Hi everyone,

I have a question for those of you who have dealt with the infernal government in the process of trying to get disability.

I received a letter today stating that they need more information, and would like me to have a mental health examination by one of THEIR doctors. The letter stated that it was very important that I bring a "friend, relative, social worker, case manager" or someone familiar with my case.

I have one friend who knows enough in depth about my mental health to do this, and I don't want to ask her to take off work to do it.

There is no way in hell my shrink has time.

I don't have a social worker or case manager.

My T sees clients at his other office on Thursdays. As he is preparing to leave the state as well, he is down to 2 clients. His first one is at 11 a.m. My appt. is at 10 a.m., fairly far away from my T's other office.

Additionally, my T is a doctoral student, not yet licensed. We don't know if that will matter.

I would like to know if anyone else has been through this, and what they will allow you to do. My T said he could probably do it if they would let him do it by phone, but otherwise I am out of luck. The only relative who knows anything in depth about my mental health is the sister I am moving in with, and the appt. date is the weekend before her annual meeting -- she is exec. dir. of a couple of mental health group homes. There is not a chance in hell she will give up the weekend before her annual meeting, which she needs to prepare for. Not to mention that she's coming in the weekend after that anyway, to move me to her house.

Is there any way out of this requirement? I didn't have time to call them today, as I spent the day screwing around with other Medicaid requirements, and a new home health care nurse/agency.

Will be interested to hear what my options may be.

Thanks.

Candy