kab031550
06-14-2004, 09:18 AM
Just to make this short out of what could be a long question!!
First question do you feel I would have a case if I file?
I am a woman of 54 years of age. A year ago this past March I was diagnoised with
Rheumatoid Arthritis, High Blood Pressure, Osteo Arthritis, Raynauds, Fibromyalgia, 2 bulging disks in back and depression all at one time! and I also was doctoring with COPD, Acid Reflux already.
My question is I feel I need to apply for SSD, I now am down to working 1 day a week but that pay is not enough to pay for all the co pays to doctors, Rheumy, Meds....ect.
I want to know if you think it will be even worth filing if I want to keep this 1 day a week work day, because this job is a job that I can go do anytime that I know I am feeling up to it. They are very supportive. I only work the one day a week, do you think this will harm my changes of receiving ssd even though it says you can make up to 800.00 a month a still file?
I in quite a lot of pain all the time and I take so much medications, but I just hate the thought of having to file for ssd but I know there is not much choice. Do you feel filing on your own first, to see if you are denied before hiring a lawyer is best or you should hire a lawyer right away? Is it best to go in person to do the disability or is on line or by phone just as good.
There is so many questions I am hoping I can find support and answers when they come up through this site.
Appreciate any help anyone can give me on this.
First question do you feel I would have a case if I file?
I am a woman of 54 years of age. A year ago this past March I was diagnoised with
Rheumatoid Arthritis, High Blood Pressure, Osteo Arthritis, Raynauds, Fibromyalgia, 2 bulging disks in back and depression all at one time! and I also was doctoring with COPD, Acid Reflux already.
My question is I feel I need to apply for SSD, I now am down to working 1 day a week but that pay is not enough to pay for all the co pays to doctors, Rheumy, Meds....ect.
I want to know if you think it will be even worth filing if I want to keep this 1 day a week work day, because this job is a job that I can go do anytime that I know I am feeling up to it. They are very supportive. I only work the one day a week, do you think this will harm my changes of receiving ssd even though it says you can make up to 800.00 a month a still file?
I in quite a lot of pain all the time and I take so much medications, but I just hate the thought of having to file for ssd but I know there is not much choice. Do you feel filing on your own first, to see if you are denied before hiring a lawyer is best or you should hire a lawyer right away? Is it best to go in person to do the disability or is on line or by phone just as good.
There is so many questions I am hoping I can find support and answers when they come up through this site.
Appreciate any help anyone can give me on this.
Sponsor
Kissa
06-14-2004, 02:40 PM
You probably could file for SSD if you have enough qualifying work credits for your age.
Some people get an attorney right way, others after the first denial. It can't hurt to call and talk to an attorney I spose, as long as they specialize in Disability.
If you file on your own it's probably best to file via the phone. They will send you out a packet of paperwork to fill out and then generally call you for an interview before going any further.
Some people get an attorney right way, others after the first denial. It can't hurt to call and talk to an attorney I spose, as long as they specialize in Disability.
If you file on your own it's probably best to file via the phone. They will send you out a packet of paperwork to fill out and then generally call you for an interview before going any further.
DEEnSC
06-14-2004, 03:53 PM
Even though you don't like the thought of filing for disability, if I was you, I would go ahead and file. You have nothing to lose by filing. It is not a short process by any means. If you are down to working one day a week from working full time then that shows that your illness's are hindering your everyday life. I did'nt even think of getting an attorney before I filed the first time and was even forwarned that I would probably get denied, which I did. I appealled it and won on my second go round. No lawyer needed, but that is just my case, I suppose every one is different. I also called and made an appointment to file for disablity and went to my local office. All that was done that day, I was given a packet of papers to take home and fill out and mail them back in to them. I have a friend who filed everything out on line. Either way you go I wish you the best of luck.
DEE
DEE
dalesgirl
06-20-2004, 04:49 PM
Hi. I just wanted to suggest a few things. I'm not sure where you are located but the social security process is different in some states. In my state of Indiana there are 3 processess, the last being a judge. I know in Missouri there is only 2, also the last being a judge. The odd thing is they both seem to take JUST AS LONG. Also I suggest NOT getting a lawyer until you get to the process right before the judge. The lawyer doesn't do anything until it actually goes to court and the process between the last denial and getting to a judge can take up to a year or more so that gives you plenty of time to find a lawyer. The reason I suggest this is because the lawyer gets a percentage of any back pay (it's 25% or $5,300, whichever is less). My husband and myself were unaware of this and he got a lawyer after his first denial. WE did all the leg work for everything and he was approved the second time out. So, in essence the lawyer got money for doing absolutely nothing.
