Hello everyone, my name is beegie I am new to this board! I read alot of your responses about getting approved SSDI. I wanted to find out as much I can about the process and how long does it take to hear a decision.

I applied for SSI and SSDI back on November 2004 for the following disabilities
I was in car accident in June 2003. while on medical leave my job fired me and said I failure to returned to work which was not true. I then continued to suffer financial and employment. So I check my self to a mental health facility and my doctor and therapist diagnostic me with the following:

Major Depression Disorder
chronic back pain
migrate headaches

I wanted to find out what are my chances are. I been to one of SSA mental examination doctor back on Feb 2005 as of today I called DDS to check the status of my case and they said my case is still pending no decision have been made.

Is that good or bad. It been over 6 months today. I kept copies of medical records and everything else. I am looking forward to your responses. I would hear your story and suggestion. I am currently between treated to Mental Health center for my depression and hospital chronic pain and physical therapy. I don't have any income, no financial support from family. my mother is taking care of me. i don't know what to do. any ideas. Thanks.

well beegie i also applied in november 2004 and i understand what you are going through well i just want you to know that i was approved like a week ago but now they have sent my case off to atlanta for a review now they tell me its going to be another of couple a weeks before i get my award letter but i guess the only good news is that i was approved so just keep hope and faith alive yours should come soon

Thanks jackson1 for the kind words I appreciated it.. I am hoping and praying the time will come soon like yours did and I will get approved anytime now. The lady who working on my case is very nice and helpful at DDS. When I went to my mental examination I was very prepared i took all my medications, my glasses, my hearing aid. And the doctor overthere was very nice and and was trying to help me get approved. The doctor told me that since SSA didn't required me to take additional testing that is a good sign SSA just need more information along with my medical records to decide my case.. If I am approved the lady said I will be tested in three years. I am from Atlanta I live in the Stone Mountain area. I done everything I suppose to do I go to my doctor appointments regularly never miss none also fax SSA copies of my visit and next appointment and medical records. I also call regulary and check on the status of my case. I tried to provide SSA as much information I can so I can be approved. Times are very hard as you know. Hopefully my prayers will be answer!!! Just like yours and everyone else who has applied for the disability for the first time. Thanks.

hello beegie, my name is robin, nice to meet you.
it seems that you are doing a great job on keeping all you appts and keeping all med records. that is so important in applying with ss especially if you are doing it on your own without an atty.
what stage are you at? i was denied at the hearing stage and am now in the process of writing a letter to the appeals council to let them know that i disagree with the ALJ decision.
i had an atty but they just sent me a letter saying that there was nothing that they could do for me anymore. that was a big dissapointment. it made me feel maybe i have no case, but truley deep in my heart i realized that i do and i am going to keep fighting and not give up even though i sometimes felt like giving up. i guess thats what they want you to feel like doing though.
i just decieded to get as much information that i could off the net and take notes and write my own letter with help from friends and family to help me to look over it.
i have fibromyalgia anxiety and depression and they cause me to get alot of brain fog. i also get bad anxiety when trying to write this letter because i feel that it is not good enough. i think i have written like 6 letters and keep starting over. this is my last chance to get a remand before they deny me and i have to go to the supreme court phase. it has been such a nightmare for me.
i hope it goes alot smoother for you. i also have 2 children who are counting on this. they are 2 and 5 and that makes me want to fight more to get it. i have been off work for 2 yrs now and it has been hard for us. i am only 29 which is considered young but i have worked since i was 16 with an impressive work history so i feel that i deserve this. believe me i wish i was in good health to be able to work and provide for my children the way i want.
well thats enough rambling for me, goodluck and keep us posted on your case.
robin

Hi robin, thanks for your reply. I am in the intial stage i have been there for 7 months. due to the backlogs of SSA at my area. I am really mad it taking this long and no decision. My case is still pending after 7 months. I call my adjucator last friday she couldn't tell me the decision that SSA will let me know. she did says if I recieved quick repsonse from her it will be denial. I am very prepared whatever the outcome going to be. I am getting all records together put them in notebooks and labels each section when or if I have to go to hearing stage I have my full documentating including my journals and etc. As you see I kept all my appointments and kept good records. My adjudcator says not to get my hopes up it can go anyway. My adjucator says if I am denied take all records to SSA and file a reconsideration ASAP when letter arrived. My adjucator did says I kept good records. Least that is good signe. Right now I am suffering major depression, migrate headaches and chronic back pain. I am taking alot of medication cause me to drowniess, can concertaed and sleep. I can't work right now. I just hope and pray they make the right decisions for people like us who has serious disability. Thanks for listening.