DISABILITY RUNAROUND UUGGGHHHH!!!!
+2
Tammy Elaine
dat1339
6 posters
Page 1 of 1
My success story with SSDI
I applied for SSDI 2 years ago. After a year and a half I had been denied twice and began to give up hope. Then a friend of mine suggested I get the help of a specialized Social Security Disability attorney. I was a little hesitant at first due to my financial situation, but was relieved to hear that you only have to pay the lawyer out of your back pay if you are approved for benefits. So I went to www.socialsecurity-disability.org and was connected to an attorney in the Boston area to help me retrieve all the proper medical documentation, doctor's referrals, and other paperwork to help me with my case. I received benefits just 3 months later!
SocialSecurityDisability- Number of posts : 5
Age : 65
Registration date : 2011-06-30
It is hard but it has to be done!!
Hi everyone this is my story!!!!
I was married for 19 years. The soul supporter while his suppossibly was looking for work. He was a very abusive man all my marriage. We have three children, 21(which was on his own), 17, and 14. I was sick for years but didn't know what was wrong. Had doctors telling me it was depression. Working at a doctors office full time and overtime. One day I had enough of everything. So I quit my job. A little drastic but made him get off his bottom and look for work. In two weeks time he had found a good job. By this time I was really sick. I couldn't get off the couch or bed. Had big knots in my back and stiff like a board. One day, he decided that I was just faking and told me to get off my bottom and do something to help him. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with FM. He didn't want to take care of me. So he kicked me out of the house. I moved in with my parents. I filed SSD/SSI In July 2009. Went through Disability Digest. I got turned down By September because "my illness wasn't sever enough". So the Digest found me a lawyer. We have filed for an appeal. Now the kids father is being very nice to me. There is money involved. He says that I can't do this myself. Well I'm this with my parents and my kids help. My daughter(the 14 year old) is still having trouble with it. I had to rethink my thinking and my life. Stress is the number one thing that I can't do with but how do you not have stress. Dealing with things and moving on is what I have to do.
I was married for 19 years. The soul supporter while his suppossibly was looking for work. He was a very abusive man all my marriage. We have three children, 21(which was on his own), 17, and 14. I was sick for years but didn't know what was wrong. Had doctors telling me it was depression. Working at a doctors office full time and overtime. One day I had enough of everything. So I quit my job. A little drastic but made him get off his bottom and look for work. In two weeks time he had found a good job. By this time I was really sick. I couldn't get off the couch or bed. Had big knots in my back and stiff like a board. One day, he decided that I was just faking and told me to get off my bottom and do something to help him. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with FM. He didn't want to take care of me. So he kicked me out of the house. I moved in with my parents. I filed SSD/SSI In July 2009. Went through Disability Digest. I got turned down By September because "my illness wasn't sever enough". So the Digest found me a lawyer. We have filed for an appeal. Now the kids father is being very nice to me. There is money involved. He says that I can't do this myself. Well I'm this with my parents and my kids help. My daughter(the 14 year old) is still having trouble with it. I had to rethink my thinking and my life. Stress is the number one thing that I can't do with but how do you not have stress. Dealing with things and moving on is what I have to do.
shellie209- Number of posts : 23
Age : 55
Location : Modesto, CA
Registration date : 2009-10-11
I agree! How Rude of the judge!
What an hiney. I am so sorry you had to endure that. Unfortunately, most of the world feels the same....
And yes, even our very own family...
I recently came back home to NC because I was so sick. My sister was all about, "getting me home to help me because SHE KNEW HOW SICK I WAS AND SHE WAS SO WORRIED", What happened?
I moved cross country from Texas to stay with her and ended up being responsible for cleaning her house, most of the laundry, cooking, washing dishes and babysitting her 6 year old twins! When I tried to tell her that I JUST COULDN'T DO IT, her response was, "Well you need to get up and move around more, it's good for you!!! After all, you DO take methadone and hydrocodone, right????"
Just like you, I feel that NOONE AND I MEAN, NOONE gets it.
I hope and pray that you get your disability. Will keep you in my prayers. Keep your chin up, ok?
And yes, even our very own family...
