deltaelise
02-06-2008, 07:08 PM
Has anyone here ever agreed to a date just because they were so tired of going without that any date seemed good as long as they started getting their disability even though the date may not be anywhere near the date of disability ?
If so, do you remember how long it was before you saw any of the money ?
If so, do you remember how long it was before you saw any of the money ?
Sponsor
randy71
03-05-2008, 06:28 PM
I don't know the answer to that but I just did the same thing 2 weeks ago. I feel I had no option as I was told If I didn't change the date they would place my paper work back in the stack waiting for a hearing. They said they would pay me if I changed the date. I changed the date.
Just for an update, I got my approval letter today(3/6/08). I just agreed to change the date last week. I called SSD and I'm in their computer as being approved. Mine worked out so they owe me 21 months.
Good Luck
Just for an update, I got my approval letter today(3/6/08). I just agreed to change the date last week. I called SSD and I'm in their computer as being approved. Mine worked out so they owe me 21 months.
Good Luck
deltaelise
03-05-2008, 07:39 PM
They were suppose to give me an On The Record decision and I thought they had but I called my lawyer just to check, and come to find out, things had been misplaced and the judge was going to give me a hearing date until one smart legal assistant called and caught the judge just in time and reminded her that I had agreed to a certain date if they gave me an OTR. I will not stop worrying until I see something. I turned 55 today, my health is getting worse and I am worried.
Madalot
03-06-2008, 08:30 AM
This is really an interesting thread because it shows how differently things can go. I was approved on my first appeal, but they changed my disability date. It wasn't an "if you accept this date, you'll be approved" but a "you are approved with this beginning date of disability." I strongly disagreed with the date and could have fought it, but I figured if I did, it could negatively affect my approval. So, I did just accept it so that I could begin getting my benefits.
Executor
03-06-2008, 11:55 PM
What a crock! How much did they change it by? Anything to save a few bucks on their part. Great for them, and bad for us. They don't care that most people have to really stretch things due to no income and then they change your effective date. WOW.
Ex
Ex
Madalot
03-07-2008, 08:29 AM
Ex --
I couldn't tell who you were asking, but I thought I'd tell you what happened with me. I lost close to two years because of their change. I had been working full time for almost 25 years and quit because of my physical problems (among other reasons). Later on, I took a part time job working 20 hours per week, hoping that I could handle it. I was making way under what SSA says you can earn and still collect disability. Unfortunately, even 20 hours a week was too much and I quit after about 8 months. Instead of using the date when I stopped working full time, they used the date after I quit the part time job. I had explained that I had attempted to keep working, even in a reduced capacity, but was unable to.
I lost a ton of backpay because of it, but we really needed the regular, monthly payments to pay our bills. We figured if we argued over the date, it would set me back tremendously and possibly void my approval altogether. It wasn't worth risking that.
I couldn't tell who you were asking, but I thought I'd tell you what happened with me. I lost close to two years because of their change. I had been working full time for almost 25 years and quit because of my physical problems (among other reasons). Later on, I took a part time job working 20 hours per week, hoping that I could handle it. I was making way under what SSA says you can earn and still collect disability. Unfortunately, even 20 hours a week was too much and I quit after about 8 months. Instead of using the date when I stopped working full time, they used the date after I quit the part time job. I had explained that I had attempted to keep working, even in a reduced capacity, but was unable to.
I lost a ton of backpay because of it, but we really needed the regular, monthly payments to pay our bills. We figured if we argued over the date, it would set me back tremendously and possibly void my approval altogether. It wasn't worth risking that.
kadinka8
03-07-2008, 09:23 AM
You're right, Madalot. If you appeal the disability date, you run the risk of a different person or judge looking through the records and not finding you disabled at all. I think in your case, the issue probably is the fact that you worked - even part time. That would make it harder to get the date changed and delay payment.
We had the choice of appealing the date, too, but were told how risky that was. After 3 denials, it just wasn't worth fighting that issue.
We had the choice of appealing the date, too, but were told how risky that was. After 3 denials, it just wasn't worth fighting that issue.
gagalabama
03-07-2008, 10:01 AM
That's what happened to me too Madalot ! I worked full time for 15 years, when I couldn't handle 40 hrs a week I tried part time, at a job that paid much less. I lost out on alot of back pay too because they went to the last day I worked PART TIME. . . not to the date that my disability ACTUALLY started. I've come to accept the fact that there is no rhyme or reason for who they deny and who they accept. I agree with you about having a monthly income. I would have loved to have a large amount of back pay but the income was my first priority. It sure seems to me that there are ALOT of approvals going around these days. I'm glad to see it, even though the onset days seem to be amended.
