[perpetuallysad]

So I am scared to death about this. When I got the letter of denial I completely flipped out, like needed to go to the hospital but there isn't one around here so I just went crazy at home flipped out. I talked to my t/pdoc and he thinks I deserve the disability claim and says if I can stand this torture to keep on going and do the appeal.
So, I go online to start the appeal and they ask what has changed since you first applied. Well, aside from them sending me into a breakdown, nothing's really changed; I'm still a complete nut/freak. So, I have just decided to reiterate how I am and what I do (or really what I don't do). This is the only thing I can think to put for all of these redundant questions.

Has anyone else been through the appeals process? How did you handle answering a bunch of the same questions again? How did it all work out for you (were you accepted or denied, ultimately)?
thanks

[NuckingFutz]

The appeals process is a beotch. 2 things come to mind. You can have your pdoc write you a letter of recommendation. And when you answer the question about what has changed, desribe how being denied has affected you, use lots of discriptive words.

[cybermember]

Just wanted to send a hug your way and am wishing the very best in your appeal process.

[perpetuallysad]

So even though my pdoc sent all those report things, I should still get a separate letter from him? He's very supportive of this move, so I know he would write the letter. And I am going to tell them all about my breakdown when I got the letter. I decided to write it like I am talking to you guys, its a lot less weird when I pretend its people who actually care about what I am saying. Pdoc says its their job to deny as many people as humanly possible but I have a good case on my side...

When I told him they told me I should be a grocery checker he laughed and said "at least they changed it, they used to tell everyone they could be movie ticket taker". He wants me to get it so that I can get the medical coverage, eventually. My health really suffers for not being able to go to the doctor when I need to.

Thank you for your hugs cybermember.

Lets hope I make it through this in one piece.

[StarSkyNight]

I got my initial denial in september. Needless to say it destroyed me more than I thought possible, considering I felt depleted as it was. I couldn't even begin the appeal until over a month later. I just felt so dismissed. Sent my appeal in November. Barely answered the questions. Just hurried through it. (SO STUPID) - A week ago I get a letter saying they are still waiting on my doctors report. I practically begged him to send it asap. He's been holding back throughout this whole process and stopped returning my calls a few months back. So after 6 years I had to get a new doc. I can't understand his actions, and he hasn't attempted to explain them. It just adds to the whole stress of this SSD thing. My tdoc was supportive. I no longer can afford to see her after 8 years of being her patient.
Basically I'm waiting for my 2nd denial which should be on it's way sometime soon (or not considering the "speed" at which SSD works it's torture)
All we can do is NOT GIVE UP. Which is easier said than done, but I'm out of choices and money and hope. I especially flipped out when I heard about the third phase of this process - taking up to a year or more to get a hearing.

[perpetuallysad]

Oh dear, I had no idea it could take so freaking long.

I am sorry you were denied as well. It seems like a cruel joke to be told you are "not considered disabled" when you can barely function, at least that's how it is for me. I've had more social interaction here on PC in the last few months than I have had in the last 10 years altogether. And I still get upset about stuff that goes on here. AG. If they could only feel what I feel for say, 10 minutes, one day, I swear I would get approved. Its very difficult to describe an emotional problem that can only be seen in "words". Ahhhhhhhhhh. I swear I'm going to lose my mind over this *****.

[gravyyy]

Hang in there PS!!!! Definitely keep at it. I know people who have been denied several times before they were approved. YOu just need to be completely 100% honest and very specific about your symptoms and what keeps you from working. Maybe your t/pdoc would be willing to read your responses before you send the application??? Like maybe you can type them up separate from the website and print them off and show them to pdoc. I don't know if he'd be willing to read it over but maybe he's be able to give you more specific pointers.

I'm sorry you were denied. I know it's a really tough process and really discouraging but just hang in there and keep jumping through the hoops. I'm glad you have a pdoc that is so supportive. HUGS!!!

[perpetuallysad]

Thanks gravyyy. I tell you, if I had people like you guys in my real life, I don't think I'd be nearly as ****ed up as I am now.

Let me ask you this (everyone): should I just do a narrative like a list of symptoms, things I cannot do, things that freak me out, etc? Their questions are (it seems to me) intentionally vague, so that I don't feel like I've ever really answered what they asked of me. Like these are the new questions I have to answer for this appeal:

Describe in detail the changes to your condition since you last completed a disability report. 1000 characters maximum response. What date did these changes begin?