I recently came back home to NC because I was so sick. My sister was all about, "getting me home to help me because SHE KNEW HOW SICK I WAS AND SHE WAS SO WORRIED", What happened?
I moved cross country from Texas to stay with her and ended up being responsible for cleaning her house, most of the laundry, cooking, washing dishes and babysitting her 6 year old twins! When I tried to tell her that I JUST COULDN'T DO IT, her response was, "Well you need to get up and move around more, it's good for you!!! After all, you DO take methadone and hydrocodone, right????"
Just like you, I feel that NOONE AND I MEAN, NOONE gets it.
I hope and pray that you get your disability. Will keep you in my prayers. Keep your chin up, ok?
couldn't believe what the judge said!!!!
Went to see the judge in my disability case and while me my husband and my lawyer where in the other room waiting to start, we overheard the judge say to the vocational fellow or whatever he was and I quote, "other fibromyalgia case, I'm not impressed at all with this firbomyalgia" I couldn't believe what I'd heard, I felt like there was no need to even go in and present my case if he had all ready made up his mind about it. I just thought that was very unprofessional and just plain rude. It hurt my feelings, but I went in and presented my case anyway. My lawyer says she feels he will rule in my favor by Jan. I pray he does. I'm so glad and just overjoyed about this web site. I mean no one else can understand what we go through even if they love us. We need each other or else we'll lose our mind. Or worst yet, our life.
livvy40- Number of posts : 2
Age : 56
Registration date : 2008-12-11
Feeling with you all on the SSDI battle
I agree with you on how you can put up with all the shame and embarrassment you have to go through to get SSDI to approve you for disability. I was fortunate enough to find Brain Therrin's web site and he hooked me up with a law firm. I was turned down the first go around, but am trying to stay positive about winning it during the appeal process. I have been seeing a therapist for my PTSD for over 4 months now, it is finally starting to help. I seem to function pretty much as normal to everyone when I first meet them,but if they are around long enough they start seeing how withdrawn I become and that the first initial meeting was just me putting up a front so they wouldn't see how much I was hurting inside physically as well as mentally. I had gone through 4 years of a really abusive marriage, shame and humiliation with him running around on me and getting a 16 year old girl pregnant while we were married, neglect of love from parents while growing up, learning how to hide your emotions, and the list goes on and on. So I understand how you feel, so lonely, humiliated, embarressed, anti-social, etc, etc.
gtrembley- Number of posts : 2
Age : 63
Registration date : 2008-06-04
Just like I said...
You don't need an attorney unless you are denied and have to appeal! Fire them and if you really want to pay 25% of what you get when approved, find one that will do what YOU TELL THEM TO DO! That's why I fired Allsup; I had to do everything myself anyway. You can do it all and submit it to DDS yourself. Did you sign up for the Disability Digest like I suggested? Or read the info on my website? You can do this! Get off your tail, stop crying and get busy because you have alot of work to do. ( am not being mean, just want you to take a pro-active approach and get it done!) That's why I told you not to trust themto do anything because they won't. And your doctors won't either unless YOU make sure it is in your records word for word. Once your case goes to DDS you will have your case reps' phone number and address. YOU can send them everything yourself, includinf your "letter of hardship". Listen to me, hon. I got approved in 4 months and know what I am talking about.
Have your good cry, then get mad and get busy!
Am always here if you need me. Just hollar!
Now go fight for what you desserve!
Have your good cry, then get mad and get busy!
Am always here if you need me. Just hollar!
Now go fight for what you desserve!
Re: DISABILITY RUNAROUND UUGGGHHHH!!!!
Girl, u r a wealth of knowledge!!!! I have an attorney that i just called and they said they don't send letters of hardship to S.S.D. they told me to fax the foreclosure letters to them and they will forward them. I have never felt this low in my life, the hardest part if learning to be humble, not an easy task!!! If i can just stop crying long enough to fax them it just might get done. Since I have no income i can't work a deal with the bank. They want me to be caught up "up to date" on my mortgage then they will work with me. Sorry about the ramblig, but it sure does feel good to have a safe place to vent.
