Crohns and Social Security Disability

when you fill out the paper work very carefully describe what you CANNOT do because of the crohn's. Don't just say how bad you feel - they don't give a crap. They want to know how the disease keeps you from working. So, you have to quantify it. For example - "The side effects from X-medicine gives me tremors and I am unable to hold a pen to sign my name, use a knife to cut food, and drive my car." OR, "Because I suffer with explosive diarrhea I am unable to leave my home and must have immediate access to a bathroom." OR "I am so weak from being unable to eat that I cannot stand for longer than 5 minutes at a time."

Only say what is true, but those are some examples of how to show what you CAN'T do. They don't really care if you can't do your current profession. They want to see if you are unable to do any kind of work at all, even a sit at home phone-job.

It is also imperative to have your doctor back you up. They will want all your GI record. I also asked my doctor to write a letter for me saying how bad it was. I even gave her a draft of a letter to give her an idea of what I was looking for. She wrote one for me. I also had aletter from my employer saying that the time I had missed from being out (I was a teacher) was jeopardizing my continuing employment.

You need all the documentation you can get. The more complete your info and the more you can back it up, the better off you will be. Good luck!

I am glad someone else posted this. I am curious to see the replies. I am beginning my crusade into the process of applying also. I do know so far that, like stef17 said, you need EVERYTHING you have, to prove that you are disabled. I also learned that SSI and Disability are two seperate things. Its so confusing.....I have only just begun and I am tired of the confusion. Good Luck to you!

Remember that their job is to say no and you must be very clear on what you cannot do, not what you can do. If you cannot take care of yourself you cannot be home with a child, and they will even ask about your household chores and what you can and cannot do. Be very clear that because of X problem I cannot stand for more than x amount of time. The hardest part is actually admitting to someone else who does not give a crap about you just how bad off you are. It is a real emotional journey. My husband is at 18 months for his issues and we just had the first hearing. The lawyer said we are already set up for appeal. The lawyer was the one that said the judges job was to find any reason to say no and that there are no deadlines, they can take as long as they want.