My hubby had his disability hearing today and received a bench decision that was fully favorable. He was found fully disabled from November 01, 2004. Thank goodness our prayers have finally been answered. Thank-you everybody for the prayers and all the information. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
I am praying for all of you that are still waiting on a hearing or are just starting the process of filing for disability.
I will post again later.
Thanks Again
Nancy aka racingnanny

Nancy,
I am so happy for you and your husband on this favorable determination. Boy he sure had a LONG fight.

I am still waiting for a ALJ hearing . I hope everyone else waiting will get a "happy" determination.

Linda

Congratulations! That must be a huge relief for you.

The hard part is now done, but the wait isn't over yet, it may be 2-3 months before receiving the first check, so be patient. My SSDI was approved in October, and my December check came mid-January. Still no word on my back-pay, they estimated it would come 2 months after I received my first monthly check. So, even when it's over, it's not over!

Nancy thats great I am very happy for you. I felt the same way when I just got my SSD in October. Although I am still waiting for my back pay. Sure hope I get it real soon. Have a blessed day everybody

Congratulations! I know that was a huge weight off your shoulders. I'm glad for you both!

Blessings,
Emily

It was a huge weight lifted for him and myself. Now the waiting game begins again on the monthly check and the lump sum payment but it will all be worth it in the end. Thanks everyone for the replys.

Nancy

It was a huge weight lifted for him and myself. Now the waiting game begins again on the monthly check and the lump sum payment but it will all be worth it in the end. Thanks everyone for the replys.

Nancy

Nancy Question: How does a Bench decision work? I have a hearing on March 11th. I was already rejected for an on the record by another judge.
I am scared to go before a judge. What was it like?
Thanks for answering my questions.
Jeane

I was not allowed in the courtroom with him cause the lawyer said they wouldn't need any witnesses, but my husband said that he asked him alot of questions including about his work history and then asked the vocational expert if there was anything he was able to do and the expert said no and then the judge said "This deserves a bench decision today. I find Mr. **** fully disabled from 11/01/04 and he will be granted back pay from that day forward."
I don't know if that helps you I hope so.

Nancy

Nancy- Congrats! I have to wonder if the judge saw all the crap you've been through and therefore issued a bench ruling, which I think is unusual. Obviously, it had to be a great feeling!

When I had my ADJ hearing, I went before the judge and the voc expert with my lawyer (he was provided by my company at no charge to me). For those who haven't gone before, you basically sit in a very small conference room. They went through my application, and the judge seemed very sympathetic. He asked questions about my condition and my meds....As I've posted before, I really think your meds are as important as anything. In my case, I'm on some pretty heavy duty narcotics and the judge came out and said "who is going to hire him while he is taking this stuff"? I would highly recommend any applicant to stress the meds and related side effects.

What was most interesting is that the Voc Expert was wishy washy and tried to say that maybe I could work from home or own my own business & crap like that....The judge jumped in and said, "but we're talking about a 40 hr a week job here....Can he in all reality be dependable and would someone be willing to work around his problems & etc." The Voc Expert then mumbled something like "probably not" and then the judge said "I didn't think so."

I had to wait about 2-3 weeks for a written decision in the mail, which was fully favorable. Although my lawyer thought everything went really well and that we'd probably get it, he also stressed that you never really know for sure. Needless to say, I was worried for a couple of weeks. I don't mean to gravel, but there has to be a better way, especially for people who are in pain and /or under lots of stress.

The point being in my story is that if you received a bench ruling, something the judge saw / heard really impressed him. I think bench rulings are unusual. I'm very happy for you. God Bless.:angel:

YP

Congrats!!!

praise God, i am so happy for you