while you are on disablity from you job and your doctor thinks you'll never go back I would get a lawyer and start he procedures. I hired a lawyer in sept of 05 and got turned down once and then I had a hearing in march of 07 and was granted. I collected my first check in July 07. The best thing I ever did was hire a lawyer. If she didn't win she didn't get paid. I liked a female lawyer b/c she didn't act like high o mighty. the work she did, I couldn't do it. She pulled records from my accident and the doctors who took care of me, I didn't know their name or anything. It was unbelieveable. So, yes I would hire a lawyer. In Sept I should be getting my back pay and the SSD pays your lawyer first. I know it CT they can not charge more than $2500. And I am still getting a pretty good chuck of change back. So, good luck and stay with that doctor no matter what.

DEAR ELEANOR, THANKS FOR THE ADVICE, BEEN WITH THE SAME PM 3 YEARS. WON'T GIVE HER UP NO MATTER.

You need to start an application. You do that on the phone just call Social Security. I'd start it ASAP too. There is no real rhime or reason as to who gets approved or not, (look at me) I was able to get an attorney only after I was turned down, I think thats pretty standard so I would go ahead and get it rolling now as you just never know how long it will take. Good Luck,
Bryano

Just make sure you get an attorney that specializes in SS disability though. It is true they take a percentage of your lump sum check but you will get it done much faster by having an attorney by your side. My husband waited until he was denied for the second time before we attained the attorney and then it didn't take very long to get the hearing set up. Doing this by yourself isn't a good idea because they know all the loopholes.

Get started ASAP and get a lawyer. Your layer will get 25% of anything you get but it is worth it. The federal Gov. put a cap on what the lawyers are able to charge for thier sevices.
I filed at my 1 year mark of disability in March of 03 and just now had a hearing this last July 07. I have been waiting way too long, and still don't know the outcome. Don't mean to scare you, but the average can be as long as 2 years. Some states are better than some and it is different with every case.
The one thing that helped me alot was listing and documenting every single thing wrong with me, not just the chronic pain. I hated to put all my personal stuff out there for the world to see, but it was the only way.
Chronic pain is hard to prove and the court experts will try to disprove it like they did me, in fact my phyc evaluation and problems from my masectomy sounded worse than the pain, but it all go's hand and hand.
I did get some assistance from the county in the meen time, but I had to have a car worth no more than $1000, have no help from anyone, live on my own or rent a room and that prosess also took a while so file for everything and anything to cover all your basis.
I know it's hard when you are use to taking care of yourself. Hang in there and good luck!

Jane, when you say "apply for disability", then what disability do you mean, SS or something else?
Also, not sure what you mean by "that gives me a year"?
And what do you mean by "what do I do meantime"?
I have a great deal o experience in this area in last 3-4 years, but I need to know more, should you be interested to hear from me.
It may be also helpful to know the state where you live (are going to live).

When I first got my diagnosis, I got a lawyer who specializes in workers comp and ss disability. When I hit the nine month mark of being out of work, the attorney will start the disability paperwork.

If you go through the topics this issue comes up alot. Although most of us say the same--get an attorney.

that you SarahT, what you said was interesting, as I've been waiting 2.5 years now............yes, it is scary, and don't suggest disability for anyone that can crawl to work.........humilating, life changing expereince.

peterpan, what experience do you have in this area???? I interested in anything you have to say............please........

I have had to get a lawyer too.I am still waiting on the hearing and I applyed over 3 years ago now.Lawyer says it could take another year even, the government is never fast.And it can be hard to live while you are waiting for it.State disability only pays me 339 a month to live on with a 152 in food stamps.If I did not have family taking care of my bills such as rent elec. water ect...Also pay for the drugs state aid refuses to pay for or when they will only cover 10 pills out of 40 or 60 cause they think they know better than your docs on how much of a drug you should take and what kind of drug used for what purpose, like they will cover Nerurotin for sezieres but not for nightmares or pain issues.Real fun.
good luck, just save as much as you can and find people to help out till it goes through, it can be a touch wait, especially when you see that you cann't afford to barly care for yourself.