RetiredDirector

Hi Gabe: I'm on Social Security Disabilityd due to chronic pain from lung surgery (tumors in both lungs) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. I have been on it two year this coming February. I hear of so many people that have a real tough time getting approved for SSD, I called my attorney. He told me he didn't do any SSD applications anymore, but gave me the name of a good local attorney that does. I called them and they advised me to make the intial application myself and then if I was turned down call them and they would help then. They said there really isn't anything that they could do, that you can't easily do yourself intially. I applied in August of 2003 and was approved in February, 2004. So, being accepted on the intial application, I didn't use the attorney.

Your first step is to call the Social Security Administration, either the local office (if you have one where you live) or their 800 number and set up an appointment for your first interview. That's what I did and you have a few forms to fill out, but they contacted doctors, etc. I really didn't have too much to do once things got started. When accepted, they pay you once a month and you draw what you would draw if you were 65. In other words, you draw your maximum.

One other thing, when you've been on SSD for two years, you become eligible for Medicare. I will be eligible this February. If you have no insurance, this can be a big help. I happen to have good insurance through my wife's employer, but there's a lot of CP people that don't have insurance.

Questions? Let me know and I'll do my best to answer them. Good luck.

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Director