Getting a med card while collecting disability?
- Thread starter blinx420
- Start date
angryblackman
Well-Known Member
Getting a card while on SSI shouldn't affect anything. You aren't registering with the state so they should never even know. 
NoGutsGrower
Well-Known Member
Doesn't mess with my SSI! Infact I just got a letter from them just a little while ago, I'm getting paid more in 2012!
panhead
Well-Known Member
When you say disability are we talking about SSI or SSDI because the 2 are entirely different & have different rules & consequences.
SSI is for lack of a better phrase a form of federal welfare,it is offered to people who have never held long term employment & have not contributed any substancial amount of federal taxes into the social security system.
The other version of federal disability is SSDI,this is for people who have worked long term & paid in substancial federal taxes via social security,again the rules are different.
With the SSDI version the person who worked for decades can infact be punished & deemed inelligable to collect federal benifits for being part of any activity that would make them inelligable to perform federal jobs,using med mj disqualifies all from holding a federal job so it can disqualify a person.
Now the SSI federal welfare version will not change with the person having a med card,social security will not disqualify people on the SSI program.
Its a fucked system,once again those who have worked their entire life are subjected to a different set of rules compared to those who have never held meaningfull employement.
Before anybody decides to argue just know im going thru problems right now with SSDI because of my med card.
SSI is for lack of a better phrase a form of federal welfare,it is offered to people who have never held long term employment & have not contributed any substancial amount of federal taxes into the social security system.
The other version of federal disability is SSDI,this is for people who have worked long term & paid in substancial federal taxes via social security,again the rules are different.
With the SSDI version the person who worked for decades can infact be punished & deemed inelligable to collect federal benifits for being part of any activity that would make them inelligable to perform federal jobs,using med mj disqualifies all from holding a federal job so it can disqualify a person.
Now the SSI federal welfare version will not change with the person having a med card,social security will not disqualify people on the SSI program.
Its a fucked system,once again those who have worked their entire life are subjected to a different set of rules compared to those who have never held meaningfull employement.
Before anybody decides to argue just know im going thru problems right now with SSDI because of my med card.
NoGutsGrower
Well-Known Member
I don't think that's quite right... I hardly paid anything into social security but I'm on SSD, and have been since age 24 (should have filed before 22 I would get a bunch more every month, I just kept working because I need the insurance I had at the time). Never had to fight them, just filed and they said "okay" right away! I only worked for 5 1/2 years. I've also been arrested since being on disability, and have had to talk to the police a couple times while holding. I had my medical card so the police left me the hell alone. two buddies and me got taken off the farm this year because one of them brought a shot gun up there. Guns and Crops don't mix, the police knew the plants were legal but didn't like us so we got taken in for the gun! We even hid the thing but after 12 police officers searched for 4 hours they found it. Go ahead and check the alturas ca. court records! I got released right away they still have to go to court over it. With all this I still haven't had a problem! It seems pretty hard to screw up disability benefits, Short of getting charged with a felony. How did they find out you had a med card? how did they find out you use MMJ?
This is why I get benefits... I have no guts, and have go back in for surgery at least once a year now.
aptFarmer
Member
I totally believe you, but do you have a reference on this? I have been wondering how mmj might affect future federal employment. The field I am in is completely civil, no agencies or anything but there are alot of jobs opening up with the federal government and I wouldnt want mmj to affect that, so any info please.
That being said, I think its disgusting how people who are clearly sick are still prosecuted for using methods that actually and legitimately work for them. But I know i'm just preaching to the choir
panhead
Well-Known Member
Hey bud,dont get me wrong,my beef isnt with how or why people recieve benifits,my beef is with the dual standard system.
From talking on the phone with the person in charge of my claim i was informed of the differences between SSI & SSDI,i may not be translating it exactly right but there is a difference between the 2 versions,not only in dollar amount but in qualifying conditions,im not sure what the cut off point is but SSI is only for people who have not paid enough into social security,anybody who worked & paid in enough instantly goes onto SSDI which pays much more & the amount is based on what you paid in.
For instance if i ever get thru the process im told i will roughly get $3,200 a month from SSDI,with SSI there is a max of below $700 a month.
