TIA Aka Mini Stroke And My Cdl.

Thanks, Jim, I'll look into that on Monday.

If not disability, you should definitely be eligible for unemployment. You can actually sign up for both of them online and I would advise doing so. The unemployment week starts on Sundays, at least it does here in California. So I would definitely go online and see if you can figure it out this weekend. You obviously can't collect both at the same time but you can be enrolled in both. When I originally got laid off I collected unemployment, about 6 - 8 weeks later I went in for minor surgery and switched over to disability for the 8 weeks of recuperation. When I was ready to go back to work, I would have had to switch back over to unemployment but I landed a job instead.

FYI, the disability pays better and it's tax free. LOL!

JJ

I've spent most of the weekend trying to find a definitive answer on how long I may be restricted from driving, and I can't find an answer. I don't know if the final call is made by the doctors, by DOT , or by Swift. I've seen some information that say a year minimum, another site said 3 months, and so on. I don't even know for sure what I had, since I have to wait for my doctor to refer me to a specialist, and then all the tests and whatnot they have to run. Ironic that my med card is up for renewal next month. Sheesh. And I'm such a big time need to know the plan type person, although truck driving made me lighten up on that quite a bit, ha ha. I think Swift has some kind of medical emergency plan where I can hopefully have some money coming in while I get some freaking answers. And also, does anyone know if I can withdraw money from my 401K? I've got enough in there to cover 2 months, if I can get it. I'm just frustrated because while I understand that it isn't safe for me to be behind the wheel right now until I figure out what happened and hopefully fix it, I feel fine, and have felt fine all weekend. Just want to get back out there dang it!!

This is from the Reference Guide for DOT Physical Driver Exams...

TIA • No driving within one year • Subsequent clearance by neurologist

And this is from the May 2014 new guidelines...

Neurologic Disease- syncope, seizure, stroke, TIA etc. • One year certification requiring consultation by a Neurologist who understands the functions and demands of commercial driving.

I understand the money issue and I hope you can find a solution to get you through until you can get back to work. More importantly, I hope they find out what happened and it was just something like a panic attack and not something serious. Hang in there and keep us posted. Wish I had some kind of wisdom to share with ya.

Ahmalia, Swift is big. Could you work for them not as a driver, say a driver manager?

And also, does anyone know if I can withdraw money from my 401K? I've got enough in there to cover 2 months, if I can get it.

I am encouraging you to call Dave Ramsey's Radio Talk Show 888.825.5225, and tell him your situation. He is very helpful and has helped many people get out of debt, and your question has come up before on his show.

Or you could call your company and ask them.

I am not a Certified Financial Planner, so you need to ask someone more knowledgeable. My understanding is yes you can do a withdrawal but there is a 10% penalty plus you are taxed on it. Therefore if you are in a 18% tax bracket, it will cost you 28%.

Again please get more information.

I get nothing (no money, or anything) out of recommending Ramsey. I have taken his class- FPU- Financial Peace University twice. His radio show is #3 in USA- 8-10 million people listen to it.

First and most important - is your health.

Go get this thing checked out - and see where your HEALTH stands.

And please keep us posted with your progress. We're all pulling for you here.

Rick

Ahmalia... there are, at least, two ways to hit your 401K for some help... a "hardship withdrawal" and/or a "loan" to yourself. Talk to the folks who manage your 401K/your accountant for the details... but, it's likely, if handled correctly, you will be able to avoid the 10% penalty and you may be able to avoid/defer the "taxable event" all together.

Talked to the 401K people yesterday. I'm not eligible to take out a loan, and what I'm going through does not qualify as "hardship." I asked what does, and was told foreclosure on a house or buying a house is the only way I can touch MY money now. I said, I don't own, I rent, and was told I don't qualify. Kind of ****es me off, actually. If I'd been socking that money into a savings account where I could access it now, I would not be nearly as stressed out. However, my boss told me worst case scenario is I can "quit" and get the money, and then get hired right back. Its ridiculous that I would have to do that, affect my seniority, just to get to money that is MINE!! However, my boss also told me we have a driver on the fleet who suffered a full stroke with seizures, and he was only off two months and then released back to driving. So I'm hopeful that the neurologist will spring me when he sees me Friday, and I'll be back on the road Monday. I feel fine physically, so if meds will fix it (they think it was a clot due to high cholesterol, already on meds for that) then let's go. I am bored out of my mind.

Good news and bad news. The good news is I'm cleared to drive. The bad news is Swift won't let me until the doctor completes a release form. If my driver leader had told me that at some point during my daily phone calls to him, I could have had it with me. Didn't find out until after my appt this morning. And of course the office closed at noon today so I have to wait until Monday. Their patient info packet says allow 7 to 14 business days for completion of the forms. Bringing a book and packing a lunch and will spend all day everyday in their waiting room until it's done.