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Joseph G. Konick wrote: > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > Date: Sun, 13 Sep 1998 11:42:12 -0700 (PDT) > From: Joseph G. Konick <[log in to unmask]> > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Short-term Disability - Work - Future > > I am 46 years old, diagnosed with Parkinsons about 6 years ago (slight > symptoms appearing a while earlier) and am now on short-term > disability/medical leave from my job. I've been on medical leave for > about 2 1/2 months. I have been the office manager of a branch office of > a major international law firm for 18 years. The job has been extremely > intense, stressful and demanding. My symptoms (muscle rigidity, > dyskenisias from medication/disease, depression, anxiety) made it > necessary for this leave as I was not handling anything well (I believe > I was burned out as well). I avoided > confrontations, ignored certain problems because I couldn't handle them > both physically and psychologically. Fortunately, I was able to > bring someone on/train someone on to help with the running of the office > while I took > this medical leave. When I think about going back to work I get a knot > in my stomach and wonder whether I can do the job or whether I should > even try. I'm just not sure what to do....I'm not sure what I can do. > Joe.If a personal opinion can be called to the front here.My suggstion is to file right away file for Social Securiy Dusability.I would start with your State Division of Unemployment In New Jersery you collect for 6 months while the feds process your claim .According to what I read there are 5 states that will pay you for 6 months automatically.Of course you have to file a claim.You haveto get a form that will have your employment history. 18 years of steady work in a law firm should make it easier to file a claim. before you go back to work I would with SS first and ask for the forms and a boooklet called WHEN YOU GET SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY BENEFITS.......Here are someof the downloads yu ca get by going to a particular web site. The are. http;//www.ssa.gov/handbook/.05/hbk-507.htm.another http://www.ssa.gov /handbok/handbook.06/hbk--602.htm.This one is from the law firm of Herbert Monheit page is http://www.civilrights.com/sociasecurity.html. You want the page called SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY it is 2 pages of good stuff tells you exactly what you are entitled to and how to go about getting it.Do you know how much you should be getting in SS checks when you retire at at 65 + .The last people who will be able to retire at exactly 65 are hose born in 1937. I was born in 1938 that means I would have been able to go out at 65 years + 2 mnths. Believe it or not I found them to be very nice . Dont be araid to ask them about how going back to work might jeopardise any future claims you might want to make later. Let me know how you make out. My case was easy .I have Parkinson's Disease.Craig [log in to unmask]