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Posted 11/12/2008 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hey all.... i am getting ready to file for SS. i had actually filled it out once before but they lost my paperwork....... the thing is longer than war & peace! Does anyone have any advice on how to get it quicker? i have heard my age & college education will be a factor even though i know people who have the same pain issues & they are on it. help anyone.... thanks!
Posted 11/14/2008 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know how to get it faster i filied 4 years ago today and still waiting wish you luck it takes time and Iam going CRAZY waiting
Posted 11/14/2008 4:28 AM (GMT 0)
OH MY GOSH! do you have an attorney?
Posted 11/14/2008 4:56 AM (GMT 0)
What do you mean your college education and your age will make a difference??

Lindaloo
Posted 11/14/2008 5:09 AM (GMT 0)
i have talked to a few attorneys.... one flat out told me they wouldn't be able to win it. i DID talk to one today that said once i REDO (ggggrrrrr) my application they would take me on as a client (no need to be denied like some make you do) anyhow, more than one has said because of my age (31) & college education that since i am so and i quote "highly educated, that i would be considered an easy rehabilitation" its so hard not to start swearing. i am normally a half glass full kinda gal but it gets the goat that because i am younger & have an education i have to fight for this.
did i miss the day when pain was being passed out for the 80 year olds? cause i got it really started in my later teens. so 13 years! and even more so i am being punished for trying to make a difference in mine & other people's lives. unreal. well she did tell me 2 things 1) you will be denied if you have not been out of work for at least 12 months & 2) get all your documentation for the past two years.
i am going back about 7 years with documentation. they were the wrong diagnosis, but still.
i did see an attorney on tv today who adverstised they will actually help you prepare the paprwork. so i may check them out.
Posted 11/14/2008 10:16 AM (GMT 0)
I met a man who is about 50. He is a patient of my doctor. My doctor
has advised him to have the Pain Pump.
He has declined the pain pump saying that Norco keeps his pain from getting
too bad.
If Norco can do that, I surrrrrrrrre don't think the man needs a pain pump.
Norco is not much more than anti-anxiety medication.
So ... If this guy feels ok on Norco why oh why is he on disability? He
doesn't seem to have mental or emotional problems. Nothing shows. He
says all he has is pain.
Pamela
Did that make sense? I read it over and even I don't understand what I
had to say. Hmmmmmmmm.... One sleepy, Pamela.
Posted 11/14/2008 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
beats me! i know my pain drs said they would do anything they needed to- to make sure i was approved as fast as possible. i love my drs- and they are all so cute! ha ha.... that MUST be my meds taliking. lol. maybe that would get me on SS? lol. thanks for the info all..... i truely appreciate it! -Shannon
Posted 11/14/2008 7:33 PM (GMT 0)
Pamela,
I'm a little surprised at your post. All he has iis pain? That's a lot! And many things which qualify us for disability aren't visible. I can't sit for long, but I can sit for awhile in a waiting room. But my job would involve a lot of sitting. So if you see me in a waiting room I wouldn't "look" disabled. Plus mental illness isn't visible - and that's things like depression, which often go along with chronic pain. And the effects of medications can also render someone disabled, because they can affect your ability to think clearly, etc.

This is some of the stigma we fight against, so I had to respond. The effects of many, many conditions aren't visible. Plus I don't tell everyone I meet - even family or friends - everything that's wrong with me.

PaLady
Posted 11/15/2008 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
Yes i have a lawyer all my doctors backed me up 100 % i filed 4 years ago this month i have went in front of the judge he was sent to carry the back log he said my doctors weren't creditable well come to find out this judge only approved 2% of his cases while he was here.They told me 50 and under is harder to get the rules are different if your over 50 i have p/a,o/arthtris,ib,astma ,allergies,sugar,blood pressure,fm,myscial pain,depression,11 bad disks ,ddd disease spine curves at the bottom and i have bladder ,bowel issues,i take 16 different meds a day which equals 33 pills a day but they turned me down .My sister got it in 9 months on fm i don't get it Deb
Posted 11/15/2008 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
deb what is fm? i don't understand why you are having such a hard time.... thats terrible! well, whatever i find out i will share with you. i know i have read rules, bills passed on back pain, bills passed on medication. do you mind if i ask how old you are?
Posted 11/15/2008 11:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi , I am new but would like to offer some help for you. I recieved SS about 3 years ago, I know it is much quicker with a lawyer but I applied myself. The paperwork is long but I did not want to give a lawyer a % of the money I was entitled to. I then called my local Congressman, who happened to be Ron Paul. There office assigned someone to help with the process, I went to Drs of SS choice to prove my Disablity and did mounds of paperwork. They usually deny the first go but I appealed and a yr later WON my case. I would be more than Happy to answer any questions you have, I was 45 when I was approved.
Posted 11/15/2008 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
I totally agree with PaLady
"All he has is pain"

