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On top of having fibro...I was in a severe car accident in Aug 2016. My late husband passed away in 2005 and has a pension from the company he worked for. Can I collect social secuirty and the pension? The pension is in my name and my ss number. I will be collecting it and it won't be enough to live on but guaranteed money coming in for myself since I haven't been able to work and desperate for some money coming in to pay my utilities. I am filing disability due to my car accident as it… read more

January 16, 2017
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Answer Summary

Members rallied around someone navigating the complex question of whether they could collect both Social Security disability and their late... Read more

Members rallied around someone navigating the complex question of whether they could collect both Social Security disability and their late husband's pension while recovering from a severe car accident and living with fibromyalgia, with the overwhelming consensus being that both should be possible but that contacting Social Security directly is the safest way to get accurate answers. Several members strongly recommended hiring a disability lawyer who only collects if the claim is approved, emphasized the importance of documenting all medical providers and surgeries, and shared that disability cases often take one to two years to resolve, with appeals and hearings being common parts of the process. A recurring theme was the frustrating reality of needing to exhaust personal resources like annuities and retirement accounts before qualifying for benefits, met with fierce encouragement to keep fighting, write down questions ahead of appointments to manage brain fog, and lean on legal help to navigate the system without added stress.

A MyFibroTeam Member

I understand your problem and wish you well. I have just found that when dealing with Gov't agencies the safest thing to do is go straight to them for answers. That way you don't get confusing information. You could also check into a lawyer that will only collect if you get your claim. And I believe that if you are going to be disabled more than a year you can qualify. Good luck. Gentle hugs.

January 16, 2017
A MyFibroTeam Member

@A MyFibroTeam Member, because of the ever changing rules of the S.S. and disability I would contact your local Soc. Sec. office. I do know you can collect regular S.S. and a pension but I don't know about Disability. I wish you luck and send gentle hugs.

January 16, 2017
A MyFibroTeam Member

@A MyFibroTeam Member see that is what I didn't understand that I am to drain every resource because it was my late husbands 401k and years ago the acct and I switched it to a annuity so it would grow and I was leaving it for my kids for any funeral expenses when I pass. I finally have given up I really need to cash it in because I have had no income since Aug. I also talked to a few ppl and they all suggested the same atty so I need to make that phone call so I don't have to deal personally with them until I have to and nothing gets messed up and I have very bad memory issues and struggle with getting words out at times.

March 22, 2017
A MyFibroTeam Member

@ KatieKapraun I don't see why you couldn't collect both. If you worked prior to the accident you should be able to collect SS Disability and your husband's pension. Have your questions written out so you won't forget anything when you go for your SS appointment. SS can answer that question for you so ask during your appt. If you have had the same doctor since your accident, that helps a lot, but be sure to add all your Specialist Docs too. It took me two years to get mine but you have a big physical problem and I had Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue. Don't give up. If I can help you in any way please let me know. You have really been through and are still going through a lot. Praying. Hugs.
John 3:16

January 17, 2017
A MyFibroTeam Member

@A MyFibroTeam Member I was in a bad car accident and shattered my ankle part of my foot and heel. Will be 1-2 years before I walk again....then fighting the fibro on top of it. I can't walk now at all unless with walking boot on and walker and very short distance. I am having surgery again in March on my heel to add bone, screws and fuse together everything. Scariest thing I still have no balance at all. The accident was in Aug so I have been stuck at home but appts since then. I need some type of money to come in and if anything will just make the phone call to assure I do want the pension and let them know in my phone interview about it or maybe just wait to see if I even ever get approved....I don't know what the right thing to do I am not wanting to cheat the system I just need some income...I waited this long Aug- Jan hoping that I would walk sooner but I have to have yet another surgery and he said a good 1-2 years before I will be able to walk, I can't go without a income that long :(

January 16, 2017

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