I need advice

That sounds to me like a question for medicare.

What I think should happen is that medicare becomes your primary insurance and your coverage under your husband's plan becomes a secondary insurance. Sometimes though I've seen it work the other way around but that might depend on the policy.

I'd call medicare and I'd call the companies insurance company and get some more information. Ask why they want know and how it will affect your coverage.

 

The Bible says that the church should help people in that type of situation, but they usually don't, won't, or can't. However...they do pay taxes so I guess they technically do! Christians pay taxes and a portion of those taxes are set aside to help those in need, right?

Take it with joy. You need it and that's what it is there for. I'm sure you've somehow paid into it either when you worked or your husband worked and those taxes went to the program and your or his employer matched them.

There are more ways to contribute to society than with cash. Being a decent person, being friends to others, donating time and talents, etc.. Not having the ability to make enough cash when one is disabled does NOT make you a taker or user, it makes you someone who contributes in different ways.

I do understand the feeling though. I used the government services when I needed them. Now I don't and that's nice, but it sure would have been a lot nicer if, while I was on it, Christians didn't stick their noses up and consider those using it as lesser humans.

I wasn't. You're not. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Each gives what he/she can. Give what you can, in the way that you can. Contrary to popular belief, money is just one of many things that can be given. Let others help when you need it and be a beautiful person who loves Christ and shares that with others. Sounds like a Biblical plan to me! :flower:

 

Get a Lawyer...

...as far as I know, you have to be on Medicare after 12 consecutive months of SSI or SSDI>

I do not see any way around it. If you refuse Medicare, you could lose SSDI or SSI.

Seek legal advice and if money is an issue, find you local legal aide office and get assistance.

But, don't sign anything without legal representation and consultation. Remeber, the union has lawyers working for them, and if you expect to do the right thing, do it under legal advice from your side of the ball [sorry for a sport pun].

Shalom!

 

Seek legal advice, but I would give up neither if that is an option. I believe menanger above is correct, that Medicare is primary and the union policy is a supplement. As I said before, seek legal advice. Do not let anyone talk you out of either coverage. Do not sign any document until you get such advice.

 

Good advice so far in my mind.

Be sure to call SS. They are a bit more unbiased than an insurance company. I certainly wouldn't rely on the union either - one that seemingly won't communicate why they want the paper.

You want to be very sure through SS because there are pitfalls if you don't take SS when offered or you become eligible.

Legal advice would be good if you can get it.

God wants truthfulness even though some situations put is in a world of hurt to tell a little lie. I was asked to sign an insurance paper that was not technically truthful. To go to my boss and say no was not pleasant but had to be done.

 

One MOre Thought on SSDI/SSI

Your thoughts about not being on public assistance is commendable, and I give you a hand full of "Kudos" for this!

However, I felt somewhat like you when I was forced out of my 17 year job with the State of California for medical reasons. In fact, it wasn't until I realized that the doctors were, in fact, correct, about me not being able to work again, and that I needed to apply for retirement, long-term disability from my insurance and possibly SSDI that Igot past the public money issue.

Number one, I worked for nearly 45 years, and paid diligently into the system, so I had no need to feel shame or guilt over getting this money. And most importantly, once the real paychecks ended, and the assistance money came in; I realized that without the public safety net of our society, I'd be up to the proverbial Creek with the paddles back on the shore.

The system is there, and who's to say that God didn't have his hand in the making of this program for assisting the down and out? I've come to appreciate the infusion of cash each month, and am not about to mail it back for the sake of purpose and principles.

May God lead you in this, as I pray you and God work this all out to your overall good.

Pastor Paul :type:

 

Signing that shouldn't block you from Medicare. More likely is that they want to know that you have absolutely no other alternatives before they agree to cover you. And they also want a signed statement so that if you do become majorly sick and start draining them, then they find out you were eligible for Medicare or something else this whole time, they can kick you off and possibly sue you for the amount they spent on you since you signed that and came on board.

The only things that come to mind about what the Bible says about public assistance, is when Paul gave instructions to the church about providing public assistance when times were tough. He gave long instructions with strict rules about taking in widows (1 Timothy 5), and there's the whole "if any would not work, neither should he eat" from Thessalonians 3:10.

 

You paid in on medicare all the years you worked, and/or the years your husband worked and you were still together. You aren't sucking anything out of the system, you have a legitimate claim. I won't get into the ones that don't, but, trust me, there are plenty that don't deserve it that get it. It could be that your husband's insurance will still carry you as a secondary insurance, I don't know.

As far as the church being responsible, I don't know your situation, if you have adult children, etc. Not many churches do that sort of thing anymore, but there are specific guidelines laid out for widows.