Do they want people to die off while waiting for a decision? The process seems to take years and years and the ailing person has to struggle so hard just to continue WAITING! You can't work at all -- even a piddly part-time job is going to count against you (but, hey! You can earn a certain amount in addition to your SSI/SSDI AFTER approval!) So the only way to get by seems to be mooching off some generous soul, working "under the table" on a cash-only basis, or starving to death, or freezing on the strrets with the other homeless.

Doesn't it just SUCK?!?

Or living off of your partner's paycheck, your savings, retirement, pension while waiting for a decision or apply for Welfare or General Assistance.

I know it's frustrating, but hang in there.

Did you know you can apply for an emergency hearing if your state is severely backlogged?

Good luck. :angel:

In my state, you can't get assistance unless you are pregnant, have children, are a senior citizen, or are determined to be disabled already (by social security). The best they will do for me is about $10-15 a month in food stamps. Woo-hoo!

Oh yeah! 4yrs-work comp fighting me all the way-I won my case judge found me totally permanently disabled, 30 days to appeal, which of course Comp did file for an intent to appeal on the 30th day-now we wait til court gets a transcript-then comp files actual appeal-then 3 judge panel hears case-3 more months judges get to make a finding-then of course comp has yet to go to State supreme court. Mean while I have not been able to work for two years-savings gone, IRA gone, now taking a loan against my life ins.

All this as Social Sercurity-1st denial-then 2nd denial-now appeal to court.
In this state there is a 20-24 month waiting list just to get on their schedule, but someone in SS left my application on their desk for 3 months without fileing for me, but your 20-24 months don't start until they actual file it...

I did file for hardship-filled out paper with all my debts, all monthly bills etc. Thought maybe that would get some money moveing, but no, hardship just qualifies you to a speedy trial..... yeah right. :blob_fire But I will NEVER give in!!! These systems are a joke, but it's all we have... so do the best you can.