moetwins
06-19-2008, 06:09 PM
Hi everybody, my name is Kelly and I am 24 years old. I don't know much about disabilities benefits but I would like to try and apply for SSI. I have not worked since 2004 and when I did work it was just a part time job at a bakery but I couldn't even handle that. Since then I have been attending a community college part time. I feel like I will never be able to work again because I have so much pain physically and mentally. I had surgery in 1999 to correct scoliosis and then I developed fibormyalgia, which consists of major fatigue, back, neck, arm, feet and leg pain and also TMJ. I also suffer from depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety and migraines. The one thing that I do know about disability benefits is that they are very hard to receive but do you think that with my situation I would ever be able to win my case? If anyone has any other info on SSI benefits that would be very helpful. Thanks so much for your time.
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lynn31326
06-19-2008, 06:43 PM
Hi Kelly,
The first issue you will have is that you are young, Being only 24, SSA will most likely deny you, hoping you will give up and go back to work, or you get better or just work through the pain. But there is some hope. If you can prove that you had medicial issues during the time when you were working, and while you were still insured you might be able to apply for SSDI and SSI.
If you cannot, you can apply for SSI, the max amount SSI pays is 637 a month, (sometimes more depending on what state you live in) You have to go to see all your doctors, mental and psyscial. You are in school which is a toss up the way SSA see it if you can go to school everyday, you can work. I know one person who just never told SSA she was in school. ( I am not saying you should do that).
You can win your case, it make take a few years, a lwayer and lot's of debt, but you can win. I waited 4 years for mines.
lot's of luck to you
Lynn
The first issue you will have is that you are young, Being only 24, SSA will most likely deny you, hoping you will give up and go back to work, or you get better or just work through the pain. But there is some hope. If you can prove that you had medicial issues during the time when you were working, and while you were still insured you might be able to apply for SSDI and SSI.
If you cannot, you can apply for SSI, the max amount SSI pays is 637 a month, (sometimes more depending on what state you live in) You have to go to see all your doctors, mental and psyscial. You are in school which is a toss up the way SSA see it if you can go to school everyday, you can work. I know one person who just never told SSA she was in school. ( I am not saying you should do that).
You can win your case, it make take a few years, a lwayer and lot's of debt, but you can win. I waited 4 years for mines.
lot's of luck to you
Lynn
moetwins
06-19-2008, 07:04 PM
Thanks so much for your help Lynn! Sorry I keep asking so many questions but what is the difference between SSI, SSDI and SSA and is SSI easier to get? I have only been going to school part time for the last 4 years and this year I only took one class per semester so maybe that would show them how I wasn't even well enough to take more than one class over the past year. I am worried about that one part in the disability case where you have to go in front of a judge and he tells you what jobs you should be able to work, did you have to do that? I am also worried because in February I won't be covered under my parents insurance any more so I don't know how I will be able to pay for doctors visits or my medication. I wish disabilitie was easier to get on but I am glad that you finally got on it. Thanks so much again for your help! :)
lynn31326
06-20-2008, 12:39 PM
SSDI is based on your past work. OR how many credits you had/have put in the system. SSI is based on need. It is based on your income. SSI or SSDI is harder to get the younger you are. Once you will be off of your parents insurance, Since you live in NY you should be able to get medcaide so you will be able to go to the doctor.
I cannot tell you what will happen if/when you go before a judge, It all depends on that person. But in most hearing they have a person who will "say" what jobs you can and cannot do with your disablity. Your lawyer will have a chance to cross exam him.
The fact that you are only taking one class will be good, but it a toss up.
I cannot tell you what will happen if/when you go before a judge, It all depends on that person. But in most hearing they have a person who will "say" what jobs you can and cannot do with your disablity. Your lawyer will have a chance to cross exam him.
The fact that you are only taking one class will be good, but it a toss up.
moetwins
06-20-2008, 08:40 PM
Thanks so much again for your help, I really appreciate it! I really hope that I can at least get medicaid like you said and that way I would be able to get my medicine. I have been reading through these boards and it sounds like if you don't get a lawyer then you have no chance of winning your case, is that true? Lawyers are so expensive if I was just applying for SSI and only getting $600 at most a month I don't even know if getting a lawyer would be worth it. This is so confusing :confused:
lynn31326
06-20-2008, 09:23 PM
Thanks so much again for your help, I really appreciate it! I really hope that I can at least get medicaid like you said and that way I would be able to get my medicine. I have been reading through these boards and it sounds like if you don't get a lawyer then you have no chance of winning your case, is that true? Lawyers are so expensive if I was just applying for SSI and only getting $600 at most a month I don't even know if getting a lawyer would be worth it. This is so confusing :confused:
It will be worth it, Say if you apply July 1'st, it will take at least 6 months for them to deny you the first time, then another 6-12 months for you to get an hearing. the whole time the money is adding up. You go to court, (with a lawyer) win, you pay your lawyer 25% or no more than 5,300 from that money.
