Disability

[Epson]

I read something interest about disability.  Did you know that 70% of all claims are rejected the first time.  Two people with SS could apply, one accepted and one rejected, both have the same illness.  Go figure

[Scottietottie]

Maybe they have a quota! 

[eyeamdry]

I don't think we'll ever break that code.  As Epson said........exact same thing, one gets it, one doesn't.  But for anyone who will file for Disability in the future, let's not forget that some cases are put through the first time.   If I had listened to my ophthalmologist, I never would have filed for disability because he told me I'd never qualify.  Period.  Well, it wasn't up to him.   I'd been seeing him for 5 straight years with a million dr appts. I brought my GP into the circle and my chances changed dramatically. 

Everyone else told me I couldn't qualify either.  Well, I filed myself and got it on first try.  I feel fortunate because others have such a hard time.  I expected to have the same problem(s). 

There are a few on here who got disability on the first try.   Again, if I had listened to the doctor, and everyone else, I'd be eating from the food pantry.  So, people, try when you think it's your time.  Also be mindful that as Mark says, "hang in there, the system wants you to give up."

Lucy

[Billydude]

DON"T be afraid of using an attorney.   I was just approved on first try and my total wait was only 5 months.   The attorneys processed my claim as if my disabiliy started Jan of 2007.  The max that they can get is 5000.00 and that is taken from the awarded amount.  If you get nothing they get nothing.    So they got 5000.00 and I got 20.000.   It was well worth it to me because I was told that SSDI takes cases from attorneys much more seriously as they know an attorney won't take you on unless they know they have a case.   My recomedation is to use an attorney from the start.  No hassle and no stress.   If you started the process on your own then get one for the final appeal process.
Steve

[cathyb]

Do not give up whatever you do.  I was denied twice and then went to a lawyer.  It took him another year to get it approved but once I went to him it was much less work on my part.

At my hearing the judge never talked to me just call my lawyer in and said it was approved so keep at it.  It took me about 3 years but if you stick with it you will probably win your case.

[Reanne]

Hi Everyone,

I'm happy for those of you who have been approved for SSDI.  It's scary though that it could take 3 to 5 years.  How did you survive until then?  If I quit work, will my husband's insurance have to accept pre-exisitng conditions?  There are so many things to consider.  Some days I wonder, can I really make it through the work day?  I've been there 15 years, but if I started today, I'm not sure they would keep me past probation period due to my limitations.

Reanne

[Billydude]

Guys.  I've said this earlier but I can't stress enough this!!!!   Just use the attorney from the start.  SSDI takes those cases more seriously.  Don't even bother trying the first time on your own.    I went to   www.disabilitygroup.com   and they took it from the very start.   There is even a free evaluation on-line to tell if you might have a case.   If you get nothing they get nothing and only get 25 per cent from the backdated award amount not to exceed 5 thousand.   I got 20 thousand and they got 5 thousand.   It only took 5 months and my medicare starts this July because my award payment date started Jul of 07 and with the two year wait on medicare I'll have it in July.    DON"T FUSS WITH THIS YOURSELF!!!!!   
Steve

[Seeker]

 all, I just wanted to say that the billydude is dead on about the lawyer.  You can save yourself a lot of time,heartache and frustration, if you let a lawyer handle it. 

Seeker 

[djean87]

I also just got denied for disability.Figured best to talk with attorney have appoitment there 29th of this month.As everyone says usually denied first time.Am going to keep on trying,jump through hoops they think I need to do. And as others say think they turn ya down first time to see if ya are serious or not and if ya give up easy they dont have you to deal with.Keeps money in their pot so to speak!! Keep  your spirits up and follow through.

[eyeamdry]

Billydude/Steve gave y'all excellent advice in getting a lawyer from the beginning.  I apparently could not do this because I wanted a lawyer from the start.  I made an appointment with one to discuss disability and paid him $150 for a one hour consultation.  He told me to go ahead and start the paperwork that he couldn't help me until I'd been turned down.  I took his word as gospel and started the paperwork.  The good thing for me was that I got approved first time and didn't need to have a lawyer.

According to what Steve says, a lawyer will take it from the beginning.  I thought that's what I wanted to do, but maybe the old fuddy duddy didn't want to bother with me.  So, if one lawyer tells you no then see another one.  Good luck to all on the SSDI.  Lucy

[Billydude]

Just go to a firm that only does disability cases like the one I mentioned.   They did all the paperwork.  Like I mentioned you can find out if you qualify on-line before even talking with them.   They won't take you on unless they believe they have a case and with Sjogrens now being on the approved illness list with social security they should take you on I would think.   Im sure there are other things they look at like if you have stopped working and such.   
I just know I didn't have the emotional currency to deal with this all my own as I'm prone to anxiety!
Steve

[Nettie]

As someone who has also been through this process, here's some feedback and it's my own personal opinion.  Most lawyers will recommend that you apply for social security disability yourself initially and come to them only after you have been denied. Be careful of which on-line lawyers you use as you may really desire having a lawyer who can represent you in the event that you have a hearing in your state.  I have heard that some on-line firms actually search for a local attorney to take their place in representing you.  Once you hire an attorney, it is very hard to switch if you are at all unhappy with their level of service.  Most lawyers will not take on your case if you are already being represented unless you can secure a written release (hard to get).  You need to be aware that there are non attorney representatives who may advertise their services.  Some of these firms have very good folks working for them, but just be aware of the qualifications of who you choose to represent you. 

In my opinion, the more complicated and unknown your conditions are, the more difficult it may be for you to initially qualify.  Simply getting a lawyer upfront may not be all that it takes to get a fast approval.  If you hire a lawyer, ask if it is accepted practice for you to stay involved in your own case.  I personally signed on for representation that I was not happy with.  My husband and I however stayed actively involved sending information directly to social security on my behalf.  When I would ask to see briefs or documents that were filed on my behalf, I was told that they could not disclose confidential documents to me.  I was only able to see some things when I requested copies of my ssa file and when my husband and I made an appointment to see my ssa file that was prepared for my hearing at the ssa office. 

I am in no way saying that you should not get representation, just research the firm and make an informed decision.  You may be working with this firm for a few years. 

Reanne - good questions.  You should ask your husband to check into his insurance to see if you can be automatically added if you were to stop working and if they will consider pre-existing conditions at that time. 

Nettie 

[Billydude]

All I can say to the above is that the firm I used took me on from the beginning and would have sent their own person to the hearing had I needed one.    I'm can't say enough about the group I used.  They are called The Disability Group.
Steve

[peacefulstorm]

Theresa, I used to be a supervisor for a well known disability company.  Are you receiving disibility funds? If you are, we were required to help with SSD if the person asked for help and we couldnt take a chunck of money from them either! Just a thought!
If you are not on disability through your company's program or an individual policy then the lawyer is the next step, but not until you are at least turned down twice. EVERYONE is turned down at first! I know this to be a fact, there is a very small percentage of people that are automatically approved, it's like 12%, terrible huh!
Good luck! Cortnee'

[Epson]

We all know how hard it is to find a good doctor, what makes you think finding a good lawyer would be any different.