Hi everyone :wave: My name is Travis. I have a few questions on regarding on what to do between filling out the paper work and waiting to get approve for disabilities.

Before I start asking away let me explain a few details:

I'm 20 years old
Never really had a real job before, except for a few weeks at a supermarket.
Haven't gotton a GED yet; I just started to work on that.

Last Feb. I was diagnosed with bipolor and from there I filled out some paper work for disabilities. I also included that I have ADD and have a drug addiction to heroin(which bye the way I'm 10 and half weeks clean).

OK the first question is: Can I update any new info on my health while the paper work is going through all that red tape? I just learned recently that I suffer from migrains on a weekly basies, like 2 to 3 of them a week. I know it's not the meds that I was taking(prozac) I stopped taking that last month cause I don't have the money to pay for the refills. The other meds. I take is methadone and I know that can't possibly be causing headaches cause in a way it's a opiate.

The second question is: Do I even quilfy to get anything from the disability department? I mean, I have never really earn a pay cheque for more than two months at a stretch. This last March I filed my taxes for the first time in my life and my taxes were based on the three pay cheques that I made. I'm not expecting a whole lot of money, just enough to pay for meds and therapy. I also filled out paper work for medicaid too.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Travis

Alright how about just give me this advice:

Can I update any new info on my health while the paper work is going through all that red tape? I just learned recently that I suffer from migrains.

How do I go about doing so?

Travis

Alright how about just give me this advice:

Can I update any new info on my health while the paper work is going through all that red tape? I just learned recently that I suffer from migrains.

How do I go about doing so?

Travis


You can update your condition and add any new diagnosis. Just send the adjudicator (or the person at SSA) who handled your case when you applied medical records stating that you are now being treated for migraines.

hello travis, i have been going through this ss stuff for about 2yrs now. i am on the appeals council process now meaning that i have been denied at the hearing stage already. i had an atty but they said that there was nothing they could to for me at this stage now i have also lost my pain management doc as well.
right now things pretty much SUCK. the only good thing is that i have been doing alot of research on my own on the web to get advice on what to do at this stage.
a little background on me:
i am 29 which does make it a little harder to get ss being that i am young.
i have fibromyalgia, major depression and anxiety
since i have been denied at the hearing stage i now have to write a letter to the appeals council to tell them how i feel the judge has erred in making his decision.
so now here i am with all these notes that i have made and now i need to write a letter.
here is a little info that i have found out, you have to have worked i think it is 5yrs to qualify for ss. but you can qualify for ssd which anyone can file for who have not worked and are low income, and are unable to work due to there disabilty.
i read that in order to have a good case you have to have a good medical file that without them it becomes harder for the claiment to win. if it is hard for you to get medical treatment because of lack of insurance because of no work, apply for medicaid, go the emergency for treatment or to a health department and whatever free clinics may be around in you area. make sure that when you go to get copies of any medical records for your case. it is important that your doc supports you inability to work and that he makes note of that so make sure you discuss it with him or her.
also it is very important that you stay on your meds. i know this also may be tough to some poeple without any insurance.
i was wondering, do you have an atty? if you can find one to take you case it is a good idea.
while your case is being looked at you can still send in any medical stuff you get.
this is probably a little bit more than you asked for but i hope it helps. don't give up though because thats what they want you to do. keep fighting.
well if you have any more questions let me know. you can also find more advice if you do a search on adhd or bipolar and disabilty. you can find alot of useful information there, thats what i did.
good luck and keep us posted,
your friend,
robin :)

Robin

Thanks, wow 2 years and still no relief. Man, I guess I'll be waiting for many years to come too. I thought that you'll get something in the mail by 6 months. I think my case will be hard to get approved on. I don't have nothing, no doctors, no attorney, I'm screwed. All of my medical history is based on emergency care. No doctors would even look at me cause I have no insurence and the ones that did look at me they won't treat me any further untill I pay them. I'm still waiting on getting approve for medicaid. I wonder how long will that take.

Travis

If you don't have enough points in the system, you won't qualify for SSDI. Robin was right about the other system, but it's SSI and that is the one based on annual income and assets (so I hear). It would be in your best interest to go down to the local Social Security office and talk to those people and they may be able to steer you in the right direction. Also check with churches in the area because they may be able to help you out a bit with expenses. Check out disability sites on the web for your area and see if there is any info they have to offer.

