Social Security Disability Information
Dos and Don'ts
Do - Have all medical papers from the independent medical examiner signed by the person at your work place who handles workers compensation cases. Fax those papers to your workers compensation case worker immediately.
Do - Bring recent medical papers to the independent medical examiner for appointments. Examples: Doctors reports, X-rays, MRI's, and CAT Scans.
Do- Make your medical appointments. Missing appointments could affect your case. Remember to go to therapy.
Do- Have a good lawyer and keep them informed. Always fax information to your lawyer. Let your lawyer do all the talking in court.
Do- File all your information in an area that is easy to access. Save everything.
Do- Keep track of miles traveled to and from Doctors offices, hearings, and trips to and from physical therapy. Give theses records to your lawyer. Reimbursements are allotted for travel expenses.
Do - File your social security within ninety days of filing for your pension disability. File for your pension disability on time.
Do - Find out if you qualify for medical benefits from social services.
Do - Make sure you have certified worker's compensation doctors.
Do - Ask your family and friends for help with filing and phone calls.
Don't - File for unemployment when you are disabled unless you feel your disability is temporary your employer can argue in court that you are willing to work even if you are unable to work.
Don't - Give up. Ask your union for help.
Don't - work for anyone while on workers compensation on or off the books it's illegal.
I have a list of resources for social security disability and social security insurance and disability determination service center for New York State. When this book was written all phone numbers and addresses were verified.
New York DDSLocations
Division of Disability Determination Services
P.O. Box 165
Albany, New York 12260-0165
518-473-9320
866-586-5750
Division of Disability Determinations
22 Cortlandt Street
New York, New York 10007
212-240-3456
866-586-5750
Office of Disability Determination Services
P.O. Box 5030
Buffalo, New York 14205-5030
716-847-5007
866-586-5750
866-586-5750
Social Security Sisability (SSDI SSD) andSSI Resources
Division of Disability Determinations
P.O. Box 9009
Endicott, New York 13761-9009
607-741-4195
866-586-5750
Office of Disability Determination Services
92-31 Union Hall Street
Jamaica, New York 11433
718-262-4323
866-586-5750
New York Rehabilitation Services
New York Vocational and Educational Services
for Individuals with Disabilities
99 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234
800-222-JOBS
518-486-4154 Fax
The Approval /letter
Once seen by the medical board and I received the approval letter for medical disability. I thought wow it's over but it's wasn't I still had a few bridges to cross.
Once the board of trustees finally recommends approval of your application for retirement you are retired. The next step is to contact your Personnel Human Resources representative at your agency for information regarding health insurance and getting your agencies pensioner pass which some agencies offer. I waited a total of ten months before I started receiving my first pension check and medical benefits.
Make sure to ask about your dental coverage under cobra, you are entitled to twenty nine months of coverage under New York State law for a small fee. It's been ten months and I just got offered my dental coverage under cobra but only if I make back payments for the last ten months for which I never received coverage. Our union is making a grievance hoping to win so that I don't have to pay for the coverage that I never received. The problem is while in this dispute I'm still not covered for dental.
I just received my benefit cards in the mail for health insurance. Once you received your cards and you see your doctors for the first time you have survived disability. Congratulations!
Medical Benefits
Once your terminated you lose your medical benefits.
Then you should receive a letter from your employee benefits department. The letter should state your options
for receiving health benefits under cobra. If you don't receive this letter contact your employee benefits department to make sure you're sent a package.
Disabled persons should be aware that they are entitled to twenty nine months of dental benefits under cobra. Write down the name of the person you talk to and write down the date and time you spoke with them. I made the mistake of not following through. It's been ten months I have been without health insurance. Don't let this happen to you ask questions learn what your rights are. Fortunate for me I was able to find a free clinic that helped me.
The address for the department for benefits for the
MTA in New York City.
MTA NYC Transit
Employee Benefits
180 Livingston Street RM 6008
Bklyn, NY 11201-5861
Once you are retired from NYC Transit you are entitled to medical benefits. Find a medical group in your area. Don't pass up benefits you're entitled to. Call your union representatives, and your local, state and federal politicians for help.
What is the Advocate for Injured Workers?
The Advocate accepts complaints concerning matters related to workers' compensation. They investigate and attempt to resolve them. In addition, the Advocate provides information to injured workers to enable them to protect their rights in the workers' compensation system.
When you call the Advocate for Injured Workers, have the following information available:
CLAIMANT'S NAME
CLAIMANT'S WCB NUMBER
TELEPHONE NUMBER, WITH AREA CODE
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM AND ANY CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
For more information about your workers' compensation claim, please contact the:
Advocate for Injured Workers
1-800-580-6665
20 Park Street, Albany, NY 12207
