Disability Insurance - In the Process - Any Helpful/Hopeful Stores

[Billydude]

I'm in the process of applying for disability SSI.    This seems to be my biggest cause of anxiety at the moment.    I'm just wondering how its going for any of you that are in the middle of it and if anyone has been denied and for what reasons. 
Steve

[mompain]

I am also in the process of filling out my SSDI paperwork.  WOW!! It is so time consuming and they only allow 10 days to fill it out from the time they send it, which is about 2 or 3 days before you actually get it, so you actually have about 7 days to fill it all out.  I,like you, am stressing out about it.  I know how I feel, how little I am able to do, how I felt when I was killing myself getting to work every day, and I want to make sure that the person reading my forms know this too.  I keep reading and rereading what I have written to try and make sure that I am saying what I want to say.  Because of memory fog and lapses, I have problems keeping things straight in my brain and actually writing what I am thinking.  I will look back and it will not be what I meant to say at all. 

Good luck with your paperwork and SSDI approval work.  Would everyone please keep us, and any others going through this process, in your thoughts and prayers?  As you who have gone through it, you know how stressful it can be.  Please let us know if you have any pointers or helpful hints. 

I think one of the things that has helped me the most is the Sjogren's ruling from the Social Sec. Admin. that is on this site.  It was passed in March of 2008 and has some wonderful hints and things that they will look for in your paperwork.  I am sure there are more wonderful things that I don't know about so I would appreciate any and all help. 

I hope and pray that your day is wonderful.

[eyeamdry]

Good luck to both of you (and others) who may be filing for SSDI.  It is nerve wracking and stressful, for sure.  Be sure and fill the papers out thoughtfully and in detail.  If you think it's important, don't leave it out.  (Whatever "it" is.) Lucy
good Luck

[Billydude]

Thanks Lucy.  I actually have a disability law firm that is taking care of it from start to finish.  But,  that doesn't make it any less stressful.  I still have to fill out the forms and such.    I'm just over-stressing about the small details and wonder what I could do to screw it up.
Steve

[eyeamdry]

Steve, enough negativity now.  Let your lawyer guide you and try to have a good attitude.  It will be, or it won't be whether you worry about it or not.  I know it's impossible to not worry, but try and throw a little distraction in for yourself once in awhile.  A movie, a walk, positive remember!  Lucy

[SilberKatze]

I'm working on getting on SS as well. Right now I just have to go to a Rheumalogist appointment August 6th, and about two-4 weeks after that I should find out if I am aproved. And if I'm denied, I just have to have an Apeal...or whatever it is. And hopefully after that I'll be on it....or I can just reaply...which I don't really want to do. Too much work. Been working on this since Jan. 08 and it's been a pain.

But there is a good thing with all this waiting and all. I hope anyways.

I wish all of you the best! ^_^

[Mark54]

Steve,
     Good luck with you SSDI case. My wife started the process over a year and a half ago. She has been denied twice and is now waiting for a court date which will take between 20 and 24 months. We are also going though a lawyer.
    She has Sjogren's, transverse myelitis, severe asthma,high blood pressure and diabetes. The doctors who are contracted by thee SSD system are whoever bids the cheapest to get the business. My wife was "seen" by a Chiropractor. She was "checkout" by the "doctor" for 10 minutes. Even know she takes 17 different meds each day, is numb on her right-side from her chest to her toes, and has asthma so severe she has to stay in our house with air purification machine running 24/7, she was told by the "doctor" and system that she should be able to work everyday with out any complications.
     Hang in there! It's just a long process. Hopefully your state isn't as backwards as mine.

God's blessings,

Mark....

[Billydude]

Sorry Lucy.  Am I being negative?   I just feel like I need to prepare for a "fight" that I don't have in me!
Steve

[navydad]

Steve,, I think your probab;y preparing for the fight ahead,, I would love nothing better then to get SSI,, but how can I possible hold out for how long it takes to get it,,, lose my home,, lose my car,, my INSURANCE,,, its set up for the working people to work till they drop over becasue they cant stop working,, or they stop working and go under,, and have to go back to work,, wish it were simple,, but its set up for  some to fail

[irish]

Mark, Have you ever thought about calling your congressman and telling his people about your plight? I think it is time to make some waves. There is something very wrong with this picture. Chiropractors have no darn business dealing with autoimmune issues. Irish

[Billydude]

You are right Navydad.  They expect you to be totally not able to work or have any earnings yet they'll make you wait 6 to 18 months.  If you make any money in that time they have a problem with it and expect that you can actually earn a living.  They seem to expect you to starve and live in a cardboard box until they get around to awarding you.   Crazy system.

[Annj5]

Good luck with this Steve!

I was one of the lucky ones who was approved with my first application.

The only suggestions that I can give you are ones that others gave me at the time - kill 'em with details. Anything even remotely connected to your illness should be documented. I attached several other pages to the form because I ran out of space on the forms. I also had my hubby add comments to the document in respect to several things that he noticed, as well as tasks that he had to pick up after I became ill. I thought of, and wrote down, how Sjogren's has impacted my body and affected me on the job, even minute details. I was approved two years ago.

I don't think you are being negative - just worried about this very important financial decision by SSI. As we all were when we applied. We're all here to support you - so feel free to vent, we've all been there!

I'll be thinking good thoughts for you.

Julia

[Billydude]

Thanks Julia....that was just the right words.  I was feeling a little "reprimanded" on the negative comment.    I was just reading your blog.   DIL....yikes!!!!!    Good luck to you too and let me know what you think of that book....or did you read it already.  I'm a diet addict too!
Steve

[Mark54]

Irish,
     I tried the Congressman thing. Got the form letter. We will just sit and wait.
Julia,
     I glad you got yours an your first try! We gave them reams of paper and doctors reports and still was denied. Thank God your state pushed you though!

God's blessings,

Mark....

[Sjenny]

Mark:

When I couldn't get benefits for my autistic son I visited the office of my local state representative and they were wonderful - my son had his benefits in a matter of days.

Is there any other elected official that might be more responsive to you?  What if you went to the local media for a feature story about your plight, provided you can find a sympathetic reporter, that shakes politicians up.

I think it is despicable that your wife who is so very ill is being denied benefits and I'll bet 99% of the public would feel exactly the same way!

Sue