Social Security Disablity Community Group

This is for any one that has found themselves in the long wait for Soicial Security. Any one that has gone through this process or is in the middle of it. Venting is allowed.

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lonelyinNY 03/18/2009

I AM REALLY UP IN THE AIR ON THIS DECISION TO HIRE A LAWYER OR NOT....I HAVE APPLIED FOR SSD AND BEEN TURNED DOWN ONCE ALREADY.I APPEALED AND AM NOW WAITING FOR A HEARING DATE.WHEN I CALLED TO CHECK ON HOW LONG,I WAS TOLD PROBABLY A T LEAST A YEAR AND A HALF WAIT.I WAS TOLD IF I HAD APPLIED FOR SSI I COULD GET LEGAL HELP FOR FREE BUT BECAUSE I HAVE ALWAYS WORKED,IT WAS IN MY BEST INTEREST TO APPLY FOR SSD.WHICH I HAD TO HIRE A LAWYER AND THEY WOULD TAKE 25% OF WHAT I GOT.THAT IS IF I DECIDED TO HIRE SOMEONE.I WAS IN A MAJOR CAR ACCIDENT AND COULDNT WALK FOR THREE MONTHS AND THE DOCTORS DIDN'T KNOW WHY.I AM IN CONSTANT DAILY PAIN AND THEY DONT KNOW WHY.I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MRI'S OF MY BACK BUT THEY SHOW NOTHING.I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL JOBS AND CANNOT DO ANY...THROUGH MUCH EMBARRASMENT AND DEPPRESSION I HAVE TRIED TO CONVINCE MYSELF SOCIAL SECURITY IS MY ONLY ANSWER. IT FRUSTRATES ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR COUNSEL AT ALL....I KEEP WISHING FOR SOME MIRACLE THAT I NEVER HAD THE ACCIDENT AND I COULD JUST HAVE MY LIFE BACK.THE ONE WHERE I COULD WORK TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF AND NOT WAIT AROUND FOR SOMEONE TO DECIDE IF I DESERVE SOME MONEY OR NOT...FROM YOUR EXPERIENCES I NEED TO KNOW IF I SHOULD JUST GIVE IN AND HIRE A LAWYER OR TRY TO PROVE MY CASE ALONE???? I CONTINUALLY GO TO THE DOCTORS ON A REGULAR BASIS AND WAS JUST PLANNING TO ASK ALL MY DOCTORS FOR A STATEMENT TO TAKE TO MY HEARING WHEN THE TIME COMES,HOPEING THEY WILL.WHAT SHOULD I DO???

deleted_user 03/19/2009

Honestly, I would hire a lawyer who specializes in disability claims for your appeal. You state that even though you have these limitations, nobody can say why. Since the SSA is in the business of saying NO to almost everyone, they will just use that information against you. It is a sad but true fact, that more than 70% of appeals are also denied which does make the process take forever. An experienced lawyer can help you tremendously. That said, you should still file for SSI benefits if you think you meet the criteria. At least you'll have something coming in while you are waiting for disability. Of course this is just my opinion and I'm sure other members will be along to share their wisdom with you.

Best of luck to you and please keep us updated.

Take care and God bless.

lonelyinNY 03/19/2009

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT,I REALLY APPRICIATE SOME FEED BACK AND SUPPORT.MY HUSBAND GETS SSI ABD HAS FOR SEVERAL YEARS.SO WE HAVE HIS INCOME FOR NOW.THE WOMAN AT SOCIAL SECURITY TOLD ME WITH HIS INCOME THE ONLY WAY I WOULD GET A CHECK IS IF I APPLIED FOR SSD.SSI WOULD COUNT HIS MONEY AGAINST MINE IF I WENT FOR SSI.ITS VERY FRUSTRATING,AND EVEN IF I DO GET APPROVED MY CHECK WILL BE UNDER $700.00 A MONTH,THATS SCAREY WITH TRYING TO STILL RAISE FOUR KIDS.THANKS AGAIN....