Executor
03-08-2008, 03:28 AM
I've come to accept the fact that there is no rhyme or reason for who they deny and who they accept.
I couldn't agree more. I've done a TON of research on SSD and of course, went through a 2.5 year process myself.....I've read from former SS employees that it's pure random selection. SS can't deny everyone the first go around, so they literally randomly select files to approve so Congress won't do any kind of investigations. Plus, their approval rates are publicized so there is no way they could get away with a really low or zero first-time approval rate. I read a post on this board somewhere from someone who once worked at SS and they said that if they approved over a certain percentage of files, they were disciplined.
My friend is a disability lawyer and he backs up my theory. He said that some very dire patients have died waiting on SSD while some who had questionable cases were approved in the first phase. There was a very public case of a person in my town who was in a severe motorcycle wreck and became severely paralyzed and head trauma prevents him from speaking....He was denied in the first two phases.....There was a big article in the local paper about his situation, raising money for him & etc.
The whole system is a crock. I think the key is to get excellent medical documentation up front and the more Docs you can get to be very succinct and firm in your corner the better. Then, SS Docs have a hard time disagreeing.....As a general rule, Docs don't like to go on the record disagreeing with other Docs....Especially "specialists." They are the best support physicians IMO.
Also, I think it's critical for the Docs (and the patient) to emphasize the effect(s) of the meds you take. Let's face it....Major meds have major side effects and who in the world is going to hire someone on major pain meds, for example.
Madalot- Thxs for the feedback. You had no choice, really. And, SS knew this and they forced you into a corner to get you to agree. Again, another example of the system being a crock.
Hope some of this helps and I haven't been too wordy. Good luck.
Ex
I couldn't agree more. I've done a TON of research on SSD and of course, went through a 2.5 year process myself.....I've read from former SS employees that it's pure random selection. SS can't deny everyone the first go around, so they literally randomly select files to approve so Congress won't do any kind of investigations. Plus, their approval rates are publicized so there is no way they could get away with a really low or zero first-time approval rate. I read a post on this board somewhere from someone who once worked at SS and they said that if they approved over a certain percentage of files, they were disciplined.
My friend is a disability lawyer and he backs up my theory. He said that some very dire patients have died waiting on SSD while some who had questionable cases were approved in the first phase. There was a very public case of a person in my town who was in a severe motorcycle wreck and became severely paralyzed and head trauma prevents him from speaking....He was denied in the first two phases.....There was a big article in the local paper about his situation, raising money for him & etc.
The whole system is a crock. I think the key is to get excellent medical documentation up front and the more Docs you can get to be very succinct and firm in your corner the better. Then, SS Docs have a hard time disagreeing.....As a general rule, Docs don't like to go on the record disagreeing with other Docs....Especially "specialists." They are the best support physicians IMO.
Also, I think it's critical for the Docs (and the patient) to emphasize the effect(s) of the meds you take. Let's face it....Major meds have major side effects and who in the world is going to hire someone on major pain meds, for example.
Madalot- Thxs for the feedback. You had no choice, really. And, SS knew this and they forced you into a corner to get you to agree. Again, another example of the system being a crock.
Hope some of this helps and I haven't been too wordy. Good luck.
Ex
deltaelise
03-08-2008, 09:00 AM
Here is my original question in post # 1.
I got answers to some of it but for those of you who had to agree to an earlier date like I did have to wait long for any benefits to show up ?
Original post follows:
Has anyone here ever agreed to a date just because they were so tired of going without that any date seemed good as long as they started getting their disability even though the date may not be anywhere near the date of disability ?
If so, do you remember how long it was before you saw any of the money ?
I got answers to some of it but for those of you who had to agree to an earlier date like I did have to wait long for any benefits to show up ?
Original post follows:
Has anyone here ever agreed to a date just because they were so tired of going without that any date seemed good as long as they started getting their disability even though the date may not be anywhere near the date of disability ?
If so, do you remember how long it was before you saw any of the money ?
Madalot
03-08-2008, 09:13 AM
Sorry about that deltaelise --
The way that I found out I had been approved was a phone call from the SS office asking me if I wanted to apply for benefits for my kids. I was like "excuse me? I haven't been approved for myself!!" The man said that I had been approved and my backpay had already been deposited into my account. Sure enough, it had been (I hadn't been watching my bank account because I wasn't expecting anything).
I began receiving my regular benefits the very next month.
I also wanted to say how much I agree with Executor on points made. I am an incredibly organized person. When I decided to apply for disability, I contacted the office and asked them what they needed in the way of documentation. I then collected that information and showed up for my initial application loaded with stuff.
My medical records were already substantial. I had a copy of ALL of them for SS. That saved them time because they didn't have to request them from my doctors. They did end up needing a few more medical records and I stayed involved making sure they got what they needed.