You can contact me at skinnyyeahright@hotmail.com if you'd like to hear more about this process. It's very very long. It is my belief that they let it go so long as they can forcing you to work if you AT ALL possibly can. It puts a long stress on finances.
You can contact me at skinnyyeahright@hotmail.com if you'd like to hear more about this process. It's very very long. It is my belief that they let it go so long as they can forcing you to work if you AT ALL possibly can. It puts a long stress on finances.
leather green
06-22-2004, 04:06 PM
I am from Indiana also, I filed on my own it took several months and I got declined.. I filed with Attorney In Evansville turned down on recondsideration, now we are waiting on a date for Appeal.. Is this the last part of the process? What is the Appeal like? I understand that they have hired 2 new judges to Area so possibly it will go faster.. or not. Also how Important that i get a letter from my Doctor? My Attorney has never told me to get a letter. Thank you, nice to have someone from Indiana..... :)
Leather green
Leather green
dalesgirl
06-22-2004, 05:42 PM
I am from Indiana also, I filed on my own it took several months and I got declined.. I filed with Attorney In Evansville turned down on recondsideration, now we are waiting on a date for Appeal.. Is this the last part of the process? What is the Appeal like? I understand that they have hired 2 new judges to Area so possibly it will go faster.. or not. Also how Important that i get a letter from my Doctor? My Attorney has never told me to get a letter. Thank you, nice to have someone from Indiana..... :)
Leather green
my husband didn't see the judge as he was approved on the reconsideration so I can't tell you from personal experience about the judge but I know others that have been and have not been approved by the judge. The first thing I would do is contact SS office/caseworker. They are REQUIRED to give you the information they used in order to consider your case if you ask for it. What this will do is show you your medical information or at least what they have. My husbands rehab doctor was SO angry he was denied first time out that he sent a letter to each of his other doctors(family and neurosurgeon) as well as put one in his file and specified that THAT letter was to go with any more information that SS asked for.
Leather green
my husband didn't see the judge as he was approved on the reconsideration so I can't tell you from personal experience about the judge but I know others that have been and have not been approved by the judge. The first thing I would do is contact SS office/caseworker. They are REQUIRED to give you the information they used in order to consider your case if you ask for it. What this will do is show you your medical information or at least what they have. My husbands rehab doctor was SO angry he was denied first time out that he sent a letter to each of his other doctors(family and neurosurgeon) as well as put one in his file and specified that THAT letter was to go with any more information that SS asked for.
kab031550
06-24-2004, 09:34 AM
Thanks for the replies I have received. To update, I decided to contact a lawyer right away, so I saw one on Wed. I know this is always a long process but at least when you file there is that hope out there! I have always kept a journal every day of everyday life and in there is also medical related conditions and when I went to the doctor ect... so I just had to go back over these journals and find certain dates that I thought would apply to SS. Also when I was first diagnoised with all the conditions, I did start a medical journal that I write every appt. in and days that I am having bad days any thing related to medical.
The lawyer helped me fill out the form to send into disability so now it is just the waiting! I am not sure how long this will take but at least after having filed there is the hope of help out there.
Thank you for the support from you.
The lawyer was amazed at all the information (dates and procedures I had available to them) that I had recorded in these journals, she said it made filling out the forms easier for us to do. They said it took 8 hours to fill out the last customers forms and it took we 2 hours and we were done. I have always been a writer of journals because it is so interest ing to look back say 5 years from the date and see what you were doing than? It also has come into being very helpful for many other reasons, when kids want to know when something happened.
Thanks again for your support! I will keep you informed on my progress which I am sure if going to probably be slow going.
The lawyer helped me fill out the form to send into disability so now it is just the waiting! I am not sure how long this will take but at least after having filed there is the hope of help out there.
Thank you for the support from you.
The lawyer was amazed at all the information (dates and procedures I had available to them) that I had recorded in these journals, she said it made filling out the forms easier for us to do. They said it took 8 hours to fill out the last customers forms and it took we 2 hours and we were done. I have always been a writer of journals because it is so interest ing to look back say 5 years from the date and see what you were doing than? It also has come into being very helpful for many other reasons, when kids want to know when something happened.
Thanks again for your support! I will keep you informed on my progress which I am sure if going to probably be slow going.