hmm. I was told by social security that the payments would stay the same, even when Imreach full retirement age. The concept, as he said it, is that I should be a pile to work at whatever age, so if I'm disabled, I'm disabled. m going to look into that more. Very important!!

I just looked at the link above and followed to the disability page, where it says that you will only receive less is you are able to work again, so I think the guy I spoke to was right. I sure hope so.

You shouldn't do it on your own. You really need a lawyer, or use Allsup.com

marsharebel, yes the amount stays the same.

I've looked at it a little closer and it seems there are someways to get an earlier hearing--like if the person is going to be homeless. But I definitely need to get a lawyer. I live out in the country so I hope I can find someone good out here.

And I did find that I can take Social Security at 62 and if I win the hearing later they pay back the difference. But again--lawyer. The difference is $300-400.

Thanks for the info and support. This is all pretty scary.

My doctor told me to put down the symptoms that were causing me not to be able to work instead of the diagnoses. SS sent me an extra form requesting how the pain affected my daily life. It also depends on your age and if you can be re-trained to do another job.

At this point working with an attorney is the best idea. They do not have to be in your area. Find one that has a good reputation.

Hang in there.
-RJ

Travel expenses and other things like copies, postage, medical records, ect are Not part of what your backpay covers if you are approved. You will be responsible for that yourself, Be Sure And Read The Attorney Fee Agrement And Be Sure You Understand It Before Signing It. Assume Nothing.

ALLSUP is awesome!

I went to a lawyer from the start. I still got denied. At the appeal in front of a judge, I was going over my medical records and found that the lawyer had never submitted the records from my rheumatologist. No wonder I was denied. Then she sat there and asked the judge for a 20 day continuance to get the results of blood work that showed I didn't have Lyme Disease. I realized she was a moron and I took over. After 34 minutes talking to the judge myself, I was feeling pretty good about my case. In less than two weeks I received my approval and a day later the back pay was in my account. All this to say that even if you get a lawyer, you need to stay on top of them, which is hard to to when you have so much pain and cognitive difficulty, but it matters.

You need to get a Disability Lawyer, ASAP. My mom had several medical conditions and the lawyer she used only got paid if he won the case for her. Just keep trying, appeal, appeal, appeal. Have friends or family members that will write letters for you regarding how your quality of life has diminished. If you can get your state representative or senator or congressman to help, that is a big plus and usually I don't recommend political/party influence, but if you have a decent state rep., senator or congressman, ask them for help in the filing for and receiving disability benefits and hints on the whole process. I wish you the best of luck, take care.