ssdi

I've been through what your going through myself. Different diseases and afflictions but the same kinda day to day can do some things can't do others. What they want to see in those papers is that you can barely help prepare a meal and if you live with anyone make sure to say that they have to do almost all of the cooking and cleaning and shopping. Is this a lie? you betcha but I have seen too many ppl turned down because the state has thought thier abilities were enough to get them a job. I told them I can't stand for more then a few minutes without being in pain and can't sit for more than a few minutes without being in pain and having to constantly change position or lay down to rest. Everything you feel, times that by 10. Tell them you use a cane or walker part time. If they think for any reason that you mignt be able to sit at a desk for any decent amount of time then they figure your trainable in another position with a phone job. They prefer being able to train you then to pay you. It doesnt matter that even if they trained you chances are you would have to quit that job later they want to know about right now and you have to make a pretty miserable picture of your life.

So when they want to know about say,doing the dishes,tell them you tried and dropped a plate or you couldnt stand at the sink long enough and had to ask for help. Tell them that there are even times that you need help with personal tasks like bathing. I know it sucks that you cannot be totally honest with these ppl but take it from me,someone who was turned down twice they don't want to know the "real" truth. And yes I even fudged it with the phych appointment they sent me to. Made sure to be out of sorts and soooooooo depressed that it made it hard to get through a day. And they will most likely send you to medical exams by more then one doctor and lay it on thick there too. Have trouble bending over even more then you normally do same for lifting and many other things. show them how much pain you are in even if your having a good day. You do not want to try your best to complete these tasks.

I'm sorry if this sounded harsh but ya know what? I got tired of trying to honestly explain my pain and my life to them. And as much as I laid it on thick during the physical tests one of the things that got me the ssdi was the phych exam for depression. In the results for the physical exams they said they thought they could still find a way to employ me!!!! It's crazy stuff I know. And at first I felt somewhat guilty for what I had to do but not in the end. It's all a great big game they play so be a player if you want any chance at winning this. That's just my personal experience and that of some I know of. Good Luck.

Soft Hug's,
Karen

Thanks to both of you! No, I can't be anything but honest, but I was mainly wanting to know how one explains it all.They kinda just ask do you walk? do you cook and what do you cook> Stuff like that. I don't pan on lying at all, but I need to explain it correctly ya know?
You know what it feels like to just start crying cause your achey and frustrated? Not so much screaming pain just the constant nagging crap that makes ya wanna just quit? How do you expalin that, so that others don't just think your whinning and having a pitty party?
I have a wonderful case worker, but when your filling out all this stuff the last thing you want to do is answer in the wrong way.

Kibbles, if it isn't a yes or no answer you can tell them the difficulty that you have in doing simple things...just like you told us in your first post on this thread.  I wish I could remember the stupid form.  If I could, I could be more help.  If I recall correctly, I told them that I could do some cleaning but not heavy things and I had to take many breaks while doing a task.  I also told them the things my kids helped me with.  I explained that my stamina was very poor.  I would tire easily so I could only do a little each day.  That is the absolute truth and that's how I am today, too.  I only do physical work for an hour..or two hours at the most.  If I push it, I'm in too much pain and then can't get anything done for days after. 

 

When it comes to cooking, let them know it's difficult to lift the pans...especially if there is food in them.  Even now, for me, I have to use two hands and hold the pots by the body of the pot, using pot holders, and not by the handle.  If I try to use the single handle with a full pot, the leverage makes it too heavy for me.  My hands, arms, and wrists are not strong enough to do that, plus the pain in trying to grip the handle is really bad.  (Dutch ovens are easier for me to handle.)  You can do simple cooking chores like making sandwiches, etc. without much pain.  As far as using a knife, I use an electric knife and that helps me a lot so the knife example wouldn't "wash" with them. 

 

But zero in on the physical problems you have with everyday life and the pain that it causes you.  Let them know the lack of sleep because of the pain in just lying down.  I know I walk with a cane when I get up from lying down because my legs ache and almost feel whobbly.  If this is you, then let them know that. 

 

I hope this helps you a little.  I know that that form was the most difficult part of the process for me, too.  Do not put on a brave front.  We all get that "I can do it" when actually you can do it but with great difficulty.  Don't embellish things...just tell it like it is for you.

