Anyone ever go through the whole ssd process?

[ErinZoe23]

Okay i have to sign up for SSD or else my insurance will be taken away if i dont do wat they say... So i bin doin this whole ssd thing since months ago...  I got this packet in the mail and it asks questions about you and or disability ect ect  

How do i answer these questions?  Like can you feed yourself   Yes i can but when i relapse i cant cause im shakin like a leaf and cant swallow well at all        same with bathe  hair  anything really

Like they have all these questions and i dont want to answer them wrong and have to do it all over again... Should i write them a note saying i am diagnosed with a disease that varies day by day with me  i do not know if ill be fine tomarow or if i will even relapse again? I dont kow if my memory will be better tomaorw or if i can read without it taking a year from having to reread everything?

So yeah im a bit confused on answering these questions  I could answer yes to them all praticaly but would feel that is not fair to them or me because i can do things just not all the time? So confused here any input would be great!

And i dont really want it  I'm actaully starting to feel quite decent maybe took almost a yr but im physically feeln decent and i still want to try to work again and i still want to try to go to school again and i dont want SSD saying i cant but then again im also scared that if i try work and try school ill get very bad again and mess up the whole ssd process

[PastorDan]

My late wife, Loretta, was one of those rare people who were approved on their first application.  Everyone asked her how she did it.  All she knew was that she was careful to list every facet of her health problems and how they interrelated, and she was able to name all the medical facilities, physicians, and other programs she'd seen over the many years she'd been battling some of her problems.  All of that information was provided with her application, which was completed and submitted online, if I recall correctly.

They sent her to two physicians.  The first was a shrink; she thought he was bored with the whole process, and just went through a checklist, marking her answers down.  The second was a GP who was as old as the two of us put together.  I went with her for that one.  He seemed more interested in my hat than her health.  She did miserably on the eye test given by his nurse.  I was standing next to her, and couldn't believe what she couldn't read.  I discouraged her from driving after that event.

They also sent her to a clinic to have an X-ray of her left knee.  This made no sense to us at all, because her major orthopedic problem was her right foot.  The clinic showed her the order; it was very clear.  Gotta love them federal bureaucrats, huh?

[ErinZoe23]

Hey guys.. I just went at it! lol I opened up the packet and just started writing and not doubting myself or rethinking the questions lol  I was on a game plan! And luckily I found like 4 pages i wrote out well typed my sister wrote it out cause i cant write that much! But anywho im going to send that it says everything in detail from the day it all started i think that will help extremely for them to get the picture. ( ithought i need it for my insurance but they said i didnt and told me to save it just incase)  I think i put varies and "when in relapse" on every question.

I expect to be denied the first or second time  my mom wants to hire my dads SSD attorney but i will want to wait till the second time around

I still need to copy every single paper. I definalty should do and everyone else should do that also  so you remember what you wrote atleast! I dont even remeber what i wrote and just got done an hour ago so yeah definalty should do that!

Thank you guys tho  gave me the confidence to just do it and just answer truthfully and write explanations on like every question!   Now it will proably be going to see there doctors next.... Step 2 done  Filed  did the packet  now Step 3 doctors and hopefully no more steps after that! or repeat steps 1 through 3 lol

Okay well my mom wants review the packet with me so i iwll talk to you guys later  Thanks   With Love Erin     And for all you going through it too Good Luck and I hope you all get it without having to keep appealing!

[green924]

I'm going thru the same stuff... I was denied when I first filed in July but didn't have a definate DX then. I'm having an attorney help cause I cant even fill all the stuff out.
Good luck Erin and everybody going thru this mess! Thanks for the info too.

Live, Laugh, Love
Mel

[ErinZoe23]

Thank you guys for the help! I recruited my mom to help ( she dont got a clue either tho lol) and im going to see if there is a number i can call ssd for help. Also i'll look for a workshop that would be great help!  Thank you guys again!  With Love, Erin

[rendean]

Thank you for the great advice. I am in the same predicament as Erin. My disability company is making me apply for SSDI.

The tips you share were great!!

Thanks again,
Ren

[webeenhereb4]

You MUST locate a local MS Society chapter and ask for help with "Social Security Disabilities Insurance".  

I attended a workshop just last night in Kirkland, WA that was immensely helpful in navigating this difficult, time-consuming, detail-specific, but IMPORTANT process.  Nothing can be left to chance and your meticulous work and a NEVER GIVE UP attitude will go a long way in achieving any measure of success.

Most important is your documentation - all of these specific conditions using "SSA" language of what prevents you from being gainfully and meaningfully employed:

Medical records
Doctor's letters
Employers letters
Your journals
  
Fill in all the blanks of the paperwork:  be neat, specific, and thorough.  File questionnaire and supporting documents all together, keeping 2 copies for yourself.  These were just some of the features.

Acknowledging how exasperating it can be, the MS Society provides free workshops and/or a person who is trained to help you through it.  Take someone with you that you trust and can help you ask questions and understand the information and help you understand.

Hang in there, and good luck!

[Fluffysmom]

I've been on SSD since 1996.  The process was tough, and I wasn't sure how to answer all the questions.  I don't remember exactly, but I think I stressed my worst days.  I was denied, twice, and then approved with the help of an attorney.

The questions are only a part of it.  They will also send you to see their doctors, and get reports from your doctors.

Maybe you can answer the questions describing more of the bad, and write the word "varies" after it.  If there is room for a short explanation, then you can tell how you get better and then worse again, with no warning.  There may be a number you can call for advice, too.

Do you have a doctor, or friend or family member that can help you fill them out, adding their point of view?

As for going back to work, people on SSD are encouraged to work.  It is better to get approved and then find what work you are able to do later as you improve.  Getting approved can be difficult, and take some time, so I would say you should do it now.  It takes a while for the medical coverage to kick in even when you are approved.

Best of luck,

Kathy