Aa
Social Security Says I am not disabled enough
I got the letter from SSI turning me down. Apparently asthma, MS, and stage 4 Ovarian Cancer is not good enough. No one will hire me for a job.
Alex
Alex
DEar Alex,
I am with GG about using Allsup. They are the firm that handled my disability claim. They can do all the paperwork for you and get your records,etc.
They are VERY helpful and understanding. They told me that there is a federal cap on what someone, company or lawyer, can charge - $6000 at the time I received mine. However, lawyers can charge for miscellaneous charges such paralegal time etc. I should know, My time as a paralegal was billed for obtaining records etc.
Allsup can also tell you wait the usual wait time is for claims in your state. I did not have represent myself in court, they sent one of their attorneys on my behalf. They also can tell you on your first call if they can help you.
Wishing you luck in this endeavor!!!
Ren
I am with GG about using Allsup. They are the firm that handled my disability claim. They can do all the paperwork for you and get your records,etc.
They are VERY helpful and understanding. They told me that there is a federal cap on what someone, company or lawyer, can charge - $6000 at the time I received mine. However, lawyers can charge for miscellaneous charges such paralegal time etc. I should know, My time as a paralegal was billed for obtaining records etc.
Allsup can also tell you wait the usual wait time is for claims in your state. I did not have represent myself in court, they sent one of their attorneys on my behalf. They also can tell you on your first call if they can help you.
Wishing you luck in this endeavor!!!
Ren
I am no expert in this subject, but like others I have heard that you have to keep applying and fighting for it. I know with not feeling well this is not something you probably want to do. I am sorry! My sister was denied as a child and she had one hand. They said because she learned how to do things with one hand she didn't need it..
Alex, my other thought is now is the time to reach out to your congressional representative, lay out your story, and get them to work on it for you. It's surprising what a fast response they get compared to us ordinary citizens. You've worked hard on our behalf making those contacts and now might be the time to use them to your advantage. Please consider that approach...
My difficulty is I had to stop working before I even knew I had MS. My muscles were spasming and I was having bad migraines. I was doing construction and the veterinary. I may fall through the cracks. It is so unfair since I have had MS since childhood but can't prove it. I may still fight for the Camp Lejeune settlement.
Alex
Alex
I am stunned but not surprised. The denial on the first round is pretty much standard. I would immediately talk to an attorney who does disability and ask to have your appeal heard on the fast track. They do that for a number of diseases and the cancer might put you in that category. By any chance did they tie this into your work history and the number of years you have credits for? That also often seems to be a factor.
Go after them and don't let them off the hook. But please be sure to use your energy wisely in pursuing this - thatr's another good reason to have the attorneys work their magic. - Laura
Go after them and don't let them off the hook. But please be sure to use your energy wisely in pursuing this - thatr's another good reason to have the attorneys work their magic. - Laura
The MS Society suggested I go to my Senator and mention I am a Camp Lejeune survivor and can't get that money either. Ovarian is not on the list of Cancers for Lejeune. If I get Breast Cancer I am eligible so if my lump in my breast turns out to be cancer that will be a plus.
Alex
Alex
Alex, can I say that you just made me feel ashamed of myself. Your courage and strength as well as kindness are truly inspirational. I wish you all the best. I'm sure you'll find solution very soon.
Good luck with this, Alex. Maybe some of the MS societies have people who could help too? I think with everyone else that if you just keep applying, then will see reason in the end. But how tiring, frustrating and annoying.
I listened to the This American Life episode called 'Trends with Benefits' last year (on SSI and SSDI). Sad to say, Alex, this doesn't surprise me at all. The number of people applying for disability has gone through the roof (seriously, it's DOUBLED in the last 15 years). It seems aspects of that surge are fairly directly linked to the economic crisis a few years back.
Making it as arduous as possible to get approved (and presumably having a lot of people give up along the way) is a sad-but-true tale of some states just trying desperately to stay solvent. It's a tragic situation where the absolute most clear cases like Alex get stuck in the same tide with people who might better benefit from improved other types of programmes and safety nets (better/longer unemployment benefits for example).
The episode will auto-play from this link. Very eye-opening. http://www.thisamericanlife.org/play_full.php?play=490
In the interest of balance, this post by a progressive think tank points out some short-comings of the above link radio programme. http://tcf.org/blog/detail/misleading-trends-with-benefits
Making it as arduous as possible to get approved (and presumably having a lot of people give up along the way) is a sad-but-true tale of some states just trying desperately to stay solvent. It's a tragic situation where the absolute most clear cases like Alex get stuck in the same tide with people who might better benefit from improved other types of programmes and safety nets (better/longer unemployment benefits for example).
The episode will auto-play from this link. Very eye-opening. http://www.thisamericanlife.org/play_full.php?play=490
In the interest of balance, this post by a progressive think tank points out some short-comings of the above link radio programme. http://tcf.org/blog/detail/misleading-trends-with-benefits
Outrageous. I would recommend you also contact your local News.
