Best of luck to you on getting your disability without any denials and appeals. I have been on it in Ontario for about a year now. It's true that people with MS sometimes have a harder time since alot of symptoms are invisible. Again, good luck with it!! Lauri

Always answer your unable to work NO GREY AREA

I got it on my first try, but I had not worked at all for over a year. It is not easy for an MS patient to get disability, but my Doctors were emphatic that I could not work ever again. Once I applied it took about 6 months to get. Don't expect a lot and make sure they take taxes out. When you qualify for Medicare, which is usually a year later, then more comes out of your check. Also they pay alpabetically now, so it is not the beginning of the month for every one, for example I get mine the 3rd Wednesday each month. GOOD LUCK!

Carol,
If you're going for SS disability, good-luck and make sure your Doc is solidly behind you (sounds like it). Remember this is insurance you've paid for all your working life.

It isn't gov'tment support just something you've been paying for so don't think it is aid. Just like private disability, you already have to put up with disability, don't let anyone tell you you don't deserve your insurance award (which is what it is).

Good-luck!

I agree that going with an attorney is the best way to go. I was turned down the first time and then I hired Berry & Associates out of Atlanta ( I am in Colo.) and they made everything go smoothly. They only charge if you win and it automatically comes out of the first award ( the SS Dept pays them)Wish I had done it the first time. Good Luck!!

I got SS on the first time,they sent me to there Doctor to see if what my Doctor had said about me was true,I think the fact that I had just got of the hospital helps,I was on a walker,and MS had my eyesight,I was in bad shape,I did get my SS,and I am walking and driving,Good luck to you

I wish you the very best of luck with your SSD application. I hope you're not in Michigan - it's the worst - I am still fighting - and on a 18-24 month waiting list to go before a judge. I really hope it goes well for you.
Christine

I have a relationship with the Law firm that representes a LARGE work compensation insurance company. I had much less documentation than you do yet I got on disability first try. They told me at the firm that MS is one of a dozen or so that are a given for disability. The down side is the mental-nuts I can't work. Good luck!
jim

I totallu disagree about using an attorney (of course if you can afford the time). Far as I'm concerned it is using an attorney to get what you have been paying for and deserve. Sometime that money that went to the lawyer may come in handy, especially since you will be making much less than you are probably used to.

You paid for it, you deserve it, this isn't medicaid (need's based). This is insurance. I found most important thing is having a doctor who really believes you cannot work (even better is one who has had experience with SS).

Good-luck, either way you go.

Larry

I applied for disablity last year. I have fatigue, headaches, weakness in my right leg, tremers, pain, depression. and it hasn't gotten any better. I just got a letter from ssd and they told me I was denied because I wasn't disabled enough. I hired a lawyer and am now awaiting a hearing. anyone applying I wish you luck and I hope you have a better chance then I have had.

Christine and everyone, Social Security is a Federal program. I know that people can influence ow things go but then it might be worth trying another office.

Remember SSDI is Federal, it is Insurance not 'needs based' but a benefit you've been paying for as long as you worked (and I am not naive, like those who say you can't lose your job 'cuz you have MS). But I do know that your location shouldn't make a difference.

I've found the people at SocSec very helpful and knowledgable. You might start by giving them a call. And I am in the minority because I don't like to see Lawyers get your money (esp. money you may need when you find yourself on a lower income).

ALL YOU NED IS A GOOD LAWYER. 3 YEARS IS WA TOO LONG. IT ONLY TOOK ME 9 MONTHS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT STATE YOU LIVE IN BUT I CAN GIVE YOU A FEW IF YOU NEED ONE. LET ME KNOW AND GOOD LUCK. BPH

Larry... wish I had more info on what you're saying. I know SSD is a Federal program, but from what I understand it's run or half-ass run by each individual state - some states have a "review" after denial - which means with additional medical information they will take a second look at your case if you've been denied. I happen to live in Michigan - which is a "no review" state - and each case that is denied - when you appeal - you go right in line to go before a judge - which is 18-24 months out. I have our local congressman/representative helping me - sort of - at least my case is marked "congressional" which means it gives it slightly more weight - but I would do anything to move this process along further. My doctor is solidly behind me - and I have all the medical documentation - functional capacity exams which say I cannot work - even at sit-down jobs. I refuse to hire a lawyer because I don't want them to have MY MONEY. I purchased the "program" which someone had listed on here before - and it was very helpful when I filed my claim - however - ultimately it did me no good - as someone behind a desk decided to reject my application without even a LOOK SEE FROM A DOCTOR - it's a bunch of garbage and I agree that I think they're hoping most of us will die or give up before we get our benefits. : (

larry & christine it most definitely depends on what state a person is living in & their age!

I cannot believe that Larry, says he is not niave enough to think a person cannot lose their job becausre of MS, then he turns right around and says it does not matter what state a person lives in. That's just plain old niave...and larry you have claimed in the past to have a copmputer work experience...so you of all people should knoe that whatever is handeled by people is not EVER consistentr!!!!

I had this fight witjh my father who asserted it's a federal program so it's the same evety where. What is it with you guys, anyway. He was a federal employee in a union & he was able to understand that union members in different areas dealt with different things...but he could not get his mind wrapped around the fact that SS is the same, a federal program!! It's not the same everywhere! Ughhhh!!!

Mister computer whiz, if it is the same every where whty are they able to identify states with high denial rates. And why are they able to identify that statistically very the denial rate drops after 50,m when many more are applying after 50.

There are about 19 states with high denial rates. MI is one of them. 50 is a magic age where denial rates lower.

I'm living in a state w/o a high denial rate, I had my doc full support in the application. I didn't need a laywer. I applied in Aug recieved my leter of award in Nov.

But if I lived in one of the states with a high denial rate & I was less than 50 years old I would consider getting a laywer.

Apply, appeal rejection, then a person cannot claim the same disability if they try to apply again.

Since this is Carolina thread and she identifies her location as SC, I will add that a CBS News clip ifdententified SC as a state with a high rejection rate. I printed a page from that news clip, it doesn't identify the date the news clip aired, but I printed it on 7/4/2008. It was 13 state identified as having high denial rates.

AZ,CO,MO,AR,TN,KY,OH,MI,NY,WV,NC,SC,GA

I would consider getting a laywer in your case. Paying for a laywer may be worth it & the lawer fee is capped at & of award.