 

Sherrine

Maybe in some states its easier to be accepted but in Washington States its hard core. I tried twice doing to the totally honest way and got nowhere so I still stand by what I feel on the subject. I did tell them honestly how some of my days were and it was enough to not be able to hold a job anymore but when I went back I told them that things had changed and now it was everyday. They did not want to hear that I could function on any days and forget about the days where I over did it and paid later. As long as they thought I could sit at a desk somehwere for more then a few minutes they figured at one point that I could work from home making over 800 dollars a month and I asked them so who do I call about this and where is this so called job? They didnt know of any they just "figured" I could do that well. I'm just glad its over.

That's the problem, Telula.  There ARE people that "want to be awarded with disability"...plenty of them!  I have seen many reports over the years where people lied about their disability and were caught, through hidden cameras, doing things they claimed they couldn't do.  They were in big trouble.  There are some that are out there for any "handout" so the system has gotten paranoid.   

 

I know all my doctors agreed that I should be on disability.  Actually, they are the ones that suggested it after my husband passed on.  If your doctors agree, that seems to be half the battle.  It's a shame that so many have problems getting disability when they really need it but I still wouldn't lie about anything I said or on any forms.

 

Sherrine

Sherrine,I'm not talking about the ppl that you see on a hidden camera show having a good ole time after cheating the state on disability.  Ppl like that have had doctors falsify records for them many times.  These are ppl that are carrying on full time jobs under the counter and collecting ssdi.  Telula and I are talking about ppl like us who have jumped through the states hoops and dotted all the i's and crossed all the t's and still got craped on.  Telula I am glad you brought up the paperwork,omggggggggggggg after I had gone for my 1st medical exams done by several doctors at one time and the paperwork came back there were all kinds of lies in there to the point that I had to take a highlighter pen and mark anything that wasnt true.  On the lifting thing they asked me how much I could lift and then I showed them how much I could lift.  It got to the point where they asked if I could lift 50 pounds and I was shocked!!!  I had just shown them I couldnt lift over 5 without back pain and then they want me to attempt 50.  I said there is no way I can do that without seriously hurting myself but later in the papers they had said that patient can lift 50 pounds on a reg basis which to them had me looking like I could do warehouse work no problem.  There were other areas where they said patient had perfomed task well when I didnt do it at all or had to stop due to pain.  And it is up to me to prove otherwise after these reports come out saying there was more then one doctor that saw me do thisd or that? not even.   Sure when you have worked your whole life ppl have stated they wanted to be awarded these monies they put into it and deserved it.  But are not the women or men that were stay at home spouses taking care of the whole family and backing he hubby on his job deserving too?  I did not pay into the system enough years to even get what many got today but I did spend years working my ass off for my family and I do deserve benifits too now that I am on my own so to speak since Jay doesnt make enough money for us to survive and I cant work.  I played by all the true rules of the game and then played by thiers and I dont feel guilty at all.  I am disabled I cant hold even a part time job but I am sure that if I was like many others being filmed doing things for family that is causing me pain then I would be "caught" but the cameras arent there when your curled up in a ball crying oh no they dont want any part of that I just gave advice based on my experiences in the system.

Thats true and I wish everyone the best no matter what route they take. Today has been one of those days I dont look forward to. Everything hurting and dont know why just a day of wanderingfrom one corner of the house to the next feeling out of sorts and restless but hurt too much to do anything. Tomorrow os therapy day for my lil grankid so I will see all of the kids and just hope and can get myself together enough so as no to disapoint them. Got chores to run for mom tomorrrow so better some rest.

Thank you to all of you, I can tell it's a hard row for all. I am pluggin away at my paperwork and called the guy whos name is printed on the front of the paperwork. He said "no problem" if I need an extension for mailing the forms back.

I constantly see commercials for SSDI lawyers. If one gets turned down the first time, do you just get a lawyer? Or do you let SS drag it out for months or years? This is the craziest stuff ever.

I understand that they have to weed out the phoneys, but am surprized that they can't look at all of the Dr appointments and what you were seen for, and know your being honest. I really loved the comment one of you made that SS makes it seem like an "award"

I would much rather be make $20 something an hour rather than $1000 something a month.

I'm in my mid 50's now and have always done intricate hand work, and computer work in the med/dental field. I can't do it anymore. Wish I could. Soft hugs for all