So confused about SSD

Hi bubbaryn~

Nice to meet you but I wish is were under better circumstances. This is just my opinion here but even if you were to find some part time work would you realize any actual income after paying expenses? Part time doesn't usually pay very well and daycare is very expensive. Factor in the cost of travel, clothes, etc. and at the end of the month you might actually be in the hole. In your circumstances it might not work this way but I've seen it happen where moms can't return to work without some assistance.

Have you looked into your state social services. In our state, WA, it's called Dept of Social and Health Services...the folks who do food stamps, state medical and such. You should be able to get some help in your area somewhere. You can always take advantage of your local food bank. They don't require any proof of need...just proof that you live in the area. A drivers license or ID card is all.

There are some links on 'Fibro 101' at the top of the page, that can lead you to help paying for prescriptions. There actually are organizations who help with copays for those WITH insurance who are slowly going broke because of it. Here is a list of foundations who grant assistance for paying for medications: I hope you and others can find answers to your problems. I've been in your shoes and it's devastating.

Warm hugs!
Chutz


www.caringvoice.org/
www.rarediseases.org/
/www.patientservicesinc.org/
www.healthwellfoundation.org/
www.patientadvocate.org/about.php?p=362
www.copays.org/
www.cdfund.org/

Thanks for the replys. I actually felt a little better after seeing my psych and decided to try and not worry about it as best I can. I talked it over with my dd and came to a conclusion. It's so hard to make decisions. This illness is not a clear cut thing EVER!

Actually, bayoub, SSA/Congress caps our fees at the lesser of 25% or 6K, so I don't think they're too concerned with making sure we get a bigger cut. Considering PI/medmal attorneys are often entitled to 40%, and attorneys in other practice areas charge upwards of $200/hour for their time, the 25% standard fee is pretty reasonable and "claimant-friendly." Add in the pro bono work we end up doing for many clients and the millions of dollars in unpaid office costs that my colleagues and I collectively share and it sounds even more generous. Please know that the vast majority of us have chosen this particular practice because we enjoy helping people, not because we're getting rich off of it. In fact, I love going to my job every single day for that very reason, and continue to do so despite it being an almost daily struggle. Just my two cents.

Karen - this brings up a great point that many claimant's aren't aware of - are you familiar with your date last insured(DLI)? Generally, if you aren't able to establish your disability occurred before your DLI, and you're only covered under one of the two SSA disability programs because your spouse earns too much, you will NOT be entitled to ANY disability. A common scenario I see is similar to what you're describing - the wife has worked her whole life, finds herself disabled, stops working, stays home, and for one reason or another doesnt' file for disability right away. She then files for disability a few years later, doesn't win (and then doesn't win her appeal), and comes up against her DLI and is precluded from getting ANY money because now she's not covered under either program. Many, many people aren't aware of this and there is nothing sadder than having to tell someone they have NO options. This is not my firm and I'm not making a referral but here is more info on DLI - very important!! http://www.socialsecurityinsider.com/2008/08/date-last-insured/ Good luck!

Hi, I'm so sorry you are having to go through this and welcome to the club. Everyone is right in don't try to work. It's stressful being broke but it's just as or more worrying will I get ssd if I do work plus feeling as crummy as you do, how easy will it be for you to work? You are where you are for a reason :(

I, somehow, got ssd easily (for Fibro among other things) but that was way back when in the 90's. My husband, on the other hand,...his back is deemed inoperable and we still had to get a lawyer. The lawyer didn't actually seem to do too much (no offense to the lawyer here with fm) but I've got to tell you, it was awful nice having him there. We didn't feel alone and he only got paid when we did. I don't know if you have a lawyer or not but it was worth it. If for nothing else than the fact they generally are not going to take you on as a client unless you have a really good chance of being awarded ssd. And it was wonderful having him there during the hearing.

During the time we were waiting for my H's hearing, we were living on less than $1000 a month. His morphine and other meds were nearly $500 a month. It was a very tough couple of years but we made it with food stamps, heating/cooling assistance from our local power company through Access and even the clinic we go through has a program where they discounted our doctor appts all over the place so my H could be seen. Please don't be embarrassed to ask for and get the help you guys need to get through this. You'll be ok. It doesn't seem like it now, esp when it's so darned hard to think, but you will.

Yea this is rough and I know other people have it rougher and that's why I get so down on myself. It is great having a lawyer in here that has our problems. Thanks to everyone for their advice! It's a very awful experience but I guess I'll get through it.

:)