Is anyone on ssi?

Hi Slz,

I'm on SSI, but that is due to my Crohns Disease, Fibromyalgia & Arthritis.  I am not sure how it works for Mental Illness.

I heard that many get denied the first time so I got a lawyer from the get go.  I heard it was a long and tedious project and I wanted to cross all my T's the first time so I found a SSI lawyer that specialized in my area of concern for my own health issues.

I had all my doctors backing me up (since they were the ones that encouraged me to stop working to stay healthier). All of them needed to sign lots of paperwork and attached all the necessary medical files to back up their claims.

You will have lots of paperwork to fill out as well, so be prepared and keep copies of everything.

The whole process from start to finish took me approx. 6 months and I did not get denied.  If approved they will make your check retroactive from the day that you applied.

Best of Luck.

If approved, your check with be retroactive from the time they decided your disability started. That is why ppl get backpay, sometimes for months, even years, if they deem that to be the time your disability began or affected you to the point where you couldn't work, whatever they base the criteria on. They have their own medical team that decides whether or not you are disabled, but your doctors sure can help by keeping good records and giving them to social security. Sometimes your own doctors don't get to really say if you can work, or they say it, but they don't get the final say. Although I'm sure it definitely helps if they say you can't. I am awaiting a decision on social security disability right now, my worker said that the wait time is averaging 3-4 months, but that it could be up to 6 months, depending on how much documentation your case has, how soon they can gather it, etc. Good Luck! Yes, you can make a certain amt. of money, just be sure you don't go above your amt. or at least not very often, or they will cut you off and assume that you can work enough to not need assistance. At least this is what I know in the state of Mn. and I was a social worker for 10 years and helped ppl with this all the time. I usually suggested that ppl fight their own case and not get an attorney, but that is up to you. In Mn. ppl are often denied up to three times, but are almost always given it after that. Mn. has the highest rate of giving it to ppl, so that is good news for me. Again, best of luck

I too just had a ssi hearing on the 20th of July.  I was actually filing disability b/c of lupus and my broken neck from a recent car accident that took place on July 10.  The phone interview took about an hour to an hour and a half.  They just now sent me my medical release papers.  I am going to call my case worker b/c as of yesterday the 22 of July I was diagnosised with Bipolar Disorder as well.  My case worker said four months but did say the first check will go back to the date I was disabled which was April 10, 2009.  As stated make sure you keep copies of everything or if you move or something else comes up to call your case worker immediately.  I don't think age matters, I am 34 and my case worker believes I will not have any problems getting SSI or Disablity, it just may take a few attempts to actually receive it.  I just hope it is enough to live off of b/c it is only me.  Good luck to you and I hope this helped a little. 

 

Take Care,

Heather

 

SLZ,

What I did was call my local SSI office and said I would like to file for disability. I spoke with the woman on the phone and then she set up a phone hearing for me. It is a lot like the unemployment phone hearings. Where do you live maybe I can help you find the number, look in the white pages or google it too, might help.

Heather

Thank you for writing me back I live in michigan and I have a friend that it took over a year to get it and he states I will be denied because with the economy so bad everyone is filling a claim. One mare question is does my husbands income punish me from getting ssi and will my 8 year old get it to seeing that he is a minor. I know that if you have rears in child support the child gets some as well. I know I am asking alot but I have g anxiety disorder and have a hard time on the phone and in person.
Thank you for understanding,

SLZ

SSI is based on income, it is a needs based program, where as SSDI is based on your work history, basically how much you paid in. I forget if your husband's income counts or not, likely it would. Your child may be eligible for benefits too, but they have to be under 18 or going to school if older, and they may need to have their own disability, I am unsure about all of that. The economy should not have any bearing on your decision, it should be solely based on your disability and how it affects your ability to work - but who knows?

Olivia,

Thank you so much for letting me know the process. I am thinking of getting a lawer and my sister-in-law is realy good friends with and he has always given her and my husband great advice. I am going to have to apply soon and now my short term dis is giving my dr office a hard time about me being off of work longer than 12 weaks FMLA. I need the money bad and thank you for letting me know that you are younger than me and you got it.
Olivia I realy am happy that you have supported me since the begining of me joining this chat.

SLZ

Thank you Sukay

You are a book of knowlage LOL I was hoping that my husbands income whould not hurt my ssi or what ever it is that I need to sighn up for. The friend that told me this stuff is very self centered so his problem is always worse or bette than yours and he dosent believe in mental illness. He is realy my husbands friend. I also found out that my long term dis has someone fill out papers for you and they want you off there payroll so they will prob do it right. One last thing I think i have diabetes so that might be in my favor as well but I do not want that illness to unless it wants to stick around untill after Iget ssI LOL

SLZ