Social Security Says I am not disabled enough

[HVAC]

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

[yousyous8]

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.

[Joiedecour]

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.

[immisceo]

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

[johnniebear]

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

[debgen]

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

[cmacross]

Get a lawyer right away