Describe in detail your new physical or mental limitations since you last completed a disability report. 1000 char max. When did they begin?

How have your daily activities changed since you last completed the report? Ex: need assistance with personal needs, reading, watching tv, visiting friends and relatives, driving a car or catching a bus...etc.

Keeping these answers to 1000 chars is really hard for me, I feel like this seriously limits my ability to answer these questions fully. Its not like I have a cut off arm or something and I can say, well, because my arm is gone, I cannot pick my nose (or whatever, I am not making fun, just trying to think of a physical ailment that may be more along the lines of what they are looking for when they approve claims). How on earth do I accurately describe mental disturbances? How do I say that I am so paranoid that I cannot answer the door if a person comes and knocks on it, even if I know the person, because I didn't know they were coming in the first place.

I have some more questions for anyone patient enough to answer me, but I've got to go spend some quality time with my son. I'll write more in a little bit.

[gravyyy]

Hey PS... I can't obviously answer the questions for you as I don't know your exact situation. What I would do is copy and paste the questions into a Word or Works document and then type the answers. Click and highlight your answer and click on word count and it will break down your characters. This way you can save it and adjust your answer so you can make it just right without having to do it right on the form. Just a thought... probably what I would do because then you can save it and all that.

[Trying & Caring]

According to their own documents they will DENY, DENY, DENY...

Then tell you to get a lawyer (on a kickback or something??)

Will try to see if I can post the disability handbook where they describe the process & say quite plainly they don't care what your pdoc says. They have their own "definition" of disability...

[Trying & Caring]

Hmm--have been able to copy & paste it before. Not tonight! Try searching for disability handbook on psychcentral. Hopefully, you can get it there as I have posted it several times successfully.

Computer & I must be tired!!

[perpetuallysad]

Thanks gravyyy and Try & Caring. I've been looking for something, so I will check for the handbook. Why does everything have to be hard? (Gosh, I know that sounds so whiny.)

[BNLsMOM]

I hope the appeal process goes well for you. I would say as far as having to describe the paranoia, describe it exactly the way you did here.

Also, if you can try to focus on how it affects your working or the work you did in the past, maybe that helps...I don't know really, I am just thinking out loud. (or through my fingers, rather.)

[catrules]

I'm sorry that this has been such a negative experience for you. But I know that part of it is about seeing how long you will stick to it. It sucks, but that seems to be the way that bureaucracy works. I was fortunate to get mine on the first try. But I did work with a legal aid type organization. They took 20% of my first payment, but from what I have seen, and my questions to lawyer friends, that is pretty much the going rate. They also had a policy of not requiring payment at all if they did not get the positive result. I hope that you have the strength that you need to get through this. You are the one who knows what you need, so stick with it.

[perpetuallysad]

It is emotionally exhausting. I wrote out my answers on paper yesterday and I'm going to type them in word today and see how many characters each answer is. My pdoc is kind of funny (in sort of a weird way); I told him how much this was stressing me out and he said "good, just wait until you go to your hearing, they'll approve you no problem if you are freaking out this badly already! Haha" he's a goober but it did sort of help me realize that I freak out about everything and I just need to see this through, I guess. Ug, I need the insurance, I need the insurance...I just keep telling myself that.

[lonegael]

((((((PS)))))) With you in thought. Kepp me in your pocket and I'll cheer you on! Huggs

[perpetuallysad]

Well, I answered all their questions and submitted my appeal yesterday. I wrote things better this time, I think. I just imagined I was explaining it to someone who may actually give a **** and I think it came across less robotic and more personal. Hopefully that will help. I have to say I am really frustrated and upset. I am not doing well righ tnow.

[doriesmom]

I'm sorry to hear that you were denied. I started the process on line and just couldn't finish it, so I had the interview in person. I was terribly nervous. She mentioned that I had started the process on-line and wondered why I didn't finish and I told her I couldn't concentrate well enough to answer the questions. I completed the long interview and thought I'll get denied for sure. But somehow 8 months later I was approved!!! I even had an attorney picked for the appeal. I don't know if the in person interview helped but I just wanted to tell my experience so others will know it's possible not to be denied the first time. Good luck to anyone who has to go through this process.

