Would I Qualify? - Disabilities Message Board

nickolaskus · 07-06-2006, 06:16 PM

I'm trying to figure out if I should attempt to get disabilty benefits, I know nothing really about the process and hope someone here might know if it would be a good idea for me to try. First, Im a 21/m and was in good heath up until 9/1/2005. Ive worked in a grocery store most of my life, stocking mostly, and also as a waiter. In fact on I was about to start a job as a grocery stocker on the very day that i got hurt. So now, to the injury, I was riding a bicycle in a park and flipped off and landed on my left arm,wrist, and suffered a compound fracture of both forearm bones. So I had emergency surgery and had two plates put in. Fast forward 6 months later and basically the doctor says it hasnt healed (Doctor botched it I think) and ill need another operation. I was living on my own at the time of the accident but have since had to move into my parents home since i have not been able to work or pay bills Just had an additional surgery on 6/2 and early xrays dont look all that promissing and doctor said it may be a long while if it doesnt heal up this time before they could do anything else. So im trying to figure out if disability benefits could be an option, i cant figure out any job i could do at this time(I attempted to work at a clothing store but couldnt even manage to do that) So are benefits only for people with serious life threatening illnesses or could they be for someone like me, who cant work at any job that i have experience in. Any info on the subject would be appeciated!

Fibbles · 07-07-2006, 12:37 AM

I would go ahead and apply. It's not only for people that are seriously injured and are never expected to recover. As long as you can't engage in "gainful" or "substantial" work, you can be elegible for disability. It's also if your disability is expected to last one year or more.

You would have to prove what you've said with medical records and all, but you'll never know unless you try

Since I was born disabled (with a bone and joint disease), I was able to get SSD without needing work credits because I applied before I turned 22. Here's more info on that: [url]http://ssa.gov/dibplan/dacpage.shtml[/url] You might not qualify because you have been working and might be making too much money.

Here's how they determine if you're disabled: [url]http://ssa.gov/disability/step4and5.htm[/url]

Kissa · 07-07-2006, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fibbles

Since I was born disabled (with a bone and joint disease), I was able to get SSD without needing work credits because I applied before I turned 22. Here's more info on that: [url]http://ssa.gov/dibplan/dacpage.shtml[/url] You might not qualify because you have been working and might be making too much money.

What Fibbles is reffering to is only if your parents are currently on social security disability or are deceased. It does not apply to individuals who parents are living not on SSD.

You can still qualify for SSD if you have enough work credits, age and wages will not matter. Because you are so young you only need a few quarters at most and probably already have those if you've worked regularly in the last year.

I agree that the only way to know if you qualify is to try. You might also want to speak to a Social Security Disability Attorney, they too would have a good feel for if you would actually win the case (though it could take years). The important thing is do not give up if you get denied the first time, this is all too common. Often you have to fight for a long period of time and many denials before being finally approved. Having a good lawyer will.

nickolaskus · 07-07-2006, 12:20 PM

Thanks for the responces, one thing about the process that i dont understand completly is why it takes so long, and why they like to deny you the first time you try. If your trying for it, most likely you need money now, what exactly do they expect you to do for money in the meantime if you cant work? 3 years from now i would hope i could be working, i could use the benefits now not 3 years down the line. Also, when you get approved, are you approved for life? or do they check in with you every year or so to make sure you are still disabled?

Kissa · 07-08-2006, 09:39 AM

Not everyone gets denied the first time. I got denied twice and the process took about 11 months. My husband on the other hand just got approved, he applied in April and was approved after only 3 months. I honestly believe a portion of it is the medical documentation, this is probably THE most important thing to have.

My husabands doctor did outstanding documentation and did an outstanding job filling out the appropriate forms. We didn't even have a lawyer. I was actually pretty shocked. Add to that I think he had a great case worker unlike the one I had in the past.

I think the other part of it is human factor. While it never makes any sense for me if someone has qualified conditions and can not do any type of work why they are denied. I think that perhaps the person reviewing the case plays factor to it. If they aren't attentive or understanding perhaps one ends up in the denied file. It's only a guess but it often seems like that.

The reason it takes so long is honestly dependant on the State and county you live in. There was a big cut in staff a while ago and some states can not handle the amount of cases they are given so they are done in order recieved.

Where I live, Ohio, apparently the Columbus office moves fast because 3 months was pretty quick if you ask me, but I've read where others have had to wait 6 months and longer just for their original decision.