I retained attornies through The Disability Group. You don't pay them unless they win your case. Then they get a one time fee of 25% of your back payments.
Hope this helps you.

You are eligible for SSDB (Social Security Disability) after being off work due to your FMS for 6 months. You should definitely get an atorney; one who doesn't get paid unless you are awarded the SSDB. Don't look at it as a hand out, as it definitely is NOT! You paid into the SS system for just such an incident and therefore are ENTITLED to that money! I retained a very nice woman lawyer to help me file and after gatheirng all of my medical evidence that I do have FMS/CFS, and seeing a Dr who works for the SS, it took about 4 months before I actually heard from the SS board. At the time I was awarded the SSDB, I received an amount that was retrocative to the last day I was able to work, minus the 6 months that were "qualifying" months. It's not a huge amount of money each month but it definitely helps. Good luck with this!

Coramae,
Thanks for the info!....It helps me believe that just maybe...there is a light at the end of this (hell hole)...tunnel.

you should try checking out
www.disability digest.com it is run by Brian Therrien and he helped me completely to get approved and the service is free.

thanks everyone for the advice...Noeleo2...I have just one question...is Brian Therrien near you?..I am in Illinois...would that make a difference?
Thanks again,
Lori

I went to this site to help me.
http://www.socialsecuritylaw.com/CM/Custom/Our-Guarantees-Our-Services.cfm
They are helping. Check them out.
Hope this helps.

Another good site is disabilitysecrets.com

They have a lot of good information.

It is very normal for us Fibromites to get denied. You just have to brush it off and hang in there. If you don't file for an appeal when you get denied, then you have to start all over again. The process is so long that you don't want to miss that appeal date.

I filed in May or June of 06. I can't even remember anymore. I have had 2 denials and then I filed for a hearing with an admistrative law judge in January of this year. I am still waiting for my hearing date.

You need to have a doctor that will support your disability claim. Without that, I don't think you will have much of a chance. If you have depression or a drug problem you are more likely to get disability than having FM alone.

There is a lot you can do before you hire a lawyer. You can go get all your doc records. They will probably charge you, but you will need all them to show how long you've been sick and a record of your decline.

I would also suggest that you not go to SS office and file in person, or even by phone. If you can go to the office and sit through their interview, then you can probably go for a job interview. They will twist everything you say. If you can take care of children, cook, do your own laundry, then in their eyes you could get a job doing those things.

File by mail.

...just one thing puzzles me....I have already been denied twice...but never did appeal it..I just gave up..but the puzzling thing to me is that you all say I should have a lawyer with me...and that is exactly what SS told me I couldnt have at all!?!?!?!?

If you get a Lawyer make sure that you read the tinny print!! They say that if you dont get paid they dont get paid! Yes that sounds great but the tinny print that you sign sayes that they can charge you fees that they feel that they deserve!! So read the tenny tinny print! Make sure that if you are going for SSD and not SSDI there is a differance!! SSD you dont get back pay and you only get your payment 5 months after you have applied. I got my SSD they say i quified for Nov. but i dont get any payment until Jan! I dont wont to whine but it is a little heart breaking when you need the money so bad and then you dont get it until you are in so much deit. Good luck and keep trying. Make sure you have as many specialist you can have i think that realy helps.

The attorneys can give you the advice for free most often. I hear allot of people talk about Allsup being a good place to get help. This is their website

http://www.allsup.com/About-SSDI/Free-SSDI-Evaluation.aspx

Hear they have a high success rate.

llk, I'm not sure I understand. SS told you that you couldn't have an attorney? That can't be right. I filed for my ALJ hearing without an attorney and they promptly sent me a note saying I better get an attorney because my chances of winning increase by 50%. They even sent a bunch of numbers for legal aid.

Yes...you understood me...that is what they told me on the phone...no att. and no doc could help me...not allowed!...I am going to check into this you can be DAMN SURE!!..It was also stated in the intitial papers that I had to file...Hang in there with me...may need your help again...
Thanks,
Lori

Unless there is some mix up and it is SSI that you filed for and not SSD, then someone gave you bogus advice.

Feel free to send me a message if you want to chat more.