Disability Application Questions

Karona, when I was applying I did obtain an Atty after I was rejected. I wish that I would have contacted one from the beginning. They would have helped me to file my original claim. It costs nothing up front. Then if they dont in for you, you pay them nothing. If they win your case, SSA only allows them to charge you 30% of all back money that they obtain for you. And my Atty told me not to mention FMS, only the Severe Depression. Now this was in 2007, things may have changed by now. I wish all the best for you and your claim!

~Kathy

Cajun...Many attys won't even take a case that hasn't been denied at least once since they aren't going to make much money if it's only been a few months and you get an approval.

I know they can be very valuable...but for me...I will go at it alone if/until I get denied as I can't afford to lose even a single penny out of the money I may get in back pay.

The form I am talking about now is FUNCTION REPORT - ADULT - Form SSA-3373-BK. I filled out the online application and am now preemptively starting on the 3 packets they give you in the mail. I managed to find them online to get a head start.

I will mention form names as ladywithfibro suggested.

I am getting an attorney after rejection, not for the initial application. I think it's 70% that get rejected at first. 2/3rds who appeal, win.

That is quite alright ladywithfibro! I am a severe worrywart myself, which is why I'm doing this stuff ahead of time, and probably out of order, too. I did the online initial application which I believe is step 1. I actually did not hit submit yet. The thought of only having 14 days to get everything together is freaking me out, so what I did was go online and find the online versions (pdf files) of all the other packets. It appears they send them to you in a certain order, so that is why I am talking about a different packet than the one you just completed.

I didn't realize this. I also didn't realize that folks are following along now, so I will probably hop back over to the actual packet sent in Step 2, which sounds like ssa3368-Disability Report-Adult. Is that correct? It would be easier all around so I don't mind staying on track. I really appreciate not being alone in this. :)

The third one I found is ssa3369-Work History Report. Does that sound familiar to anyone? There's an additional one called a Daily Activities Worksheet but that may not be an official form.

Last, but not least, I didn't submit anything official just yet. I'm trying to get it all together first to paint the proper picture. There is still the option of taking all these forms to a lawyer once I filled them out. I, too, am going to put the main cause as Severe Depression with Fibro as secondary (and then ADD and Anxiety). I don't know how strong my case is at this point. If a lawyer won't take it until rejection, that could mean it's not worth their time because it might go through. If they offer to take it on, that might mean it's going to be a long haul (and worth their time).

snowbunny I am going to try to make my "typical day" info more concise. You're right, it's too much.

Post Edited (karona) : 8/6/2012 3:22:21 PM (GMT-6)

snowbunny, sorry if I forgot about your previous post. I am all over the place. What a shock. ;) I often joke to friends that one of the reasons there aren't more fibro support groups is because no one would remember when they are, or where. And the rest of them would be too tired to go!

I think you may have talked me into hitting the submit button afterall. I'm already four months behind on this. :(

To avoid too many pages on a single post, I've started a new thread. Please continue to join us over at www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=24&m=2481626

See you there!