I did my online--I can provide you with links to the online application and I will reply with them....

In an article in the WI MS magazine a laywer wrote that applying before 50, a person has better have very strong arguments of MS disability but after 50 it gets easier in that SS view 50 as a limiting age for working with MS---so that should make it easier for you.

And when you write down the reasons you can no longer work, fatigue is likely to be one of the reasons, but always refer to it as MS fatigue not just fatigue. MS fatigue differs from normal fatigue as you probably know.

After you fill out the ONLINE forms you have to call SS and make an appointment at the SS office---thats how it is done in WI, but I have read of people living in remote areas that SS does not require an in person interview, so i'm not certain if they do that in your state? You will find that out? They had me sign an authorization for them to all my medical records but also asked me to hand carry a copy to them for that meeting. I think it sped it up that I hand carried ion a copy.

I'm sure they got a copy themself but they could first start working on the copy I hand carried in & just confirm that they were the same as what the got from the doc, hospital, MRI center themselves. I made a copy of my medical records for myself at that time, I figured I had better know everything about me thast thewy know about me.

And begin some files immediately as you start this process,. Save a copy of everything you get from them and make a copy of everything you send to them.

I also startred a log while I was doing it. Sometimes I ended waiting for so long for a response, I would need to check my log for when I had talked to someone and who I had talked to, what was said and what/when I expected something. Really a few months into it I would have forgotten whether I did something I needed to a few months before? The log was really helpful to me, sometimes just reassuring me that I had been working on it.

Practice sheet to fill out before doing the online form--the online form has to be completed in a certain amoount of time once started---so having to wait for things once you start it is not a good thing. Fill out the practice sheet before starting thew online form.(I think there are months given to fill out the online form-but why test the limit if you don't have too?)

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ssa-3368.pdf

Disability Starter kit:

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disability/disability_starter_kits_adult_factsheet.htm#disability

And this one, I have book marked. It has the butto0n to start an online form--you will need your SS number to start an online form. Then as you stop working on it and come back a few days later to continue to work on it, you use you use your SS# to call up your partailly completed form that you has SAVED the last time you worked on it.. When done you hit submit on the online form to submitt it to SS and call SS about making an appointment at the SS office- if they do that in your state.


https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/i3368PRO/main.html

that last o

I always have difficulty making that last link work

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/i3368PRO/main.html

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/i3368PRO/main.html

...."https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/i3368PRO/main.html"


The national SS phone number is..
SS : 1-800-772-1213

And from there they can tell you what you need to do in your state,,,,the scheduled my SS appointment in the local SS administration building.

After you get this done, you will recieve a letter about a SS phone interview. The letter will have the date , time and phone number they will call.
If after they still find your claim credible after the phone interview you will receive a letter about a physical wit a SS doc...my SS doc was a pediatrician just looking for an additional income. If after the physical your claim is still deemed credible you will receive your award letter that will specify the day you will receive your first check & how you will get it and the number to should call if you don't receive it.

Oh Yah, they had me bring a blank check to the original meeting I had at the SS administrative office, in case I was awarded disability, my check could be direct deposited. And my award letter said my check would be direct deposited.

Good Luck- don't hesitate to ask for any more details I went through as you get into this process. The SS physical is just walk for him, jump(I refused to do that, it didn't hurt my claim) then asked as few questions about my normal day and to see how I was

Hi Charlie,

I filed in IL in May and was approved in October.I got alot of good advcie from nnyl1, so I am just going to add, rather than disagree with anything already posted.

I applied online. I got paper work really quickly requesting quite a bit of information. i got the records from the medical center I go to which listed all the appointments I have had, I got the record from the ER wioth the visits I have made, I got records from Wlagreen's for all my prescriptions, and also included my injectibles history. I spoke with the medical records department and let them know that Social Security would be contacting them, and I would appreciate if both my doctors got the requests for info. My doctors had already agreed to write me letters. I also got letters from my son and a friend and former co-worker. Every time that I sent anything in, I sent copies of all of it, and I also faxed it in to the fax number. I wanted to make sure nothing got "misplaced."

I made an appointment for a phone interview, I think that is something you can pick online at the time you apply, or you get a link to respond to. The day of the interview, they were very late in calling, like over an hour, so I called them. Of course, they called while I was trying to call in, nad when i switched over, they had hung up. So I called the number left on the message and could not get intouch with anyone. So I called the 800 number again, and they gave me the option of an in-person interview the following Monday, which I tokk. I am glad that I did.