It may be the norm to reject any application on the first try, if so that a shame...
take care..
JB
It may be the norm to reject any application on the first try, if so that a shame...
take care..
JB
OMG Alex, this is just insane!
I agree with getting your doctor to write a detailed letter describing your limitations, although it seems so obvious to me and any rational person.
I was fortunate to have been approved by SSDI on my first try because I kept falling down at work and hurting myself. The last time I had to leave in an ambulance with a concussion. I think the school district where I was teaching was actually relieved when I left because I think they were beginning to view me as a liability. It really shouldn't have to come to this. I don't understand how my neighbor gets to be on disability for depression and someone like you gets denied. Makes no sense at all
Good luck to you :)
Deb
I agree with getting your doctor to write a detailed letter describing your limitations, although it seems so obvious to me and any rational person.
I was fortunate to have been approved by SSDI on my first try because I kept falling down at work and hurting myself. The last time I had to leave in an ambulance with a concussion. I think the school district where I was teaching was actually relieved when I left because I think they were beginning to view me as a liability. It really shouldn't have to come to this. I don't understand how my neighbor gets to be on disability for depression and someone like you gets denied. Makes no sense at all
Good luck to you :)
Deb
I hadn't remembered that: Yes, definitely a good lawyer (I had one), and a letters from both your MS doctor, and the Cancer doctor(s)- I had those as well... You will probably still need to request a hearing, but you have every right to appeal their decision. It took me two years to win my case, but I did.
Tammy
Tammy
I like Ess' advice about getting constructive comments from your docs. They should be able to articulate not merely that you have these diagnoses, but WHY they result in being unable to work, ie: what are your functional limitations. eg: can't sit/stand for more than X amount of time; can't lift more than X kg; can't crouch/bend/lift overhead; probs with short term memory/difficulty retaining new information; chronic pain that requires pain med that makes you drowsy and unable to concentrate; extreme fatigue that requires frequent rest/naps intermittently throughout the day; etc. These are just examples. It's the emphasis on the why.
Many people with MS and cancer can work. Many can't. The difference is in how their symptoms manifest in such a way that renders them unable to work. This is what your docs must emphasize. Have a frank discussion with them and ensure they're on board. You don't want them getting wishy washy on you because deep down they're not really in agreement with your application.
Many people with MS and cancer can work. Many can't. The difference is in how their symptoms manifest in such a way that renders them unable to work. This is what your docs must emphasize. Have a frank discussion with them and ensure they're on board. You don't want them getting wishy washy on you because deep down they're not really in agreement with your application.
Keep fighting it. Have your Dr. write them a note that says you are unable to maintain a job with pay. I'm sorry and will pray for you!
Alex, I live not far from the SS national headquarters and have known quite a few who work there. So I have it 'from the horse's mouth' that given the kind of circumstances you have, persistence will pay.
I even strongly urge you to file again on your own, not with a lawyer, who will charge big bucks, about 1/3 of your 'back pay' for his or her services. Just make sure that you get well-constructed and thorough comments from your doctor(s). I suggest speaking with the doctor you like best and who has been the most helpful to you in the past. The odds of your prevailing on the second round are much greater.
Should that one fail, though, at that point see a lawyer. You'll find plenty wanting to take your case, because it's almost a sure shot for them.
It's quite true, by the way, that the vast majority of people are denied in round one. The SSA seems to want to deal only with the persistent.
ess
I even strongly urge you to file again on your own, not with a lawyer, who will charge big bucks, about 1/3 of your 'back pay' for his or her services. Just make sure that you get well-constructed and thorough comments from your doctor(s). I suggest speaking with the doctor you like best and who has been the most helpful to you in the past. The odds of your prevailing on the second round are much greater.
Should that one fail, though, at that point see a lawyer. You'll find plenty wanting to take your case, because it's almost a sure shot for them.
It's quite true, by the way, that the vast majority of people are denied in round one. The SSA seems to want to deal only with the persistent.
ess
I will appeal it. I can't imagine anyone writing the letter and not laughing. It talks about asthma, stage 4 Cancer, MS, and depression but says but you still function just fine you can work.
Alex
Alex
Geez! Seriously??? Can you request a hearing? It seems to me that if anyone qualifies, you should!
Tammy
Tammy
Most people are rejected first time. Having to appeal seems to almost be a requirement for them to take a case seriously.
Geez what exactly is the eligibility criteria anyway?
So sorry that you must jump through extra hoops at a time when you are probably least up for it.
So sorry that you must jump through extra hoops at a time when you are probably least up for it.
Appeal it, Alex!! This is BS, and we all know it. Go through Allsup. They'll get it done for you! They have a good track record. Hugs to you!((((Alex))))
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