[StarSkyNight]

I applied in April. Denied in Septemeber. Reconsideration appeal sent in November. SSA sent me 3 letters so far...
1ST LETTER was in first week of January- they said my pdoc of 6 years wasnt sending in my medical records, I need to get him to do so. I've tried and tried. It's just not gonna happen. Been seeing someone new since end of November.

a week later
2nd letter saying SSA scheduled me for a psychiatric exam as well as an appointment to see an internist. (I did this in July for the initial application. WTF?)

and the this week I have to fill out the Function Report - 8 pages of how my illnesses etc limit my activities. I'm so stressed out beyond relief. I have no idea what to say? Everyday is different, but basically the same. Is there such a thing as TMI?

any help is appreciated. it's gonna be a struggle the next 2 weeks to go through this and then the waiting.. AGAIN. It seems these things are designed to break us. I feel threatened, dismissed, and like I'm being punished.

Like theyre waiting for me to die, or become homeless while this process drags on... it's discouraging.

[Ascension]

I know how frustrating this process can be. It's like those who are truly disabled and can't function well are required to do such a daunting and almost insurmountable task. That is the one big problem with the system. They expect the chronically ill, i.e. me, to be able to do all these things... Well duh you bureaucratic freaks... I'm disabled... I have a hard time controlling my emotions enough to get out of bed in the morning let alone fill out an 8 page form about my current health status and how it affects me. Fortunately I was approved. I had spent so much time unemployed and in hospitals that they didn't have much to deny me on. But I can so understand your anxiety over this. It is a lot to handle. I don't have a magic answer though. These things seem to be so random. I wish you all the luck in the world.

For me some of the reasons I couldn't keep a job was. I couldn't remember even simple things, I lost tools, keys, paper work, forgot appointment times primarily due to being overwhelmed by anxiety.

I had been hospitalized for both acute mania and depression many times.

I had a very hard time leaving the house and at times me bedroom.

Give them the specifics to your case.

You will ONLY get benefits if you CANNOT work and it is you responsibility with verification by health care providers to prove that. That is a guarantee.

Hello, StarSkyNight. Go down to the office of the pdoc that has your records and tell him/her you will be back later that day to pick them up. If the pdoc is unavailable or refuses your request, call the board of psychiatry in your state and ask for the board's assistance in getting the records.

While the process is frustrating, you will have no chance of getting disability without doing what is asked of you. Are there people who know you who would agree to help you with the Function Report? You must fully respond to each question; no shortcuts. You have to make the case you are entitled to the disability. Instead of bemoaning this circumstance, you and your friends together should be able to put together a complete picture of the bases for awarding you disability.

When I applied years ago, I needed to have references. Those same people that helped with the Report might make good references too?

One more thing. When you get your medical records, have your current pdoc make a copy. Then have the current pdoc prepare a report detailing his/her views on why disability is warranted for inclusion with your submission.

Yes, this may seem challenging and onerous but you can do it. Good luck.

[leacon]

I have gone through both the federal disability and the Social Security disability. I got the federal but not the Social Security. To get the federal I had to see a forensic psychiatrist and paid 1K to get the report. It worked though. This pdoc tells me that you have to be to the point that you can not even get a receptionist job to get Social security. I wish you luck. Many people need to get a lawyer to get social security.

[amante]

StarSkyNight,
I went through the nightmare of applying for disability and it is a nightmare. I won my appeal but it took me over a year to get approved after going in front of the judge. First, the process is the most painstaking procedure. It is made so difficult to make you cave and withdraw from applying. You can't get around the questions of how your disability affects your day to day and they want every single little detail. The best thing you can do is hire a specialized law firm that deal with social security appeals. Is there an office manager at your Pdoc that can help you get your records from the T. Does T. know that you are applying for Disability, I was on short term disability first, so my T knew ahead of time that my stuff was disabling. All I can say is don't give up, tackle one step at a time, unfortunately there is no easy way when it comes to dealing with the system. The very best of luck to you.

[StarSkyNight]

I'm happy you got approved. How long did it take you to get approved? Did you get denied twice and then have to see the judge? I'll get an attorney when my reconsideration gets denied and I get a hearing. I heard it takes a year or longer just to get a hearing date!! I constantly worry about this whole process - it actually makes me sick.

