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Question about Lupus and disability

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Posted 1/11/2008 6:07 PM (GMT 0)

Hello,

 

It is getting to the point that I just can't work full time any more and if I go to part time I lose my insurance. I have been seriously thinking about applying for disability and was wondering if anyone can give me an idea what kind of obstacles I might be facing. I have been dx with Lupus and Fibro along severe scoliosis, IBS and am going to have blood tests because my GP thinks I am diabetic. If anyone on disability could share with me how things went with you when you applied I would really appreciate it!

Posted 1/11/2008 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
purplerose652,
I just recently got disability. I'm going to be perfectly honest with you; it is a battle! It took me over a year. I'm pretty sure it has taken some longer than that. I got denied twice and had to appeal. I finally got my congressman involved and his office helped tremendously. My doctor wrote a very detailed letter using very strong language and that helped alot. Make sure you get all of your medical records and even after you file for the disablility every time you see a doc, have a test, go to er anything, get the report sent to them. I wish you all the luck in the world. God BLess You, Judy
Posted 1/11/2008 7:58 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Purplerose652... I just recently had my court date. I agree it is not easy they want you to keep trying until you say that it I'm done. The best bet is to get a disability lawyer right off the bat. Your chances are better and they work for you. The best thing also is to be out of work for 6 months or longer. My process has been almost 3 years. After I was denied twice I got a lawyer and that took 18 -24 months to get a trial date and now it could take the judge up to 1 year to get his decision. Your the bets get a lawyer you have a better chance and they get paid if you win and it comes out of your settlement and they can only get so much of it.

 

 

                 Good luck and do not give up

Posted 1/11/2008 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
I got my disability approved last summer. My lawyer said file the first time yourself because if they by some fluke approve you immediately you don't want to have to share the money. Check and see if your state has disability as well because if they do you could get medicaid right away. You have to stop working to get disability and they will date SSDI 6 months after you become unable to work. Seriously discuss this with your doctors. You need their full support. Get as much of your medical records together as possible. Get your doctors to do an RFC- residual functioning capacity as this is the form that SS uses in determinations so you want your doctors to have one in your SS file because the doctors they will send you to will try and say you are not disabled- the one I was sent to considered only my least serious diagnosis and ignored all my meds and other problems. With your doctors filling out an RFC as well it is possible it would help significantly. I wish you luck, I filed in 2005 and wasn't approved until last June but the thing is my approval came faster than normal because I was about to become homeless so my situation was viewed as an emergency. It can take many years to get through the system and in the meantime you have to find a way to survive.
Posted 1/12/2008 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
I waited for my denial and then got a lawyer. I also got my senator involved. The courts don't like to see them involved because that means they are being watched. Took me 2 and half years. But you don't get your Medicare for 2 years after your file date, so mine went into affect right away.
Good luck and be ready for alot of disappointments along the way but keep going and you will get it!!!!!!!!!
GOOD LUCK
Posted 1/12/2008 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
thank you everyone for your replies....:) I figured it would be a battle. I think I will just quit my job and wait a few months to apply. My daughter and her baby are living with us right now so I can take care of him some so she can work. I will just have to go on my husbands insurance.
Posted 1/13/2008 5:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Renee, I'm sorry you are going thru all of this. I have heard so much about people having problems with getting disability that are so sick it's frustrating. It's hard for me to beleive that they are still fighting for it.
So telling you this is almost embarassing to me. When I applied for disability they actually took my info over the phone. I got a letter a couple weeks later saying they wanted me to see their doctor. I had an appt a few weeks later spent 15 to 20 mins. with the doctor. He said "we'll get you some help. A few days later I got a call. from SSD telling me i was approved. I didn't get any back pay because it was exactly 6 months . I guess they hold on to the first 6 months. Next thing I knew I had my first check. There was never a court never a judge nothing like that. I was very blessed.
So yes I guess you need to expect the worst and hope for the best. but I just wanted to share that with you that there is hope the it won't take as long as most times. Just make sure you have all your papers and discuss with your doctors make sure your on the right page with them.
Hang in there a never give up.
keep us informed there are alot of people here that will get you through the process
hugs
carol
Posted 1/13/2008 6:08 AM (GMT 0)
Don't wait to apply, applying right away means that you will get your benifits that much sooner. I have this from my grandmother who worked with a lawyer to get her SSDI. She was told that if you wait you might lose out on some benifits but if you apply right away then you will get all the benifits you are entitled to. Also if your income is low enough given household size it is possible you could end up with SSI for the 6 month wait period.
Posted 1/13/2008 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with red, don't wait to apply. You need to do it right away! Judy
Posted 1/13/2008 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for your help! I will start the application process tomorrow! I am so happy we can come here and have the support we need. The process for disability might be a battle but so is this terrible disease...:(
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