Here in SC, when you apply for SSDI, it is automatically an application for SSI and they told my dh during the phone interview that he would not qualify for SSI because my income level is too high. It doesn't take long at all to find out if you qualify for SSI but it takes usually 3-6 months for SSDI to make a determination for or against you.

hey travis any new news?
your friend,
robin

HI tRavis
I had no insurance either , although I was able to see the DR ONCE a year that was paid for with the WELL WOMAN program (don't know if it covers men - sorry, or even if your state would have such a thing???), so they really didn't have a whole lot of Dr reports to go on for me - but I WAS awarded within 3-4 months.....so keep your chin up..they will send you to their doctors as well. I didn't have an attorney either.
I thought for sure I would have to go round and round because I wasn't able to go see a Dr for all my aches and pains every week or month .......................

Like I said keep your chin up and I wish you the BEST !
just hang in there....
((HUGS)))
GraN

Robin

No; no news yet. Soon maybe in July or August. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

NJ is a hard a** state on suporting ppl who need the suport.

Hey all, thanks for the support.

Later

Travis

I have a similar story as to what I just read. My life is terrible in alot of ways. Travis, stay clean no matter what, ok!! My disability claim isn't related to addiction, but in truth I may be addicted. You see, I can't go to a regular doctor because I can't afford the visit. I have to go to the emergency room when my anxiety gets out of hand. I have been diagnosed for 10 years with depression and anxiety attacks. Just after Christmas this last year it was noted I have manic depression. I am on depakote and just last week the patient assistance program thru the company said I needed a Medicaid rejection letter. I hit the roof big time!!! They won't even let me apply for Medicaid since I am 24. I have tried several times. I have had an attorney on my disability claim since early 2004 and still no news. Everyday is a wait game. I have to rely on my parents to do everything. I have no money and I never get to go anywhere. I stay in my apartment for days at a time and it is driving me crazy. People my age are out living their lives and here I am trapped because of the unfair state our SSA is in. Everything is a struggle it seems. After more than 20, yes 20, hospitalizations I am still waiting and wondering if things will ever be better. Travis, I am not trying to discourage you by any means, but you are in for a wait my friend. I hope the 6 month wait does it for you, but it hasn't for me or too many others. If you would like to email me about this please do so. The address is [ please carefully review the posting rules - no emails ] I find it helps when someone knows about the situation you are in. Just know you are not alone.


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ms_seeker

Sorry, I went back to using about a week ago. I got kicked out of the clinic, long story to stoned to talk about it right now. I don't know why I've even bother to get clean and stuff in the first place. For what to suffer from migranes and drepression? There's no way I'm gonna quailify for anything, no company would want to cover a junky. Without money there's nothing anyone can do. I'm stuck in this vicious cycle of having no money and getting no help.

Travis

Travis, hi, just found your post and am now responding. VERY GOOD that you got back into the recovery mode for your addiction. Nothing good can happen until you follow up on THAT. I, too, work a recovery program for a drug addiction that occurred prior to my being treated for Bipolar Disorder. Now that I am, any and all urges to use prescription meds (my addiction) are G O N E.

One very important thing: ADDICTION actually used to be considered a disability but it is NO longer and can actually hinder your case for SSI. They consider this to be a reason you may be unable to work and you could be denied over and over. You must maintain your recovery and have this documented via treatment professionals, docs from a sponsor, etc. I have an attorney representing me for my case (SSDI & SSI) and this was what he infomred me of. I have 10+ years of recovery and this is very important in SS matters - trust me.

MOSTLY-it is important for you, Travis. It is my prayer that you get sick of being controlled by the monkey wishing to destroy you. You can do it, but never alone.

GOD BLESS YOU,

Singsong

man travis, sorry everything seems so screwed up for you right now. its hard on these boards sometimes because you get to know some people on here and you wish you could help them but you can't because we have no way of personal contact on here. i really feel bad that you started useing again because that tells me that things in your life may not be going so good. i hope that you can get help and come out of this but i know how hard it is. when i was in my early 20's i would party and was using illigel drugs. i would also drink. later as i got alittle older i would still use but only on occasions but i know how addicting it can be. i am happy to say now that i am clean and have not used in 5yrs. it feels awesome to be clean especially when you are asked to give a urine test and its not a problem, because i remember stressing out over that one time..
goodluck travis and i hope to hear from you soon.
your friend,
robin :)