The woman that took my initial application said that someone like me was rare (in her experience where I live). She said most people just show up with absolutely no documentation. They don't even have their basic information. She said it takes forever to go through the application, plus it takes forever to get the documentation. With me, they had everything they needed including basic information and ALL existing medical records.
When I was denied the first time (I got a letter), I ate my lunch, then immediately went down to the SS office to file an appeal. Once again, she said that many people don't appeal within the 60 day period and have to start over.
I really believe that one of the secrets to being approved is by having as much documentation as you possibly can (it also helps to have good doctors writing the medical documentation) and being persistant with SS.
Persistant, without crossing over into annoying. They figured out pretty quickly that I wasn't going to give up and go away.
The way that I found out I had been approved was a phone call from the SS office asking me if I wanted to apply for benefits for my kids. I was like "excuse me? I haven't been approved for myself!!" The man said that I had been approved and my backpay had already been deposited into my account. Sure enough, it had been (I hadn't been watching my bank account because I wasn't expecting anything).
I began receiving my regular benefits the very next month.
I also wanted to say how much I agree with Executor on points made. I am an incredibly organized person. When I decided to apply for disability, I contacted the office and asked them what they needed in the way of documentation. I then collected that information and showed up for my initial application loaded with stuff.
My medical records were already substantial. I had a copy of ALL of them for SS. That saved them time because they didn't have to request them from my doctors. They did end up needing a few more medical records and I stayed involved making sure they got what they needed.
The woman that took my initial application said that someone like me was rare (in her experience where I live). She said most people just show up with absolutely no documentation. They don't even have their basic information. She said it takes forever to go through the application, plus it takes forever to get the documentation. With me, they had everything they needed including basic information and ALL existing medical records.
When I was denied the first time (I got a letter), I ate my lunch, then immediately went down to the SS office to file an appeal. Once again, she said that many people don't appeal within the 60 day period and have to start over.
I really believe that one of the secrets to being approved is by having as much documentation as you possibly can (it also helps to have good doctors writing the medical documentation) and being persistant with SS.
Persistant, without crossing over into annoying. They figured out pretty quickly that I wasn't going to give up and go away.
Executor
03-08-2008, 11:42 AM
I really believe that one of the secrets to being approved is by having as much documentation as you possibly can (it also helps to have good doctors writing the medical documentation) and being persistant with SS.
Persistant, without crossing over into annoying. They figured out pretty quickly that I wasn't going to give up and go away.
I couldn't agree more. When you look at these applications all day long, you realize pretty quick which ones are organized and prudent, vs. those that are not. At the end of the day, applicants must have good documentation and a Doc who is willing to stand firm on your disability. It's that plain & simple.
Delta- To answer your question, I don't think it really matters how you were approved....Once approved, you get put into a pile for someone to enter all your info to start receiving benefits. I have come to realize that there doesn't seem to be much reason with SS. You just have to wait, and unless you've got some type of looming emergency (like foreclosure), they aren't going to change their process. You could try to find some nice person in the office and see if they wouldn't mind you calling every so often to check, and just maybe that person could help you out in some way.
Hope this helps.
Ex
Persistant, without crossing over into annoying. They figured out pretty quickly that I wasn't going to give up and go away.
I couldn't agree more. When you look at these applications all day long, you realize pretty quick which ones are organized and prudent, vs. those that are not. At the end of the day, applicants must have good documentation and a Doc who is willing to stand firm on your disability. It's that plain & simple.
Delta- To answer your question, I don't think it really matters how you were approved....Once approved, you get put into a pile for someone to enter all your info to start receiving benefits. I have come to realize that there doesn't seem to be much reason with SS. You just have to wait, and unless you've got some type of looming emergency (like foreclosure), they aren't going to change their process. You could try to find some nice person in the office and see if they wouldn't mind you calling every so often to check, and just maybe that person could help you out in some way.
Hope this helps.
Ex
deltaelise
03-08-2008, 02:07 PM
Oh no, not the infamous pile again LOL
Thanks for the information :)
Thanks for the information :)
bellablue2
03-13-2008, 08:30 PM
Hey All: I am waiting for my decision. Went on Tuesday. All I can say is that right now I just want an approval.
I know that I will have to move onto the next phase of figuring out how they come up with when you become disabled. Then I have to see if they will give back pay for my children
Bottom line it is just crazy how many hoops we all have to jump through.
I will be checking the mail box now for months yet again.
All my love
Jeane
I know that I will have to move onto the next phase of figuring out how they come up with when you become disabled. Then I have to see if they will give back pay for my children
Bottom line it is just crazy how many hoops we all have to jump through.
I will be checking the mail box now for months yet again.
All my love
Jeane