Please pinch me and tell me it's really true! I got a call today from my advocate's office informing me that they had received a letter from SSA stating that my appeal was decided favorably and that I was deemed disabled as of January 1, 2009. Evidently my decision letter went to my previous address and my advocate will mail me a copy. I don't think I'll really believe it until I see the letter!

There is a 5 month waiting period (from the date the claimant is deemed disabled) which means my benefits don't start until June 1, 2009. I am eligible for Medicare in June 2011.

For anyone who is contemplating filing for SSI/SSDI or who has already filed, DON'T GIVE UP if you are denied. Unless your disability is for "compassionate" disorders, you can expect that your application will be denied. If you are denied, IMMEDIATELY, file an appeal. I was denied 3 times and appealed all times. I finally got to the level of an Administrative Law Judge before I finally was given a favorable decision for SSDI.

Always speak to your pdoc to make sure that he or she is in agreement that you file for SSI/SSDI. Make sure that you see your pdoc regularly and that it is documented that you are med compliant. Your doctor's report (make sure he/she will prepare a comprehensive report that complies with SSA's specifications) trumps any findings by a mental status exam (yes you will have to go to one).

Read everything you can on the SSA.gov site before you undertake the task of proving that you cannot perform ANY type of job.

Consider hiring an attorney - the cost which is taken from any award (backpay) you receive is capped by law at $5,000. I hired Allsup which claims a 98% success rate if you go all the way through the appeals process.

It can be a very long process (I applied in April 2008 and did not get news of my decision until October, 2010) - I wanted to give up several times but it became obvious that I can not work at this time.

If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask me. Hugs, Laurie