My exact problem is this,for well over 30 years a large portion of my yearly income from my job was paid to my company via prevailing wage laws set forth by the federal government,in order for me to be seen as "fit to return" to my past employement i not only have to be physicaly fit but need to be compliant with all federal laws,my med card & multiple caregiver status automaticaly makes me guilty of breaking a federal law,which in turn disqualifys me from participating in ANY construction project that falls within the prevailing wage laws.
When thinking about how confusing this shit sounds & how stupid it sounds remember this,in my field im not just a random employee on a construction site,im the guy who would be in charge of the entire project,i was the laiason who worked with all the contractors as well as with the architect,in my official capacity as project manager i was the guy who had to ok any change orders to the job,most change orders i dealt with would cost vast amounts of money being added to the contract,many of the contracts are with the federal government.
So the government see's it like this,we have a man who openly violates federap drug laws in a zero tollerance situation,are we supposed to trust this persons word when he is asking for extra money to be paid to a contractor with the amounts routinely costing the federal government hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.
Now here is where i really get fucked,in my line of work i must comply with all state & federal laws in order to work on any prevailing wage construction site,or any site funded with federal money,most of the ongoing projects are schools,office bldgs,casino's ect & all federaly funded or regulated.
When my neurosergeon sent SSDI my records he also sent them a list of all CURRENTLY prescribed medications,on that list was Fentynal,Oxycontin,Methadone,Stadol NS,Soma & Tussinex all of which are extremely strong narcotics as im sure you are aware,there isnt a problem or conflict with those meds its where he added Medical MJ to the list,now my prescribed medicine puts me in direct conflict with federal law, as well as agreements between the federal government & the construction management company agreements where a clause in the agreements states "all persons participating in said project will be drug free",.
With the federal governments stand being that medical mj is an illegal drug i am automaticaly disqualified from participating in federaly funded/regulated projects.
Ok now get this,at the insistance of my doctor & neurosergeon i went out on early retirement on a disability clause,which perfectly legit with my employer & my union as i meet all the qualifying conditions,its where the federal government comes in that im screwed.
When SSDI asks you this single question,"other than physical or mental conditions previously listed is there any other reason you are not able to return to work",i obviously answered no,some asshole at SSDI noticed i was prescribed mj for pain & used that as a reason that i could not return to my previous employement.
I was fortunate that the lady over seeing my claim notified me of a probable problem with that aspect of my claim,she asked for an arbitrator decision on that question so it can be clarified before my application is sent for final review,if my application was reviewed the way it sits now i would automaticaly be denied,what we are hoping is that extenuating circumstances will be considered & conflict of interest issues be dissregarded in the final review of my claim.
You gotta remember this,somebody pays the money into social security that allows them to send money to others,just like any other government office they are desperately trying to hold on to all forms of revenue that directly fund their operation,the dollar amount i paid in yearly is in the upper 20% of the country,they lok at my case like a big ATM machine that funds them & its in their best interest to keep me working.
NoGutsGrower
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the info, never knew about the returning to work part as I won't ever be returning to work. My doctor would never put MMJ on any of my papers! He knows I smoke, he gave me the permit, he just wouldn't send that in. Hope everything goes well for you! I'm sure the OP got the info he/she needed as well
MagicBullet606
Member
Im collecting disability and I have my card
ChainSmoking
Well-Known Member
Im collecting fed disability and collecting unemployment, and going to school under the GI bill (military) I have my card and nothing has changed except my disability went up haha
If you have already been approved and are currently drawing SSI benefits then medical use of marijuana under a doctors recommendation will have no effect upon your benefits. However if you come up for review it might become an issue if:
(1) IF it is known, and
(2) If the condition for which you were approved has improved so the government might be try to make the argument, "But for the use of the illegal drug (marijuana is federally illegal), you could be employed in either your old area of employment or if young enough in ANY area of employment".
Here is SSA's attempt at clarifying this issue:
http://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/rulings/di/01/SSR82-60-di-01.html
The problem arises when you are applying for benefits and the government may argue that if you simply quit using the substance you could go back to work. Essentially the rules are that you can't, unreasonably, refuse accepted medical treatment that would make you employable ie quitting drugs.