I took all my prescritions, and copies again of all the paper work. It turned out that the paper work HAD gotten misplaced, so it was good that I did it the way it worked out.

Next I was notified that I had to see doctors, which I did. And then I was approved.

Always say "MS fatigue." Even if it makes you uncomfortable, this is a RR disease, so list the worst day, not the best. nnyl1 told me that, but I had a hard time. The interviewer changed some things because I was saying that I can do this or that if I slide something around,. and lean on this, or all the other thingsth at I have come up with. She stressed that the question is whether I can do things in a way that would generally be considered "normal."

If you suffer from depression, list it. It is considered a part of MS that is acceptable, and if you have this issue, tell them. Do not try to make things worse, be honest but really tell the worst, not the best. I did not take my cane to the examination, and the doctor asked if I have one, so I said yes. He said that I should not be embarrassed to use it. But I think that I did not come in trying to look in a way to "get" disability helped. It did make the trip slower and less staedy, but I do hate to use it. I think I was lucky to have a doctor that seemed to understand MS.

Good records, letters from the doctor, keeping appointments. Oh, the letters that I submitted did not paint a picture of someone who cannot do anything. They said that I am able to take care of myself, and do many things, I just do them slower, and have figured out ways to do them to adjust to my disabilities. My co-worker (we worked together in 2000-2002, and then in 2007, and also are friends) noted the difference in my ability to do some things at work, the greater times I needed t oomplete tasks, the longer hours I needed to completet the same or less work, the frustration I had at simple tasks, that kind of thing She also noted the greater demands put on management due to the economic times increased the hours, stress, and physical demands.

Good Luck. i did not read your profile, but it seems to be easier if you are over 50 and have good proof..

I did need to get a copy of my birth certificate to bring with me to the original SS office, not sure if they do that all yhe time? I got a copy at the county clerk in the city I was born in.....I had to drive up to the city I was born in and pay a few bucks for it...so thats one of the thiings you might end up waiting for as you fill out this form.

I had one, and yes, Iactually did send in a copy of that, although I don't remember if they wanted it. Maybe the fact tat I had recently gotten a copy of my social security card and it was all on file. Bt too much information or documentation is not possible, or at least, cannot count against you!

you need to make sure your neuro is on board - they have to supply alot of info too

lynn

Yes, and it also is good if you have a gp. Mine are in the same center, and they both sent in letters and info. Also, you want to let them know htat you are applying so that they will look for the request when it comes in. Even if you have a letter from one or both, they will probably go throught the records dept where they practice.

Go ahead and apply but start looking around for an attorney that handles Social Security disability claims. You might be needing one if you are denied which is very common, especially these days.

Luckily I had an attorney lined up. After I was denied I became so ill and ended up going blind that I was unable to do anything and that certainly included filing out more paperwork and going to see doctors, etc.

I could not drive nor see and that sort of finished me off quickly. I had a good attorney and he managed to get the determination overturned quickly with a phone call to another attorney that worked for the Social Security Administration. I don't have connections like this. Only a lawyer working in this field does.

I cannot emphasize this enough. If you get so sick you can't handle doing all of the paperwork, etc. you need an attorney to do it for you. I have zero regrets and it was worth every cent!

on top of all the great advice given already...

Call your state senators offices and get them in and monitoring your claim. I honestly think that since my lawyer couldn't do much as far as moving my hearing up, that getting the state senators involved helped speed the process along... If only I had done it sooner.

On other thing...it is good to have your doctor helping and all of that , but you have to also say that you are disabled. When it first came up for me, I felt like my doctor said I was, but by the time I started talking to SS, I really fetl it was the truth myself. I think it makes a fifference.

i filed in august and was approved in sept, got my 1st check in oct. i live in nevada and at that time i was only 31 yrs old. i kept my messages short and sweet w/ no bs. looking back to then i thought i was at my lowest time. god forbid i would have to file now and get denied. i thought this whole ms bs couldn't be any worse, well i am living proof it does. good luck and god speed in getting approved. hugs, kelly

I was denied twice and then hired Allsup to represent me. I was finally approved after almost 3 years. It was all because of my age. Once I got to appear before the judge at a hearing, the doctor they had there said the medical evidence met the guidelines for disability and it was approved. Plain and simple! It really makes me mad that SS took this long to approve it - causing me to have to hire someone to help me and then pay them a big chunk of money. But, at least it is finally done! I am just waiting on my check now. They say it is on it's way. Oh, and I also asked my Senator and state representatives to help. They did submit letters to SS but that was about it. They really did not do much for me.