Well today I got a letter in the mail saying I was denied SS benefits because even though (and I quote) " you have inflammatory spondylarthropy, sjogrens, degenerative disc disease, Tarlov Cysts, MGUS and depression you can still answer questions and could work as a telephone salesperson!! LMBO!! REALLY???
So, not only do you have to try to find a new job in this economy where NO ONE can find anything, you have to find a SPECIFIC job? And hope it will be at a pay rate that will support you financially? What a load of crap. Sorry for that but come on. REALLY??
I can hear you now at a "place where they find you a job" (sorry brain fog took over, LOL)
"I need you to find me a job. Not just any job, but one in phone sales that can pay enough to support me and my family and can accommodate all the special needs I have as someone with a long list of dibilitating health issues, with needs including but not limited to comfortable seating and time off for flares."
Where do people come up with their decisions?!
(((HUGS)))
My denial said "reapply on your 62 birthday and you will be approved when you are 62.5". Yes, the refusals are interesting. Maybe I should purchase a couple of kegs and bring this up to those nice young men that ride big motorcycles that say they owe me a really big favor? Not that I would.
Well I made a deal with God before I even knew the outcome - saying if I got denied I would suck it up and try to go back to work in the fall - I am a teacher and I REALLY do miss teaching....I am currently surviving on private disability that would last till retirement age if I wanted. But then I talked with my children and they said - well Mom - you might feel better now - that you have been resting at home - but what happens when you go back to standing and walking all day? You'll be right back to square one. So I DON"T KNOW WHAT TO DO : ( Appeal? Win the Lottery? Be content with my private disability insurance? go back to work???
I would definitely appeal the SSDI decision. A good majority of people are refused on the first try for SSDI and then get approved later. You can always engage the services of an experienced SSDI attorney as that is probably the best way to get your appeal to succeed and they often work on a contingency if they believe your case is strong.
Best of luck,
Daisy
Amy,
I agree with Daisy. You should appeal. Unfortunately that seems to be how things go.
I also think your children nailed it...you feel better because you are not working. I know it's hard, but try to keep that in mind while you continue this process.
Oh, good grief. You can answer questions so go answer phones!? I suppose when we apply for disability we shouldn't answer any of their questions now!?
It's common to get turned down the first time. Appeal for sure. Are your doctors supportive? If so, are they backing that up in their records? That's where it counts. If they are not 100% behind you and documenting that, it will be difficult to win.
Hold your head high!!
Look at the doctors who may be the most sympathetic with you. You don't need your doc's approval to get SSDI. Any medical person you have seen can fill out the paperwork. For me, I did not know I had sjogrens yet, but my eyes were damaged by Lasik surgery. I worked as a secretary for 5 years with diminishing vision and dry eyes. I was making mistakes and having problems reading. My eye surgeon told me that "You will not get social security because of this." Well, I did and did so with my first try. So he was so arrogant and I spit in his eye.
My GP had mentioned to me that "disability should be a breeze with your bad vision." I remembered that and when I decided to file, I went to him first. He set the tone for the other drs as I showed the other docs my GP's paperwork. Your family and friends can also have input. It's time for you to get an attorney. Good luck. You just do not know what is going to happen. If I had listened to my eye butcher and most people, I would have never even tried to file. I filed myself and was successful. I am not bragging, just saying to you to persevere and do not let others get you down. If you don't believe in your own disability, then others won't either. Don't forget any mental health workers you may have spoken too. Good luck Lucy
Oh Amy, I am so sorry! That is very disheartening! But don't give up. They say it is better to appeal now that you've made the application.
If you try to return to work, it could end up hurting you in the future. I think your children are right, you are feeling better because you aren't working. You have to remember how lousy you felt while you were working.
I'll be in your boat soon. I'm a teacher/technology specialist. After I heal from my hip replacement I'll go back to work for a few months, and then "retire" at the end of the year. I turned in my termination papers for the end of the year before I had my surgery. I'll be applying for disability in June (I just have to make 'til then) I'm scared to death, and know I may be in for a long battle with appeals etc.
Stick to your guns. You know how you were feeling while working. I agree with Daisy and the rest, appeal and get a good disability lawyer.
Hey Lucy, thanks for sharing your experience. It reminds me that even though my Rheumy doesn't think my Sjogrens will qualify for disability, I think my back doc and others will help. I'm trying to learn all I can before I apply in June.
Get a lawyer & appeal, good luck !
