i had to leave my government job after 24 years and 8 months because of RA- being a medical coder, the BEST job I ever had and the one I wanted!!!

I understand your pain, and I miss work every day and all my friends. Now you will be a full time patient and reading this support group to stay sane like me.

I've been on SSDI for the past 9 years and they do tend to give it a little easier when you are older....so that helps. But you need to know what the true criteria for SSDI is.

You need to prove that you can't do ANY job for at least the next 2 years. Nada....nothing....can't work at all! Your rheumy needs to be on board with your applying or it is hopeless. They will send you to their docs who will usually say you can work at something and deny you. 70% are denied the first time around.

So get as much documentation from as many specialists as you can to say you can't work anymore....not even part time....not even a different job with specialized training or your old job at part time wages with equipment for the disabled like a voice activated computer. I've had RA for 39 years but couldn't get SSDI for my RA...I only got it after breaking my neck and was paralyzed.

Be prepared for opposition. At any one time, 20% of the working population of the US is on SSDI and many lawyers make it a profession to rip off the government and so now those of us who really do need it get screwed.

You've only had RA for 16 months and that isn't very long so that against you. Can I ask what drugs you're on? If you haven't run the gamut of meds for RA, chances are they will say no as you may be able to go into remission on a biologic.

Applying for SSDI is tough. And in case they didn't tell you, you don't get Medicare for 2 years AFTER you are accepted.

sorry for the bad news......................Jen

Thanks Jen I have done this for my son who has Autism an my son who is Bipolar so I sent all my medical records and know how it is done .

Hi Jen, thank you for enlightening all of us again about SSDI. I am trying to get long term disability through my job and that is tough enough to get and I had spinal surgery and have had RA since 2001. The board is trying to discredit the RA part of my illness when that is the most troublesome part. It took me 2 days to type out my previous post. Now with all information being computerized how in the world would I get patient's that I care for information in their chart in a timely manner. Don't know why it is so tough for honest working class people to apply for disability. Fortunately I am able to get my husband's SSD which I was placed on right away in a month's time.

Well put Jen - your post should be a sitcky at the top of the forum. You answered so many questions and concerns with just a few short paragraphs.

And yes, she speaks the truth!

I have R/A, interstitial cystitis, sjogren's syndrome and fibromyalgia. Possibility of getting SSDI? I can barely walk, go back to bed in the morning, have bladder pain and urinate frequently. Have a rheumatologist that I see frequently. On injected methotrexate and Celebrex since Jan 2016. Had a sit down job that was eliminated. Looking for a job now but most are mobile, driving and home visits.

I'm 42 and applied for SSDI in December, 2015. I haven't been able to work in over a year. I was denied within 3 months of filing and upon reconsideration was just approved this month (only 6 months). I hired an attorney from the beginning that I think really helped with my quick approval. The attorney only collected if I won and was awarded directly from my back pay. I had someone tell me that I could do it all alone but I have to say, the attorney knew exactly what to put and how to put it (truth, of course) and again, really simplified the process.

Good Luck to you!!!!

it's hard to answer without your background.

do you live alone? is there another paycheck coming into your household? are you collecting unemployment or did the employer block that for a voluntary termination on your part?

did you have a private std or ltd plan that you paid for at home?

the best book on filing for social security disability out there I think is NOLO and you can find it at your local library (free!) or at amazon if you want it shipped to your home with a key stroke.

you also need your rheumatologist as your advocate. how complete is your is your medical file and how long have you been seeing your rhematologist for treatment? she/he is the medical necessity leg of your tree. were you seeing a primary before this January for similar treatment?

Keep up with your medical appointments, your diagnostic tests and imaging, your treatment. Using an atty to file is helpful not hurtful.

do not ask way too many people in your circle of life - only you and your rheumie really knows your personal physical disabilities right now. self validate and move on once you have your information.

depot

I am new to this site but not to ssdi. Years ago after being dxed with Parkinson's I applied for ssdi. And was approved within like 6 months. That was the easy part. Living on disability is the hard part . not talking living with your disability I'm talking living. I wasted years sitting in a darkened room watching tv. Find your new purpose. Find your life within your disability . lol with Parkinson's I rejuvenated my old hobbie of woodworking. I find if I work with my pd i can still do amazing work. Just takes me much longer. Now with the pain and stiffness in my hands it makes it even more challenging . lol when I start sanding and such my hands hurt beyond words. After a few minutes I'm pain free and able to work. If my Parkinson's behaves I can have several near pain free hours in ny shop. Then the next day I realize that I over did it and have to rest in discomfort . regardless I must have that hobbie or it gets worse. Just my findings. Regardless of my issues I still need purpose to my day.