Chronic pain ppl are having to basically wage a war here in Ontario and I know that all the DD I have dont show and
ppl think and say "well ya dont look sick"
Lucky for me I have a doc
that will not let me be in pain

Ya well if they lived one bleeding hour in this body
they would know what pain is

........LYN
Posted 11/15/2008 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
In Ontario it took 3 times for my disability to be granted
and finally I did get it and a whopping 10,000 in back pay
we have lawyers that are provided by Disability
to fight our cases
The norm is 3 times turned down and then approved.........

Good luck and I wish you all the best

>.....LYN
Posted 11/15/2008 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
thanks for all the info! i figured this would be a great place for advice. b4u i might get with you on what you did to win your appeal so quickly. i had a nurse tell me once that my pain medication alone should help me win. i didn't know how much it would factor in? i love my country but its so frustrating that i have worked & contributed since i was 14 & unable to get back of some i have put in. well all....... on a better note i am getting married monday. **yeah** he's going to make an honest woman out of me. i'm so happy! at least this is going well. and...... since i lost my jon I WILL FINALLY HAVE INSUARNCE!!!!! and off of the county medical BS. (scuse the french) you can only go here & onl meds from there.... of course NONE of my drs took that crap so I basically paid out of pocket for all my medical for pain. and if anyone knows the price of oxycontin & lyrica, they can feel for me. so much money. that will be on my taxes next year! well, everyone- wish me luck monday!
Posted 11/15/2008 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
I wish you all the best

I am sure you will get it .........

CONGRATS on the marriage..........LYN
Posted 11/15/2008 7:30 PM (GMT 0)

Kttn,

 Listen I filled out the papers once and was refused, so immediately after I had my knee and hip replaced within a month of each other, I sat down and with an article I found on how to fill out the papers, I just wrote a VERY long letter and BEGGED them. but the article (I can not find it now) suggested to focus on ARTHRITIS. So I stated how I was in so much pain and was crying every day and then I went into how I needed help cooking, cleaning,going to bathroom, shower, getting dressed, and anything else I could say to feel sorry for myself. (all was true). how all the meds keep you fuzzy and no one will let you work like that...BEG...I mean BEG for their help..ask "WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO"?say "I NEED YOUR HELP"!! A Doctor using the word "arthritis" in his doc notes helps too. or saying specifically what your disability is... tell the dr you are trying to get SSD

I am going to look for the copy of my application to see if I can further assist you in what I said. But do NOT sugar coat anything!!! make it look as bad as it really is or worse if you have to. I remember my letter to them was quite lengthy and even had tear drops on them. I also had my sister and my mom write letters explaining how they had to help me with EVERYTHING, I mean EVERYTHING!! You can not hold anything back and explain how the arthritis is so crippling. They approved me right away.

Good luck and let me know how it goes or if I can answer any questions, I will try to remember. I was approved in 2005, so my memory is fuzzy after all these surgeries and medicine. you can fill out the papers on line as well!

CONTRATS ON THE MARRIAGE!!

Patty

 www.disabilitysecrets.com


Posted 11/15/2008 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
go to www.disabilitysecrets.com

Posted 11/17/2008 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
I had to go to 4 different ssd doctors and one of them was very honest and said i get paid they turn you down so you get a lawyer they get a cut and it's just a game but my son was with me and asked him what he thought when he got done testing me and he said my opion you deserve it but he has had people come in and was fine to him wanting a easy way out and he said he stated the man was ok to work but several months later he said that same man came in and told him thanks for helping him out and he said he didn't help him out he stated there wasn't nothing wrong with the man in his findings DEb
Posted 11/21/2008 5:40 AM (GMT 0)
I filled out my own papers .Everyone told me that I would have to apply at lest twice so I decieded to do it myself first then get a attorney if I had to.Well I was aprove the first time and did not have to go to there DR`s at all.I will have to be reviewed in three years and dont know how that go`s but you might try doing your own paper work first,just make sure that you stress how much your disablity has changed your life.Then if you dont win get a attorney.GOOD LUCK.
Posted 11/21/2008 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
I filed for SS and was awarded benefits the first time around. I did not have an atty. I have quite a bit of experience with SS claims as when I worked we handled many claims for our clients.I will say this, it depends on your state as to how hard or easy it is to get SS. Kttn you were told the truth about your age and education being a deciding factor for a negative outcome. Many states use a vocational expert who sits in on the actual hearing. Once your testimony has been given, the judge then looks at the VE and asks if there is some type of work available for the person and usually they say yes.