Thanks for all the info and support.
be well
dori
Thanks for all the info and support.
be well
dori
dat1339- Number of posts : 5
Age : 57
Registration date : 2008-04-21
one more thing...
Duh... I forgot to say that alot of attorneys will say that you have to wait 12 months to file because they don't want to take a case they are not sure to win a big judgement. Due to SSA's mandatory 5 month "non payment" period, if you file and win quickly there is no back pay! That's why many firms will not take a SSDI case without waiting a year. No back pay, no big cash for them, (the 25% cut they get) File immediately! Screw the attorneys because you don't need one until you are denied and have to go before a judge anyway! If you really want one, then find one who will take your case without waiting. (Not Binder and Binder, LOL)
I didn't pay anyone a dime!
I didn't pay anyone a dime!
Hang in there and fight!
Dori, I know exactly how you feel. I was so close to being evicted that I cannot even tell you how close it came. Enduring months with no income was the most humiliating experience of my life! I am so sick of having to beg for charity just to survive and I have absolutely no pride left in me. What amazed me was the lack of assistance that is available for us. Of course, there are the usual places to apply, but they all denied me because I do not have children in the home. I hired Allsup, but later fired them because they are useless. I knew this because I had signed up for Brian Therrien's free course, (and you should too!) but by reading the emails he sent me and researching the information on his site, I knew what had to be done to win. Believe it or not I was approved in only 4 months, but have to wait the 5 month period, plus their "month behind" payment schedule before I see a penny. That means another two months of struggling for me, then trying to get caught back up. One of the reasons I started this forum was to build a strong group of people who, like me, are tired of being ignored by our government and once we have a large enough group, to really become active in demanding SSDI reform.
My suggestions to you are first of all, check out the Disability Page on this website and learn everything you can about the SSDI process!
2-Enroll in The Disability Digest! It's free and worth gold. Make sure you read your doctor's records and that every complaint is fully documented in them to the fullest extent that each one "disables" you and prevents you from working. (Most doctors do not include sufficient notes from your visits to substantiate disability!)
3-In the little questionaire they send you, write out every specific complaint, syptom, pain, etc. to the greatest detail and tell why you can't work because of it. No, there isn't enough room so wirte in every blank space on that paper; along the sides, the bottom, everywhere!
4-Keep a daily journal of how you feel, make copies and have them added to your doctor's records each visit.
5-Make a copy of your resume and send it to DDS, with another paper, explaining why you can't do any of your previous jobs anymore.
6-Read SSA's desscription of "sedentary work" (sp?) and make sure you include information in your questionaire or in your complaints to your doctor explaining why you can't even do that kind of work
7- Get your past employers, co-workers, friends and family to write brief statements about their observations of your health condition and why you cannot work.
8-Call your district representative's office, repeatedly, asking them to intervene in your case on your behalf. Don't just call or write once, be up their tail until you get a response and information that they have contacted SSDI on your behalf. Write your state governor. Write eveyone in office you can think of providing them permission to contact ssa on your behalf and don't let up.
9-Ask to see copies of anything sent to SSA from any dr you see and put them on the spot to know if they support a 100% disability or not and ask to see it in writing. See a specialist like a neurologist or rheumatologist. (Their opinions are more valuable than a reg. md.
10-Don't trust anyone, not even your attorney to do what they are supposed to do. Ask for copies of everything and make sure they do what is supposed to be done to win your case!
11-Ask your attorney to submit a "letter of hardship" on your behalf.
12-See a shrink because where fibromyalgia is not on SSA's list for disability, depression, anxiety and PTSD are! These disorders add credibility to your case. Don't wait for SSA to send you to one because they probably will and then you will only have their doctor's opinion being considered. Get your own!
13-If you have another major disorder like migraines add it to your claim. "Fibromyalgia with Complicated Vertebral Basilar Migraines" carries alot more weight than just "Fibromyalgia" alone.
I hope all this helps. Again, these were all things that I did to win my case. And I cannot tell you how much help the disability digest will give you. There is a link in the other posts in this category or you can join from the disability page on the website.