Thank you guys - I think you are right. I already have an attorney handling my workmans comp claim - I guess I'll just add this to his plate. Yeah...the more I think about it...telephone sales? That's laughable! I remember coughing all the time when I was teaching from talking all the time - not to mention the pain of sitting - or standing - or laying down for any length of time. It just pisses me off coz now if I win - I'll have to share my back pay with any attorney. It's like a game SS plays - and the only people who win at this game are the attorneys. Ugh
You know, Artsy, I had the same thoughts as you. I have been home for a while and have started feeling better. On the good days I think about going back to work. Then something happens like: driving to the grocery store, picking up something heavy, doing housework for 2-3 hours etc. Then I am out for the next 2-3 days. Then I know that I am feeling better because my work load is lighter.
Hang in there. I am pulling for you!
Duchess
I would definitely appeal. i would also get a lawyer who specialize in disability law. I haven't work since I got married so I can't apply for disability but I do know that SJS is disabling.
Artsy, did you mention the part about coughing all the time from talking in your original application? If not, then you really need to mention it this time around. Also, if you did mention that, you need to highlight it in your appeal. If you did mention it, I would roll the dice and appeal without an attorney. You appeal should just need to show the talk about coughing all the time and the recommendation that you get a job doing telephone sales.
This is why it is important that EVERYTHING that limits you needs to be explicitly mentioned in your disability applications.
Is social security an all or nothing proposition? For example, can you work part-time? If you miss teaching, could you possibly job-share? That way you would still be in the teaching loop, but not have to get so exhausted. Maybe you could just go in 3 or 3 days a week. Whatever works. I think there is value in working part-time, for you and for the students. Some people regret retiring completely. We need great teachers. Just an idea. I certainly don't know how you feel, but can tell you that part-time work has been great for me. I know it is good for me to get mental and social stimulation. I get partial disability through my job, which makes up for part of my lost salary. I am lucky to have a lot of flexibility.
Anyway, it never hurts to ask! And be sure about retiring before it is too late.
I would be grateful for the private LTD, but would definitely appeal. Many are denied the first time around. If you did not have a lawyer to assist you, it may be worth finding one. Some insurance companies that supply LTD will even pay for your lawyer. The factors that you need to raise are your inability to work 40 hours a week, or if you are having problems with "basic life skills", which includes taking care of your home, or yourself. The more there is in your medical records that substantiates your health issues the better.
One other thing you should know - there's a relationship between your SS and your LTD. For example, let's say that if you get SS, and they pay you $900 a month, and you get your private LTD, and it pays you $2000 a month. You will still only get $2000 a month, as the $900 you get from SS is an "offset", and your LTD will pay the difference between what you get from SS and what they are contracted to pay you. In this example, they would pay you $1100.
HOWEVER, if you get SS, you will also get Medicare, which is really nice to have, especially if you don't have other medical insurance.
One thing you should know i
Quote from: artsyamerican on February 11, 2012, 03:11:51 PM
Well I made a deal with God before I even knew the outcome - saying if I got denied I would suck it up and try to go back to work in the fall - I am a teacher and I REALLY do miss teaching....I am currently surviving on private disability that would last till retirement age if I wanted. But then I talked with my children and they said - well Mom - you might feel better now - that you have been resting at home - but what happens when you go back to standing and walking all day? You'll be right back to square one. So I DON"T KNOW WHAT TO DO : ( Appeal? Win the Lottery? Be content with my private disability insurance? go back to work???
Artsy,
I, too, am sorry to hear of your SSA denial. Unfortunately, many of us are denied with the first filing.
It's really up to you about going back to work, but as mentioned, if you do, it can hurt your chances of filing again later.
It sounds as if you would be best off by appealing your denial right away with an attorney.
If you feel comfortable with the one you have for a worker's comp case, that's fine, too. If not, I'd suggest you find a good attorney who specializes in Social Security cases.
The SSA looks at a person's age, work history, education, (among other things) and if you could still do the work you have done in the past in a 40-hr. work week. If you are 50 or older, it sometimes is a bit easier to be approved.
My case was denied the first time, so I know how disheartening this can be. If you truly feel you have a good case, be confident in it and speak with an attorney who can help with all the details. If you have another hearing, they will be there to guide you.
I hope this helps just a bit. ;)
Melinda
Thank you guys for all your support. Yes I did know SS benefits would be considered in my long term disability payout but like you said - it's getting Medicaid that is my greatest motivation. Currrently I have zero health insurance and I am petrified! My long term disability people will allow me to collect both in full the first 2 years - I guess to offset not having Medicaid....so that would be nice.