Just starting to try for Disability.....

 

 

Hello,

The latest thing going on with me is Disability...Yes I am joining the many and trying for Disability.  What can I expect?  I called the SSA today to start the process and the lady I talked to told me to fill out the paperwork online...then if they need anything they will contact me.  Wouldn't it be easier to make an actual appt. and bring in a filled out application?  I mean, I think nthey want you to feel daunted about the whole thing so you won't do it.  But I am doing it....I haven't worked in 8 years, and I won't be working in the near future.  So, what can I expect?

 

Me.

I have no advice on this one but just wanted to jump in and say Good Luck!!!!

Laurie

There are many different factors they consider when evaluating SSDI. Each is different so you can not compare stories from Ohio with those from Iowa. I will tell you the SSD website lists diagnoses that top the list. Age is also a major factor for many states. It seems younger individuals are more likely to be turned down initially. My advise - document and save everything. The more information and the more you can document that you are unable to function in a work environment the better. They definately look at whether you can be retrained for a different type of position. Make sure you get copies all of all you medical records so that you know what your doctors have written about you and your condition.

I applied online, provided all the documentation and then was called into the SSD office for an interview. Be very specific about what you can and can not do. Do not generalize.

Good Luck

Hi Me,

I can't help you at all, but I also wanted to chime in & wish you the best of luck with your application! From what I hear, it is a long & tough process, but I'm sure that there are lots of people here that can give you some great advice!

hugs.
Skeye

Rhonda,
Good luck with everything! I don't know much more about this either, but I am reading a lot on the ssd website. That is helping me to see what I need to make sure my doctors are saying in their reports.

It's a huge hassle, but what choice do we have? None that I can see, unless you win the lotto!

PaLady

Me,, You have already been given some excellent advice. I have nothing to add to which you have already been given. Just wanted to let you know I am behind you and wishing you the best. Let us know how it turns out. You can do this. I know it is alot of paperwork and hassle but it will be worth it in the long run. All you can do it try.
Anice

 

 

   Dear Rhonda,

 

   Good morning. It is nice to see again. I know nothing of SSD. When it was mentioned to me the first words out of my mouth wernt exactly approiate for public areas... BUT! I do want to tell  you that I hope everything goes well. And if ya need any Muscle just let me know Rawr! Grrrr! 

 

   *huggs*

      dani

 

 

I was told that I couldn't get a lawyer if I hadn't been denied already...I also talked to a DA in my county and she told me that once I get denied, it will happen, NOT to reapply...to appeal.  She said that it will also help that I'm not a young chick...and the fact that I haven't worked in so long anyway might not help.  I already have TennCare which is medicare in Tn. so that's not an issue. I also get food stamps.  I have NO income...0. So, I am trying to get in touch with Hospitals that I went to in Knoxville years ago to get dates correct.  I had 2 surgeries and many many procedures over the years so I hope that will help.  I will admit that I am terrified...

 

I don't know what will happen, or how long it will take, but I am in it for the long haul...Thanks to my family here I have enough knowledge to make it....so Thanks...

 

Love ya,

all of you,

Me.

I started out doing as SSA recommended and filed myself. I quickly decided I didn't want the hastle, and potential small mistake costing me the whole deals so I went and got an attorney - just the first one who answered the phone and who seemed to know what he was talking about.

Did a couple of exchanges of paperwork (I proofed and provided a signature) and that was about it with attorney.

7 weeks later (or there abouts) I got a phone call from that attorney - they had been paid and I should receive my first 'catchup' payment within a few days. I checked the account I had given them for automatic payments and the payment was already there.

My suggestions would be:
Get ALL paperwork completed to them, and have it done when you first file if possible. If it takes a few days to get the paperwork then don't file until you get the paperwork cause it won't go anywhere until the paperwork is all there (DD214 (Military Service Separation and it DOES make a difference), Marriage Certificate, etc.)
Write or type legibly. Make the SS agent's job as easy as you can. If they can match your paperwork up to their paperwork quickly and easily, better chance of the process proceding quicker and easier.

Rhonda,
The attorneys in my area work the same way. They will not take the case until you've been denied the first time. My hunch is this is all about money. But it does seem lawyers in some areas take it off the bat.

There are a couple of new programs SSD has developed or refined; one is for a Compassionate Determination (I think that's what it's called - a CD), and there are a list of diagnoses on the social security website that will automatically qualify you. That's worth a review, as they are saying people can get it within a couple of weeks. However, many of these are serious, life-threatening illnesses. The other fast track program is called QDD, or Quick Disability Determination. As I'm learning (I'm trying to learn more) this is somewhat computer based in that the computer will have some words, phrases, diagnoses, etc. (I'm not sure what) that will lead very strongly to the likelihood of approval, and that social security would be able to verify your statements relatively quickly with medical records, etc.

It's enough to make your head spin!

From all I've read it's a two year period for Medicare, too. That's two years from the date your disability is determined to have started, not the date of your application. Also, I'm not sure how it is in your state, MountainMan (as some of these programs are state funded), you can qualify for programs like LIHEAP (Low Inome Energy Assistance Program) without being on SSD. I received it last year. In Pennsylvania, it's totally income based, and you just have to make sure you apply before the funds run out.

A crazy-making process, for sure!

PaLady

Always the horror stories.....

What about the good ones. I filed and within 2 months had started getting my first monthly check. Within another month I received an entire years backpay, Meaning I could prove I would have qualified a year earlier but didnt. If you've been out of work for 8 years you'd have a good chance of getting back pay and plenty of it. But there is a limit of how many years you can get in back pay. A lawyer is paid out of your backpay usually. But why start with a lawyer

I never used a lawyer not once, didnt even talk to one. I'm 24 and was 17 when I applied...and like I said I received my first monthly check in about a month or two after filing and about another month or two later I recieved a years back pay. No lawyers, no court, not denials...Everyone doesnt have a horrible time dealing with this...

 

 

Thanks Chronspatient...I needed to hear something good about applying.  I haven't been able to work in over 7 years, and I already started getting records from where I used to live before.  It's amazing how much you forget as time passes...like dates, times, procedures, hospitals, Dr.'s names.....so I have to get some help with that...so I called the Hospitals in Knoxville and am sending the authorizations needed to get records...

 

I hope I don't have a hard time with this and have to wait for years....

 

Me.