You are lucky, You live in NYS, and they do not deny you twice, then you go to the hearing stage. You have just cut 6-8 months off of your waiting.
Also, the 2008 max rate in 637 a month, in New York state, and they pay about 30 more a month. and each year the amount goes up a bit.
It will be worth it, Say if you apply July 1'st, it will take at least 6 months for them to deny you the first time, then another 6-12 months for you to get an hearing. the whole time the money is adding up. You go to court, (with a lawyer) win, you pay your lawyer 25% or no more than 5,300 from that money.
You are lucky, You live in NYS, and they do not deny you twice, then you go to the hearing stage. You have just cut 6-8 months off of your waiting.
Also, the 2008 max rate in 637 a month, in New York state, and they pay about 30 more a month. and each year the amount goes up a bit.
moetwins
06-20-2008, 11:12 PM
Thanks again, I get the system a little better now! You have helped me so much. :)
I'm sad though because I found out that I can't get medicaid. There are certain restrictions like you have to be on SSI, under 21 or have a child or be pregnant. :0(
I'm sad though because I found out that I can't get medicaid. There are certain restrictions like you have to be on SSI, under 21 or have a child or be pregnant. :0(
moetwins
09-10-2008, 08:42 PM
Sorry that I'm bringing this old post up again but I had one more question. If I am still living at home will my parents income effect my disabilities case? I know that SSI goes by peoples income and I have heard that some people are denied because their spouse makes too much money. Also when I turn 25 in February I will no longer have insurance so if I want to apply for SSI what kind of doctor would I go see? Thanks for your help!
:)
:)
chicubs
09-10-2008, 10:22 PM
I'm not sure what your question means when you say, "What kind of doctor should I see"? Haven't you been seeing doctors for your "disabilities" already? I thought I read that you have some social anxiety's and that you were taking medication. Also I thought you said something about suffering from fibermalgia (sp?). The doctors that you are seeing now are the doctors that you will need to continue to see. Because social security will need all of your doctors documentations on you to see that that coincides with what you are saying is wrong with you. I hope that makes sense for you. It is a long drawn out process and hopefully with lots of help from your doctors you will be able to win. I wish so much luck. Let us know how this turns out and if you have any other questions. Good luck dear.
Chris
Chris
moetwins
09-11-2008, 08:58 PM
Hi Chris, sorry that I made my question hard to understand. I am seeing a lot of different doctors for my social anxiety and fibormyalgia but I have never brought up me trying to get on SSI to them. Also I meant that when I turn 25 I will no longer have insurance so I won't be able to afford doctor visits and I was wondering if there was a program for people who don't have insurance where they could go to see a doctor for little cost? Sorry again for making that confusing, thanks for your help. :)
chicubs
09-12-2008, 12:45 AM
OK I understand much better now. Thanks for making things clearer. I don't know where you live but in your town perhaps there is a program set up for people that do not have insurance and cannot afford to see a doctor without insurance.
I know in my town we have what is called community care. Where a person that does not have insurance can fill out some papers to have their income verified and after that they can go and see a doctor at no cost to them.
They can also see a dentist if that is what they need to do.
This program has a major fund raiser every spring where they raffle off a brand new house. The people that win can either take the house or the money. The house that is raffled off is built by local contractors free of charge. This has been such a god send here for many people.
You will probably want to let your doctors know that you are considering filing for Social Security. You will need their help very much!
I can imagine that having these chronic conditions are your age cannot be fun at all. I can remember being your age and just having so much and going out with my friends. I am so sorry that this is happening to you. I can see why and how one could be having issues with depression when you have so much on your mind. Take Care,
Chris
I know in my town we have what is called community care. Where a person that does not have insurance can fill out some papers to have their income verified and after that they can go and see a doctor at no cost to them.
They can also see a dentist if that is what they need to do.
This program has a major fund raiser every spring where they raffle off a brand new house. The people that win can either take the house or the money. The house that is raffled off is built by local contractors free of charge. This has been such a god send here for many people.
You will probably want to let your doctors know that you are considering filing for Social Security. You will need their help very much!
I can imagine that having these chronic conditions are your age cannot be fun at all. I can remember being your age and just having so much and going out with my friends. I am so sorry that this is happening to you. I can see why and how one could be having issues with depression when you have so much on your mind. Take Care,
Chris
moetwins
09-12-2008, 11:26 AM
Thanks so much for that information. That seems like such a great program for people in your area, I am going to check and see if they have something like that near me. Thanks so much for your help again. :)