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What does the crohnies know a/b Social Security Disability

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Posted 5/26/2009 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
Please let me know what you know about getting SS Disability with Crohns.  I am starting the process.  I know it takes 3-5 months and maybe the first 2-3 times I could be denied.

Thank you for ant info

Sandy

Posted 5/26/2009 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Both of those numbers could be completely wrong. I imagine your going off of everyone ELSES experience. Well that might not be the case for you though. For me I never got denied, never got a lawyer and got my first monthly check within about a month and a half to two months. It all depends on hospitalizations, your likely hood of surgeries, ER visits, what your drs have to say, What medications you've tried, lots of things. So just because people are going to, and believe me, they ARE going to tell you THEIR horror stories doesnt mean their going to turn into your horror stories. Trust me, Im prime example. oh and by the way I got my backpay which was like a years bworth in only about 3 months, a month or two after my first monthly check.

How old are you and how much work have you put in in your lifetime?
Posted 5/26/2009 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
From the CCFA web site:

"The Social Security Administration's Handbook for Physicians contains a "Listing of Impairments" for each major body system (e.g., cardiovascular system, digestive system). Following are the listings for inflammatory bowel disease, as published in the handbook." 

http://www.ccfa.org/living/disability/conditionslist

"Applying for Benefits

Many IBD patients have learned an unfortunate paradox of dealing with a chronic disease-it often seems that the sicker we get, the more adversarial the social systems designed to protect us become. If your disease has become severe enough for you to consider filing for disability, the process of qualifying can be overwhelming-often filled with complex regulations, ambiguous interpretations, frequent disappointments, and endless delays. Below are some questions and answers that may help you understand how the application and appeal processes work should you need to apply for disability benefits."

See more info on link below:

http://www.ccfa.org/living/disability/?LMI=1.4

Good luck!

Posted 5/26/2009 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with

CrohnsPatient. Not everyone has the same experience dealing with Social Security. If you feel you can't work, Apply ASAP.

I'll tell you about my experience.

From what I was told, most, not all, cases are initially denied the 1st time, appr 80-85 percent. This is too weed out fraud.

My case was denied 3 months after I applied. I immediately appealed and had to wait 19 months for my hearing.

Again, you could wait much less. I was told by SS that it depends what state you live in, some states have more of a backlog then others. I live in NYC.

My hearing was April 16th. It took appr 20 min. I brought witnesses, 2 people who know me the best,my wife + mom :).

I also had support and backing from my doctor (note) stating that I'm unable to work because of my Crohn's. Also had copies of my Colonoscopy, Upper G.I Series, M.R.I. etc.

I proved my case, judge told me right there that I would be getting approved (off record).

I just received my back pay check this week, $19,800 and will be getting my first monthly check in June.

Hopefully you can be one of the lucky ones and get approved right away. Even if you don't, do not get discouraged, you can win disability for your Crohn's.

Also, I did not get a lawyer, did everything on my own.

Good luck.

 

Posted 5/26/2009 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
When you have to fill out the paperwork that asks you to describe things, do it in a way that shows your DIS-ability. Explain in detail what you are unable to do. They don't really care if you "Feel" sick. You have to write things like, "I am unable to leave my home because I have explosive diarrhea and need to use the bathroom several times an hour." OR, "Medication X gives me the shakes so badly that I am unable to hold a pen to sign my name, use a knife to cut food, or drive my car." "I am unable to eat and I am too physically weak to stand for longer than 3 minutes at a time." You have to detail what you CAN'T do. You have to quantify it. The better you do this, the better it will be for you because they don't care if you can't do your current profession. They want to see if you could do anything at all, like even phone work or whatever. You have to prove that you can't do anything because your disability limits you.

Really great medical files will help too, so get your doc on board and that will help also. It really depends on your current medical condition and then how you present your case. Good luck!
Posted 5/26/2009 8:51 PM (GMT 0)
I was denied SS on my first try but then approved after my appeal. I have Crohn's and substantial arthritis. I did have to do some extra work after the initial denial (Dr's reports, X-rays and so forth.) The entire process took 6 months for me to get approved and I was given back pay for 18 months because I didnt earn significant income for that long prior to filing. It can be a frustrating experience but well worth the effort if your really unable to earn an income because of your illness. I also have Medicare now too. That is standard after 2 years of SSDI. What a Godsend that has been. 10 days after my medicare went into effect I was admitted into the hospital for 9 days. My total bill was $46,000 and all I had to pay was the deductable of $1000.
Posted 5/26/2009 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
I am 36 years old and have worked since I was 14.
Posted 5/27/2009 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
I think you have enough years in now to qualify. Good luck!
Posted 5/28/2009 11:04 PM (GMT 0)
You dont have to have a certain amount of years to 'qualify' If you dont or havent worked 'enough' then you just get the minimum.

Yellowfin, I get medicare AND medicaid through my state also. And the way it works is whatever my medicare wont or doesnt cover, my medicaid covers, Even my deductibles, which is excellent, I dont pay a penny for any major surgereies, hospital stays, medications, nothing at all. So you should look into state assistance also o top of your medicare, you really really should. especailly if I had to pay 1,000 dollars everytime i was admitted, wow, Im admitted quite a bit every single year, this hass been a good year with only 4 or 5 times being admitted, and if i had to pay 1,000 dollars every time, thats 5 grand a year in just admitting deductibles, and alot of times you get billed seperatelly for the dr's, labs, xrays and such. And this isnt counting the dozen or more times a year i'm in the ER.

about the backpay I was talking about earlier, and now others have mentions...you can get your backpay whether you get it on the first time or the 5th time appealing or applying. If your medical records show you've been dealing with this you'll get that money for each month prior to your filing that your records show you were diagnosed or having problems. And I believe it can get as much as with 18 months to 2 years at the max. but say you can prove 7 months, then whatever you get for your monthly check, you would also get a lump sum for 7 months of whatever you get each month, so say its 500 a month, then you'd get 3,500 dollars back pay also.
Posted 5/29/2009 1:17 PM (GMT 0)
Guys- I really do appreciate all your replies!!!
Thank you again
Posted 5/29/2009 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
It depends on the type of disablity you are applying for whether or not you have to have 40 quarters in order to apply.
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