The waiting is tearing me apart - Disabilities Message Board

maebelle · 08-09-2007, 06:16 PM

Oh my...it has been such a journey!First applied for benefits the beginning of 04.Hired an attorney after 1st denial.Was denied on reconsideration.Waited until july 07 for the ALJ hearing.My lawyer said it was 50/50.

I have fibro,possible m.s.,severe arthritis neck middle ,lower spine,and knees Cervical stenosis,herniated disks,and nerve root compression.One neurosurgeon wants to do a triple fusion.The second neuro's stated there would be a 50/50 chance of the fusion doing any good.And that the disk space was too narrow to do an epidural block.Also have...
Sleep apnea ,copd and anklosing spondylitis.
I live in GA and as most states.... the ssa system is backlogged.

I called the 1-800 # and was told No decision rendered.My lawyer said my file is now in Atlanta.Yet my hearing was south of there.
Any input ? This is so frustrating.Medical bills are piling in and bills are behind.
I feel like a burden to my husband.I have 2 kids 17 and 5.
I am sure alot of you can relate to this.

I expressed my anxiety to my lawyer...saying I am sure he could understand what the waiting was like.He said "no" I don't because I only represent people in that situation!
Boy...that made me feel better...Not!At least he was honest...I think?
Somebody plz give me a glimmer of hope...Thanks

bwitht · 08-09-2007, 10:43 PM

Maebelle,

Hugs to you, I am so sorry this is weighing so heavy on you. You really are nearing the end and that is what is making the waiting so difficult. I can not believe with all of your conditions you had to go all the way to hearing level.

It is much better your attorney was honest with you. It would be very condiscending if he were to say he knew how you feel. He can wait quite comfortly, he has no idea how this wait is affecting you. Every day is an eternity for you and just another day for him. And given his career choice, I doubt if he has ever been in the financial situation you are in. Except maybe having to survive on roman noodles and peanut butter sandwiches in college.

Hang in there Mae and I pray you have a decision very soon.

tweiler · 08-10-2007, 05:26 AM

Mae, the reason the file is in Atlanta is because SSA only has processing centers in certain places so files go to a designated location. My file is also in Atlanta but has been moved to "critical needs". What I did was go downtown and visit my local Congressman and ask for his help. I also took a "5 day pay or quit" notice to the local SSA office. If you can get your file moved to "critical needs" then it will process much faster. Last week my file was at the attorney fee phase of processing. Once that is completed, it will be moved to the section that process our claim. My understanding is this is the section that sends the letters detailing the award and what it covers and confirms direct deposit info when provided for payments.

You could do like me, I am calling SSA on a daily basis to check on my claim. Maybe they will get tired of me calling and move it along a little faster

Hang in there, we don't have much left to go through

Tabitha

ray78640 · 08-10-2007, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tweiler

Mae, the reason the file is in Atlanta is because SSA only has processing centers in certain places so files go to a designated location. My file is also in Atlanta but has been moved to "critical needs". What I did was go downtown and visit my local Congressman and ask for his help. I also took a "5 day pay or quit" notice to the local SSA office. If you can get your file moved to "critical needs" then it will process much faster. Last week my file was at the attorney fee phase of processing. Once that is completed, it will be moved to the section that process our claim. My understanding is this is the section that sends the letters detailing the award and what it covers and confirms direct deposit info when provided for payments.

You could do like me, I am calling SSA on a daily basis to check on my claim. Maybe they will get tired of me calling and move it along a little faster

Hang in there, we don't have much left to go through

Tabitha

Sure wish we could get some infor like that. When we called today we got another SSA employee who sounded like she just hated her job and our call was such a bother. She would not give any details at all!

starrie · 08-21-2007, 10:59 PM

Tweiler, what exactly is a "5 day pay or quit" notice? Like, what does it say?