[Trying & Caring]

DISABILIITY LAW HANDBOOK AVAILABLE

The Southwest Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center (DBTAC) – funded by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research recently announced that the Disability Law Handbook is now available on our website at: http://www.swdbtac.org/html/publications/dlh/index.html. The book will also be translated into Spanish and will be available soon.

This Disability Law Handbook is a 50-page guide to the basics of the Americans with Disabilities Act and other disability related laws. Written in an FAQ format, The Disability Law Handbook answers questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ADA Amendments Act, the Rehabilitation Act, Social Security, the Air Carrier Access Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, and the Fair Housing Act Amendments
Questions re this Handbook should be directed to the Southwest DBTAC, web site www.swdbtac.org.
Want information on Federal mental health grants, publications, meetings, policies, programs and other useful material for mental health consumers? Join the CMHS Consumer Affairs Listserv at: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/listserv/
###
Want information on Federal mental health grants, publications, meetings, policies, programs and other useful material for mental health consumers? Join the CMHS Consumer Affairs Listserv at: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/listserv/

[Trying & Caring]

Very informative...

[perpetuallysad]

Thanks a lot trying and caring. I am going to book mark the link and try to read through it when I am less upset.

[Vampi]

Originally Posted by perpetuallysad

So I am scared to death about this. When I got the letter of denial I completely flipped out, like needed to go to the hospital but there isn't one around here so I just went crazy at home flipped out. I talked to my t/pdoc and he thinks I deserve the disability claim and says if I can stand this torture to keep on going and do the appeal.
So, I go online to start the appeal and they ask what has changed since you first applied. Well, aside from them sending me into a breakdown, nothing's really changed; I'm still a complete nut/freak. So, I have just decided to reiterate how I am and what I do (or really what I don't do). This is the only thing I can think to put for all of these redundant questions.

Has anyone else been through the appeals process? How did you handle answering a bunch of the same questions again? How did it all work out for you (were you accepted or denied, ultimately)?
thanks

Over 70% of all cases are denied not just once, but twice. They do it to discourage those who are just trying to take advantage of the system. In the meantime, they cause more distress to those that really need it My husband became completely disabled in 2002 with a second heart surgery. The doc at the VA told him he'd never be able to work again. He then had a stroke. They STILL denied his claim. It wasn't until we went in front of a judge that they saw there was no reason to deny... the judge was even incensed that my husband had been yanked along for so long.

PerpetuallySad, I know how, by reading, they say it is so common to deny claims and, though I understand it to a degree, I don't think they realize the pain they cause those who do deserve it. Even though it is practically a requirement to go back at it for another go, I admire you so much for being able to dust yourself off and rally for this. I totally felt for your initial rejection -- heck I get that way over the smallest things-- I can scarcely imagine such a thing about mental health (I just know I would cave and give up altogether), so seriously, you are my hero. It's an inspiration, really it is! Best of luck, we're all pulling for you!

[perpetuallysad]

Innerzone, thank you so much. You have no idea how badly I needed to hear something positive like that today.

[kasc]

Originally Posted by perpetuallysad

Thanks gravyyy. I tell you, if I had people like you guys in my real life, I don't think I'd be nearly as ****ed up as I am now.

Let me ask you this (everyone): should I just do a narrative like a list of symptoms, things I cannot do, things that freak me out, etc? Their questions are (it seems to me) intentionally vague, so that I don't feel like I've ever really answered what they asked of me. Like these are the new questions I have to answer for this appeal:

Describe in detail the changes to your condition since you last completed a disability report. 1000 characters maximum response. What date did these changes begin?

Describe in detail your new physical or mental limitations since you last completed a disability report. 1000 char max. When did they begin?

How have your daily activities changed since you last completed the report? Ex: need assistance with personal needs, reading, watching tv, visiting friends and relatives, driving a car or catching a bus...etc.

Keeping these answers to 1000 chars is really hard for me, I feel like this seriously limits my ability to answer these questions fully. Its not like I have a cut off arm or something and I can say, well, because my arm is gone, I cannot pick my nose (or whatever, I am not making fun, just trying to think of a physical ailment that may be more along the lines of what they are looking for when they approve claims). How on earth do I accurately describe mental disturbances? How do I say that I am so paranoid that I cannot answer the door if a person comes and knocks on it, even if I know the person, because I didn't know they were coming in the first place.

I have some more questions for anyone patient enough to answer me, but I've got to go spend some quality time with my son. I'll write more in a little bit.

Hang in there PPS