Social Security Disability Income (SSDI)

[Lulu54]

There was an excellent story on NPR this morning that I heard on my  morning drive about SSDI. I would recommend everyone take the 5-10 minutes and listen to this story.  It might help you to understand why this process is now taking over 12 months to even get a first hearing.

The story can be read or listen to on the web at:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112397747

I would be curious to know your experiences with SSDI as well - we have several members who will be facing this process soon and I'm sure could learn from your navigating the system.

as always,
Lulu

[SickMomma_PDX]

I've applied for SSDI and am early in the process. I just today got the questionnaires for my husband and me to fill out separately. I know I'll be denied and will have to appeal, but I'll hire a lawyer and hopefully that will help me eventually get benefits.

Thanks, Lulu, for sharing that link. I'm going to go listen to it right now!

[Lulu54]

Yeah Dennis, if you tried to negotiate the system now, it sounds like it would be a totally different story for you.  I just always assumed if my MS gets bad and I have to stop working, SSDI would be there to help me out.  After hearing this story I'm not so sure..........

Lulu

[Sailorsong]

I guess I was very lucky when I applied for SSDI 20 years ago. At first they denied me as they almost always do. But when I appealed I got the SSDI within 4 months of my original application for it. I think the reason I got my disability so easily is for two reasons. First when I filled out the paperwork for the apeal I could not figure out how to sign my own name. The woman at the SS office noted that on the apeal paperwork. The other reason is for the apeal they sent to to a shrink. He estimated that based on what kind of work I did before that I lost about 70 points on my IQ. I actually had a harder time getting my LTD from work than I did getting SSDI.

Dennis

[Lulu54]

Tammy,
I hope you listened to the story and found something useful in it to help you in the fight.  It is shocking to think sometimes it takes over a year to even get the first hearing.  Something is really wrong here - and like you, I suspect it is the people who are abusing the system that are screwing it up for those who really need it.

good luck,
L

PS I hope the rant helped - it always feels good to vent.

[Tammy826]

I'm currently inb the SSDI fight myself so prepare I'm about to have a rant>>>>>!!!! I think some of the problem is those who abuse the system & make it harder on those who really truely need it. I personally know people that go out & work "under the table " everyday & have become masters at manipulating the system, & it may not be Christian of me to say so so but it ticks me off!!! I would give anything to be back on my bulldozer & making way more money in a week than I can a month of disability! The Drs all look at you & pretty much label you as something less when you tell them you have filed. I need the financial help desperately of course but the medical help is needed even more. I have already been denied & retained a lawyer as well as the senators office to help & reapplied. The problem here is that I can't get an official dx without insurance, money or some sort of medical aid & I can't get the medical aid through SSDI without a dx (proverbial rock & a hard place). I'm not only dealing with probable MS, I also have 3rd stage kidney disease, degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, & 5 herniated or bulging discs. I worked with all of this going on until the last 3 yrs when this probable MS hit me like a truck & all the willpower & determination that I used to have just isn't working for me now! My neuro says he thinks for sure I have MS but won't yet commit to a dx although he at least is treating me for it. I just finished all of the forms they sent me as well as family & freinds &I'm trying really hard to answer honestly but some of the questions are ridiculas & are impossible to answer honestly (ie what do I do everyday from the time I get up until I go to bed?) how can you answer that honestly when that depends on how I'm feeling, & just the fact that any day is subject to change. They ask my hubby & my friends the same question & with the exception of my hubby how could they know that? My hubby says they want to know everything even what color your poop is lol! I know we are in deep trouble with our nations finances but wouldn't it be nice to get someone in office who had just a little common sense, for instance why send billions of dollars to countries that hate us, & why not take care of our own & then helping other poorer nations(that don't hate us)? I know thats only a drop in the bucket & I'm by no means an expert but geeeeeeez some things are simple & just made harder! Sorry for my rant, I guess I'm just frustrated & getting buried deeper in debt & still have no answers! Thanks for listening ! God bless!

[Lulu54]

another bump because I know several of you are quickly approaching the point of applying for SSDI - its good to know what lies ahead..........  even if it isn't good.

[kmil1999]

Hey lu and thanks.  thought I'd bump this up, it was falling fast!  

Karen