My disclaimer here is this is WAY over simplified and SSDI/SSI are extremely complex bureaucracies so the BEST way to deal with something that could affect your livelihood would be to seek a consultation with a disability attorney and get advice you can trust.
Kaptain Kron
Well-Known Member
Zero absolutely zero I have a California state Mmip card as well as a doctors Rec and also a state caregiver. No worries man your gravy train
Kaptain Kron
Well-Known Member
Oh and I'm on ssi and disability
angryblackman
Well-Known Member
I know this is too simple of an answer but can you tell them they prescribed you MMJ but like other meds it didn't do what you needed and thus has been eliminated from your "treatment". Just a thought.. Good luck man. Sounds like a fucked up situation all around.
lostmarbles
Member
Well. If you are already on either one of those disabilities, r u being drug tested now or in the future? If not, Get it going. Just as long the paperwork does not go public for the fed to f*ck with you...
Panhead is so correct.
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Its amazing how some rules are just made up and put on people who already have a lot of issues. You also have problems if you dont admit to using it too! The govt wants to weed, literally, out people on this system. Not that they need the system but that they need to reduce the amount being paid out by it. Its nothing personal really its just about figures.. but this gives them a reason to do so - and I hate to say it but most people are not as progressive as you might think about the use of cannabis. I have found quite a few who are extreme liberals so it was a shock. Any way to reduce that number of people is fair game to them. I wished I would have read this before recently. I am currently going for SSDI- not really something I wanted to ever do. Using cannabis for medical means IS a problem as I am finding out in a medical state.
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Being ill is no fun - and really most on SSDI dont get what Panhead is getting- his pay is quite rare. Most get 950-1000. So lets not think everyone gets that amount. Panhead is getting that sum due to the amount of $ he put in over time and his last paid quarter- he made a good wage. Most of us wont get this...... it is not a money maker. Most on SSDI live in poverty. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
So IMO this just confirms that it should be kept secret - sadly - but when they start drug testing then what? Most states are now considering testing welfare but being that this is being used to weed people out this will be mandated for SSDI... you watch. I am sure medical cannabis states are being punished this way as the judges that hear in that medical state are FEDERAL judges. The box that Pan head is talking about IS on the applications (if there are other reasons why you cant hold a job) and I thought it referred to felony convictions - I am not and was not a drug abuser so I didnt think I was doing anything wrong being that I am in a medical state. After reading this post and after my own experiences I am going to hold my breath for a bit and hope for the best in my own case. I am also accepting and facing the fact that I am going to have to give it up in fear of drug testing as I cant loose the income if I do get SSDI. I have quite a few serious qualifying conditions as well and not just anxiety etc. This is a great example of when the government is too much in my business- its their business but making a judgement on my medical issues when they themselves are not doctors and biased by petty fed/local conflicts. This is not recreational for me... frankly the cannabis high is not pleasurable for me. Its simply a medicine I can tolerate the side effects of and it does work. Would love for smart scientists to make something that works just as good as inhaling. I would be the first in line to obtain it.
Panhead is 100% correct though. MMJ is new and we all know the feds are trying to thwart it. Welcome to the new era where they have you by your balls but still squeeze hard in these hard economic times for balancing a fund/budget. Not that we all that have worked have paid in and you start to wonder why were running out of $.... but yah the govt lies about that too cuz SS for old people seems to be ok (amazing how that issue dropped after some folks got what they wanted and it was in poor taste). I would keep it secret.. but then your screwed when they make testing mandatory and technically you are lying. Its really that 10th amendment that needs to be addressed first and then everything else should fall in line. A lot of people will be hurt by this new theory SSDI is enforcing in medical states and I think a lot of people will sadly commit suicide as a result of loosing or not getting benefits. So to those in medical states and think its ok .... times are changing and the good times seems to be over. A huge part of America support drug testing for welfare - SSDI would fall into that group because welfare that fail the test will push back and say you dont test others and claim bias- and the pressure will force the drug testing of all.