First what type of disability do you have? Has your dr or drs said you are unable to do any type of gainful employment? You must have a dr say that you are unable to work and this must be in your medical records.

They will ask how your disability affects your daily living. By this they want to know what you cannot do for yourself that you use to do. Do you need help bathing, dressing, cooking your meals, do you have someone do your grocery shopping, do you have someone that comes in and does your cleaning. If you have a yard, do you hire someone to mow it.They really are interested in the daily routine so be sure to list what you cannot do and what you have help with. If any of your medication makes you feel woozy even if its only for 30 minutes, be,sure to list that. Of course, remember if the meds make you woozy, then driving yourself around can be a problem. Also, I recommend you obtaining a copy of your medical records and furnishing SS a legible copy after you have applied. I know SS says they will obtain your medical records, however, in alot of instances we saw many SS files with incomplete medical records. You will want to make copies of any forms from SS because you will need to reference back to the answers on some of those forms. I have not really touched on alot I am in a fog right now from muscle relaxers. But, please feel free to ask any questions you may have, will do my best to answer you.Slept wrong last nite and my neck is hurting pretty bad right now. Susie

Posted 11/24/2008 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
  I happen to fill out necessary papers, while i was having a real bad day. I told them how i felt 24/7, what my daily routine was etc. Honesty is best policy. My medical records went back to 1975 concerning my back problems. My age, my past profession and amount of medicine i take almost make me untrainable, not open to another line of work and most work involves demanding physical labor which i cant do. I filed in September 08 and was awarded SSD Nov 08.  And lots of praying, no doubt in my mind helped.
Posted 11/24/2008 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
I reapplied in May after judge denied me i had to go to 4 of ssd doctors and last week i recieved a call that i got it so if you get denied keep fighting nothing was any different in 2004 when i first filed then now just my age 4 years older i didn't have a lawyer but my son is going to school to be a lawyer and he knew a lot from school .One of his teachers said a lot depends on the state you live in also he said In. where iam from is one of the harder states to get it and i know several people that moved out In. and filed again and got it in another state .Hang in there i just cried when they called and said i got it .Deb
Posted 11/25/2008 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
yeah  The ONLY thing the State has to do with your SSI/SSDI claim is at the initial stages with your states DDS. (Disability Determinations Services) When you go before an ALJ that is a Federal Judge that can and will use your states DDS "consultation exams." (CE) It is best IMHO to use your own doctor and make sure he backs you 100%, if not and you feel you really are 100% disabled find a new doctor who supports your claim. A treating source (Your own doctor) carries more weight than a States Dr's opinion. 

The use of a (VE) Vocational Expert is to hypothetically place you in ANY job that's available Nationally. You can have an infinite amount of disabilities and still not meet their criteria. Substantial Gainful Activity is all they're after.

A VE uses whats called a grid that DOES include your age and ability to adjust to different work activities. Best advice in my opinion, and you know whats said about opinions, hire an experienced SSA attorney or advocate before you step foot in front of an Administrative Law Judge. Good-Luck.

 

Posted 11/27/2008 2:25 AM (GMT 0)
WOW! Thanks so much everyone for the responses! My dr is 100% behind me on getting disability, even said whatever he needed to do will help. I have heard that medication is a factor. My muscle relaxers make me woozy, but I was also switched today for a BT med from oxycodone to dilaudid (sp). Anyone take it? I know I had it as an IV once, but thats a lot different. My dr & I also talking about a trial for a pain pump...... don't know if it will make a difference either. I would assume so. Thanks everyone for all the support. I think the world of you all...... Happy Thanksgiving all. -Shan
Posted 12/3/2008 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
First off, Age and college education have nothing to do with disability, you can still atttend college while on disabilty and if you arent, you can START attending college while on disability.

you can not listen to other people experience and expect yours to be the same. I filled out the papers myself as soon as i turned 18, had no lawyer or no one helping me, and I received my first montly check before two months was up, and within two weeks afterwards recieved a years back pay.

People say 'expect to get turned down the first time, or you HAVE to get a lawyer, or your garunteed to lose a couple times' this is just not true, thats just their experience, everyones expereince is different.

There are actually some symptomes and illnesses they just do not bother declining and accept no mattter what, so its all your situation.

if you need someone to talk to thats not going to bog you down with negativity, email me, [email protected] please, feel free to email me, and I wish you would.
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