Got disability today after 3 years

My hearing was on Jan 28th and today I just received a letter from the judge telling me he ruled  in my favor!!

If anyone has any experience with how this works could you add some tips? I applied for disability in May 2005.I was turned down twice and petitioned for a hearing and finally got one. Lots of waiting.
Thanks,
Sharon

[glucklich]

is this SS disability or an insurance carrier

[patti1957]

CONGRATS - i applied in 2006 and am waiting for hearing (denied 2x) - i originally applied due to chronic pain in my back and r/arm (disc problems) but now i have diagnosed with hepc/stage 4 cirrhosis - what state are you in and was is your disability?

[nygirl7]

If it's ss they owe you a backcheck from three months after you filed..............then a check will come every month.

[Forseegood]

Like Nygirl said, they have to pay you retroactively from the time you filed...so get ready for a big check...did you guys have lawyers? Wondering because you guys got denied ...good for you....best of luck with this....

[susan400]

It took me 3 years also.  I got turned down 3 times and hired a lawyer.  After that, I was awarded SSDI, based on the work history and earned credits I had put in.  I did get a really big check for the back payments, too.  Mine was based on more than just the Hep C as well.  In FL., you have to have cirrhosis to qualify for the Hep C alone.  I haven't yet reached that stage.  But, I had some thinking things (I don't know how else to phrase that) going on.  It wasn't a true mental illness type of thing, but I couldn't pass the tests that they gave me with the Soc. Sec. Dr.    Also, I had the back thing going on.  So, on all of those issues, & gobs of letters from various people and I brought my RN sister into the hearing as a witness, I finally got it.  It is hard to live on what I get a month.  You do not get rich living on disability - contrary to what some people think.  Now, my husband is unemployed as of next week and his health insurance is not covering me anymore as a secondary and I at this time, have no coverage for prescriptions.  So, it's Medicare of nothing until he gets something else worked out for insurance.  Thank God for that.  If he stays unemployed for long, I can possible qualify for further assistance, but it's sort of a pain in the neck to have to go through all that government bureaucracy again.

Susan400

[REVRAT]

GOT ON DISABILITY WITHOUT TOO MUCH TIME BUT AM STILL WAITING THE TWO YEAR WAIT FOR MEDICARE TO START. HAVE END STAGE AND HOPE TO BE ABLE TO TRY SOMETHING BEFORE IT WON'T HELP.HEARD ABOUT TRYING TO SPEED UP COVERAGE TO ONE YER ON SOME DISEASE. KEEP A GOOD RECORD OF YOUR DOCTOR VISITS AND HOSPITAL BILLS WHEN GOING TO YOUR HEARING

[REVRAT]

GOOD THING THAT YOU LIVE IN FLORIDA. YOU SHOULD TRY THESE OFFICES IN LOUISIANNA.THE SS DISABILITY HELPS TO BUY THE BEANS AND A I/2 TANK OF GAS.BUT WHO DOESN'T LIKE RED BEANS AND RICE?   (:

[Forseegood]

a lot of people don't know this, but writing in caps seems like shouting, just fyi...anyway, you should of been getting medicare if youre getting SS, if it's SSI and only SSI, then you don't get medicare, or medi medi, a combination of both....

[robeire]

I am blessed in that in ireland they recognise and act compassionately regarding disability benefits-once they have the proof of hep c pos thats it
in the UK it depends it varies from area to area there
I have heard of pople who can hardly walk being refused benefits over in uk
its bad enough being sick with hep c - let alone having to prove to a bunch of judges youre sick
its disgraceful that people in the USA are made to endure this type of treatment
I really hope for all my brothers and sisters with hep c get a better deal with the new president.

[Forseegood]

Amen Brother...

[wyntre9]

I'm so glad you won your hearing but I am truly disgusted it took 3 friggin' years!

[B-bunch]

It's SSD. I'm stage 2, Grade1, 1a. You have to go back to see the Social Security people every 3 years. I'm still below the poverty level with the amount they are giving me. BUT...people with gov't disability have all kinds of rent help etc.