administration (different than SSI or Supplemental Security Income) since 2004. I was determined disabled as of March of 2004 and there is a six month disqualification period which means that, once they have determined that you are disabled, they determine the beginning date of your disability, then disqualify the first six months and then pay you beginning on the seventh month.
If a long time has lapsed since the date of the beginning of your disability, you will be paid for all of those months that have passed since you should have received benefits. For example, I received a whopping big check in March 2004 (my date of disability was October of 2002) because I did not collect any money for a couple years after I actually became disabled because it didn't occurr to me to file until later and the medical records I submitted supported that my disability went back that far.
Then, yes, Medicare begins one year after the beginning of your benefits. Your Medicare Part A (hospital) is free. Your Medicare Part B (medical) premium comes out of your check before they send it. You may choose to participate in Part D if you wish. That is drug coverage. Some people do, some don't. It's better than nothing and is reasonable.
Based upon the nature of your disability, you will be reviewed for continuation of benefits periodically. My first review wasn't scheduled to come up until 7 years, so that will be in 2011. Because I receive an additional benefit for my minor son, I do have to answer a questionaire every year about how that was spent.
Rule of thumb: Around 70% of first-time applicants are denied. I was accepted first time. The reason was, I did extensive research online, at disability sites, learning as much as I could about what the SSA evaluators look for when they review an application. There is a lot of good information on the internet if you search the disability advocacy sites. You do not necessarily need an attorney to do this for you. They will take a bunch of your money.
Just remember that the application is going to be reviewed by real people and they will be looking for specific descriptions of how your condition limits your major life activities like work, household chores, going to buy groceries, taking care of your personal needs, etc. Always emphasize how you can no longer work in the occupation you were trained to do. How does your disability interfere with your quality of life? The questions need to be answered in very fine detail, like you were explaining it to a child.
Don't know if any of this helps, but take what you want and leave the rest, as they say.
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 Vickie
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