It took me 5 months to get disability. Your doctor(s) have to call in on a number provided by Social Security for an interview about your case. The doctor receives compensation for doing this You need to be sure your doctor has thorough documentation. It was my primary care only who called and got me approved but the more doctors willing to do this the better.Don't automatically assume you need a lawyer. This happens when there is not a clear cut diagnosis or enough documentation. If you have this it should not be difficult. Mine was approved 15 yrs ago and like I said there was no problem. Hopefully the same holds true today.

They look at the highest earnings in 5 of the 10 most recent years to calculate a benefit. If you don't have enough earnings you are awarded SSI - usually around $700 a month (varies state to state). If you are married I think you are eligible thru your spouses earnings but don't quote me on that - not sure. It is a 2 yr wait for medicare unless things have changed, If you are working consider taking Cobra to keep your insurance if you can afford it. I believe your local MS chapter can give you more info. You can reach them by calling 1-800-344-4867

Good Luck. Sorry things have reached this point. Its not fun-I know. I always tell people to try and work as long as possible -even pt-time or consulting. Avoid the isolation that comes with living without that social contact. But there comes a time when you have to make a decision. Any long-term disability at work?

Take Care.

Melanie

Melanie

If your doctors are backing you and have test results to prove disability, I do believe there should be little problems. Having two doctors that back you is double your money. Thing is some people hint to their doctors that they cannot work and the doctor sort of nods okay but don't really back them. How they fill out the paperwork and what tests results they have for proof all help.

My neuro backed me. I hadn't worked in ten years. I hadn't driven for twelve. I was in a wheelchair. She had all the test results and did the paperwork quickly. I was approved and holding my back pay in two and a half months.

I ask the neuro when I will be well enough to return to work. He said son Im sorry I dont think you will be able to unless MS meds change. He has been doing this 30 years and doesnt see that I will be able to. I have 4 doctors say the same. Wanted 2nd opinion. 1 was primary, 3 nuero 2 of which are Ms nuero. I got the a copy of what they sent to SS yesterday. I almost wanted to cry because it reminds me of how messed up I am. It was a book of stuff. All the test and blood samples 26 total. The spinal tap MRI times 4 EMG and other test ran.

What State are you in? I am in TN and I have been in the claim process for 3 years. I have just received another denial and the group I have working on this for me has asked for a hearing. I got a letter saying the hearing was being taken under consideration and they might approve my disability without the hearing or set a date for the hearing, either way it would probably take 18 to 24 months. A ladies daughter told me it took her mother 5 years to get approval and a friend in CA finally got hers after 8 years. CA is suppose to be one of the easier states to get disability (that might have changed since they are in bankruptcy) and TN is one of the more difficult ones. I think most of my problem stems from the fact that MS has affected me more cognitively which is more difficult for someone to see and recognize than being affected physically. I also have the extreme fatigue and difficulty walking at times, but other than the fatigue, most of my problems are intermittent but manifest often enough to keep me from working. My doctor has submitted that I am not able to work at all in her opinion. Good luck with your claim, I hope the process is speedy for you.

IL for state Wow for 3 years. What doctor said you shouldnt work? For me its been two months and im already talking to the state adjudicator. So far two months I have seen nero who said ms but all 4 said that. From doc vists to 3 nero and primary total ccost 35000. I had the doctors fill out ss paper work plus letters why I can not work. They sent me copies of paper work they sent. Its like 2 inches thick. When I first applied for ss a lady called to go over app. I told her I want to work. I need a job to pick me up at home drop me back off. I need someone to push my wheel chair. I need nap time every have hour and help to bathroom every hour. I hope to god I dont have to wait 3 years.

On the bright side of things you live in a state where it is easier to get approved for disability. At my hearing the judge wanted to know in my own words why I could'nt sit and watch a security camera at a store and was given regular breaks and could stand or sit and move around as I needed. Tough question to answer as I did industrial machine repair my whole life and could'nt do such an easy job. I had the backing of all my doctors and had to appeal. Once I was denied I called my state Senator and got her involved so it shortend my time to 28 months. You should go to msworld.org and they have a section on disability with a attorney who is in ILL and read some posts you might find some things that people have been through and what they did. I'll pray you are a lucky one as it does happen I really think it depends on the person at SS you get to talk to. Here in MI they just send your records to a State Disability Detremination Center and let a doc make a decision for you, I did'nt even get a chance to be examined and wonderd how he could make a fair decision, also the big problem I had was I was not 50 years old. It made me sick at my hearing to see so many people in wheelchairs who looked so sick that they were being made to go through this process but like I said MI is one of the worst states to get approved. Are you going for SSI or SDI as SSI is much easier and don't have such strict conditions

ssi,

One thing the Social Security people take into consideration is your education and/or training. In some cases, a wheelchair would not be cause for disability. Say you are a CPA or system analysis many of whom can work out of their home. The SS Judge could say "OK you can work part time 15 hours a week out of your home or from a WC and make $50.00 and hour. He/she would turn you down. If you had work in the past doing manual type labor or assembly type work, you could get Social Security Disability.

I would love to work from home and my shaking hands would love 50 an hour. sign me up.

It is not the pay, it is the insurance. Medicare goes with the SSD. The Judges seem to forget about the cost of healthcare, especially for MS.

I have just finished going through the process myself and won. You have a major lifestyle change that will help in winning it. The doctor won't let you drive. That will actually work in your favor in this particular situation. And they don't want you to work. Paper trail and lifestyle change. I know that isn't how it's worded on the paperwork but can't remember it right off hand. Still plan on a couple years unless you are approved right off the bat.

I hope it doesnt take years. I feel it has gone fast so far I talked to the adjudicator yesterday and she said she had more then enough info from my doctors. She will be wrapping stuff up on her side and mailing it to my local office. So I will get their answer in a couple weeks. After my nuero said I could not work or drive I sold my car to my dad. It helps not paying for it.

I am from IL but live in MA now. I wanted to stay in IL but couldn't. An attorney told me IL has 3rd worst medicaid in the country. I rely on aides (funded thru medicaid) to help me stay at home and not go into nursing home. Unfortunately if you have assets (savings or retirement) IL requires you liquidate it all to get ssi and medicaid. I didn't work all those years to have it taken.

State to state things vary.

But my situation is different. I live alone, no famiily etc. I did get SSDA quickly because of diagnosis. Had to continue to work for two years though to qualify for it or face same situation -liquidate. Finally now have Medicare and Medicaid. Because of SSDA I can have assests (but no income)

Very tough situation for all of us. There is a "PCA" program in IL paid thru medicaid you might want to look into if you need additional help with "ADL's" shopping etc.

Good luck.