Ann, my advice is to definitely get a lawyer for your disability. If you can use the lawyer you already have, all the better.

When you first apply for Social Security Disability, they have one main first goal: Find any and every way to deny you benefits. It can be very difficult to understand a lot of the details that involve qualifying for disability benefits, and a good lawyer who is an expert in this field can make all the difference for you. My sister has cardiomyopathy, which means an enlarged heart, and there is simply no way that she can hold down a job without seriously endangering her life. Yet, the first time she applied for disability, she was denied. Then she hire a lawyer, and a couple months later she was approved. It really does make all the difference.

I am apply for SSI, which is "supplemental security income". I had consulted with a lawyer and she said that this type of disability would be the best for my case, as cancer and the fibro had kept me from making more than a pittance for the last couple of years. She told me that the best way to begin is to apply and be approved for state disability. I did this and eventually was approved. Now the state is going to help me get federal disability, so the state benefit, though only $200 a month, is a positive stepping stone toward getting SSI, which will be much more.

Talk to the lawyer you have now and ask for his/her advice, then go from there. It is *always* a good idea to have expert legal help in your corner.

Good luck to you!

*gentle hugs*

Thanks for your input. I don't have a lawyer for the 9/11 thing either. I talked to one group in the city, but they didn't seem very responsive. My thought was to get one since they will both be dealing with my health situation. Anyway, it's been boggling me!

You really don't need an attorney when you first apply for SSD. In fact most attorney's won't even take your case until you get your 2nd denial because they don't get paid unless you win and the only time they can represent you is at an Administrative Law Hearing and you don't get that unless you've been denied twice.

sorry not sure what you should do as far a a lawyer goes. Bu I think you should apply for everything possible , you can always turn it down . But better to make sure you have some where to live. I cannot imagine being homeless in the winter. or any time. So If you give me info I will help look for answers for you. although I can tell you that people like Kat and Tigg and Beth know who to see in the Usa so I would ask them , good luck isabee

When was the last time you worked?

I would use Allsup. You can find them online. They have a 97% success rate. I used them and was approved on the first try in 6 months. I know other people who used them and also had a positive experience. They do all of the paperwork for you.

The problem now is that a lot of people who can not find jobs have applied for SSDI. They are clogging up the system so it will take longer for your claim to be considered. The sooner you file the better.

Good luck to you and take care.

The last time I worked full time was early in 2011. The only work I did after that was a little freelance gig. I was paid $1000 in May or June. I sort of considered it charity, since my brain fog completely gummed up the project. (it was for editing--concentration required.) I wonder if this $1000 is going to be a problem. I could probably get them to reclassify it as charity, since it is a charitable organization. I also was receiving unemployment until a year ago, even though honestly, I couldn't have worked after Labor Day of 2012 when I was in the hospital. So this is another worry. Thanks again.

Ok, there is a limit of if you can apply based on when you last worked, but I think its like 5yrs so you are good on that. I would find a disability lawyer and use them. Someone that only works in disability. They only get paid if you win and they will help you determine if you will be a good candidate for winning your case. It takes awhile to get thru the whole process. Mine took two years from start to getting a check.

Most disability lawyers give out free consultations. Start with that.

I would not use the 9/11 lawyer for disability. Two separate areas.

Definitely get a lawyer. I filed last December and got denied the first time. (Which is what usually happens) So I now have a lawyer. They told me the earliest we can expect to hear anything is in March or April. However, they had me get my doctor to complete a form verifying that I am not able to work. They mailed this to the administrative law judge December 8. So, I am praying that I get good news, quickly.

I can not give you advice, only to tell you what I did and I got it on the first swipe, alone, no lawyer. They scoop an unfair amount of your back disability benefits for something you can do yourself, brain fog or no brain fog. Here is a few pointers that I used and had no problem.
First, how old are you? They don't say it, but the closer you are to 60 the better. People in their 50's are much less likely to be approved as they don't want to pay for a long time.
Apply for SS disability, get the form, sit down with a good cup of whatever and find out what documentation they may want and what you need to do. Make a list to check off.
What was your occupation, this has a lot to do with it. Being a nurse was a big one as I could not function with my patients (babies) without serious risk. Show them that your work was really important to you and to continue would put others in jeopardy.
Your brain fog will work to your advantage because they will send you to a psych and a regular doc. Believe it or not, I think the clincher was my inability to count backward from 100 by 7s. Couldn't do it...honestly.

I firmly disagree with traces2757, their #1 goal is not to deny you. It is to save money. Also, they do a lot of the leg work that you think you will have to do.
Final note so as to not drag on. Providing you had a solid work history and good earnings, and. if you are near or at 62 go for retirement. Then apply for disability. This will kick your SS up to the full amount until age 66, then it goes to basic SS. This way you will have money to fool around with all this other stuff and still survive.
I'm sure this is not possible, but I would be pleased to help you step by step, face to face, depending on where you live.

All this seems so scary but it really isn't.

I just wanted to add that it doesn't matter if you cant do your old job, what disability looks at is if you can do ANY job, even clean toilets for $8 an hour. If they find that you can do that, you will be denied. So not only is it important to log what you cant do mentally, but you also have to let them know what you cant do physically-like bending, standing, kneeling etc.

Thanks again for your answers. I am 61. My birthday was a few weeks ago. I was an editor. I have a painful wedge fracture right in the middle of my thoracic spine which makes working with my arms for any length of time, or stand for any length of time. It's good to know that it might be easier at my advanced age.

I would advise to get a lawyer for your disability. I used one.

Good luck to you.

I would still have a lawyer, I have heard they try to deny almost everyone the first time. I wish you the best on getting through!

When you first apply for disability, there is really nothing for an attorney to do. If you're denied and appeal it, then you need an attorney. You need to know what your medical records say. There needs to be diagnostic test results, treatments tried and their outcomes, meds, etc, There needs to be a direct connection between your health problems and you not being able to do any work in the national economy. Your age, education and past work are factored in. When you apply SSA will have you sign a release form for then to get all of your medical records, they will do this at no cost to you. But, be sure and call and verify that all the medical records they requested they received and they are in your file. When your looking at work credits, what you paid ss taxes from is what is looked at.