Hi Cindy,

I don't know if this is going to help much but I was driving today and heard a lawyer talking about your question on the radio. He had two pieces of advice that might be of interest to you. First, only 10% of people who try to get disability from the social security get it. The judges how make decisions on these matters are told to keep the number at about this level. Second, don't even think of applying without a lawyer representing you and helping you with the application. Given the chance of success (10%), you need all the help that you can get. I can't tell you what to do. Obviously, you need the money and deserve to get it, but, you might as well be realistic about your chances. Good luck!

Hi, cindy! - I would highly recommend the Law Firm of Binder & Binder! They are very experienced, and really care about getting their clients the benefits that they deserve. They won my disability case, and, after having done that for me, they also won my heart!

Here's their number:

Binder & Binder

The National Social Security Disability Advocates

1-800-362-6699

Please give them a call. The Attorney who told you that you probably wouldn't qualify sounds lazy! Please let us know what happens. Good Luck!

Keeping you in my heart, thoughts & prayers.

God Bless.

Somuch

I was told that almost every case has to be appealed at least twice. I just started my disability case and don't expect to win but will fight all I can. These are benefits that you have earned. Don't give up. I too have heard of Binder and Binder and would use them when I get to that point. It doesn't sound like your lawyer is very positive and that is not good.

Kind Regards,
Brenna

Okay ladies, my case was approved and took a total of seven months from start to finish and I did not have a lawyer. I filled out the paperwork and started the process on the internest, they followed up with me by sending me paperwork to fill out and a telephone interview where they got additional information from me.

Now obviously I would say start the process on your own, I didn't need a lawyer and I don't want to share my money with anyone - they get a cut of your retroactive payments. If you are denied at the end of this process, go ahead and get yourself a lawyer, I mean if it's true you are going to be turned down at least twice why not take a chance and take care of business by yourself the first time?

Whatever you decide, good luck! hugs jilly

I found a really helpful website yesterday. It has lots of stats and info that will help you. I learned a lot from it and plan to use it in my resource.

I'm in the process of applying, but I can say it's been much smoother than I had expected. I'm already halfway through the process, I've been halfway approved. It's only been a month since I applied.

The first half of the process is where they look at you work credits, income, amt of work you've done in the last year, etc. It's easy to be disqualified just with all that red tape. Now I'm on to the medical stage. Interesting fact since I'm still not diagnosed- (I'm a crip but not diagnosed- lets figure that one out?!!!) Anyways, you don't need an offical diagnosis you just need the sum total of your symptoms to be too great for you to work. My SS processor told me that himself. Anyways, her's the website:

http://www.disabilitysecrets.com/