I am angry and disgusted that I have to give up the only thing that has seemed to help me.
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Its amazing how some rules are just made up and put on people who already have a lot of issues. You also have problems if you dont admit to using it too! The govt wants to weed, literally, out people on this system. Not that they need the system but that they need to reduce the amount being paid out by it. Its nothing personal really its just about figures.. but this gives them a reason to do so - and I hate to say it but most people are not as progressive as you might think about the use of cannabis. I have found quite a few who are extreme liberals so it was a shock. Any way to reduce that number of people is fair game to them. I wished I would have read this before recently. I am currently going for SSDI- not really something I wanted to ever do. Using cannabis for medical means IS a problem as I am finding out in a medical state.
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Being ill is no fun - and really most on SSDI dont get what Panhead is getting- his pay is quite rare. Most get 950-1000. So lets not think everyone gets that amount. Panhead is getting that sum due to the amount of $ he put in over time and his last paid quarter- he made a good wage. Most of us wont get this...... it is not a money maker. Most on SSDI live in poverty. [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
So IMO this just confirms that it should be kept secret - sadly - but when they start drug testing then what? Most states are now considering testing welfare but being that this is being used to weed people out this will be mandated for SSDI... you watch. I am sure medical cannabis states are being punished this way as the judges that hear in that medical state are FEDERAL judges. The box that Pan head is talking about IS on the applications (if there are other reasons why you cant hold a job) and I thought it referred to felony convictions - I am not and was not a drug abuser so I didnt think I was doing anything wrong being that I am in a medical state. After reading this post and after my own experiences I am going to hold my breath for a bit and hope for the best in my own case. I am also accepting and facing the fact that I am going to have to give it up in fear of drug testing as I cant loose the income if I do get SSDI. I have quite a few serious qualifying conditions as well and not just anxiety etc. This is a great example of when the government is too much in my business- its their business but making a judgement on my medical issues when they themselves are not doctors and biased by petty fed/local conflicts. This is not recreational for me... frankly the cannabis high is not pleasurable for me. Its simply a medicine I can tolerate the side effects of and it does work. Would love for smart scientists to make something that works just as good as inhaling. I would be the first in line to obtain it.
Panhead is 100% correct though. MMJ is new and we all know the feds are trying to thwart it. Welcome to the new era where they have you by your balls but still squeeze hard in these hard economic times for balancing a fund/budget. Not that we all that have worked have paid in and you start to wonder why were running out of $.... but yah the govt lies about that too cuz SS for old people seems to be ok (amazing how that issue dropped after some folks got what they wanted and it was in poor taste). I would keep it secret.. but then your screwed when they make testing mandatory and technically you are lying. Its really that 10th amendment that needs to be addressed first and then everything else should fall in line. A lot of people will be hurt by this new theory SSDI is enforcing in medical states and I think a lot of people will sadly commit suicide as a result of loosing or not getting benefits. So to those in medical states and think its ok .... times are changing and the good times seems to be over. A huge part of America support drug testing for welfare - SSDI would fall into that group because welfare that fail the test will push back and say you dont test others and claim bias- and the pressure will force the drug testing of all.
I am angry and disgusted that I have to give up the only thing that has seemed to help me.
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As soon as my brother got his card it began. Within 6 months he was CUT OFF he's appealing but still DONT REGISTER, get an rx from a REGULAR doc instead of the pot doc.
esh dov ets
Well-Known Member
You can get a rec while on ss or get ss while having a rec.
But if you tell the ssa you use cannabis or cigarettes for that matter they can count that as money you spend in your budget and if the money in this imaginary budget exceeds the money they where going to pay you they can lower the amount they pay you due to help you may be receiving. So don't mention it you should be fine.
You can get a rec while on probation or parole but they can still punish you for a dirty test.
But if you tell the ssa you use cannabis or cigarettes for that matter they can count that as money you spend in your budget and if the money in this imaginary budget exceeds the money they where going to pay you they can lower the amount they pay you due to help you may be receiving. So don't mention it you should be fine.
You can get a rec while on probation or parole but they can still punish you for a dirty test.