I just got home from my SSDI hearing before an administrative law judge. I thought it went well and I am confident the ruling will be in my favor. I just have to wait now for the findings in writing. My lawyer felt it went well too. In fact, the judge gave the Vocational Expert a hypothetical person with my medical problems and limitations and asked him if that person would be able to return to work as a nurse. He responded "absolutely not." The judge then asked if he could think of ANY jobs suitable for a person with my limitations to which he replied "no." My lawyer says it would be surprising if the judge ruled against the advice of their own expert. So I am going to relax and wait for the letter to arrive.

I just wanted to post and say there is still hope for those waiting. Next month will be 3 years since I applied.

Mary :bouncing:

i hope things go your way it has been 3 years for me also the ve said no jobs for me also my hearing was in january still waiting for decision im from mi where are u from

I'm glad to hear you finally had your hearing and it does sound promising. Definately let us know how it goes!!

I live in California. Everything takes longer here! I'll post when I get my written decision.

Mary

:blob_fire Yesterday I received my written decision in the mail.....Fully Favorable! The judge ruled that the evidence submitted supports the opinions of my doctors that I am disabled and finds nothing to support the SSA medical review opinion that I can work as a staff nurse. He also found the date of my disability to be Jan 2001, the day I stopped working. I just have to wait now for the award letter, back pay, and monthly payments to begin. I should receive retroactive pay back to one year before the date I applied, minus 5 months, right?

Good luck to all still waiting. This closes a 3 year SSDI saga for me. Now I can concentrate on forcing my LTD carrier to reinstate my claim which was closed improperly.

If you have a valid disability keep fighting.

Mary :wave:

:wave: Mary
So very thrilled for you!!!!!:D :D :D :D :D

I had my hearing the beginning of May and am waiting on the ruling. Same thing happened at my hearing, Judge gave hypo to expert and she said I couldn't work. Keeping my fingers crossed that I will have a favorable outcome too.

Can't tell you enough how happy I am for you. It's a long, stessful, emotional, painful journey - but you made it!!:angel:

: He also found the date of my disability to be Jan 2001, the day I stopped working. I just have to wait now for the award letter, back pay, and monthly payments to begin. I should receive retroactive pay back to one year before the date I applied, minus 5 months, right?

Mary
I don't know when you applied but you will recieve retro from approx. July 2001...it is from the date they say you are disabled minus the 5 months. It has nothing to do from when you applied unless you applied in Jan 2001. My disability was approved from Jan 2003...my first check came Aug 2003 for my July 2003 payment.

CountryKid,

I have researched extensively and everything I find says that the back pay will only go back 12 months (minus five) from the date you applied. I was disabled in Jan 2001 but did not apply for SSDI until July 2004 so the farthest my back pay can go is July 2003 minus five months.

Can you show me anything that states otherwise. It would be nice but I think I have it right.

Thanks!

Mary

Mary

My husband filled for SSDI in August of 2005...now he was told when he had his phone interview that because he was unable to work since Oct 2002 he would recieve benefits from March 2003. (5 month wait)...now we are in the appeal process so I am only going by what we were told...you may be right..I am only going by what we were told..no proven facts yets

My husband applied last year and was approved two months ago. His backpay covered Feb 04 to June 06 (minus the 5 months)