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Does anybody know how to apply for disability?

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Posted 4/1/2010 12:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone.  I'm just wondering if anybody out here knows how to apply for disability?

butterfly

Posted 4/1/2010 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Butterfly,

Go to your local social security office and get the packet. Then get started. It's a ton of work, but the instructions are all in the packet. Also will you be applying for supplemental health insurance or a co-disability payment from your place of employment? May as well do both at once. Good luck. Rosemary
Posted 4/1/2010 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, fill out the packet that you can get at the Soc. Sec. office.

Be prepared to be turned down. Then file for reconsideration. Chances are you will be denied again. Then file for a hearing in front of a judge. They want you to give up. But, don't.

The reason you'll most likely be turned down the first time is because they want you to give up. There are soooo many people filing and so few employees to read their applications. Very few people get approved right off the bat. No matter how sick they are.

Be prepared for a LONG wait. I know here in Florida there was a backlog of about 18 months. It took me three and a half years to get in front of a judge. Then another three months to get the approval letter. But that was three years ago. The backlog is longer now. So be prepared for that.

Make sure you have your own copies of ALL your medical and work history.
Posted 4/1/2010 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
You can do it on-line now! SSA.gov. You can sign in and out as you need. It really helps. Have all your "dates of disability" and hospital stays handy. If you had significant weight loss, have those documented by doctor visits.

Practically EVERYONE is turned down the first time. Honestly, the fewer doctors you had in the past, the better because they have less people to contact and less opportunity to mess up! I used to apply for disability as a patient advocate. If you have more questions, email. I'm happy to help.

Good luck.
Posted 4/1/2010 5:02 PM (GMT 0)

butterfly  What they are saying is true, I live in Oregon and I was turned down 2 times as I expected to happen.  Then I got a attorny pro-bono, so only had to pay a hundred dollars for simple paper work then the attorney takes his money out before the check gets to me...  so you get all the back pay from the day you first start so its great when you get your first check, cuz it will be big...good luck.  Its just a pain doing all the paper work, but hang in there..

Leslie

Posted 4/2/2010 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Butterfly,

I got my disability on the first try, but as the others have said, this is unusual. Also I had to list 11 docs that I had to see for help after the messed up (mostly unneeded) 2006 7-procedure surgery, so that must have been time consuming for someone to deal with. As I remember it, I enclosed copies of all my records so they did not have to do more than just make a tel. call to the hospitals and verify that I'd gone there. This may have helped me. This is a tougher job than working, doing this filing; however, do hang in and it will work out. Perseverance is the key. Good luck, Rosemary
Posted 4/2/2010 4:15 AM (GMT 0)
yeah its very hard to get approved and its a long road, not what someone who is sick feels like doing! Which is why so many people give up.
My Dad is on disablitly, he had polio and now has post polio, and it took him over 2 years to get his, i dont know how many times he got turned down, but he finally got a lawyer and finally got approved.
Posted 4/2/2010 6:19 PM (GMT 0)
, Rosemary  Did you get it on the first try?  That would be totally unheard of...but cool for you...way to go...

Lesllie

Posted 4/4/2010 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Leslie,

Yup, got it on the first try! :-) Paperwork is a strength of mine as I did it for a career 17 years. Then I put together my own medmal suit (that took 2 years, but only because I had to learn the anatomy), but I did that one too. I should launch a new career as a paperwork helper for those needing help in these areas. Rosemary
Posted 4/4/2010 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
Rosemary, that is great...Happy Easter....ya you could help those who are trying to get it...LOL

Leslie

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