SSDI for husband after stroke?

My late husband had a massive stroke at the age of 48. I applied for SSDI for him and he was approved first try.
Now that is very unusual, as most people have to try and appeal many times before getting approved, but I guess because my husbands disabilities were so blatantly obvious that he got it first try.
And you're correct the SS office does not honor a POA. They have their own legal paperwork that you must fill out to act on behalf of your husband. I'm sorry but I don't recall what that is called, but someone at the SS office can assist you with that.
I know when my husband was on SSDI, he was automatically enrolled in Medicare after 2 years which of course helped pay his medical, doctor and prescription drugs.
The fact that your husband will be almost 65 in 2 years and qualify for Medicare, it just may be better off to wait it out, as SSDI will automatically switch over to just SSI then anyway.
I guess it wouldn't hurt to talk to someone at the SS office to see what they would recommend, and if you decide to proceed you can always hire an attorney that specializes in SSDI, and they will do all the paperwork required if you just don't want to have to deal with it all.
I hope and pray that your husband will continue to improve.
God bless you both.

Something is wrong here. It is illegal to ignore a POA. YOU likely have to go through the hoops to put this POA in affect with two doctors attesting your husband is incompetent to handle his affairs. If he is still COMPETENT despite his disabilities it won't be possible to get the POA into your hands to run it. So you need a really good dedicated elder law attorney to walk you through this. THEN you will have POA for all things EXCEPT SS/Medicare which is a separate thing you and he will have to do by getting you made his SS payee; go to the SS office for this WITH your hubby if that can be done and his only deficit is being unable to speak.

I would reach out to either an elder law attorney, a CPA. a Licensed Fiduciary, A certified social worker of an aging care professional (www.aginglife.org) or independent board certified patient care advocate for help with medical and arrangements (www.NPAF.org). You are going to need costly help with arranging things for up to a year. Once these things are DONE they will run smoothly but my first year as Trustee and POA for my bro made my anxiety level explode. Very difficult indeed.

Again, it is illegal to ignore a proper POA. So anyone who won't needs to tell you why they aren't honoring a POA and I think it is because your husband is NOT incompetent and therefore must be with you when things are done. Find out how to do that. This will fall under his having a DISABILITY.

I sure do wish you luck. Your plate is now very very full. Remember, a nortarization means NOTHING but that someone was licensed to attest yours and your hubby's signatures are your signature. They vouch for nothing about competence or anything else.

What things come down to now is whether or not husband is competent to do things but DISABLED or whether he is INCOMPETENT in his own decision making and you must do it.l

Once someone chose to collect SS early I am not certain they can go back on that and collect SSDI instead, but again, this is for SS to answer for you both.l

This, my answer, sounds as confusing as you must already feel. I sure wish you luck and hope you'll update us.

He may not be able to get Social Security Disability since he is already getting his Social Security. Social Security doesn't recognize POA. I don't think any government agency does.

What I would do is call your local office and ask if I am correct. If I am, no use in applying, of course. If I am wrong, I would not try applying on-line. I would go to the nearest SS office, with your husband, and talk to a representative. You husband can give permission for you to talk for him. Really, though, the difference between reg SS and disability is a few dollars. He may get Medicare and Medicaid with it, though.

If you find he cannot get disability, then go to Social Services and see if he can get a supplimental income (SSI). Medicaid may come with it.

I recommend calling SSA and asking for general information, don't try to change anything, just to find out if he can collect his regular social security benefits and disability benefits, because I do not think that is allowed. He may qualify for supplemental security income if his SS is under the threshold, something like 825.00 monthly.

I pray for all of you that it all works out and you guys have enough money to get through this crisis and live.

Does he have an online My Social Security account?