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SSDI fact page w/statistics

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Posted 2/19/2011 3:34 AM (GMT 0)
I stumbled across this page tonight.  It has a whole lot of statistics including the judges for all states listed and their approval rates.

http://www.ssdfacts.com/ 

Posted 2/19/2011 5:07 AM (GMT 0)
Denise~~

I can't thank you enough for this link. So often the information is minimal or confusing. I'd been trying to find forms and such online and never could find it all in one spot. I'm not endorsing the services offered by whomever these folks are nor do I have any vested interest in their site or holdings. But for me it's a great resource and I might just get started again filing and even finish this time. It looks a lot easier this way.

For those who haven't tried to wade through their paperwork, get a good set of hip waders and a long rope. Tie one end of the rope around your waist and the other to your back door. That way if you get totally lost on the SSI pages, especially filling out the online forms which they prefer, you can grab the rope and start pulling yourself back to the safety of your own home. You will find me under the sink in a fetal position sucking my thumb if I can't figure it out this time...

Warmest hugs and gratitude,
Chutz smilewinkgrin
Posted 2/19/2011 5:59 AM (GMT 0)

Well, one thing I can tell you.  They want 15 years (I think that is what they said) of past work history, NOT 15 years of past medical records.  I misunderstood that and sent them the name of every doctor I had seen for  15 years.  They are only interested in medical records that pertain to the reason you are filing, not if you had LASIK or a fatty tumor removed or bunion surgery (unless you have bad arthritis in your foot, I guess). 

So, on one hand, the lawyer thinks I'm an idiot for giving them 15 years of medical records because I misunderstood what they wanted, and on the other hand he tells me he doesn't think I have fibro fog.  I'm sorry, you can't have it both ways, Mr. Lawyer!

Posted 2/19/2011 2:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much Denise! What an awesome site. It was so nice of you to share...hope you are having a low pain day...take care.
Posted 2/19/2011 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
Chutz, I am also not "connected" (for lack of a better word) to this site.  Apparently at one point I signed on to this site and they sent me the updated info.  So I don't have a vested interest either.

BWFM, since you have been there already, what happens if one has been self employeed for the last 15 years?  I think we messed things up by filing all taxes under hubby's name and none under mine sad . 

I looked at the pittsburgh judges and their statistics last night and one woman had a really low approval rate, my luck I would get that one when I filed.

Posted 2/19/2011 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
You can ask SS for their work record on you. That's how you know if you get anything when you retire, eligibility for Medicare, etc. Call them and ask to have it sent. You can't get it online or over the phone.
Posted 2/20/2011 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
I received ssdi for awhile. I got lucky because the person trying to talk the judge against it. sd thinkgs like: she has  no transferable skills, then sd she has computers skills to be used for other jobs. She sd I could be a movie ticket taker but one of the problems I was having was with repetitive movement with my arms. She kept flip flopping. My atty sd she was new so that helped my case.  I was finally taken off because dh made too much so we did not get any money. After a while they sd anyone not getting money was dropped. So if I want back on, I have to go through the whole process again. What another pain in my life. It was based on my mobility issues before, now I have so much more wrong.
Posted 2/20/2011 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
Alcie, I know my work record.  I have not paid in in 10 years so I can't collect Social Security.  But what about the 25 years before that is what I don't understand. 

I paid in for all those years and now I am not eligible because I have worked harder and longer hours with less cash in my pocket for the last 15 years.  LOL.....Oh the joys of being self employeed wink

Posted 2/20/2011 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
Denise,

You should get credit for the years that you worked. That should be something. You might get a small amount of ssi though, if you aren't making too much money.

I thank you for the information. I looked up Michigan, they were all from lower cities, I am in northern lower. But it looked like all the judges had only a 50% approval rate. I know that I didn't like the judge that I saw. And I don't think that they were fair with me, but I ended up going back to work last year so that is okay. If I can work, I would rather. But I felt at that time I was disabled. The doctor that wanted me to try was a physician's assistant and he wouldn't use the records that I got from her. Not fair. But that is the rules. So I didn't have too much to defend myself with.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 2/21/2011 8:24 AM (GMT 0)
GSD girl, if you paid taxes on the money you earned, SS will have that information.  I worked at home for most of the last 15 years, also, except for two years I went to school and some of that time I worked as a student aide, then I worked about 10 months at a hospital.  I think (don't quote me) that you have to have 48 quarters to qualify, but you can go to the SS website and check if that is true.  

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