All I know is that it's a slow process and you should expect to have to appeal the initial decision. I've been told that it helps to have an attorney to get through the process.

ya thats what I read. I have 2 MS docs that will support me in this. I guess the government can find me a job that I can nap every half hour and will push wheel chair around. Thank you for info.

Do they mean you can do no work or just not th job that you have/had?

no work can not walk hands shake can not drive self to work. tired every 20 minutes.

I did apply for SSI and SSdisability just 3 months ago. I did the first round on my own, with help from family, and no attorney. If denied this is when I would get an attorney. I MUST say this is a frustrating process and the paperwork is detailed, 1st round of paperwork and later 2nd round of paperwork. It is very easy too but don't get discouraged and stick with it. The more records you have, or have access to, is very helpful. If no records the SS office will retrieve. Even if sent the SS still verifies but speeds up the process. IMPORTANT; keep copies of whatever paperwork you have and fill out. Like I said, exactly 3 months ago is when I sent in the first batch of paperwork, giving my bank information as optional asked on the paperwork. Thank you GOD, just this Monday there was a deposit in my banking account from the SSI that covered the max monthly for SSI for the last 3 months. No confirmation letter has been received yet.
So now there is still the disability I am waiting for approval. Just so it is known, if you are able to work at anytime you can but the monthly amount that is earned cannot exceed an amount.
I am not the type of person that will just kick back and collect a check. When I am able, I volunteer my time with my Church as well as the American Red Cross. I do know that GOD is in control and in my difficult situation I have drawn closer to GOD. Oddly said, for this reason I am thankful I have MS.
Good luck and never give up!!

Roberts where did you come from? Looks like the same person you and I . Im like go go go person. I sent out my app for SSI 2 months ago. Then they sent me more stuff to send to the state department that takes care of the medical part. My MS doctor sent in the info needed to the Ssi dept. They also sent me copies. I loved work, I hate sitting around. Its hard enough to get to bath room. I coundnt think of this at work. I figure for me in the eyes of God my part is to bring up my boys the best I can with my wife. It kills me this year I missed their base ball games. The heat kills me.

Is the waiting period to actually collect six months? Some people could go broke in that tiem period.

tell me about it. Sold car to dad so I didnt have payments. Month ago wife car broke. Then to top off it was smoking last week. Can you say byby savings. Atleast i combined all hosptial bills. I also combined my doc bills. Four different docs and hospitals. Ill just pay some now but more when I get ssi. I seen as much as 270 days till you could get money. I think it takes long for people who dont fill out paper right. Or do not even go to doctors. Ive seen 4. I had 4 mri an emg. plus they took 26 viles of blood.

Robert what type of ms? What med do you take!? How long you have it.
For me I think its rrms need more time doc tells me. I take rebif now steriods before. I think I had this for years. Comes and goes never thought it be this. I have not walked right in almost a year. The rebif is helping. I think when it cools down will be alot better.

just a fyi i have a face book account I could friend you. I just got on this site have more info there. look up frankcihlar has a pic of me and wife.

rrms with dx in 2000. Not sure if the cause was from the Y2K water!!! After dx it made a lot of sense as to what was goiing on. Stability in legs was always tough. I am now on Copaxone and have been for 4 months. I started on Betaserone. I was in a case study for 3 1/2 years whith what was called Fingolimode and now called Gilenia after being approved by FDA. I took Avonex but quickly taken off due to horrible reaction and side effect. Flareups have put me in a wheelchair, taken away my speech, lost feeling in arms and hands......thankfully the hardest hits of these lasted between 6 to 7 weeks. I have been on IV steroids a few times and have taken prednisone many of times.

what dx? I found out ms in may. But I have not been able to walk right in months. But I can walk in mornings... If we go somewhere its we bring wheel chair. The doc last time said lets see if you can walk better almost fell on face. But I was sitting for hours so was stiff too. Been on rebif can walk better best when cold too bad ac broke.

Dear frank, I started getting SSD in 1989. It was a very stressful time. They took their time. Make sure you apply as soon as possible. The sooner you apply, the more you make. Plus, you don't want to lose money amounts you are entitled to, just because you missed a qualifying deadline. I hear there is an attorney group called "Binder & Binder," that goes after our disability. There motto is, "let us do the work for you. You have enough to worry about." Keep pushing & don't give up. You earned it. And it sucks that we're sick! Good luck! :-)

Dear Owl,
Thank you, After I finally went to nuero he looked at mri and said I had this for awhile because the amount and color of lesions. I thank God that he pushed me to meet my wife with my eyes wide open. She really is a God gift. You know they say God doesnt give you more then you can handle. Sometimes I wish he didnt trust me so much...

Hi Frank,
It took me 28 months start to finish, my attorney told me if I started with him it probally would of went through first time. If you google search you can find the stats on your state for precentage of denial, here in MI it is one of the highest in the country and one of the biggest backlogs, I waas worried at my hearing as there were several people in wheel chairs going in front of a Judge. I got lucky and I did a teleconferance with a Judge in IL and their doc the Soc Sec. doc was a huge advocate for me,which is usually backwards and the Judge did a bench decision. After all the attorneys only get 25% and if he gets it through the first time it is only 25% of one month and not like the max of $6500 I had to pay. I would like to add it was my doc who told me to file and backed me the whole way. I know there are people who get lucky and get it the first time but why take a chance? unless you can wait close to 2 years
Good luck on whatever path you chose.