deleted_user 03/20/2009

I know it's scary and certainly not nearly enough to raise 1 child, let alone 4 children. I'm assuming that you and your husband have more than $3000.00 in resources between you? That would definitely disqualify you. However, keep in mind that some SSA workers will discourage you from applying so I would definitely take a close look at the criteria and decide for yourself if it would be worth giving it a try. Receiving SSI would have little bearing on your SSDI and even though 'under $700.00' is considerably less than you will need to take care of your kids, it's still money coming in while you wait. That said, your getting SSDI might affect what your hubby gets in SSI himself. So, I'm afraid you'll need to pick your battles carefully when it comes to the SSA.

If you are interested, there is a link that contains the Benefits Eligbility Calculator within this forum that you can use to see if you qualify for SSI. I will bump it up for you so you don't have to hunt for it.

Again, we wish you the best of luck and hope that we can lend you any help that you need.

Blessings to you and your family.

deleted_user 03/20/2009

Where I live, in GA, when one applies for SSDI, they automatically run you through for SSI first thing. I did not know this until I filed in 2002 and got the denial for SSI. I called and asked about it because I knew I would not qualify for SSI as my husband works.

I do not know if that varies from state to state and that does not make any sense to me but then again, we are talking about a gov. agency, right??

deleted_user 03/20/2009

When I filed my SSDI claim online, I was asked if I would be applying for SSI as well. I checked the 'yes' box, lol. Then I was told that I would have to go down in person within 60 days to apply for SSI. Of course I immediately made an appointment to do so. Literally 2 days before my appointment, (which was well within the 60 day time frame) I received a letter saying that I had been turned down for SSI.... WHY? Because I had not yet filed for it, LMFAO!!! Good grief, how can they turn me down for something I never got a chance to apply for??? I tell you what Mary, even I had to laugh at that one!

I'm in Virginia and they don't automatically run us through for SSI when we apply for SSDI. So, I think it must be diffferent in every state. Like you said, we are talking about the government, lol.

Since everyone pretty much gets a set price for SSI, as long as the resources remain under $3,000.00 for a married couple. It's certainly worth a try.

Here's a link with differences.

http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/ssa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=85&p_created=955552261&p_sid=Ykldwgtj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD00Miw0MiZwX3Byb2RzPSZwX2NhdHM9NDgmcF9wdj0mcF9jdj0xLjQ4JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd2Vycy5zZWFyY2hfbmwmcF9wYWdlPTE*&p_li=&p_topview=1

Of course if you notice, the goverment uses a lot of word salad so there is much confusion about who, what, and how much. Sorry, it makes my head spin sometimes.

Good luck.

deleted_user 03/20/2009

Here's a link for your state lonely...

http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/11146.html

I hope it helps.

deleted_user 03/21/2009

I think you should have a lawyer with you for the hearing. It was the best thing i did after being turned down. I called allsup and they were great, they handled everything, contacted my doctors and wrote letters to the judge and i ended up being approved even before the hearing date, yes they can take 25%, but that was ok, I was just happy to be approved.

lonelyinNY 03/21/2009

THANKS AGAIN EVERYONE FOR YOUR INFO AND SUPPORT...AS YOU ALL KNOW ITS JUST SO STRESSFUL AND DEPPRESSING WAITING AND WONDERING ABOUT YOUR FUTURE.MANYS HUGS....HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!

deleted_user 03/24/2009

I wish you the best in your battle! Remember to hang in there and not give up the fight even if it feels like it won't happen. It took me approx 7 years and I wanted to give up numerous times as I was emotionally exhausted from dealing with the mess. Yes, I did have an attorney but I still stayed involved with the case so I could be sure records and all were kept up to date.

NOt to discourage anyone, but I did end up terminating my relationship with one attorney and going with another which I should have gone to originally. But, we live and learn.

I did post a website that has quite a bit of info for SSDI attorneys and reps that I found useful and very interesting. It is listed under the resources link on this forum.

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