Also, we are here for you! Don't forget that. I know it is hard! I am there now. Don't be too proud to ask for help from every available agency local to you. You will need it before it is over! Plus, you have us. If you don't believe how I have suffered these past few months, go read my blog...It's embarrassing to me but it will show you how hard it has been for me. I really do understand.
Hang in there, girl. You're in my prayers!
My suggestions to you are first of all, check out the Disability Page on this website and learn everything you can about the SSDI process!
2-Enroll in The Disability Digest! It's free and worth gold. Make sure you read your doctor's records and that every complaint is fully documented in them to the fullest extent that each one "disables" you and prevents you from working. (Most doctors do not include sufficient notes from your visits to substantiate disability!)
3-In the little questionaire they send you, write out every specific complaint, syptom, pain, etc. to the greatest detail and tell why you can't work because of it. No, there isn't enough room so wirte in every blank space on that paper; along the sides, the bottom, everywhere!
4-Keep a daily journal of how you feel, make copies and have them added to your doctor's records each visit.
5-Make a copy of your resume and send it to DDS, with another paper, explaining why you can't do any of your previous jobs anymore.
6-Read SSA's desscription of "sedentary work" (sp?) and make sure you include information in your questionaire or in your complaints to your doctor explaining why you can't even do that kind of work
7- Get your past employers, co-workers, friends and family to write brief statements about their observations of your health condition and why you cannot work.
8-Call your district representative's office, repeatedly, asking them to intervene in your case on your behalf. Don't just call or write once, be up their tail until you get a response and information that they have contacted SSDI on your behalf. Write your state governor. Write eveyone in office you can think of providing them permission to contact ssa on your behalf and don't let up.
9-Ask to see copies of anything sent to SSA from any dr you see and put them on the spot to know if they support a 100% disability or not and ask to see it in writing. See a specialist like a neurologist or rheumatologist. (Their opinions are more valuable than a reg. md.
10-Don't trust anyone, not even your attorney to do what they are supposed to do. Ask for copies of everything and make sure they do what is supposed to be done to win your case!
11-Ask your attorney to submit a "letter of hardship" on your behalf.
12-See a shrink because where fibromyalgia is not on SSA's list for disability, depression, anxiety and PTSD are! These disorders add credibility to your case. Don't wait for SSA to send you to one because they probably will and then you will only have their doctor's opinion being considered. Get your own!
13-If you have another major disorder like migraines add it to your claim. "Fibromyalgia with Complicated Vertebral Basilar Migraines" carries alot more weight than just "Fibromyalgia" alone.
I hope all this helps. Again, these were all things that I did to win my case. And I cannot tell you how much help the disability digest will give you. There is a link in the other posts in this category or you can join from the disability page on the website.
Also, we are here for you! Don't forget that. I know it is hard! I am there now. Don't be too proud to ask for help from every available agency local to you. You will need it before it is over! Plus, you have us. If you don't believe how I have suffered these past few months, go read my blog...It's embarrassing to me but it will show you how hard it has been for me. I really do understand.
Hang in there, girl. You're in my prayers!
DISABILITY RUNAROUND UUGGGHHHH!!!!
Hey all its Dori a new member here, thankfully. I was wondering if i am the only one totally frustrated by the s.s.d.i. system. How the heck can anybody survive not working for almost 12 months or be disabled for 12 months before they will even consider ur application. It was so confusing i had to get a lawyer in hopes that it helps.
Meantime, i feel shut off all friends (who dont or wont understand), not working, no money, how do you all survive??? i feel so lonely at times, so along like nobody even gets me or me with FM, the usual its all in ur head is a common answer from family (ignorance is bliss).
If anybody has any experiences, wins with ssdi, or just general info that might help me and the forum please post, i'd love to hear.
be well,
Dori
Meantime, i feel shut off all friends (who dont or wont understand), not working, no money, how do you all survive??? i feel so lonely at times, so along like nobody even gets me or me with FM, the usual its all in ur head is a common answer from family (ignorance is bliss).
If anybody has any experiences, wins with ssdi, or just general info that might help me and the forum please post, i'd love to hear.
be well,
Dori
dat1339- Number of posts : 5
Age : 57
Registration date : 2008-04-21
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