I've been denied twice now and the next step is a hearing in front of a judge. About the part that they've never seen you... they go by the medical records and only that and what your Dr's say. I was just recently DX with bi-polar (amongst my other medical issues mainly cirrhosis) but if you give up now and you really are disabled then you'll have to start all over again. Meaning getting that 1st denial again. Up to you. Yes we need the money because we can't work, me and my husband have been living on his salary since April 2010 and it has been hard.. I go to food pantry's cause I can't get food stamps.. no kids and hubby 'makes too much" We live in Florida and this is one of the lowest paying states there are. He's been working there for almost 13 yrs. and is very good at what he does, everyone loves him there.. but he still makes 13.00 an hour. That's 6.50 an hr for two people! If you can you should keep going with it.. read this website I'm gonna send you. Peace, Karen

www.disabilitysecrets.com

scroll down and look on the left

I aplied at the same time... My case is still in the forst stwp and I HAAVE been off of work for a year before i applied. My problem is that mental health hasnt sent my records to the worker. I was told by here that i more than qualify but they have to have the records to make it official... that sux dont it... i have called mental health everysingle day and they say everyday that they are faxing them that same day... heck mental health is the ones that told me i couldnt work because i cant hold a job and that i should apply for SSD... i know your frustration and feel tha same way... this ssd thing sux and i almost wsh i didnt apply bit just grt another job even if i cant keep it but a month or too... At least then i could pay the light bill.

When my seizures were at their worst, I applied for disability. I was denied. Then again. Then I hired the best attorney in the world, and won a backdated closed period of disability (because my seizures got under control and I went back to work.) If you really want/need the disability, HIRE AN ATTORNEY. You cannot do this without one. They will likely keep denying you until you give up or get an attorney. So be preemptive and proactive and consult an attorney now.

It took two years and one month from the time we applied to the time he got approved. It was a long long hard battle.

Like Feath3rtail, I was the only income and still am (we haven't gotten that first check yet) and I only make 11.44 an hour and am not eligable for food stamps or any other government assistance.

It isn't easy and there have been more tears and heartache, but if you truly can't work, then it really is your only option and will benefit you in the long run.

My advice like others is to hire an attorney! I'm not sure why they told you you have to be unemployed a year as I was told only 6 months. I got denied and am waiting on an ALJ hearing yet they have yet to send me to one of their doctors. Then again my pdoc at the time I later found out didn't support me, but now I have one who does!

Thanks for the support everyone. It is soothing to me to knoe that I am not the only one experiencing these kinds of problems and to get some sage advice, Thank You. Love ya.

Yes, get a lawyer!!! I was denied twice, finally went in front of a judge and just got my approval letter last week!! It took me almost 3 yrs to get it!! Be PATIENT!! That is the number one thing about applying for ssdi/ssi. Good Luck and if u need to talk or vent, I am always here!!
(((hugs)))

I don't exactly know why or how, but I got disability on the first try with no lawyer. I had LOTS of history of Bipolar - 17 yrs and 1 two-year period off work(other than MANY hospitalizations) from my profession as a Physical Therapist. I worked as a waitress during much of that 2 years I was off. I have been very compliant with Dr appts and have had many pdocs. My ex-husbands were not as supportive as my Mom and sisters. I can't understand why I got so lucky(if being disabled can be considered lucky). I wish you much luck in your pursuit!

Get a lawyer that specializes in disability, get all your records and paperwork together, and get ready to wait. In the meanwhile, I suggest having a container garden for tomatoes beans and potatoes in teh summertime. Cheap food if you're budgeting.

Hopefully now that I'm going to see a psychiatrist for ptsd and he may DX me as bi=polar, I will get my SSD. my therapist says I will - p.doc is April5th and I can't wait. I'm hoping he puts me on some meds that chill me out cause I tell you I'm a mess! I get so nervous sometimes I shake.. and go into anxiety attack. My cirrhosis - Stage4- wasn't enough cause I'm not sick from it YET. How stupid!

Hello everyone!

I am very sorry to hear some of your stories and how you are struggling with your disability and the stress of being approved by social security.

I for some reason ( i do not know why) was approved on the first try. I wasn't ex pected to be approved at all. As you all said most are denied the first time anyway. I was forced to apply by my long term disability company because honestly i had no desire to apply for social security at my age of 27.
But I did what they asked and applied. I have sufered from some sort of anxiety depression or OCD since a child. I have been to more doctors, more treatmetns and more medications than the average person. I dont know why I got approved on the first try. I do know my doctor provided excellent records of my journey with my issues I also wrote a 8 page bio full of emotion and sencerity about my life and how these issues have ruined my life and my livelihood. I know many people are emabarrased to even be honest or tell all about their issues. You must tell them every single incidient every single trial every single med every single doc. the area of the papework that says if you need more room, attach .. i attached like 8 pages and then my mom wrote a letter too showing them i have been in hell most of my life and i keep trying but can't hold down work!

so anyway, just wanted to share my story here and i would suggest like the others keep reapplying; hire an attorney or seek their advice if you can; make sure all your medical records are current and get copies of what your doctor's office is sending SSA. they might only be sending partial records and not all of your history which could affect your case.

I am in a much better place than where i was 5 yeras ago. I had to leave my job.. got accepted to SSDI benefits at age 27 and felt my life was over. then with the rising costs of food gas and just ot live, i had to do the think about returning to work which is a whole other stressor!!

I am doing much better and have resources to share with others about social security disability; about working while on social security and still kepeing your benefits!
I want to use my story to help others.

please message me here anytime or email me: ljadler1627@yahoo.com

We all need to help each ot her and empower each other to make it through each day. online forums like this have been my lifeline and the internet is a saving grace for me!!

Best of luck to you all!
lori

Join my new employment group:
http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/employment-options-for-the-disabled

Hi. I just wanted to tell you that if you can't get Social Security, you may want to try for SSI. That's what I did. I didn't have enough credits in Social Security to qualify for Social Security disabilty.
You don't get much each month but it's better than nothing and you might also qualify for Medicaid health care.
Call your local SS ofice and ask them about this. I applied over the phone and had a check within a month. Of course I had to prove I was disabled and they want to see some paper work from at least the past 2 years to prove it. But they do all that work for you if you can give names of Doctors and Hospitals that have treated you.
I wish you the best.