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Posted 11/17/2008 4:01 AM (GMT 0)
Just wanted to know from anybody out there who has had to go through filing for disability for their MS,how hard is it to get?I just lost my job because of my MS and now I filed for disability and as I see it, it is hard to qualify for.I am 36 and have alot of gait/balance/foot drop(left leg) issues and weakness in my left hand.I have worked in day care for 10 years and did factory work before that.Since I can no longer do factory work or day care and I do not have skills any any other area like typing,computer,receptionist etc I am not sure what else there is out there.If anybody has gone through this recently please let me know what to expect.I did not expect this to happen this soon.I went to the social security office to apply for disability and to the unemployment office to apply for unemployment last week.Hockeymom
Posted 11/17/2008 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Hockeymom

I understand what u'r saying here. Disability can be difficult to get approved, but dont' stop. Push to get approved and if u'r denied, reapply. I have never done this before, but i've heard it can take a few years to be approved. Hang in there tho. Keep pushing for this. Is there any sort of vocational training u can apply for in the meantime? Something that allows u to work sitting or to take advantage of the abilities u have? Many cities have things like state funded classes. Is that a possibility for u? We're here friend. I know u'r in a tough spot, but u can do this and u'll be ok in the end. Keep pushing for what u know u need and we'll do all we can to help u along the way.
Posted 11/17/2008 11:40 AM (GMT 0)
I have not really checked into any training or anything yet.I am horrible with computers and typing.I just cant get the hang of it.I have taken a few courses on computers and still dont know how to use them.I think I will be able to collect unemployment for a little while.Thank you for your support and I will keep pushing.Its not soo bad.I have alot to do now to keep me busy now.I just fumbled on this healing well sight and found there is alot of helpful information here.I cant believe how many people have the exact symptoms and situations I do.I will keep checking back and probably keep asking more questions.I am really not to educated about all of this and like I said it was just knid of dropped on me all of the sudden.Thanks for your reply.Hockeymom
Posted 11/17/2008 1:22 PM (GMT 0)
i feel for you! i got approved first try, but it took at least 9 months and the help of a friend who is a social worker and knew where to look for dotted i and crossed t on the application. if things drag too long, you might contact your federal rep for help. be prepared to wait, no matter how good your application is. the person i was assigned by the feds to help was mostly not there, busy or totally incompetent. the way to ssi or ssd is filled with frustration, but when you win your case, you get payments back to the date you filed. again, good luck and lots of patience! it's your $$$$!

linda
Posted 11/17/2008 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
You may look into hiring a lawyer.  I know you can get them for a percentage of the back payments.  That may be an option if you are short on cash for a retainer.  Good luck!!
Posted 11/17/2008 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all for the advise.I am going to try it on my own first.If it does not go well the first time around I will look into a lawyer,but I dont want to pay big bucks to one if I dont need to.I am going to have a friend help me with all the paper work.Maybe I will find a job in the meantime.I am not really wanting to sit around and do nothing for the rest of my life.I have heard of others who get it on the first try,but I also heard of others who are completely disabled and have been denied.I am not sure how they decide,but when I go in and request the forms thay kind of look at me funny because I am not in a wheel chair or something.People just do not understand how unpredictable this stuff is.One day I walk somewhat OK and another day I have alot of problems walking and there is no rymn or reason for it.I try to figure out reasons for it and can not come up with any yet.Again thank you for all the different suggestions and all the advise.I am soo glad I found this sight.It is great to see all the other people in the same kind of situations as me. and to get all this help.I do not have any other people that I know with MS.As far as I know nobody else in my family has it,so it is great to just be able to go to my computer and ask about different things and get lots of suggestions and anwsers.Talk to you all later,Hockeymom
Posted 11/17/2008 6:32 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Hockeymom,

     I just wanted to wish you luck with the process.  Try not to get discouraged by it as for some it takes a while and others get it relatively quickly.  My husband was approved the first time in around 5 months and we did all the paperwork ourselves.  Some hire lawyers, some don't, just do not be afraid to appeal the decision and keep trying if you don't get approved the first time.  Lawyers do seem to speed things up after you get rejected the first time, but be prepared to pay a good chunk of your backpay, 25 % I think is the norm.  The best advice I can give is to talk to your doctor(s) and make sure they are aware of your filing and will back you on it and when you are filing out the forms be prepared to answer the same questions over and over and do not sugar coat anything.  Best of luck! 

Kimber

Posted 11/17/2008 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
one more thing.... keep copies of everything and mark down date, time, person of every phone call. copies of medical reports are also helpful should the fed. lose something or deny receiving it. they'll send you to their doc as well, but usually just a formality.

linda
Posted 11/18/2008 6:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Hockeymom, I know your getting lot's of feeback here so I"ll try not to repeat things you already heard. One thing is I filed back in Feb and was pretty much going in blind. I did come here for a few suggestion's and help but otherwise my wife and I just did it. Anyways I got approved in June. So about 4 months, not to bad. I've heard they are looking deeper into their MS claims. your right alot of people don't understand and it's frustrating. For me it's when I use my Handicapped sticker at the store and people look at me funny, I feel like saying "Hey people, you wouldn't be looking at me like that if you saw me a week ago walking with my cane, would you." I'm 30 yrs old, so I'm sure when they see a young guy, with a ball cap on and nice shoes or something, and their probably like, oh he's using his parents handicapped sticker. I say *@$& them. Just keep you head high.

Good luck, and try to stay positive with it all and keep us posted. See ya
Posted 11/19/2008 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Hockeymom,

I applied for ssd and ssi in November of 2007 and it took until March of 2008 to be told that I was denied. But the man at the SSI Office told me that it's normal practice to deny the first application. The man was wonderful. He told me that when I got my denile letter that I should appeal immediately. As for an attorney, the SSI Office helped me fill out and file my appeal papers along with a list of legal aid attorneys. These attorneys have a limit as to how much they can collect from your back payments. There are some attorneys that don't collect a fee unless you win your case. But the waiting for a court appeal can take 18 months or more before the court sets a date. That is where I am at. Waiting for a court date.
If you do get rejected the first time, don't give up. I have a friend that had to fight for 2 years before she got ssd and she has alot of medical conditions that I can't even list them all. Everything will work out in the end. Just keep pushing through the paperwork, you'll get there.

Heather
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