questions? - Disabilities Message Board

jigsawjo22 · 07-07-2006, 11:53 AM

Are the SS laws all the same for each of the 50 states?
Someone told me that you could not be employed when you file for disability. Is this true?
Do you have to make an appointment to talk to someone about filing or do you just obtain a form to fill out?

feelbad · 07-08-2006, 08:08 AM

If I remeber correctly you cannot be actively working when you apply but for some reason,later on,you are actually able to work a job as long as the monthly income does not exceed like 800.00??go figure,I still do not understand that one at all since I had to prove I was like basically dead in order to actually get awarded benefits.but yet you are allowed to work 'some' sort of a job.seems just a bit contradictory to me,who knows.

the best advice i can give you regarding any questions you may actually have about ssd or ssi,is to actually go to their web site at [url]www.ssa.gov[/url] .this is a really really informative site with tons of info just on their programs.you can also start the application process from there too.

loads of luck to you.just remeber to be thorough with your medical info that you provide and be prepared for a kinda lond wait for answers as to whther or not you get awarded benefits as it can take,in some cases.well over a year or two.i was very very lucky in that my whole process which also included an initial denial and a reconsideration process,only took about 9 months.i really was preparing for a very long wait tho as that is usually the norm.

just go to that site I gave you and read read read.lol.hope it all works out for you,marcia

jigsawjo22 · 07-08-2006, 08:44 AM

Marcia,

Thank You very, very much for the information.

Kissa · 07-08-2006, 09:43 AM

The laws are the same in all 50 states. Technically no, you can not be working and apply for Social Security. The rules for being allowed to work and earn a certain amount are different between SSI and SSD. SSI allows you to work and earn up to a certain amount and it will not put your benefits at risk. SSD allows the same certain amount BUT once you start working you enter into the Trial Work Period. If you are still working after 9 months you can loose your benefits.

The wait really varies by offices. Some offices are so busy the wait is a long time for an initial answer. My husband just got approved and it only took 3 months for everything. My case however took about 11 or so months but there were two denials in between there and one audit. That is quite quick by most standards.

The most important thing is to have excellent medical documentation and be sure that any forms that are given to the doctor to fill out are in fact filled out and are informative. Many cases are denied because there's a lack of evidence which in turn means lack of good medical documentation.