It is such a slow process. I almost lost my house during mine. If you do not have a lawyer that specializes in SS then get one. Mine did nearly all the work for me except filling out paper work from time to time that I had to sign. The SS lawyers can only take so much money if you are awarded your disability and most of them ask for nothing if you do not get it. Good luck. Jimmy

Hang in there, you must!

You have received some wise advice there, do NOT go back to work as that will mess you up and you'll likely have to start over again.

Do you have an attorney? If you don't, get one ASAP!

The reason I am telling you this is because I knew (former worker in the legal profession) that I'd likely be needing one because I expected I'd be denied the first time around (which I was). Luckily, I had a lawyer lined up already and when I was denied, I turned the matter over to him.

It was a very good thing I did this as I was so sick and stressed out that I ended up going blind not long after the 2nd denial happened. :(

I was so upset and the doctor (who is now in a place called jail I think) was telling me to go back to work and that I was in remission!

I never went into remission after this crap started up big time (had it for years before the DX) and I was incapable of filling out a bunch of forms, etc. to fight the denial.

Luckily, said lawyer contacted a person he knew at Social Security and told them about my situation and managed to have the second denial overturned.

The lawyer got his cut out of it (abt. $2,000.00) which was worth every single cent believe me.

It might not have happened near as quickly as it did without the lawyer working for me.

Some people don't want to hire a lawyer to represent them because they want all of the retroactive money for themselves.

In my case, I was too sick to be worried about such things. I was just glad I found someone to take my case and get my benefits that I worked for and paid into for 20+ years prior to becoming disabled.

From the date of filing until the time I was told I had been approved was a total of about 16 months.

How I got by was not easy at that time as I had nothing. My husband had no job either. It was one of the worst times in my entire life.

Hang in there and continue to fight them and please, get an attorney as soon as you can find a suitable one.

Best of luck!!

The advice you have gotten is VERY true! I am on disability also but for bipolar disorder. If you work they will say if you can work now you have the ability to work - period-- which is so unfair and ridiculous. How do they expect you to survive? Also, most people are denied the first time and then they have to go through it all over again. That is what happened to me; however, my mother had a lawyer - one you don't pay unless they win your case - and she received disability the first time. I am sincerely wishing you the best. - Suzanne

THANK YOU ALL. I will not work until I get it and see how I am at that point. I think I will start volunteering again at the hospital to get my mind off of it and when Dec comes santa can bring me an early gift (DISABILITY) You guys are GREAT, I am so HAPPY I have you ALL!!!

I understand what you are going through. I just received my 1st denial letter. I was so frustrated. I am a nurse and unable to keep up with the demands of the job. SS told me that they know I have some restriction but, I can do some like unskilled work. I really don't believe they got the whole picture. I am fatigue almost all the time, when I get stressed (even a little) the left side of my body shuts down completely. It had happened at my previous job several times. Needless to say, I hired an attorney about 2 weeks ago. They already have the ball moving.

I would highly suggest getting attorney ASAP!!!!

Hope it goes well for you, I completely understand the strain it can put on you.