[complic8d]

StarSkyNight:

I was fortunate to get disablility when I first applied, but I did have a lot of hospitalizations and such. My docs were also very supportive, they were the ones who suggested it.
Last year I had to be reviewed. They sent the standard form to fill out. Trying to explain how far I can walk??? depends on my mood. So many of the questions are physical type things. On the last page there is room to explain anything else that you thought was relevent. This is where most of my information went. I described the hospitalizations, the depression, anxiety, mood swings, all the diagnoses I'd been given, med changes, ECT and its side effects, memory and concentration difficulty, etc. I also added in the few physical disorders I have that also contribute. It would be nice if they had a different form to evaluate mental disability, but I used the blank space to my advantage. I don't know whether this made any difference but they are continuing my coverage. So, my advice is to add as much information as you can, describing how things are affected by the mental illness(es).

Best of luck to you!!!

[perpetuallysad]

I am in the process of my first appeal. I spent a long time writing out the answers to their questions on paper then when I was happy with them, I filled them out on the forms. I have no other advice. Good luck. I think they make it torturous on purpose though.

[amante]

Starskynight,
I got denied once, and after that denial I used a firm that was on TV, social security advocates, they advertized themselves as. I heard nothing for about 8 months, I finally got fed up with calling this firm and just speaking with customer service reps and never actually speaking to the lawyer ever. So I got a referral to see a lawyer who I knew had a proven track record, word of mouth that he was good. I met personally with him, we told him we were about 4 months out and we'd be losing our home, he told me he'd get me in front of a judge before that happened. and sure enough he did do that for us. I was denied in the first place with a ridiculous reason from SS. I say to get that lawyer hired before you get to the stage where you'll need to provide all your medical records for the hearing with the judge. it took months and months for my T office to get the lawyer's office all the paperwork they needed. so slow... so my advice is to get the ball rolling as fast as you can with gathering all the documents a judge will want to see.

[Hippie]

My first application was denied. Think that's fairly typical.
I got a lawyer who only charged if I got SS. The lawyer got all the records together, filled out the forms and set up the date with the judge. Using a lawyer, I did not have to wait long.
To find a lawyer versed in Social Security you can call your local Bar Asso. (listed in yellow pages).
I strongly recommend you get a lawyer and let him/her shuffle through all the paperwork.

[Yoda]

I was approved for disability on my first try but I think it was largely because the hospital where I had worked for fifteen years hired a group of attorneys to represent me. (When I was approved the hospital paid me less until my long term disability ran out and I was terminated)

Highly recommend you hire an attorney.

Good luck.

[ariesmars]

Originally Posted by Yoda

I was approved for disability on my first try but I think it was largely because the hospital where I had worked for fifteen years hired a group of attorneys to represent me. (When I was approved the hospital paid me less until my long term disability ran out and I was terminated)

Highly recommend you hire an attorney.

Good luck.

I see that kitty as a kitty with glasses...maybe im to literal, but that is common with autism/AS

I too have disability on SS. i had a lawyer and i was denied the first time. The judge i had was mainly concerned with my income and SGA. I clearly had/have illnesses. I did not really understand anything that was said before, during and after the hearing all i know is the lawyer told me 'i got it'.

[Yoda]

You had to go to a hearing?

[kittyann]

just take it one page at a time on the paperwork. try not to get overwhelmed (just try because i know it is going to happen)

my father-in-law was physically disabled and it took him many years to get disability. i would suspect that it would be even harder for someone like you and me.

don't be afraid to ask for help in filling out the paperwork either. your therapist or family/friends may be a big help in spotting those areas that are more debilitating than you think.

i don't know about you, but when i look at how this depression affects my life it is difficult to see every area that is affected. i recently had a talk with my husband and he pointed out some things that i didn't even realize were going on. i guess i just got used to it and began to ignore it.

good luck, and remember these things take a lot of time and patience.

don't forget, you can ask for help with the process and you deserve the help.

[Squaw]

I myself have disability, if you can call it that! I currently draw $ 400.00 per month. I don't know what they expect you to do with that small amount of money! My husband is currently going through his 2nd year of filling out the same paperwork over and over, and seeing doctor after doctor. It is agonizing and hard to do. Keep whatever you put down for daily activities and/or problems you have on hand, so that you can consistently keep telling them the same thing. Some of us have memory problems and sometimes that can cause you to forget to tell them something that would help you get through this quicker. I will tell you that we have been told that SS is running 2-3 years behind; my husband currently has an appeal pending because he has very serious health problems and no insurance! We are about to lose everything we own, because of the waiting game... Please don't give up! They want you to! Bottom line: Get an attorney, ASAP. Good Luck.